November School Board Meeting Minutes
by Tom Mulligan
December 11, 2007
RIVERTON COMMUNITY UNIT SCHOOL DISTRICT #14
Board of Education
Meeting Minutes
November 12, 2007
Regular Meeting
The Regular Meeting of the Riverton Community Unit School District #14 Board of Education was held on Monday, November 12, 2007, at the district office. President Nonneman called the meeting to order at 6:01pm.
Board members present: Brian Cuffle (left the meeting at 8:15pm), Mike Klebe, Scott McClure, Debbie Moore, Paul Nonneman, Eric Stone, Steve Szoke. Others present: Tom Mulligan, Nancy Galligan, Stacey Binegar, Kelly Fraase, Fred Lamkey, Bill Geiger, Chris Koerwitz, Bill Lamkey, Christi Mulligan, Rick Wagahoff, Cathy Jo Wahl. Guests: Kim Baskett, Mel Allison, Beth Livingston.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY MR. MCCLURE TO APPROVE MEETING MINUTES AS AMENDED; TO ACCEPT THE REVENUE REPORT AND EXPENDITURE REPORT; TO ACCEPT THE RESIGNATION OF CHRIS FRANZEN, TECHNOLOGY ASSISTANT; TO APPROVE THE EMPLOYMENT OF AMY DOLBEARE AS MIDDLE SCHOOL TRACK COACH FOR THE 2007-2008 SCHOOL YEAR; TO APPROVE AN EXTENSION OF A MATERNITY LEAVE FOR HOLLY BECKER THROUGH THE END OF THE FIRST QUARTER OF THE 2008-2009 SCHOOL YEAR; MOTION WAS SECONDED BY MR. CUFFLE, AND ON A ROLL CALL VOTE: CUFFLE, YES; KLEBE, YES; MCCLURE, YES; MOORE, YES; NONNEMAN, YES; STONE, YES; SZOKE, YES. MOTION CARRIED WITH ALL AYES.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY MR. CUFFLE TO APPROVE PAYMENT OF BILLS (WITH THE EXCEPTION OF A PAYMENT TO FELMLEY-DICKERSON IN THE AMOUNT OF $150,000) FOR NOVEMBER; MOTION WAS SECONDED BY MR. SZOKE, AND ON A ROLL CALL VOTE: CUFFLE, YES; KLEBE, YES; MCCLURE, YES; MOORE, YES; NONNEMAN, YES; STONE, YES; SZOKE, YES. MOTION CARRIED WITH ALL AYES.
Communications:
Beth Livingston: Mrs. Livingston expressed concern about test scores in Riverton as compared to Springfield and other area schools. She said that she’s questioning if she should move to another district to be sure that her children are getting the best education available. She is concerned about the curriculum; in particular, spelling. Mr. Mulligan said that Riverton is doing a lot to work toward improving test scores; he asked that she meet with him individually in order that he can provide her with specific information about test scores, curriculum, etc.
Kim Baskett: Mrs. Baskett presented the Board and administrators with a hand out on ADHD training for all of the school district and parents in the district. She is particularly concerned about a type of ADHD specific to her daughter, Inattentive ADHD. Mrs. Baskett said that her daughter had been successful in previous years, but this year at the middle school she is struggling. She said that she spoke with the counselor about a 504 plan, but the counselor was reluctant to implement a 504 plan for her daughter. Mrs. Livingston was concerned about the counselor’s reluctance as she feels that the counselor is not totally aware of what types of problems she is experiencing. She said that she is ultimately asking that our staff be trained in dealing with ADHD … actually she’d actually like to see training offered to staff, students, parents, administrators, etc. She had been communicating with an organization, Celebrate ADHD; they would come in and provide training district-wide at a cost of $1,000.
Eric Stone: Mr. Stone passed along a message from Jim Colbrook; Mr. Colbrook would like to offer his services if the district decides to look further into the Safe to School Grant.
Administrative Team Reports:
Mrs. Binegar: Report submitted. Mrs. Binegar reported that developing classroom goals is part of the Plan Do Study Program. With regard to the “moment of silence” each day, she said that it takes place daily, following attendance. Teachers ask the students to reflect on their day, etc., during that period of time.
Mrs. Fraase: Report submitted.
Mr. Lamkey: Report submitted. Mr. Lamkey told the Board that the middle school’s “moment of silence” takes place prior to the Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. Lamkey said that the east-bound speed limit sign on Lincoln Street was removed by students. The state will be installing a new sign. Mr. Lamkey also told the Board that the middle school received recognition for academic improvement on the 2005-2006 school year as a result of a 7% increase in test scores in math and reading. Receiving this recognition is huge!
