Beardstown Community Unified School District #15 Board of Education met Sept. 15.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
OJ Simpson called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. The following Board of Education members were present: Jimmy Hymes, Amy Sommers, Katie Vitale, Abby Pherigo, Jon Stock and OJ Simpson. Joe Engelbrecht is absent. Also present were Michael Smith and Kelly Herter.
Approval of Agenda:
Motion by Vitale, by Stock to approve Agenda. Roll call vote: Hymes-yes; Sommers-yes; Vitale-yes; Pherigo-yes; Stock-yes; and Simpson-yes.
For the Good of the District: The district thanked Fred Loxley for his work on the demolition of the property at 600 East 15th Street. The board also thanked Richard Graham for the painting for the District.
Mr. Smith thanked the staff of the district for all their work
Recognition of Visitors: None
Cooperative Education Program presentation by Tanya Tomlinson. She passed out the Cooperative Education Program Handbook. She asked to use her 7th hour prep for work on the program.
Informational Items and Dates:
1st Mid-term Wednesday, September 22
1st 9 Weeks Friday, October 15
Parent/Teacher Conferences Thursday/Friday, October 14/15
School Improvement Day Friday, October 29
Veterans Day - No School Thursday, November 11
Dismissal at 2:00p.m. Tuesday, November 23(Thanksgiving Break)
Administrator and Athletic Director Reports: Bill Myers-He gave an update on the ICU program. For a new program it is so far successful. The program enables the district to catch kids now with late assignments and get them turned in. Blitz day is next Friday. 23% of the kids are on the ICU list, of the 23% are they participating in the program? Mr. Myers stated yes they are participating. We continue to get better.
Committee Reports: Building and Grounds Richard Graham painting was discussed. Parking lot resurfacing was discussed.
Four Rivers-Met and approved the budget. $226.00 a student for this coming school year. Went down $369.00 total. Over the next couple of years our fee should not go up.
Superintendent’s Report:
District Finances-September financing look good. He feels like we are where we need to be financially. We need to get things in order for any surprises. Budget is getting addressed; he will work on it for the October meeting.
Dual Sports Contract-No issues with coaches. The contract needs some tweaking. Gard Elementary Remodel Update-Met with the PreK staff and some minor changes were discussed. Life Safety-Doors, Outside of MS/HS-Some Health Life Safety issues with the HS complex. High School Conference Update-Coach Craig shared we do not have an answer yet. Hopefully within the next month we will have some answers.
Close Contacts/Quarantines-Changes at Gard and MS/HS. Difficult 5/6 weeks. Having school full time during a pandemic has been a challenge. Mr. Smith understands the frustration with parents and kids. IDPH webinar. Hopefully very soon a vaccination for students.
Bonds Update-David Pistorius tried to sell locally with no luck.
Auditor Notes-25 dollar limit on how much money they keep at their desks. Different system to counting ticket money. More eyes on the gate money. Also suggested a clock in and clock out system. Easier for payroll. We have the system already.
Testing Non-Vaccinated-75 staff are unvaccinated or 30%. There will be several situations that come up that will need dealt with. The schedule is up and people are signing up.
2 Types of Testing-Two options for testing Shield testing and BinaxNow. Paperwork was completed today.
CEU’s-Hot Topic during negotiations. In the past some were allowed while others were not allowed. Going forward all CEU’s will be accepted.
Owl Cameras in Classrooms-$900 dollar apiece. Cameras in classrooms would cost the district close to $100,000 dollars.
Discussion Items:
Snow Routes for Bussing/Lack of Bus Drivers/Extracurricular Transportation Challenges. The transportation director would like to advertise for drivers. We do have a couple training. Security Cameras/Keycard Entry System-Final bid was received.
Phone System (summer)-Has not gotten better. It would be a summer project. Snow/Remote Learning Days Survey Results-56.9% would rather have a snow day and and 43.1 would rather have a remote learning day. It will be on the October agenda on how we will use them. Amy Sommers asked if we went to remote would we use the same platform. Mr. Smith stated it would be something we would look into. Mr. Smith states he will get a committee together of admin and teachers.
