Brown County Community Unit School District 1 Board met Dec. 13.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
The Public Hearing to review the 2021 Tax Levy was held at 5:45 p.m. in the Brown County High School band room. The meeting was called to order by Heath Fullerton. The minutes were recorded by McKenzie Taute.
Roll call: Fullerton, yea; Blaesing, absent; Blakeley, 5:52 p.m.; Hughes, yea; Eichelberger, yea; Koch, yea; Boylen, yea.
Attendance: Lan Eberle, Pollee Craven, Sally Ruble, Alex Ebbing, McKenzie Taute, Tracy Conley, Kris Gallaher, Suzanne Steckel.
Public Hearing Minutes
Superintendent, Lan Eberle, discussed the 2021 Tax Levy and how he reached the proposed tax rate. Eberle mentioned the difference in rates between last year and this year is -0.00019%. Eberle discussed the fine line between missing out on tax dollars for the district and raising the tax rate. Eberle explained while the district was not going over the 5% threshold that requires a public hearing, to be fully transparent, the district held the Truth in Taxation Hearing.
Motion by Fullerton, seconded by Eichelberger, to adjourn at 5:55 p.m. Motion Carried by Acclamation
Regular Board Meeting
The regular Board of Education meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Heath Fullerton. The minutes were recorded by McKenzie Taute.
Roll call: Fullerton, yea; Blaesing, 6:13 p.m.; Blakeley, yea; Hughes, yea; Eichelberger, yea; Koch, yea; Boylen, yea.
Attendance: Lan Eberle, Pollee Craven, Sally Ruble, Alex Ebbing, McKenzie Taute, Tracy Conley, Kris Gallaher, Suzanne Steckel, Kim Dormire, Julie Kallenbach, John Mathis, Dorothy Williams.
Visitors:
Mr. Ebbing recognized Brown County Middle School student of the month, Dorothy Williams. Ebbing mentioned that Williams was nominated by two teachers for her hard work, great attitude and smiling face.
Mrs. Craven noted that the high school student had to work and would be recognized next month.
Middle School ILT: Middle school teachers, Kim Dormire and Julie Kallenbach discussed the outstanding work done by the students on increasing grade-level proficiency through the RTI program. Dormire explained that the RTI program targets students that need additional support. Kallenbach explained that the average 8th grade ELA student had shown a year and a half of growth in the last four months. Dormire expressed similar results in 5th & 6th grade math. Dormire thanked Mr. Ebbing for his flexibility, noting Ebbing always tells staff “Whatever is best for the students”.
Presentation of the Fiscal Year 2021 Audit: Suzanne Steckel from the firm Zumbahlen, Eyth, Surrat Foote & Flynn LTD, presented the Fiscal Year 2021 audit. Steckel discussed the strides made in Fiscal Year 2021 and how it resulted in the district going from a 2.9 rating (warning level) to a 3.8 rating (recognized level). Steckel also mentioned that in Fiscal Year 2020 the district was spending $1.03 for every $1.00 in revenue. In Fiscal Year 2021, this improved to $0.90 spent for every $1.00 of revenue. Steckel referenced the district’s savings from the bond refinance several times when discussing cash flow.
Motion by Koch, seconded by Blaesing, to Approve the Consent Agenda.
Roll call: Fullerton, yea; Blaesing, yea; Blakeley, yea; Hughes, yea; Eichelberger, yea; Koch, yea; Boylen, yea.
Motion Carried
Discussion Items:
Upcoming Regional Office of Education Compliance Audit: Eberle explained that the district recently hosted a training presentation for the upcoming compliance audit. The district will begin gathering the required information in early 2022 and it is expected to take several months to complete.
Potential Purchase of Busses: Eberle discussed the need to update the bus fleet. Eberle explained that he had hoped to wait until summer to pursue the purchase of new busses, but due to the deteriorating condition of several busses, it’s necessary to get the ball rolling. Eberle went on to say that after the bid process takes place, the average wait time to receive the units is 6-8 months. The Board discussed at length the different options in sizes, features, and pricing. The transportation committee will meet prior to the next meeting to discuss the different options.
Solar Panels: Eberle discussed a recent free assessment that was provided by Future Green Energy. Eberle explained that while the idea is great, the district would lose considerable green space that is now utilized by students.
Update on District Grants: Eberle provided a list of current grants and grant status to the Board.
