Community High School District #71

BOARD OF EDUCATION
REGULAR MEETING
Monday, November 16, 2015 7:30 PM

AGENDA

The regular meeting of the Board of Education of Central Community High School was held on November 16, 2015 at 7:30PM in the boardroom.

Members present were Mike Nettemeier, Dennis Meier, Mary Lou Voss, Tim Richter, Tina Winkeler, Mike Strieker and Kris Rickhoff presided. Visitors included Kelly Ross, Neil Hamon, Todd Jones and Eric Chrostoski.

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

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

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

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT:

On Friday, October 30th we held a Teacher's Institute here at Central focused on "Student Life and Concerns" with a series of meetings and presentations for our faculty members. We heard a presentation by Psychologist, Brian Reid of the Kaskaskia Special Education District on Stress, Depression, Mental Illness, and Signs of Suicide. In the afternoon, Trooper Tammy Welborn of the Illinois State Police spoke to our staff on Drugs and Signs of Substance Abuse. In between our teachers had time to meet in their subject areas on curriculum and instruction.

Mr. Meyer reviewed a letter we received from Kaskaskia College concerning the situation recently discussed on Dual Credit opportunities for students in area high schools. Unfortunately, the letter makes all sorts of requests of the high schools and staff but gives little relevant and concrete information regarding any action on the part of the college. An informational memorandum to our staff was sent out regarding this topic. As we discussed last month, at the time we are in a very difficult position regarding this topic. We have to establish some guidelines protecting staff and school while hoping to maintain opportunities for our school community.

A report showing tax rate comparisons for many school districts in southern and central Illinois was reviewed. The data shows our extremely low tax rate in comparison with all other districts. This is even with a combination of elementary levels with the Central rate.

Information on recent and developing legislation was discussed. The most notable information in this is the timeline for PERA and the Joint Committee activities, the new guidelines on student discipline concerning suspension and expulsion, and the requirements of Civics Education in our Social Studies curriculum that is being proposed and making its way through the legislative system.

We have received all of the final paperwork on the Summer Electrical and Lighting Project. Todd Jones of FGM Architects has provided all necessary information. Overall, this was a very successful project making for a much safer electrical and more efficient lighting system. A motion to approve payment #4 for $16,375.30 to Lowry Electric was made by Richter, second by Strieker. Roll call vote: Aye -Mike Nettemeier, Dennis Meier, Tina Winkeler, Mary Lou Voss, Tim Richter, Mike Strieker, Kris Rickhoff. Nay - None

The Building Committee held its first meeting on Thursday, October 22nd and members have reviewed some potential facility projects for the Summer of 2016. Mr. Meyer proposed the recommendations of the committee on the potential projects. Todd Jones discussed in detail the specifics of the proposed projects. Those projects include lockset upgrades, security vestibules, and a new bell system/public address system/clock system. The Building Committee also outlined some long-range plans for our facility. The goal is to make initial plans and undertake some long range planning. A motion to approve amendment for Health, Life, Safety Funding and authorization to prepare specifications and bidding process on the recommendations presented was made by Voss, second by Meier. Roll call vote: Aye -Mike Nettemeier, Dennis Meier, Tina Winkeler, Mary Lou Voss, Tim Richter, Mike Strieker, Kris Rickhoff. Nay - None