TIF has been extended so we can file the application for the football bleachers.
Consent Agenda Approval:
a. Prior Months’ Regular and Committee Meeting Minutes
b. Payment of Bills and Payroll
c. Treasurer’s Report
d. Investment, Loan, and Transfer
e. Resignations-Cheri Spoon-Cook
Cindia Smith-Aide(resignation through job abandonment)
Andrea Wells-Junior Class Sponsor
On a motion by Stock, second by Vitale to approve the consent agenda items a,b,c,d and e. Roll call vote: Hymes-yes; Sommers-yes; Vitale-yes; Pherigo-yes; Stock-yes; and Simpson-yes.
ACTION ITEMS:
On a motion by Pherigo, second by Vitale to approve parent Waiver to Drive to Extracurricular Activities in Emergencies. Roll call vote: Hymes-yes; Sommers-yes; Vitale-yes; Pherigo-yes; Stock-yes; and Simpson-yes.
On a motion by Hymes, second by Sommers to approve optional SHIELD testing or the BinaxNow for students and staff. Employ people for both testing places. Roll call vote: Hymes-yes; Sommers-yes; Vitale-yes; Pherigo-yes; Stock-yes; and Simpson-yes.
On a motion by Hymes, second by Stock to approve National FFA convention trip to Indianapolis, IN on October 27-30 2021. 8 students with Mr. Capps and Ms. Smith as chaperons. Mr. Capps would drive the activity bus. Roll call vote: Hymes-yes; Sommers-yes; Vitale-yes; Pherigo-yes; Stock-yes; and Simpson yes.
On a motion by Hymes, second by Sommers to enter closed session for the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of a specific employee. Roll call vote: Hymes-yes; Sommers-yes; Vitale-yes; Pherigo-yes; Stock-yes; and Simpson-yes. Time 7:11pm
On a motion by Sommers, second by Hymes to enter regular session. Roll call vote: Hymes-yes; Sommers-yes; Vitale-yes; Pherigo-yes; Stock-yes; and Simpson-yes. Time 8:29pm
On a motion by Hymes, second by Pherigo to employ Becky Neese-Aide. Roll call vote: Hymes-yes; Sommers-yes; Vitale-yes; Pherigo-yes; Stock-yes; and Simpson-yes.
On a motion by Vitale, second by Hymes to employ Rachel Sepulveda-Spanish Language Facilitator. Roll call vote: Hymes-yes; Sommers-yes; Vitale-yes; Pherigo-yes; Stock-yes; and Simpson-yes.
On a motion by Hymes, second by Sommers to employ Peggy Ruiz-Full time Certified Sub. Roll call vote: Hymes-yes; Sommers-yes; Vitale-yes; Pherigo-yes; Stock-yes; and Simpson-yes.
On a motion by Hymes, second by Sommers to employ Sara Brannan-Cook. Roll call vote: Hymes-yes; Sommers-yes; Vitale-yes; Pherigo-yes; Stock-yes; and Simpson-yes.
On a motion by Hymes, second by Stock to employ Brian Tomlinson-Industrial Tech Club. Roll call vote: Hymes-yes; Sommers-yes; Vitale-yes; Pherigo-yes; Stock-yes; and Simpson-yes.
On a motion by Hymes, second by Pherigo to employ Tanya Tomlinson-Skills USA. Roll call vote: Hymes-yes; Sommers-yes; Vitale-yes; Pherigo-yes; Stock-yes; and Simpson-yes.
On a motion by Hymes, second by Stock to approve a 4% raise for Administrator and District Employees for the 2021-2022 school year. Keith Reller-Grounds Keeper will receive $1.00 an hour raise and Steve Dyche-School Treasurer salary will increase from $4,800.00 to $5,000.00. Roll call vote: Hymes-yes; Sommers-yes; Vitale-yes; Pherigo-yes; Stock-yes; and Simpson-yes.
ADJOURN
On a motion by Hymes, second by Stock to adjourn at 8:32p.m.
https://www.beardstown.com/vimages/shared/vnews/stories/61322fd64a78f/Minutes%20September%2015,%202021.pdf
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