ARCOLA BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING May 10, 2017 7:00 P.M.
A regular meeting of the Board of Education of Arcola Community Unit District #306 Arcola, Illinois was called to order in the Media Center at 6:59 p.m. on Wednesday, May 10, 2017 for the purpose of regular business. President Strader called the meeting to order. The following members answered roll call: Crane, Stout, Shonkwiler, Thieman, Rothrock, Arrol and Strader. Others present were: Tom Mulligan, Jennifer Frichtl, Lisa Sigrist, Angie Gentry, Cathy Brimner, David Porter, Heather Ethell, Bob Van Cleave, Dean Van Cleave and Sandra Fiscus. President Strader recognized the visitors and asked for public comment. Mr. Bob Van Cleave presented an Arcola High School Class of 1941 composite photo to the School Board. Mr. Van Cleave had come into possession of the framed picture but wasn’t quite sure what to do with it now. He decided that the best place was to have it hanging in the halls at AHS. The Board thanked Mr. Van Cleave for the photo and said it would be hung with the other graduating class pictures. Heather Ethell, the district instructional coach, made a presentation on the progress the district has made in her areas of focus since she started in the position three years ago. She presented information on the elementary school literacy program, the elementary math program, district-wide curriculum, and instructional practices. There were no pending FOIA requests. Motion by Arrol, seconded by Thieman, to approve the regular meeting minutes and closed session minutes of the April 12, 2017 meeting and the Special Board meeting minutes from April 26, 2017. Roll call vote: Crane, aye; Stout, aye; Shonkwiler, aye; Thieman, aye; Rothrock, aye; Arrol, aye; Strader, aye. 7 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried. Motion by Thieman, seconded by Shonkwiler, to approve the Treasurer’s Report as of 04/30/2017 as submitted. Roll call vote: Crane, aye; Stout, aye; Shonkwiler, aye; Thieman, aye; Rothrock, aye; Arrol, aye; Strader, aye. 7 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried. Motion by Stout, seconded by Thieman, to approve the payment of bills as submitted in the amount of $165,495.50. Roll call vote: Crane, aye; Stout, aye; Shonkwiler, aye; Thieman, aye; Rothrock, aye; Arrol, aye; Strader, aye. 7 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried. Motion by Crane, seconded by Shonkwiler, to approve the payment of payroll in the amount of $372,615.21. Roll call vote: Crane, aye; Stout, aye; Shonkwiler, aye; Thieman, aye; Rothrock, aye; Arrol, aye; Strader, aye. 7 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried. Business: Old Business: The board discussed competitive cheerleading for the 2017-2018 school year, which they approved last month as an IHSA activity for next school year. The Board discussed the fact that it wanted to ensure that they discussed this in open session so everyone was clear they were approving the high school cheerleading program to participate as a sport next school year through the IHSA. The district has always
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had a cheerleading program, which has been a year-around activity but now they will also complete starting in October. Additional costs to the district include a couple new uniforms, entry fees into competitive events, and transportation. No action was required. Motion by Crane, seconded by Shonkwiler, to approve the prevailing wage ordinance. Roll call vote: Crane, aye; Stout, aye; Shonkwiler, aye; Thieman, aye; Rothrock, aye; Arrol, aye; Strader, aye. 7 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried. Motion by Shonkwiler, seconded by Thieman, to approve the tentative amended budget changes for 20162017 school year and set the amended budget hearing for June 14, 2017 at 7 p.m. Roll call vote: Crane, aye; Stout, aye; Shonkwiler, aye; Thieman, aye; Rothrock, aye; Arrol, aye; Strader, aye. 7 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried. Motion by Arrol, seconded by Stout, to approve the second reading for school board policies from the PRESS Packet from March, 2017. Roll call vote: Crane, aye; Stout, aye; Shonkwiler, aye; Thieman, aye; Rothrock, aye; Arrol, aye; Strader, aye. 7 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried. Motion by Thieman, seconded by Stout, to approve the FY17 amended calendar, which removes the five emergency days that were not used. Roll call vote: Crane, aye; Stout, aye; Shonkwiler, aye; Thieman, aye; Rothrock, aye; Arrol, aye; Strader, aye. 7 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried. Motion by Stout, seconded by Shonkwiler, to approve a tamale sale fundraiser for the high school cheerleaders to replace the approved discount card sale that went to the football team. Roll call vote: Crane, aye; Stout, aye; Shonkwiler, aye; Thieman, aye; Rothrock, aye; Arrol, aye; Strader, aye. 7 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried. Motion by Thieman, seconded by Stout, to approve the agreement in the amount of $12,280 with Mattoon Glass Cutters for repairing windows in the old high school building. Roll call vote: Crane, aye; Stout, aye; Shonkwiler, aye; Thieman, aye; Rothrock, aye; Arrol, aye; Strader, aye. 7 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried. Motion by Arrol, seconded by Crane, to approve the renewal of the Property Casualty Insurance in the amount of $44,280, which is a .05% increase over last year. Roll call vote: Crane, aye; Stout, aye; Shonkwiler, aye; Thieman, aye; Rothrock, aye; Arrol, aye; Strader, aye. 7 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried. Motion by Thieman, seconded by Shonkwiler, to approve the agreement with ALAH to continue the cooperative golf team for two more years (2017-2018, 2018-2019). Roll call vote: Crane, aye; Stout, aye; Shonkwiler, aye; Thieman, aye; Rothrock, aye; Arrol, aye; Strader, aye. 7 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried. Motion by Arrol, seconded by Stout, to approve the District Title I Plan that needs to be Board approved prior to submission for Title I Grant Funds. Roll call vote: Crane, aye; Stout, aye; Shonkwiler, aye; Thieman, aye; Rothrock, aye; Arrol, aye; Strader, aye. 7 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried. Motion by Arrol, seconded by Thieman, to approve the three-year agreement with eSpark for $67,725. Roll call vote: Crane, aye; Stout, aye; Shonkwiler, aye; Thieman, aye; Rothrock, aye; Arrol, aye; Strader, aye. 7 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried. Motion by Stout, seconded by Shonkwiler, to approve the second reading of the Elementary and JH/High School Handbooks for the 2017-2018 school year. Roll call vote: Crane, aye; Stout, aye; Shonkwiler, aye; Thieman, aye; Rothrock, aye; Arrol, aye; Strader, aye. 7 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.
