Bushnell-Prairie City Schools District 170 Board of Education met July 4.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
Due to COVID-19 restrictions on gatherings, the July board meeting was held at the Jacksonville Area Museum building (Old Post Office) with a teleconferencing option available in accordance with the suspension of the requirement of the Illinois Open Meetings Act requiring in-person attendance by members of a public body during the duration of the Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation. The meeting was called to order at 5:17 p.m. by David Blanchette, Chairman. Those present included David Blanchette, Michael Burke, John Clancy, Diane Hollendonner, and Samantha Sauer. Absent were Cynthia Boehlke, Patsy Erickson, Kyla Hurt, Laura Marks, James Pisell, Charles Rice, Brittany Henry (Ex-Officio), and Judy Tighe (Ex-Officio). Steve Varble attended as marketing consultant.
The minutes of the June 4, 2020 board meeting were distributed but not approved due to lack of a quorum.
Treasurer James Pisell emailed a report that the checking account balance was $15,583.59, after paying $131.84 to Gaylord for archival materials to use in object and document storage.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Administrative: The contractor has painted the back door and completed work in both restrooms. Touch-up work on trim, baseboards, and counter will be finished soon. An estimate for museum-quality floor treatment came in at $800 less than the proposed carpet.
The East State Street improvement project has started, with work on the section of street in front of the museum scheduled to begin in mid-winter. Options for opening the museum ranged from a “grand opening” in the spring or several smaller “soft openings” but the October 10 MacMurray alumni event is still the target date for a trial opening. Dave Blanchette is scheduled for the July 3 WLDS “What’s On Your Mind” program to talk about plans for MacMurray’s collection.
There was no update on the volunteer manual. One person has indicated interest in becoming a board member. No names have been submitted by the MacMurray Foundation.
Fundraising: Attorney Jerry Bauer from Rammelkamp Bradney will offer pro bono assistance in setting up a 501(c)(3) “Friends of the Museum” group. Dave Blanchette continues to recruit people who would be interested in serving on the foundation board; Steve Varble volunteered to serve if needed. Several ideas for fundraising were discussed, including publishing a book similar to others offered by the Morgan County Historical Society or hosting a special event showcasing unique items from the museum collection. For events in the museum building, Hamilton’s Catering could provide both the food and the liquor license for any alcohol sales.
Dave Blanchette will draft a letter to membership and send it to Steve Varble for additional input.
Collections: The MacMurray College Foundation has received copies of a business plan and other paperwork, but has not provided feedback yet. In order to prepare a display for the October 10 event, collection items must be received by August.
Several donated items received as possible acquisitions were presented but not voted upon due to lack of quorum. The Campbell family, representing 3 generations of firefighters, donated a fire house bell, helmets, photographs, and a hose nozzle. Olivia Mefford donated newspapers and a 1969 plat book. Jerry Leib donated military uniforms belonging to his late wife’s parents. Helen Foreman’s grandson plans to donate an oil painting of the downtown square that hung in her office as well as other items. Steve Varble displayed an envelope of photos and clippings of Chapin’s centennial celebration and parade in 1958. He continues to work with the family of Ken Bradbury on a donation of items pertaining to Ken’s writings and theater productions.
Exhibits: Orientation for the October 30 – December 11, 2021 Smithsonian Voices and Votes exhibit is now scheduled for July 30 – 31 as a ZOOM presentation. Dave Blanchette plans to participate, and Samantha Sauer indicated that she may be able to join him.
Chad Boehlke cleaned and refurbished the GTE switchboard to get it set up in working order for the children’s area, and it looks very nice. He is working on a set of blocks featuring miniature downtown Jacksonville buildings for the children’s area, and has repaired a table.
The progressive exhibit at the Soap Company has been moved to Antiquarius on the south side of the Square.
Promotion: Steve Varble handed out three exhibit design samples featuring a combination of enlarged photos on a background panel, plexiglas cases holding display items, and lighting fixtures. These would be placed in the front lobby area. The cases could contain museum items on a rotating basis while the background and the base would remain stable. In order to have the three displays ready by October 10, the themes and photographs need to be selected and copied, with items chosen to illustrate the display. Samantha Sauer reminded the board to consider a good balance of gender/culture in the displays, and referred to reading comprehension levels when preparing text labels.
Social media posts and followers continue to show good interest and growth. Recent posts of photographs of modern businesses or events are generating lots of comments. The number of “Facebook friends” has doubled since January 2019, with significant growth in the past six months. The website design should be able to be built for around $2500.
Soft opening themes and target dates were discussed, with attention given to the audiences (museum members, Chamber of Commerce, MacMurray alums, etc.) to reach for each event.
OLD BUSINESS: None.
NEW BUSINESS: None.
There were no public comments.
The next meeting will be held on Thursday, August 6, 5:15 p.m., at the Old Post Office building, 301 E. State Street. Social distancing rules will be observed and call-in option available upon request.
With no further business or announcements to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m.
Alerts Sign-up