West Central Reporter

Greenfield Community Unit School District No. 10 Board of Education met Nov. 19.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

1. Board members met at the District Office at 6:15 p.m. on Monday, November 19, 2018 for pizza and dessert. Lauren and Kevin Bowman provided the meal in honor of Board Member Appreciation Day.

2. President Knittel called the regular meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Upon roll call the following members were present: Josh Roberts, Chris Goode, Joe Kinser, Elliott Turpin, Brandi Rynders and Rodney Knittel. Chris Weller was absent. Also present were Superintendent Kevin Bowman, High School Principal Beth Bettis, Ron Plogger, and Becky McClelland.

3. Rynders motioned and Goode seconded to approve the agenda as presented. Upon roll call Rynders, Goode, Kinser, Roberts, Turpin and Knittel voted “Aye”. Motion carried.

4. Rynders motioned and Goode seconded to approve the October 17, 2018 regular and executive session board meeting minutes as presented. Upon roll call Roberts, Turpin, Goode, Kinser, Rynders and Knittel voted “Aye”. Motion carried.

5. Kinser motioned and Roberts seconded to approve the consent agenda items as presented. Upon roll call Turpin, Rynders, Roberts, Goode, Kinser and Knittel voted “Aye”. Motion carried. (See Exhibit No. 1 attached to the Official Minutes)

6. District Highlights – Superintendent Bowman notified the BOE that the district had received a kitchen equipment upgrade grant from Ameren in the amount of $22,993.92. This grant will upgrade the gas oven, dishwasher, and convection oven and includes installation charges. The only expense will be to upgrade an electric connection. (See Exhibit No. 2 attached to the Official Minutes)

7. Ron Plogger reported on Facilities and Transportation: -Mulch will be added to the playground

   -Dirt work to be finished around buildings for water run-off

   -District Office roof – planning to complete before winter if possible

   -Elementary fence is in progress

   -High School window project is complete – blinds for windows have been ordered -Elementary water fountain will be replaced in near future

   -Bus 7 had transmission replaced at a cost of $4400

8. Elliott Turpin reported on the Greenfield Foundation for Educational Excellence. The Foundation made a profit of $1500 on the chili cook-off. The next meeting will be January 16, 2019.

9. Superintendent Bowman distributed worksheets showing approximate tax levy amounts and the effects of a tax increase. Discussion followed with a consensus reached that there would be no need for a public tax hearing in December. (See Exhibit No. 3 attached to the Official Minutes)

10. Parent/Teacher conferences were held in November with excellent turn out for both buildings.

11. Superintendent Bowman reported two personnel matters: -hire high school girls’ track coach-hire teacher aide
12. Superintendent Bowman presented a financial projection worksheet that was completed with the assistance of Brent Appell, ISBE financial consultant. We are in the third year under PTELL. Appell commended the BOE for their hard work and noted they are doing a great job.

13. A list of projected 2019 Board meeting dates were discussed with action to be taken. (See Exhibit No. 4 attached to the Official Minutes)

14. Superintendent Bowman reviewed board policies as information only items. These policies will be voted on at the December meeting. They include 2:80, 2:120, 4:45, 4:170, 5:60, 5:220, 6:60, 6:310, 7:70, 7:100, 7:190, 7:260 and 7:305. (See Exhibit No. 5 attached to the Official Minutes)

15. The District has received a “Commendable” ranking on the 2018 Illinois District Report Card.

16. An Intergovernmental Agreement with Northwestern concerning Dual Superintendent was presented for discussion and action. A new Superintendent contract was also presented and discussed. (See Exhibit No. 6 attached to the Official Minutes)

17. An update on the Technology Committee meeting was given by Bowman. The high school computer lab will be updated this year and the older computers dispersed to other areas. The school has received an Illinois E-rate Grant to fund a portion of the fiber upgrade to the Elementary, but are still waiting to hear from USAC on the federal portion.

18. The State of Illinois has created a Property Tax Relief Grant. Bowman has investigated the grant and explained to the BOE that we would lose a portion of funding the first year but would recoup that amount plus $300,000 the second year. He believes that this will only benefit schools in northern Illinois, but we should apply for the grant anyway.

19. Illinois State Board of Education has released the FY2019 Adequacy Target Gap Analysis Calculator. Bowman reviewed with the BOE.

20. Superintendent Bowman informed the BOE that he has written a letter to the Four Rivers Special Education Cooperative about their decision to delay the gym and classroom addition. He feels it is in the best interests of Greenfield to continue with the project. The cooperative is also stronger working together and sharing services.

21. Rynders motioned and Kinser seconded to go into Executive Session at 7:45 p.m. Upon roll call Rynders, Kinser, Roberts, Turpin, Goode and Knittel voted “Aye”. Motion carried.

Rynders motioned and Roberts seconded to go into Open Session at 8:05 p.m. Upon roll call Kinser, Roberts, Turpin, Goode, Rynders and Knittel voted “Aye”. Motion carried.

22. Roberts motioned and Rynders seconded to authorize Superintendent Bowman to apply for the Illinois Property Tax Relief Grant. Upon roll call Rynders, Kinser, Roberts, Turpin, Goode and Knittel voted “Aye”. Motion carried.

23. Rynders motioned and Roberts seconded to hire Kera Bishop as the High School Girls’ Track Coach. Upon roll call Kinser, Roberts, Turpin, Goode, Rynders and Knittel voted “Aye”. Motion carried.

24. Kinser motioned and Rynders seconded to hire Haley Schofield as an Elementary teacher aide for the remainder of the school year. Upon roll call Roberts, Turpin, Goode, Rynders, Kinser and Knittel voted “Aye”. Motion carried.

25. Roberts motioned to approve the slate of 2019 board meeting dates with the addition of January 28, February 25, April 29 and June 17. Rynders seconded the motion. Upon roll call Turpin, Goode, Rynders, Kinser, Roberts and Knittel voted “Aye”. Motion carried. (See Exhibit No. 4 attached to the Official Minutes)

26. Kinser motioned and Goode seconded to approve the Intergovernmental Agreement with Northwestern CUSD concerning the dual Superintendent. Upon roll call Goode, Rynders, Kinser, Roberts, Turpin and Knittel voted “Aye”. Motion carried. (See Exhibit No. 6 attached to the Official Minutes)

27. Turpin motioned and Kinser seconded to approve the Dual Superintendent contract for Kevin Bowman with Northwestern CUSD as presented. Upon roll call Rynders, Kinser, Roberts, Turpin, Goode and Knittel voted “Aye”. Motion carried.

28. There was no action on Facilities or Technology.
29. Correspondence – A thank you from Penny Roberts and the Class of 1968 was read thanking the school for the tour during their recent class reunion.

30. Rynders motioned and Kinser seconded to adjourn the meeting at 8:10 p.m.

http://www.greenfieldschools.org/files/minutes/2018/Board%20Minutes%2011-19-2018.pdf