Community High School District #71

BOARD OF EDUCATION
REGULAR MEETING
Monday, August 21, 2017 (7:00 PM)

AGENDA

The regular meeting of the Board of Education of Central Community High School was held on August 21, 2017 at 7:00PM in the boardroom.

Members present were Mike Nettemeier, Dennis Meier, Sean Kennedy, Mary Lou Voss, Amy Kruse, Jeff Kampwerth and Tim Richter. Visitors included Jeremy Shubert, Eric Drake and Kelly Ross.

The agenda was approved on a motion by Richter, second by Meier. Roll call vote: Aye -Mike Nettemeier, Dennis Meier, Sean Kennedy, Mary Lou Voss, Amy Kruse, Jeff Kampwerth, Tim Richter. Nay - None

The minutes of the previous meeting were reviewed, amended and approved on a motion by Voss second by Kampwerth. Roll call vote: Aye -Mike Nettemeier, Dennis Meier, Sean Kennedy, Mary Lou Voss, Amy Kruse, Jeff Kampwerth, Tim Richter. Nay - None

The financial report was reviewed and accepted on a motion by Richter, second by Voss. Roll call vote: Aye -Mike Nettemeier, Dennis Meier, Sean Kennedy, Mary Lou Voss, Amy Kruse, Jeff Kampwerth, Tim Richter. Nay - None

Mr. Meyer reviewed some correspondence and information with the BOE. He commended the Maintenance and Custodial staff for their work this summer in preparing our facility for the upcoming year. Joe Lampe did a great job coordinating several projects, upgrades, and general maintenance issues this summer. The entire staff did a great job in preparing everything (both inside and outside) and completing the cleaning, waxing, painting, etc. The registration format last week worked very well in getting schedules out, completing schedule changes for students, and collecting textbook and activity fees. Having evening hours on one night was very convenient for parents. The Open Forum on the new One-to-One Chromebook Initiative was well attended. Mr. Hamon also did an online registration process again this year with parents of athletes. The week of registration is a very hectic one for our office staff and they should be commended for their efforts during those days.

We have been notified of the Career and Technical grant's approval and guarantee it will be disbursed. We are working to put a tutor in place. Although this is technically an employee of the CTE arm of the Regional Office of Education, we recommend the person to them.

The Committee to Support Central continues to meet quarterly, promote Central, and work at generating scholarship opportunities for our students. The group is currently discussing methods of promotion for Central programs and activities. We have also offered the Cougar Pride program again this year. Last year, there were fifty-one Gold, Silver, and Bronze level members. The C.S.C. contributed $15,000 to the One-to-One Chromebook program this past year. They have created several scholarship opportunities for students and contributed to programs over the years with some of the Cougar Pride contributions. The School Community Council will hold its first meeting of the year in the upcoming weeks and they will be discussing plans for community education programs and other activities this upcoming year. The S.C.C. has been a great avenue through which we can get input and feedback on our programs.

This summer has been a big deal in the Technology program. We are deployed Chromebooks on last Thursday with no issues. Undoubtedly, there will be "bumps and bruises" in the implementation and early phases, but we will resolve and move forward each day. Mrs. Wiegmann, Mrs. Ringwald, and others on staff have contributed and prepared us and the policies and procedures of the program are in place. We also repaired and implemented all of the other matters as was presented to you last spring. The Technology program we offer our students and staff at Central are in great condition and a prototype for other schools in the area. Now that we have gone into a One-to-One platform, it is even stronger. We are an advanced technological school and need to get better and better as the rapid pace of technology continues to build.

The Summer 2017 projects have all been completed except for one item. Most of you probably noticed the new water fountains and we all got to see the new gym floor. In addition, we have made the upgrades to the kitchen equipment and floor coverings in one classroom and two additional spaces in the building. And, we upgraded our video surveillance system with a new server system. The one significant item that remains is the sound system for the Commons Area and West Gymnasium. Mr. Neil Hamon and Mr. Eric Chrostoski have been working with me in identifying our exact needs and seeking proposals. This is easier said than accomplished. Having a dual sided stage has its advantages, but having a sound system in a combination for that facility with different uses is another matter. We feel we have identified a proposal that will do the best possible job for both spaces. It is simple for usage by varied staff and functions, and it is at an affordable cost. We have also received a commitment from the P.A.W.S. Organization to work with us in a joint effort. A motion to approve purchase of sound system in joint venture with PAWS was made by Voss, second by Kennedy. Roll call vote: Aye -Mike Nettemeier, Dennis Meier, Sean Kennedy, Mary Lou Voss, Amy Kruse, Jeff Kampwerth, Tim Richter. Nay - None

After our two Special Board of Education Meetings of July 25th and August 7th, there was more discussions toward preliminary plans on the 2018-19 Renovations and Building Additions. Hopefully, you have had an opportunity over the past few weeks to consider the information provided at those meetings, and have developed a belief in the pursuit of these projects. If we move forward on all parts, we need to lay out a series of options in completion over the eighteen month period it will take us on design, bid, preparation, and work to complete these large scale facility changes. We have best options and a timeline provided by Mr. Kevin Wills of First Midstate for funding. We also need to plan ahead for all scenarios concerning the road ahead. A motion to hold another Special Board of Education Meeting to review Todd's new preliminary plans, and really layout our direction on Monday, September 11 at 6PM was made by Kampwerth, second by Kennedy. Roll call vote: Aye -Mike Nettemeier, Dennis Meier, Sean Kennedy, Mary Lou Voss, Amy Kruse, Jeff Kampwerth, Tim Richter. Nay - None

