December School Board Minutes
by Tom Mulligan
January 15, 2008
RIVERTON COMMUNITY UNIT SCHOOL DISTRICT #14
Board of Education
Meeting Minutes
December 10, 2007
Regular Meeting
The Regular Meeting of the Riverton Community Unit School District #14 Board of Education was held on Monday, December 10, 2007, at the elementary school. President Nonneman called the meeting to order at 6:01pm.
Board members present: Brian Cuffle, 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. Guests: Mel Allison, Todd Cyrulik, Michael Gum, a representative from Felmley-Dickerson, a representative from Haenig Electric.
President Nonneman opened the Truth in Taxation Hearing for the FY 08 tax levy. There were no comments from the audience, and President Nonneman declared the hearing closed at 6:02pm.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY MR. STONE TO APPROVE MEETING MINUTES; TO ACCEPT THE REVENUE REPORT AND EXPENDITURE REPORT; TO APPROVE THE EMPLOYMENT OF CODY GARDNER AS ASSISTANT TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST; TO APPROVE THE EMPLOYMENT OF JAKE PARMENTIER AS A VOLUNTEER ASSISTANT GIRLS’ BASKETBALL COACH FOR THE 2007-2008 SCHOOL YEAR; TO NOT RELEASE CLOSED SESSION MINUTES INTO OPEN SESSION AT THIS TIME (WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE NOVEMBER 12, 2007 CLOSED SESSION MINUTES WHICH THE BOARD WILL REVIEW AND MAKE A DETERMINATION); 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.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY MR. MCCLURE TO APPROVE PAYMENT OF BILLS FOR DECEMBER; 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.
Communications:
Todd Cyrulik: Todd Cyrulik (with BLDD Architects) presented a final punch list and reviewed it in detail with the Board. He detailed problems with the surge suppression system as well. Todd said that he had received word today that the TVSS is fully functional and has not recorded a notable surge; he added that he’ll look further into this to try to determine what the problem actually is. The warranty on the TVSS is one year from final completion (March 2007). Todd added that Cochran and Wilken will be working on this in depth. At this point, he said that there is no evident electrical engineering issue. They are investigating the issue and when an answer is uncovered, if it is actually a malfunction in installation or equipment, and it is determined to be a warranty issue, the problem will be covered by the warranty. In continuing his review of the punch list as he presented to the Board: (1) Todd said that the buildings have been completed. (2) With regard to the locker issue, BLDD has decided that they will never work with the locker contractor again; the lockers have come in and they have been installed; they will be replacing a corner piece in the near future. The visitor’s locker room is completely finished. (3) The duct heater is in place and the electrical contractor will hook the wires to it this week. (4) The gray paint is good. (5) The surge protector issue was discussed. (6) Theater lights are all in and are being programmed. (7) With regard to the fly mikes, the box is installed and terminated but they still need the final hook up to the outlet; that project will be completed this week. There is still work to do on the ground mike; there is a two-year warranty on all sound equipment. Bill Geiger will contact the installer and have them come down and repair this mike prior to the spring plan (it is a warranty issue). (8) Carpet is coming up in the auditorium; Felmley will be in this week to repair that problem. (9) Moveable seating … tiles need to be replaced. The limit switches are functioning and a suggestion has been made that a stronger adhesive needs to be used. Felmley-Dickerson will secure an adhesive that can take the pressure of the doors (this appears to be a warranty issue). (10) Noisy water cooler … this is not a mechanical issue and is a warranty issue. (11) Paint in the practice room has been touched up. (12) Door closer on outside door … a new closer will be installed by 12/14/2007. (13) Outstanding bills with the Village of Riverton … Todd said that the gas bill has been paid. He added that at the end of the project, a final check will be issued with heating costs deducted. Todd concluded his report and told the Board that he would have a full report on the electrical issues to the Board at the January meeting. Todd recommended that the $150,000 check be released to Felmley-Dickerson at this time with the ending balance being paid when everything has been completed satisfactorily. Todd informed the Board that there is a bond behind this job that always protects the owner in case someone refuses to stand behind a warranty. The representative from Felmley-Dickerson said that his company has been around since 1936; they do not walk away from their work. If they installed something improperly, expiration of a one-year warranty will not keep them from doing what’s right. Felmley-Dickerson has built schools all around central Illinois, and he assured the Board that they will get these issues behind them.
Mel Allison: Mr. Allison agreed that the punch list is down to some pretty small items; the main concern is the surge protector. He said that the system has been examined and it appears to have been installed properly; GE said that the surge protector is good and works correctly. He added that if that is correct, there may be some design deficiencies in the system; whatever needs to be done to resolve the deficiencies will handled through a change order. Mel said that he feels there are bigger problems with the sound system, and he feels that the individual who installed it should be brought back in to resolve the problem. Mel said that the locker room problems are minimal.
Administrative Team Reports:
Mrs. Binegar: Report submitted.
Mrs. Fraase: Report submitted.
Mr. Lamkey: Report submitted. Mr. Stone commended Mr. Lamkey and Mr. Mulligan for the job they did with the student whose mother was recently killed.
Mr. Lamkey: Report submitted.
Mr. Wagahoff: Report submitted.