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Administrative Team Reports ~~Mrs. Gentry, Principal, Arcola Elementary – There was a great turnout for AES Annual Skate Night hosted by Project Success. A volunteer luncheon was recently held to thank all of the high school students who volunteer in the elementary school. The little kids really look up to them so it’s great to have them involved. Mrs. Kennell led a PLC at the ROE where area physical education teachers were able to come together to share ideas. Jana Nacke, Joan Kellogg and Susan Moore will all be retiring at the end of the school year so there will be a party held in their honor Thursday after school. Tarble Arts recently recognized several elementary students’ artwork that will be showcased in their traveling art show. Robin Rauch, a sixth-grade teacher, was awarded the Friend and Advocate of Education award. ~~Mrs. Sigrist, Principal, Arcola Jr/Sr High – Prom 2017 was a success. The theme was “A Night in Hollywood” and the students danced the night away. Another Senior Honors Night is in the books as well. Numerous awards and scholarships were handed out thanks to the very generous support of our community. The Chamber Scholastic Dinner and National Honor Society Ceremony have also been held. Testing for the school year has wrapped up and mock schedule day is quickly approaching. One change for next year will be the implementation of academic study halls. These study halls will be smaller and provide a study hall teacher/mentor is an effort to get students to better utilize their study halls. ~~Mrs. Brimner, Director of Special Services – Mrs. Brimner reported that we have staffed a student into the Armstrong Center which is program through Mattoon Schools for students with cognitive impairments. The program’s primary focus is the transitioning to the work force. The Special Olympics were held April 28th. Unfortunately, the event was cancelled due to inclement weather right after the opening lap and the carrying of the torch were completed. Our athletes and leaders were very disappointed. Because the events were not held, the event organizers drew names of the athletes that will go to state. Fortunately for Arcola, all of our athletes were selected to go to state in June. ~~Dr. Mulligan, Superintendent – Dr. Mulligan told the Board that a question regarding the use of one’s room during the summer for private instruction had come up. He wanted to see what the Board’s thoughts were on the topic. Currently, teachers are allowed to use their classrooms during the school year for tutoring, as long as the student is not in their class. The Board seemed open to considering the matter if a request was made in the future. Motion by Stout, seconded by Thieman, to enter executive session at 8:57 p.m. to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body. Illinois Open Meetings Act, 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1). Roll call vote: Crane, aye; Stout, aye; Shonkwiler, aye; Thieman, aye; Rothrock, aye; Arrol, aye; Strader, aye. 7 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried. Motion by Stout, seconded by Thieman, to return to regular session at 10:00 p.m. Roll call vote: Crane, aye; Stout, aye; Shonkwiler, aye; Thieman, aye; Rothrock, aye; Arrol, aye; Strader, aye. 7 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried. Motion by Arrol, seconded by Shonkwiler, to approve the resignations of Heather Ethell as Instructional Coach, Heather Gobert as Special Services Secretary, Jeana Craft as JH Language Arts Teacher and Randi Vandeveer as JH Yearbook Sponsor. Roll call vote: Crane, aye; Stout, aye; Shonkwiler, aye; Thieman, aye; Rothrock, aye; Arrol, aye; Strader, aye. 7 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried. Motion by Shonkwiler, seconded by Stout, to approve the employment of Sherri Watson as HS Intervention Teacher, Sierra Spears as JH Cheerleading Coach, Morgan Hobgood as Volunteer Assistant HS Volleyball Coach and Trent Conlin as Volunteer Assistant HS Football Coach. Roll call vote: Crane, aye; Stout, aye; Shonkwiler, aye; Thieman, aye; Rothrock, aye; Arrol, aye; Strader, aye. 7 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.
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Motion by Arrol, seconded by Rothrock, to approve the maternity leave for Torrie Kosic. Roll call vote: Crane, aye; Stout, aye; Shonkwiler, aye; Thieman, aye; Rothrock, aye; Arrol, aye; Strader, aye. 7 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried. Announcements: President Strader announced that he is now a board member for WCSIT. Motion by Rothrock, seconded by Thieman, to adjourn at 10:06 p.m. Roll call vote: Crane, aye; Stout, aye; Shonkwiler, aye; Thieman, aye; Rothrock, aye; Arrol, aye; Strader, aye. 7 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.
___________________________ President
___________________________ Secretary
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