Mrs. Boeschen and Mr. Meyer presented Tax Levy proposals. Although at a smaller rate than in previous years, our estimated assessed valuation continues to grow. The problem this past year was the application of a negative multiplier which basically effectively "eliminated" most of our growth factor. It is possible for this to happen again and we must consider that in our decision. Regardless, we still must maintain a goal to establish a levy request that garners our total revenue potential and, with little information on which to base this, it must be sufficient. A decision to adopt a sufficient levy is crucial for a district such as Central because of our reliance on local revenue and almost total decline in General State Aid from the State of Illinois. Without any sign that GSA will grow for us and be reinstituted at the foundation level, we will consider to grow in our dependence upon local tax revenues. Another factor is the potential for a "tax cap" established by the State of Illinois. This is a major component of the Governor's package of proposed legislation. A cap placed on our EAV based upon this past year's levy would be very detrimental to our ability to raise additional revenue and needs to be considered in adoption of a levy now. As in the past, we will need to set an amount and request more than we will ever actually be extended. A levy is simply a request that we make at an inflated level to ensure we access the revenue available according to the eventual assessment of property. One topic of discussion was the need for an increase in the Tort and Immunity Fund levy. We increased it slightly this past. It is one area that we can set a levy request and rate without limitation. Given our administration of a risk management survey and the conservative approach that we have taken with responses (payment of salaries on the documented time spent in risk management activities), we feel it is justifiable to make an adjustment. A motion to approve preliminary tax rate increase of 16.18% and set Truth in Taxation meeting for December 21 at 7:15 was made by Voss, second by Meier. Roll call vote: Aye -Mike Nettemeier, Dennis Meier, Tina Winkeler, Mary Lou Voss, Tim Richter, Mike Strieker, Kris Rickhoff. Nay - None

In the past, we have tried to purchase a new Driver Education vehicle every two years. This maintains a rotation between the vehicle used here at Central and the vehicle at Mater Dei. The Driver Education car (2012 Chevrolet Impala) used at the other school is now four years old with over 60,000 miles. However, the deficit in the Education Fund will prohibit us from purchasing a new vehicle this year. We have not budgeted an amount for this reason. We also have other vehicles that will need replacement over the next few years to consider as well. Next year we need to revisit this topic since postponing purchases of this nature has its downside as well.

Mr. Meyer briefly reviewed the Interactive Illinois Report Card (IIRC). This program has developed most of the demographics of the district as compared to other school districts.

A motion to approve Mr. Harre's retirement request for fiscal year ending 2019 was made by Voss, second by Winkeler. Roll call vote: Aye -Mike Nettemeier, Dennis Meier, Tina Winkeler, Mary Lou Voss, Tim Richter, Mike Strieker, Kris Rickhoff. Nay - None

PRINCIPAL'S REPORT:

On Tuesday, October 27, Parent/Teacher Conferences had huge parent attendance. Although we did not hand out grade reports so we could not validate attendance percentages, the teachers were proactive this year sending out e-mail invitations to parents prior to the conferences and that had a big impact on attendance. All teachers had Chromebooks in front of them for easy access to a student's grades during the conferences.

Central's Band received a 2^nd Place Trophy at the Saturday, October 31^st Centralia Halloween Parade. This is the 3rd year in a row we've finished 2^nd! Congratulations to Director, Eric Chrostoski, and the Cougar Band!!

On Saturday, October 31^st, Central had one girls' cross country team competitor with Senior, Olivia Page in the Edwardsville Sectional. Unfortunately, she did not finish in the top ten as an individual but she represented Central in fine fashion! Congratulations to Coach Kurt Peters on his heading his third season in Cross Country and congratulations to Olivia as well!

Our Cougar Band Director, Eric Chrostoski and the Cougar Band scheduled a performance tour of all feeder schools beginning Thurs., November 12^th and Monday, November 16^th. What great ambassadors of Central High School the Cougar Band and their Director were on these two whirlwind days.

The board entered into executive session at 9:35 PM on a motion by Voss, second by Winkeler to discuss personnel/coach. Roll call vote: Aye -Mike Nettemeier, Dennis Meier, Tina Winkeler, Mary Lou Voss, Tim Richter, Mike Strieker, Kris Rickhoff. Nay - None

The board entered into open meeting at 11:04 PM on a motion by Voss, second by Winkeler. Roll call vote: Aye -Mike Nettemeier, Dennis Meier, Tina Winkeler, Mary Lou Voss, Tim Richter, Mike Strieker, Kris Rickhoff. Nay - None

The board adjourned at 11:05 PM on a motion by Voss; second by Winkeler Roll call vote: Aye -Mike Nettemeier, Dennis Meier, Tina Winkeler, Mary Lou Voss, Tim Richter, Mike Strieker, Kris Rickhoff. Nay - None