Mr. Koerwitz: Report submitted. Mr. Koerwitz reported to the Board that he is proud of the bus drivers with regard to PBIS training. He also said that with regard to cell phones for drivers, Nextel is offering to increase our discount from 10% to 18%; he added that the Nextel phones are “driver friendly”. He said that he’ll be recommending a two-year contract with Nextel at the next meeting.
Mr. Geiger: Report submitted. Mr. Geiger reported that he is now doing a monthly walk-through of each building with the principals in order to keep updated on the progress of specific projects or those that need to be scheduled. A concern was voiced about temperature controls in buildings (specifically in the high school gym); Johnson Controls will be out to attempt to resolve these problems in the immediate future. Mr. Mulligan added that the Board might want to consider expenditure to bring all controls up to date and on line; he feels that the cost to do this could be $80,000 to $90,000.
Dr. Mulligan: Report submitted. Dr. Mulligan reported to the Board that the “School Reach” program was formally initiated on Sunday … a few problems were reported, but School Reach worked with AT&T to determine the root of the problems. Tom told the Board that he had recently met with the Superintendents from Chatham, Springfield, and Rochester to discuss a proposed increase in sales tax; based on student enrollment, those funds would be used for school maintenance/construction projects. He added that this is a great time to look into this because Springfield is in great need of additional funding. The county looks at sales tax on a quarterly basis and would handle possible distribution through the Regional Superintendent’s office. This proposal would eventually be put on a ballot. Dr. Mulligan told the Board that he is recommending a district-wide committee (made up of teachers, parents, business partners, etc.) to develop behavioral standards for the Riverton Schools workforce. Those behavioral standards will be setting expectations of how to treat community members coming into the district. Once those standards are developed, they would be approved by the Board and contained in the Board Policy Manual, student handbooks, etc. Tom said that he has seen this in action and it really sets the expectations for how we want our employees to work to satisfy our “customers”. With regard to student suspensions, Mr. Klebe asked why we are not holding “in-school” suspensions. Dr. Mulligan told him that we are holding them at the middle school; Mr. Lamkey agreed that it would be better to have in-school suspensions at the high school level as well. Dr. Mulligan said that the problem is in finding a person to handle in-school suspension. Mr. Klebe asked for a report on the number of in-school suspensions days we are utilizing.
Business:
A MOTION WAS MADE BY MR. CUFFLE TO APPROVE THE PAYMENT OF $150,000 TO FELMLEY-DICKERSON AS CERTIFIED BY BLDD WITH THE REMAINING BALANCE TO BE PAID UPON CERTIFIED COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT; 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 FY 08 TAX LEVY; MOTION WAS SECONDED BY MR. MCCLURE, 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. MCCLURE TO APPROVE THE FY 09 SCHOOL CALENDAR AS PRESENTED; MOTION WAS SECONDED BY MRS. MOORE, AND ON A ROLL CALL VOTE: CUFFLE, YES; KLEBE, NO; MCCLURE, YES; MOORE, YES; NONNEMAN, YES; STONE, YES; SZOKE, YES. MOTION CARRIED WITH 6 AYES AND 1 NO.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY MR. SZOKE TO MOVE INTO CLOSED SESSION TO DISCUSS THE APPOINTMENT, EMPLOYMENT, COMPENSATION, DISCIPLINE, PERFORMANCE, OR DISMISSAL OF SPECIFIC EMPLOYEES; 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, AND THE MEETING MOVED INTO CLOSED SESSION AT 7:56PM.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY MRS. MOORE TO MOVE BACK INTO REGULAR SESSION; MOTION WAS SECONDED BY MR. CUFFLE, AND ON A VOICE VOTE, THE MOTION CARRIED WITH ALL AYES, AND THE MEETING MOVED BACK INTO REGULAR SESSION AT 10:05PM.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY MR. MCCLURE TO AMEND NOVEMBER 12, 2007 CLOSED SESSION MINUTES; MOTION WAS SECONDED BY MRS. MOORE, AND ON A VOICE VOTE, THE MOTION CARRIED WITH ALL AYES,
A MOTION WAS MADE BY MR. CUFFLE TO APPROVE THE EMPLOYMENT OF RON TISDALE AS A VOLUNTEER HIGH SCHOOL BOYS’ BASKETBALL COACH FOR THE 2007-2008 SCHOOL YEAR; MOTION WAS SECONDED BY MR. MCCLURE, 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.
IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, AND AS A VALUED EMPLOYEE WHO HAS ALWAYS DONE A GREAT JOB FOR US, WE ARE CERTAINLY GREATFUL FOR ALL OF HER PAST WORK AND YEARS IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT; WITH THAT IN MIND, THE BOARD WOULD ENBERTAIN A MOTION TO EXTEND A THREE-YEAR CONTRACT EXTENSION TO CHRISTI MULLIGAN AS AN ADINISTRATOR IN THE RIVERTON SCHOOL DISTRICT SPECIFICALLY AS DISTRICT CURRICULUM DIRECTOR UNDER THE SUPERVISION AND EVALUATION OF SUPERINTENDENT MULLIGAN; THE MOTION WAS MADE MR. STONE AND 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.
Announcements and Discussion:
Dr. Mulligan reminded the Board of a Policy Committee Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, January 9, at 4:00pm, at the district office.
A MOTION TO ADJOURN WAS MADE BY MR CUFFLE; ON A VOICE VOTE, THE MOTION CARRIED WITH ALL AYES, AND THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT 10:10PM.
