Brown County Community Unit School District 1 Board of Education met Nov. 18.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
The regular meeting of the Board of Education was held at 5:45 p.m. in the Brown County High School band room and via Zoom video conference. The meeting was called to order by Philip Krupps. The minutes were recorded by McKenzie Taute.
On roll call: Krupps, yea; Blaesing, yea; Blakeley, yea; McCaskill, absent; Hughes, yea; Fullerton, yea; Heinecke, yea.
In person attendance: Pollee Craven, Sally Ruble, Shelly Sheffler, Tracy Conley, McKenzie Taute, Kris Gallaher, Dave Phelps, Alex Ebbing and Curt Simonson.
Board Member, Matt McCaskill, arrived at 5:57 p.m.
In attendance via Zoom: Philip Krupps, Dawn Hughes, Mary Ingram, Dan Long, Jillian Theis, Roger Ehret, Diane Robertson, Suzanne Steckel.
Public Comment: Board President, Philip Krupps, read a public comment submitted by Jillian Theis. Mrs. Theis asked if the district plans to provide transportation to and from the new Early Learning Center.
Krupps reminded everyone that the district will hold a Truth in Taxation Hearing on December 16 at 5:45 p.m. in the Brown County High School Band Room.
Motion by Blaesing, seconded by Fullerton, to approve the Consent Agenda.
Roll call: Fullerton, yea; Hughes, yea; McCaskill, absent; Blakeley, yea; Krupps, yea; Blaesing, yea; Heinecke, yea.
Motion Carried
Motion by Blaesing, seconded by Blakeley, to approve the Financial Report.
Roll call: Krupps, yea; McCaskill, absent; Hughes, yea; Blakeley, yea; Fullerton, yea; Heinecke, yea; Blaesing, yea.
Motion Carried
Suzanne Steckle from Zumbahlen, Eyth, Surrat, Foote & Flynn, LTD. presented the fiscal year 2020 Financial Audit to the Board. The district’s profile score has improved from 2.2 in fiscal year 2019 to 2.9 for the current audited year. This score is ranked on a 4.0 scale. The current rating moves the district from a “watch” to a “warning” status by the ISBE Financial Profile Summary based on the following five factors: 1. Fund Balance to Revenue Ratio; 2. Expenditure to Revenue Ratio; 3. Days of Cash on Hand; 4. Percentage of short-term borrowing maximum remaining; 5. Percentage of long-term debt margin remaining.
Committee Reports: Dawn Hughes spoke about the ongoing work to bring broadband to all of Brown County.
Discussion items: Athletic Director, Dave Phelps, spoke to the Board about IHSA’s decision to push back winter sports until January. Mr. Phelps asked the Board if athletes will still be allowed to condition and/or have contactless open gym time. The Board agreed to let Dr. Simonson along with administration make the decision as whether to allow athletes to participate in contactless conditioning. Mr. Phelps hoped to have more direction from IHSA after their Board of Directors meeting on November 19.
Mrs. Craven spoke to the Board about possible changes to the Return to Learn Plan. Currently fully remote students are learning through Illinois Virtual School. Mrs. Craven feels the district is fully prepared to teach remote students within the district beginning second semester. Mrs. Craven also spoke about students that would like to participate in early completion, but still participate in extra- curriculars, giving students the option to revoke their application for early completion if extra curriculars are allowed, and allowing students to attend prom if they elect for early completion.
Mrs. Ruble informed the Board that she is currently working on a few changes to the middle school Return to Learn Plan and she hopes to discuss those changes at the December board meeting.
Mrs. Sheffler indicated there would be no changes to the elementary Return to Learn Plan at this time.
Motion by Fullerton, seconded by Heinecke, to approve the Fiscal Year 20 Financial Audit.
Roll call: Blakeley, yea; Fullerton, yea; Hughes, yea; Krupps, yea; McCaskill, yea; Blaesing, yea; Heinecke, yea.
Motion Carried
Motion by Blakeley, seconded by Blaesing, to approve the Superintendent to prepare the 2020 tax levy.
Roll call: Blaesing, yea; Heinecke, yea; Hughes, yea; Blakeley, yea; McCaskill, yea; Krupps, yea; Fullerton, yea.
Motion Carried
Motion by McCaskill, seconded by Fullerton, to approve the amendment of the high school handbook for the 2020-21 school year to allow for application for early completion status applications from 2020 seniors.
Roll call: Heinecke, yea; Blaesing, yea; Hughes, yea; Blakeley, yea; McCaskill, yea; Krupps, yea; Fullerton, yea.
Motion Carried
Motion by Fullerton, seconded by Heinecke, to approve the early completion status applications from 2020 seniors.
Roll call: Hughes, yea; Blakeley, yea; Blaesing, year; Krupps, yea; McCaskill, yea; Heinecke, yea; Fullerton, yea.
Motion Carried
Motion by McCaskill, seconded by Blaesing, to enter closed session to approve any matter discussed in closed session as necessary including the approval of personnel employment, release, and other personnel items that may require action, and limited to those matters authorized for discussion in executive session by motion of the Board. Closed Session on the following subjects: a) the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the School District; or other matters appropriate for a closed meeting pursuant to the Open Meetings Act at 6:44 p.m.
Roll call: Heinecke, yea; Blakeley, yea; Fullerton, yea; Hughes, yea; Krupps, yea; McCaskill, yea; Blaesing, yea.
Motion Carried
Motion by McCaskill, seconded by Heinecke, to exit closed session at 7:00 p.m.
Roll call: McCaskill, yea; Fullerton, yea; Krupps, yea; Blakeley, yea; Hughes, yea; Heinecke, yea; Blaesing, yea.
Motion Carried
Motion by McCaskill, seconded by Fullerton, to approve the minutes of closed session.
Roll call: Blaesing, yea; Blakeley, yea; Hughes, yea; Fullerton, yea; Krupps, yea; Heinecke, yea; McCaskill, yea.
Motion Carried
There was no action taken on personnel.
Motion by Krupps, seconded by McCaskill, to adjourn at 7:01 p.m.
Motion Carried by Acclamation
http://www.bchornets.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/DRAFT-MIN-Nov18-2020.pdf
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