Mr. Lamkey: Report submitted. Mr. Lamkey reported that the high school has their “moment of silence” prior to the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mr. Wagahoff: Report submitted. Mr. Wagahoff told the Board that he would like consideration given to offering cross country as a sport; it is currently available for students on an individual basis only and is not considered a team sport. Mr. Wagahoff will make a formal presentation to the Board in the spring.
Mr. Koerwitz: Report submitted. Mr. Koerwitz informed the Board that he would be looking at comparisons on phone packages for bus drivers. He’ll bring a proposal to the Board in December.
Mr. Geiger: Report submitted. Mr. Geiger said that there are currently no plans to rebuild the bus barn. With regard to the Capital Improvement List, Mr. Geiger said that there have been some changes made to the list this year. He told the Board that the duplex is tentatively scheduled to be demolished next week.
Mrs. Mulligan: Report submitted. Mrs. Mulligan presented an overview of the School Report Cards. She said that the only area “not meeting” is middle school special ed and high school math. She added that it’s important to factor in the number of students in special ed. We are “not meeting” as a district in the area of special ed. With regard to high school math, it’s important to remember that we are dealing with one group of students at the high school level (one level only). You must also remember that 20% of the high school students are special ed students. Additionally, 20% of students, district-wide, have IEP’s.
Dr. Mulligan: Report submitted. Dr. Mulligan presented the Board with an engagement survey from certified staff. He also handed out a report on “First Process Review” for the administrative team. He gave Board members a letter from the district’s attorney regarding the Fire District Board; he said that the attorney said that the school district can enter into an intergovernmental agreement with the Fire District, and district funds can be used to help the Fire District Board. Dr. Mulligan recommended helping them financially with their training facility, which we can then use for any overflow training in the district (pending availability).
Business:
A MOTION WAS MADE BY MR. SZOKE TO APPROVE A ONE-YEAR CONTRACT WITH SCHOOL REACH AT A COST OF $3,942.24; MOTION WAS SECONDED BY MRS. MOORE, AND ON A ROLL CALL VOTE: CUFFLE, YES; KLEBE, YES; MCCLURE, YES; MOORE, YES; NONNEMAN, YES; STONE, YES; SZOKE, YES. MOTION CARRIED WITH ALL AYES.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY MR. CUFFLE TO APPROVE THE TENTATIVE TAX LEVY RESOLUTION AND SET THE TRUTH IN TAXATION HEARING FOR DECEMBER 10, 2007; MOTION WAS SECONDED BY MR. MCCLURE, AND ON A VOICE VOTE, THE MOTION CARRIED WITH ALL AYES.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY MR. MCCLURE TO ACCEPT THE 2006-2007 DISTRICT REPORT CARD AS PRESENTED; MOTION WAS SECONDED BY MR. SZOKE, AND ON A VOICE VOTE, THE MOTION CARRIED WITH ALL AYES.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY MR. MCCLURE TO MOVE INTO CLOSED SESSION TO DISCUSS THE APPOINTMENT, EMPLOYMENT, COMPENSATION, DISCIPLINE, PERFORMANCE, OR DISMISSAL OF SPECIFIC EMPLOYEES; MOTION WAS SECONDED BY MR. STONE, AND ON A ROLL CALL VOTE: CUFFLE, YES; KLEBE, YES; MCCLURE, YES; MOORE, YES; NONNEMAN, YES; STONE, YES; SZOKE, YES. MOTION CARRIED WITH ALL AYES, AND THE MEETING MOVED INTO CLOSED SESSION AT 8:00PM.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY MR. KLEBE TO MOVE BACK INTO REGULAR SESSION; MOTION WAS SECONDED BY MR. STONE, AND ON A ROLL CALL VOTE: CUFFLE, ABSENT; KLEBE, YES; MCCLURE, YES; MOORE, YES; NONNEMAN, YES; STONE, YES; SZOKE, YES. MOTION CARRIED WITH ALL AYES, AND THE MEETING MOVED BACK INTO REGULAR SESSION AT 8:25PM.
Announcements and Discussion:
Dr. Mulligan reminded the Board of the IASB Annual Conference in Chicago, November 15-18, 2007. A Policy Committee Meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, December 4, at 4:00pm, at the district office.
A MOTION TO ADJOURN WAS MADE BY MR SZOKE; ON A VOICE VOTE, THE MOTION CARRIED WITH ALL AYES, AND THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:33PM.
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Board President
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Board Secretary