Motion by Fullerton, seconded by Hughes, to Approve the 2021 Tax Levy.
Roll call: Fullerton, yea; Blaesing, yea; Blakeley, yea; Hughes, yea; Eichelberger, yea; Koch, yea; Boylen, No.
Motion Carried
Motion by Hughes, seconded by Fullerton, to Approve the Fiscal Year 2021 Financial Audit.
Roll call: Fullerton, yea; Blaesing, yea; Blakeley, yea; Hughes, yea; Eichelberger, yea; Koch, yea; Boylen, yea.
Motion Carried
Business Manager, Tracy Conley, explained the TRS Supplemental Savings Plan Agreement. Conley mentioned that the plan allows the district to offer investments through TRS for new employees at no cost to the district.
Motion by Blaesing, seconded by Hughes, to Approve the TRS Supplemental Savings Plan Agreement.
Roll call: Fullerton, yea; Blaesing, yea; Blakeley, yea; Hughes, yea; Eichelberger, yea; Koch, yea; Boylen, yea.
Motion Carried
High School Principal, Pollee Craven, discussed proposed language changes to the District Handbook. Craven explained the handbook committee met to discuss pre-arranged approved absences. The following items were changed.
PRE-ARRANGED APPROVED ABSENCES – Permission for pre-arranged absence must be secured in the office at least 3 days in advance of the absence. Pre-arranged absences will be included in the 9 days of allowed parent excused absences unless otherwise noted.
The following language was added per the State of Illinois addition to allowable absences: Personal illness (Parent Contact): Students are allowed 7 days/occurrences of absence per semester which can be excused with a parent phone call and/or note (beginning January 4, 2022, per State of Illinois addition to allowable absences ; Public Act 102-0266) This includes mental Health Days. If a student reaches seven parent contact absences (a partial-day occurrence or a full-day occurrence will both be counted for purposes of personal illness/parent contact days as 1 day of absence), all subsequent absences will be considered unexcused.
Motion by Boylen, seconded by Koch, to Approve the Amendment to the District Handbook Language.
Roll call: Fullerton, yea; Blaesing, yea; Blakeley, yea; Hughes, yea; Eichelberger, yea; Koch, yea; Boylen, yea.
Motion Carried
Press Plus Issue 108 – Fullerton asked for questions on the policy sections that make up Press Plus Issue 108. Fullerton explained that a final reading of the polices will take place at the January meeting.
Motion by Fullerton, seconded by Boylen, to enter closed session at 7:07 p.m.
Roll call: Fullerton, yea; Blaesing, yea; Blakeley, yea; Hughes, yea; Eichelberger, yea; Koch, yea; Boylen, yea.
Motion Carried
Motion by Blaesing, seconded by Fullerton, to exit closed session at 7:39 p.m.
Roll call: Fullerton, yea; Blaesing, yea; Blakeley, yea; Hughes, yea; Eichelberger, yea; Koch, yea; Boylen, yea.
Motion Carried
Motion by Blaesing, seconded by Boylen, to approve the minutes of closed session Roll call: Fullerton, yea; Blaesing, yea; Blakeley, yea; Hughes, yea; Eichelberger, yea; Koch, yea; Boylen, yea.
Motion Carried
Motion by Boylen, seconded by Fullerton, to approve the following personnel action: Personnel Listing – December 13, 2021
Approval:
April Swagger – Middle School Custodian – effective 11/19/2021
Kenneth Watts – Elementary School Custodian – effective 11/24/2021
Susan Roegge – Middle School Special Education Teacher – effective 12/14/2021
Molly Lenover – Elementary School Paraprofessional – effective 1/4/2022
Transfers:
Jolene Hall – Middle School Special Education to Middle School Science – effective 1/4/2022
Ben Yingling – Middle School Science to District Floating Substitute Teacher - effective 1/4/2022
Resignations:
Karrie Leenerts – Elementary School Custodian – effective 11/18/2021
Substitutes
Cheryl Vermillion – paraprofessional
Cathy Heckel – paraprofessional
Lindsey Scheer – bus driver
Motion by Boylen, seconded by Blakeley, to adjourn at 7:42 p.m.
Motion Carried by Acclamation
https://www.bchornets.com/vimages/shared/vnews/stories/601046b52a983/DRAFT%20MIN%2012-13-2021.pdf
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