Community High School District #71

BOARD OF EDUCATION
REGULAR MEETING
*** Tuesday, February 17, 2015 ***
7:30 PM

AGENDA

The regular meeting of the Board of Education of Central Community High School was held on February 27, 2015 at 7:30PM in the boardroom.

Members present were Mike Nettemeier, Dave Wellen, Mary Lou Voss, Mike Strieker, Tim Richter, Kris Rickhoff presided. Tina Winkeler was absent. Visitors included Katie Florczyk, Stacy Boruff, Art Hayhurst, Sean Kennedy and Kelly Ross.

The agenda was approved on a motion by Tim Richter, second by Kris Rickhoff. Roll call vote: Aye -Mike Nettemeier, Dave Wellen, Mary Lou Voss, Mike Strieker, Kris Rickhoff, Tim Richter. Nay - None

The minutes of the previous meeting were reviewed and approved on a motion by Mary Lou Voss, second by Dave Wellen. Roll call vote: Aye -Mike Nettemeier, Dave Wellen, Mary Lou Voss, Mike Strieker, Kris Rickhoff, Tim Richter. Nay - None

The financial report was reviewed and accepted on a motion by Dave Wellen, second by Kris Rickhoff. Roll call vote: Aye -Mike Nettemeier, Dave Wellen, Mary Lou Voss, Mike Strieker, Kris Rickhoff, Tim Richter. Nay - None

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT:

Mr. Meyer gave a brief summary of the new "Vision 20/20" plan. The program is really a philosophical package outlining a vision for public education and serves as a guide for everyone to work together for a goal for better services. It has been developed and endorsed by all professional leadership organizations in Illinois. All the professional associations have all developed a guideline for goal setting for Springfield. Hopefully working together will send a message to Springfield. Mr. Meyer also talked about a recent article from the publication entitled "Capital Watch" on the topic of the new school funding reform bill. Senator Andy Manar has proposed the "new and improved" Senate Bill 1 in the new State Assembly outlining six changes to the previous Senate Bill 16. Without details and projections from Springfield, effects are difficult to determine for Central Community High School. Property rich districts of the Chicago area stand to lose less than before making it more politically viable, but that doesn't mean that we may not be negatively impacted.

The School Community Council held two recent Community Education Programs. The first was held on January 28th and involved a presentation on Identity Theft given by Ms. Ella York of the Illinois Attorney General's office. It was well attended and very informative. The second will be the assembly, teacher workshop, and program for the public from Dr. Debbie Silver on February 12th. (This program is being funded by the Cougar Pride program of the Committee to Support Central.)

The Illinois State Board of Education annually releases the Financial Profile Designation for all school districts. Mr. Meyer reviewed the summary report sheets. The estimated Operating Expense Per Pupil (OEPP) $12,085.12 and our Per Capita Tuition Charge (PCTC) rate of $10,314.42 for the upcoming year is included. There is a slight chance of minimal changes that could be made to these numbers in March after reviews are made by the ISBE. Our designation falls under the highest possible rating of "Financial Recognition" and we received a perfect 4.0 rating for the third consecutive year. This is a great accomplishment given the state of affairs.

Mrs. Stacy Boruff spoke to the BOE about a new program at Central - Working to Empower with the Central After-school Network (W.E.C.A.N.). This program is being developed as an extension of the Student Assistance Program. It will attempt to get students involved in some activities to keep them healthy and engaged in things other than the couch, video games, or television. The targeted students are those not involved in other school-related extra-curriculars. There is also a possibility of an arrangement with the new Y.M.C.A. at the HealthPlex in this program. Many students who are referred to the SAP program are not involved in anything in school, so this is way to get them involved.

Mr. Meyer has been asked to serve on a Transition Team to make the shift from a three-county Regional Office of Education to four counties. This will also involve the transition to a new Regional Superintendent of Schools. The committee consists of six Superintendents (two from each of the current counties in the existing ROE #13) to make these transitions.

Ms. Lindsay Victor, Associate Legal Counsel at the Collegiate Licensing Company in Atlanta, Georgia sent an letter agreeing to a phase out period with our C-Paw logo. In conjunction with this, we have worked on the creation of a new logo for some athletic purposes. Mr. Meyer review the logos with the BOE. The BOE placed their "endorsement" on these so that we can have some approved "brands" for usage here at the school. In this manner we can direct our staff to utilize these branded emblems in all of our uses and the expectation will be to stay with these images for all usage.

The SIP team suggested a 3-day exam schedule vs a 2-day exam schedule. Mr. Meyer presented the reasons why this would be effective.

The Joint Committee will be meeting and working on a student evaluation that will score out a teacher for teacher performance growth.

