Beardstown Community Unified School District 15 Board met Nov. 18.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
CALL TO ORDER
The Board of Education Community Unit No. 15, Beardstown, IL was called to order by President Mike Seaman at 7:00 p.m. in Beardstown Middle/High library 500 East 15th Street, Beardstown, IL. Pledge of allegiance. Kim Watson called the roll with the following members present: Jimmy Hymes, Barbara Hobrock, Joe Engelbrecht, Kim Watson, Wells Petersen, OJ Simpson, and Mike Seaman. Also in attendance were Ron Gilbert and Kelly Herter.
PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS: JT Hopkins manager at JBS stated JBS has made the commitment to grant the cities that JBS plants are in 50 million dollars. The local JBS plant received 2.5 million of the 50 million to use within our region. Soccer coach approached them to help improve the soccer field. JBS has a diverse work force and the organization thought it was a great project. Coach Hamilton did a great job getting the project together. They would like to know what happened that the check was returned they thought it was great for the city and the school. Mike Seaman stated the board was not informed of any contract that was signed by the employee. The board did tell Coach Hamilton to talk to the park district and JBS. Robbie Howard stated the district was super appreciative of the project. When the board found out about the offer it was too late. We were brought in on the 11th hour. Robbi Howard if the park district and the school district would have known about it earlier it could have been done differently and it would have been a done deal. JT Hopkins stated $400,000 is a lot of money, and he felt the district needed try harder to push it through.
ADMINISTRATORS REPORT:
Bill Myers-The district has an Ag position open, we have a candidate that has credentials but not the certification. Hope to have everything done by January.
Matt Klett-None
Tammee Petersen-None
Jessica DeWitt-None
David Scott-None
Lori Young-None
Denise Wittler-None
Lauren Smith-None
Jim Childers-None. Mike Seaman asked about the irrigation system at the memorial has it been winterized? Jim Childers stated tomorrow a company is coming to winterize it.
Alex DeSollar-None
Ann Chilton-Take the lunch out like we did before, with drivers and café staff.
Robbi Howard-None
Wendy McClenning-None
Ron Gilbert-CDS quote for redoing the fiber optics. We received a quote for the new teacher laptops.
Committee Reports-Personnel raise the sub teacher pay.
Technology-Lap tops for the staff. CDS connectivity issues. CassComm is doing some research. T-Mobile grant Extra Curricular-Recommendation hybrid. But with the State decisions it is null and void.
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
TIF District 1-Keith Moran. Rich Eckert-TIF are expiring the end of next year. Money to be used at the end of 2022. Taxing bodies and get letters of support. Keith Moran has been working with the TIF districts. TIF monies do not fully fund a project. It allows businesses to improve their businesses.
CassComm-License Purchase WLX595-Mike Reynolds approach about buying our air space. They would like to buy it from the district to help rural customers. If we ever sold that air space to someone else it would affect our Wimax customers. Watson suggested a long term lease.
90 ton AC Replacement Bids for HS-Bids were open on Friday.
Return to School November 30-Building Admin Discuss-Remote learning proposal. We need to be in a state of readiness. Myers-This week A day had 77 absent, B day had 86 absent. With numbers rising in the community we are just trying to keep everyone safe, with Thanksgiving coming up and flu season coming up. We have had a lot of discussion about it. Elementary building A day-62 absent B day-45 absent. Pre-K building had to go remote because of a staff member testing positive. Barbara Hobrock asked what would the communication be to the parents? Mrs. Young did a general letter for the parents. The elementary has had several phone calls to ask to put their kids on full remote because of the increase in cases in the community. Recommendation from the administration is go full remote returning January 11th. Gilbert-No matter what we decide after the holiday the time is basically a quarantine time.
Additional Custodian Request-Gilbert was approached about adding additional custodial staff. Alex DeSollar asked about adding an additional custodial person during the day.
ACTION ITEMS.
On a motion by Hymes, second by Watson to approve consent agenda 1, 2, 3, and 4. Roll call vote Hymes-yes; Hobrock- no; Engelbrecht-yes; Watson-yes; Petersen-yes; Simpson-yes; Seaman-yes.
On a motion by Hobrock, second by Hymes to adopt a resolution to continue TIF District. Roll call vote Hymes-yes; Hobrock-yes; Engelbrecht-yes; Watson-no; Petersen-no; Simpson-no; Seaman-no. The motion failed.
On a motion by Hymes, second by Hobrock to approve replacement of the 90-ton condenser unit in the HS. Second Generation $62,750.00. It was asked if this bid includes everything we need for the unit to be installed. Jim Childers stated it did. Roll call vote Hymes-yes; Hobrock-yes; Engelbrecht-yes; Watson-yes; Petersen-yes; Simpson-yes; Seaman-yes.
On a motion by Petersen, second by Hobrock to adopt 2020 snow emergency routes. Roll call vote Hymes-yes; Hobrock- yes; Engelbrecht-yes; Watson-yes; Petersen-yes; Simpson-yes; Seaman-yes.
On a motion by Hobrock, second by Engelbrecht to approve raising the current sub-teacher pay from $95.00/day to $125.00/day. Decision made after listening to the administration. Roll call vote Hymes-yes; Hobrock-yes; Engelbrecht- yes; Watson-yes; Petersen-yes; Simpson-yes; Seaman-yes.
On a motion by Watson, second by Hobrock to approve the purchase of 105 teacher laptops. Roll call vote Hymes-yes; Hobrock-yes; Engelbrecht-yes; Watson-yes; Petersen-yes; Simpson-yes; Seaman-yes.
On a motion by , second by to approve Hybrid extra-curricular plan. Motion failed for lack of motion
On a motion by , second by to approve the Tier I extra-curricular practices to begin 11-19-20 as presented. Motion failed for lack of motion
On a motion by , second by to approve the return to school plan modifications for Grand Ave., Gard and MS/HS starting November 30, 2020. Motion failed for lack of motion.
On a motion by Watson, second by Petersen to enter closed session to discuss litigation, land acquisition, negotiations, student disciplinary cases, and to consider information regarding the appointment, employment, or dismissal of an employee or officer. Roll call vote Hymes-yes; Hobrock-yes; Engelbrecht-yes; Watson-yes; Petersen-yes; Simpson-yes; Seaman-yes. Time 8:02p.m.
On a motion by Hymes, second by Hobrock to re enter open session. Roll call vote Hymes-yes; Hobrock-yes; Engelbrecht-yes; Watson-yes; Petersen-yes; Simpson-yes; Seaman-yes. Time 8:32p.m.
The board gave the administration the authority to go into remote.
PERSONNEL
On a motion by Hymes, second by Watson to employ Marsha Grant-1 on 1 Hope School/HS paraprofessional; Ashlee Coyle-MS/HS Nurse. Roll call vote Hymes-yes; Hobrock-yes; Engelbrecht-yes; Watson-yes; Petersen-yes; Simpson-yes; Seaman-yes.
On a motion by Hobrock, second by Watson to approve the following maternity leaves: Ashley Eckert-Anticipated Time- February 22, 2021-March 22, 2021; Cari McCombs-Anticipated time-January 13, 2021-March 15, 2021. Roll call vote Hymes-yes; Hobrock-yes; Engelbrecht-yes; Watson-yes; Petersen-yes; Simpson-yes; Seaman-yes.
DISCUSSION-
Building and Grounds meeting-building plans December 8 at 6:00 p.m.
ADJOURN:
On a motion by Hobrock, second by Watson to adjourn. Time 8:38p.m.
https://www.beardstown.com/vimages/shared/vnews/stories/5f6a26fbc8059/Minutes%20November%2018,%202020.pdf
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