Board of Education: Board Meeting Minutes

Board Meeting Minutes November 18, 2009

by Christina Henry

January 28, 2010

November 18, 2009

The Board of Education of Community Unit School District #202, Knox County, met in a regular meeting duly called and held November 18, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. in the Knoxville High School Cafeteria, 600 E. Main St., Knoxville, Illinois, which is within the boundaries of said District. The President called the meeting to order and directed that the roll be called. Upon the roll being called, the following members answered and were found present:

Mr. Bogard, Mr. Byom, Mr. Callahan, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Putnam, Mr. Rickard, Mr. Trulson

And the following were absent:None

Also present was: Dr. Carlton, Dr. Connie Thurman, Dan Keisewetter, Mr. Lensing, Mr. Kemmer, Mrs. Johnson, Debbie Worden, Diane Ratermann, Steven Gerstenberger, members of the community and members of the press.

Mr. Bogard gave a small review to the Board and the Members of the audience what a consent agenda is and why the Board uses a consent agenda.

It was moved by Member Trulson and seconded by Member Johnson to approve the consent agenda.

Roll call vote was as follows:
AYE: Mr. Bogard, Mr. Byom, Mr. Callahan, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Putnam, Mr. Rickard, Mr. Trulson
Nay: None
Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

Public Comments: None

Reports:

ENVOY Report-Dr. Connie Thruman presented the Board with her monthly newsletter and reviewed it with the Board.

Principals Reports:

Mr. Lensing informed the Board that the Junior High held an N.E.D. assembly at their school which promoted character building. He also stated that the Student Council was beginning a teacher of the week nomination and there would be a golden apple for that teacher for the week. Mr. Lensing said that he has implemented a Leadership Team which is made up of students that are not necessarily some of the leaders in the building.

Mr. Kemmer had a handout for the Board and reviewed the items contained in it.

Mrs. Johnson had a handout and discussed different grants with the Board.

Mr. Bogard mentioned and congratulated Mr. Carlton on getting his Doctorate.

Superintendent's Report:

Dr. Carlton informed the Board that the construction at Mable Woolsey Elementary is approximately 12 days behind schedule due to the rain but that may just affect the gym and that the classrooms still look to be on schedule. He also discussed the upcoming conference in Chicago and reminded the Board of some details.

Old Business:

There was discussion on the All-Weather Track. Mr. Bogard stated that he was informed by the Knoxville City Council that they will donate $25,000 a year for 8 years from TIF funds to comply with the request for $200,000 but that the school must build on the Gilson Street. They also stated they had some concerns about the sewer system and that that would need to be addressed soon. The City also was concerned that if the District ran out of money that the District would ask the City for more money. Mr. Bogard stated that he assured the City that the District would not ask for more money. There was discussion that some community members would raise some money for the track as well. Mr. Bogard stated that the Finanace Committee (Jeff Johnson & John Putnam) should work with those in the community that are doing any fundraising.

Dan Kiesewetter discussed some issues with the Board concerning any volunteer work done on the "construction" process of the track. He informed them of general liability during and after the track was completed. He also discussed Workman's Compensation Insurance in case a volunteer was injured while working on the track. He stated that something the Board could do is to come up with a waiver and make sure it is legal and signed by each volunteer working on the project.

It was moved by Member Rickard and seconded by Member Trulson to approve the building of a new Track at the Gilson Street Land.

Roll call vote was as follows:
AYE: Mr. Bogard, Mr. Byom, Mr. Callahan, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Putnam, Mr. Rickard, Mr. Trulson
Nay: None
Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

Mr. Bogard stated that the Board would now need to get the land re-zoned and get more information from the City as to what the sewer system would be. He also stated that Mr. Bob Johnson would need to be contacted about being the contractor. He also stated that they may want to speak with Mr. Shane Larson about this as well.

Roll call vote was as follows: AYE: Mr. Bogard, Mr. Byom, Mr. Callahan, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Putnam, Mr. Rickard, Mr. Trulson Nay: None

Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

It was moved by Member Rickard and seconded by Member Trulson to approve the tentative Tax Levy for FY09.

Roll call vote was as follows: AYE: Mr. Bogard, Mr. Byom, Mr. Callahan, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Putnam, Mr. Rickard, Mr. Trulson Nay: None

Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

There was discussion among the Board on the Food Program report. Mrs. Ratermann commented on another handout she had for the Board. There was discussion on raising breakfast/lunch prices and if that would help with the depleting budget balance for that line item. This item was table until next month.

It was moved by Member Rickard and seconded by Member Byom to approve the addition of Bass Fishing to our sports program, with the condition that those members would need to supply their own equipment and would need a sponsor. the Board did state that they would pay any fees and mileage to/from events.

Roll call vote was as follows: AYE: Mr. Bogard, Mr. Byom, Mr. Callahan, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Putnam, Mr. Rickard, Mr. Trulson Nay: None Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

It was moved by Member Rickard and seconded by Member Putnam to approve the employment of Chris Lensing as the JH Wrestling Coach at a stipend of 4%.

Roll call vote was as follows: AYE: Mr. Bogard, Mr. Byom, Mr. Callahan, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Putnam, Mr. Rickard, Mr. Trulson Nay: None Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

It was moved by Member Putnam and seconded by Member Callahan to approve the employment of Rick Reed as the KHS Girls' Assistant Basketball Coach.

Roll call vote was as follows: AYE: Mr. Bogard, Mr. Byom, Mr. Callahan, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Putnam, Mr. Rickard, Mr. Trulson Nay: None Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

Correspondence/Other:

Mr. Bogard read 3 thank you notes to the Board. He also made some comments to the Board concerning the upcoming Convention in Chicago.

There being no further business to come before the Board, it was moved by Member Trulson and seconded by Member Byom that the meeting be adjourned. The President put the question to the Board and the motion unanimously carried and the meeting was so adjourned at 9:04 p.m.

Roll call vote was as follows: AYE: Mr. Bogard, Mr. Byom, Mr. Callahan, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Putnam, Mr. Rickard, Mr. Trulson Nay: None Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.