Becky Boeschen presented the Preliminary FY 18 Budget figures and information. Instability in state funding continues to create difficulty in preparing an effective budget. Our revenue stream in state aid and reimbursement payments is inconsistent at best and knowing what to calculate for a fiscal year is often a guess. General State Aid calculations have little room to drop anymore. And, the potential for an evidence based funding formula is also difficult to predict at this time. Local sources of revenue are the easiest to predict and we are waiting to receive those figures. As always, we will plan for revenue streams that are low. It is in expenditures where we have a better grasp on budget figures. We will not have additional salary and benefit expenses because of last year's retirements. We will have an increase in costs of operation. As we always do, efforts will continue to control expenditures in all areas. The Education Fund is of most direct concern. A motion to set a budget hearing for September 19th at 6:45PM was made by Kennedy, second by Richter. Roll call vote: Aye -Mike Nettemeier, Dennis Meier, Sean Kennedy, Mary Lou Voss, Amy Kruse, Jeff Kampwerth, Tim Richter. Nay - None

The 2017-18 School Improvement Plan has been completed this summer by the School Improvement Team. Goals have been constructed along with Professional Development Plans, Remediation Plans, direction on the Response to Intervention program, and description of Parental Involvement programs. A motion to approve 2017-18 School Improvement plan was made by Voss, second by Kruse. Roll call vote: Aye -Mike Nettemeier, Dennis Meier, Sean Kennedy, Mary Lou Voss, Amy Kruse, Jeff Kampwerth, Tim Richter. Nay - None

A motion to accept resignation of Angela Zurliene was made by Kruse, second by Kampwerth. Roll call vote: Aye -Mike Nettemeier, Dennis Meier, Sean Kennedy, Mary Lou Voss, Amy Kruse, Jeff Kampwerth, Tim Richter. Nay - None

A motion to employ Emily Davis as sp ed aide pending all necessary requirements was made by Richter, second by Kennedy. Roll call vote: Aye -Mike Nettemeier, Dennis Meier, Sean Kennedy, Mary Lou Voss, Amy Kruse, Jeff Kampwerth, Tim Richter. Nay - None

A motion to approve Stacy Schroeder as Detention Hall supervisor was made by Voss, second by Kennedy. Roll call vote: Aye -Mike Nettemeier, Dennis Meier, Sean Kennedy, Mary Lou Voss, Amy Kruse, Jeff Kampwerth, Tim Richter. Nay - None

A motion to approve maternity leave for Emily Johnson was made by Kampwerth, second by Kruse. Roll call vote: Aye -Mike Nettemeier, Dennis Meier, Sean Kennedy, Mary Lou Voss, Amy Kruse, Jeff Kampwerth, Tim Richter. Nay - None

A motion to employ Taylor Douglas as volunteer FB Cheer coach pending all necessary requirements are met was made by Kruse, second by Kampwerth. Roll call vote: Aye -Mike Nettemeier, Dennis Meier, Sean Kennedy, Mary Lou Voss, Amy Kruse, Jeff Kampwerth, Tim Richter. Nay - None

A motion to employ Eric Drake as Volunteer Band Assistant was made by Voss, second by Richter. Roll call vote: Aye -Mike Nettemeier, Dennis Meier, Sean Kennedy, Mary Lou Voss, Amy Kruse, Jeff Kampwerth, Tim Richter. Nay - None

PRINCIPAL'S REPORT:

It is a new school year and as a Board member, you may receive a parent call requesting schedule changes for their son or daughter. If you do receive a call, direct the parent to our Counselors, Trish Lohman or Wendy Jones. FYI, requests to move from one teacher to another in the same subject will not be accepted. In addition, students cannot move from a smaller class size to a larger class size in the same subject area. Students can move from a larger class size to a smaller one if their schedules allows in the same subject area with the same instructor. Although Central uses Skyward to schedule the students automatically, it can still create an imbalance of class sizes due to scheduling conflicts. Creating a master schedule keeping conflicts of single course offerings at a minimum is an arduous task that began with Trisha, Wendy, and I in February & March for the 2017-2018 school year.

The board entered into executive session to discuss Special Education student placement, personnel matters and potential matters of litigation involving the district on a motion by Voss, second by Richter. Roll call vote: Aye -Mike Nettemeier, Dennis Meier, Sean Kennedy, Mary Lou Voss, Amy Kruse, Jeff Kampwerth, Tim Richter. Nay - None Motion carried at 9:08PM

The board entered back into open session at 9:46PM on a motion by Voss, second by Richter. Roll call vote: Aye -Mike Nettemeier, Dennis Meier, Sean Kennedy, Mary Lou Voss, Amy Kruse, Jeff Kampwerth, Tim Richter. Nay - None

The board adjourned the meeting on a motion by Richter; second by Voss at 9:47PM. Roll call vote: Aye -Mike Nettemeier, Dennis Meier, Sean Kennedy, Mary Lou Voss, Amy Kruse, Jeff Kampwerth, Tim Richter. Nay - None