Mr. Art Hayhurst of FGM Architects (in Todd Jones' absence) was present to update the BOE on the Summer 2015 Project. They are finalizing the specifications and plans for the projects. Mr. Hayhurstreviewed some additional options for the project. They have developed a plan to replace the electrical panels in most of the older segments of the building and most of the old lighting fixtures. We've also included both gymnasium lighting systems as alternates in the bid package. A motion to approve specifications and authorize the letting of bids for Summer 2015 project was made by Dave Wellen, second by Mike Strieker. Roll call vote: Aye -Mike Nettemeier, Dave Wellen, Mary Lou Voss, Mike Strieker, Kris Rickhoff, Tim Richter. Nay - None

Last month, we had a first reading of the proposed policy on the Prevention of and Response to Bullying, Intimidation, and Harassment. This is mandatory as of a new code requirement passed this last year. Mr. Meyer adapted the policy for us. A motion to approve proposed policy on the Prevention of and Response to Bullying, Intimidation, and Harassment was made by Mary Lou Voss, second by Kris Rickhoff. Roll call vote: Aye -Mike Nettemeier, Dave Wellen, Mary Lou Voss, Mike Strieker, Kris Rickhoff, Tim Richter. Nay - None

One of the requirements of the Collective Bargaining Agreement is that we are to "… at least once during the duration of this Agreement, the employer shall select multiple brokers for the committee's consideration on options of provider(s) and coverage(s)". We fulfilled this obligation last year. A motion to approve Imming Insurance as our Brokerage Company was made by Tim Richter, second by Mary Lou Voss. Roll call vote: Aye -Mike Nettemeier, Dave Wellen, Mary Lou Voss, Mike Strieker, Kris Rickhoff, Tim Richter. Nay - None

Mr. Kevin Wills of First Midstates met with Mr. Meyer and Becky in regards to a possible restructure/refinancing of our current outstanding bonds. The current bonds for our 2005 building addition and renovations have an approaching call date. This might provide us with an opportunity to refinance for the last three years of the payment structure at lower interest costs and save our taxpaying community some dollars. After meeting with Mr. Wills, we would be able to save about $17k. The BOE decided that a discussion need to happen regarding the long range effects of the bonded indebtedness for our district as well. A motion to authorize the restructure/refinancing of our current outstanding bonds was made by Kris Rickhoff, second by Dave Wellen. Roll call vote: Aye -Mike Nettemeier, Dave Wellen, Mary Lou Voss, Mike Strieker, Kris Rickhoff, Tim Richter. Nay - None

A motion to approve an FBLA overnight trip to State Level competitions was made by Tim Richter, second by Kris Rickhoff. Roll call vote: Aye -Mike Nettemeier, Dave Wellen, Mary Lou Voss, Mike Strieker, Kris Rickhoff, Tim Richter. Nay - None

A motion to approve Andrea Markus as volunteer assistant girls' soccer coach was made by Mary Lou Voss, second by Dave Wellen. Roll call vote: Aye -Mike Nettemeier, Dave Wellen, Mary Lou Voss, Mike Strieker, Kris Rickhoff, Tim Richter. Nay - None

A motion to approve Jon Dierkes as volunteer assistant baseball coach was made by Tim Richter, second by Dave Wellen. Roll call vote: Aye -Mike Nettemeier, Dave Wellen, Mary Lou Voss, Mike Strieker, Kris Rickhoff, Tim Richter. Nay - None

Mr. Meyer reviewed the process and instrument for the Evaluation of the Superintendent. Each member will be given an evaluation form to complete, send it to the Board Secretary (Mr. Strieker) who will compile them, and review them with the Board and Mr. Meyer in executive session at the March meeting. Mr. Jones and Mr. Meyer have been completing and filing the evaluations for all other personnel. All will be completed prior to March 1st so that personnel decisions can be made.

PRINCIPAL'S REPORT:

Mr. Jones was not in attendance. He was at a meeting in Bloomington.

The board entered into executive session at 9:11 PM on a motion by Dave Wellen, second by Kris Rickhoff to discuss special education transportation, disciplinary student matters, and personnel. Roll call vote: Aye -Mike Nettemeier, Dave Wellen, Mary Lou Voss, Mike Strieker, Kris Rickhoff, Tim Richter. Nay - None

The board entered into open meeting at 9:47 PM on a motion by Kris Rickhoff, second by Mary Lou Voss. Roll call vote: Aye -Mike Nettemeier, Dave Wellen, Mary Lou Voss, Mike Strieker, Kris Rickhoff, Tim Richter. Nay - None

The board adjourned at 9:48 PM on a motion by Kris Rickhoff, second by Tim Richter. Roll call vote: Aye -Mike Nettemeier, Dave Wellen, Mary Lou Voss, Mike Strieker, Kris Rickhoff, Tim Richter. Nay - None