Board Meeting Minutes 04-22-09

April 22, 2009
The Board of Education of Community Unit School District #202, Knox County, met in a regular meeting duly called and held April 22, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. in the Knoxville High School Cafeteria, 600 E. Main Street, Knoxville, Illinois, at its usual meeting place, which is within the boundaries of said District. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 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. Johnson, Mr. Neubert, Mrs. Thorp, & Mr. Trulson
and the following were absent: Mr. Rickard

Also present was: Mr. Larry Carlton, Dr. Connie Thurman, Mrs. Gay Johnson, Ms. Deb Galbreath, Mr. Chad Bahnks, Mr. Mike Kemmer, Mr. Chris Lensing, Mr. Patrick Callahan, Mr. John Putnam, Matt Gibson, Mark Simpson, Scott Erickson, Kara Bent, Sharon Shreeves, Kylie Wilson, Connie Bowman, Bob Johnson, faculty, community members and members from the press.

It was moved by Member Thorp and seconded by Member Johnson to approve consent agenda items as follows:
March 18, 2009 Special Board Meeting Minutes
March 18, 2009 Executive Session Special Board Meeting Minutes
March 18, 2009 Regular Board Meeting Minutes
March 18, 2009 Executive Session Regular Board Meeting Minutes
April 1, 2009 Special Board Meeting Minutes
April 14, 2009 Special Board Meeting Minutes
April 14, 2009 Executive Session Special Board Meeting Minutes
April Payrolls-Friday, April 3, 2009 & Friday, April 17, 2009
April Bills
March Imprest
KHS/KJHS Activity Accounts

Roll call vote was as follows:

AYE: Mr. Bogard, Mr. Byom, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Neubert, Mrs. Thorp, Mr. Trulson

NAY: None
Whereupon the President declared the motion carried

Public Comments

Sharon Shreeves asked the Board to allow her grandson, Elijah, to be brought back to Knoxville Schools for classes. After a discussion, it was decided that this issue needed to be brought up during the student’s IEP meeting.

Kylie Wilson, KHS Cheerleader, read a letter to the Board in support of the KHS Cheerleading Coach, Kara Bent. She stated that Coach Bent is a great Coach and that this years squad shouldn’t be punished for last years squad’s mistakes. Kylie was asked to stay for Executive Session.

Mr. John Putnam addressed the Board in stating that he would prefer to restructure each building and move grades around in each building instead of adding onto the current grade school building. He stated that adding onto the existing building would be a waste of taxpayer dollars. He also commented on Elijah attending schools and stated that since Mrs. Shreeves is such a high taxpayer that Elijah should be able to attend Knoxville Schools.

Reports

Dr. Thurman of CSC ENVOY- Dr. Thurman presented the CSC Envoy handout. Dr. Thurman stated that 8th and 9th Graders are currently being sought for the CSC Upward Bound Program. She informed the Board that ‘The Big Read’ is continuing through April. The book being read is “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer”.

Youth League Basketball-Matt Gibson & Mark Simpson-Mr. Gibson and Mr. Simpson informed the Board that this season has been a great experience for both of them. They stated that the policies need to be changed when it comes to gym rentals. Mr. Gibson and Mr. Simpson feel that custodians aren’t needed when the Youth League rents the gym. It was stated that they don’t see the janitors that much anyways and that they themselves could be held responsible for cleaning up after practices and games.

It was moved by Member Thorp and seconded by Member Johnson to add item 8.9 to the agenda. 8.9 would allow the Knoxville School Board to waive the 2008-2009 fees for the Youth League.

Roll call vote was as follows:

AYE: Mr. Bogard, Mr. Byom, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Neubert, Mrs. Thorp, Mr. Trulson

NAY: None

Whereupon the President declared the motion carried

Mr. Tim Rickard arrived at 7:40 p.m.

Good Things Happening for Kids:

Principals’ Report: Mr. Lensing handed out his April Newsletter to the Board and stated that the Student Council had a talent show and all the proceeds went to the Knox County Animal Shelter.
Mr. Kemmer and a team of teachers made a presentation to the Board on Skyward, a Student Information System (SIS) that they recommend to be purchased to replace the current SIS, STI Information Now. Also presenting was Connie Bowman, a representative from Skyward.

Mrs. Galbreath gave a Title report to the Board with the assistance of a couple Title Teachers. They informed the Board as to how important the Title Program is for Knoxville Schools. Mrs. Galbreath stated that Mrs. Florine, art teacher, is re-doing a wall in the grade school to get it updated.
Mr. Bahnks presented the Board with changes he would like to make to the Student Handbook for 2009-2010. He stated that the latest he needed the changes to the publisher was June 8th to make sure that we would receive the Handbooks in time for Registration.

Superintendent’s Report:
Summer School-Mr. Carlton informed the Board that again this year that we would be offering Summer School to students in grades 1 through 8. He stated that Summer School would run from June 18th to July 3rd. Mr. Carlton also stated that we normally employ around 3 teachers for Summer School and that we normally have around 30 students attend.

Old Business

It was moved by Member Neubert and seconded by Member Byom to approve the updated/corrected 2009-2010 School Calendar as presented.

Roll call vote was as follows:

AYE: Mr. Bogard, Mr. Byom, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Neubert, Mr. Rickard, Mrs. Thorp, Mr. Trulson

NAY: None
Whereupon the President declared the motion carried

New Business
It was moved by Member Bogard and seconded by Member Neubert to approve the employment of Shelly O’Connell and Julie Johnson as JH Cooks. Shelly would be 2 hours a day at minimum wage and Julie would be at 4 ½ hours a day at minimum wage.
Roll call vote was as follows:

AYE: Mr. Bogard, Mr. Byom, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Neubert, Mr. Rickard, Mrs. Thorp, Mr. Trulson

NAY: none
Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

It was moved by Member Byom and seconded by Member Johnson to approve the employment of Greg Ruetz as the KHS Freshman Football Coach beginning 2009-2010.
Roll call vote was as follows:
AYE: Mr. Bogard, Mr. Byom, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Neubert, Mr. Rickard, Mrs. Thorp, Mr. Trulson
NAY: None
Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

It was moved by Member Rickard and seconded by Member Neubert to approve the purchase of two busses. The first bus would be approximately $69,000 and would be purchased in June of 2009. The second bus would be approximately $70,000 as would be purchased in August of 2009 if monies were available at the time of purchase.
Roll call vote was as follows:
AYE: Mr. Bogard, Mr. Byom, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Neubert, Mr. Rickard, Mrs. Thorp, Mr. Trulson
NAY: None
Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.

It was moved by Member Neubert and seconded by Member Byom to approve the purchase of Skyward as the new Student Information System Software at a first year price of approximately $59,000.
Roll call vote was as follows:
AYE: Mr. Bogard, Mr. Byom, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Neubert, Mr. Rickard, Mrs. Thorp, Mr. Trulson
NAY: None
Whereupon the President declared the motion carried

It was moved by Member Neubert and seconded by Member Johnson to let bids for the Mable Woolsey Elementary Expansion for schemes E and F.
Roll call vote was as follows:
AYE: Mr. Bogard, Mr. Byom, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Neubert, Mr. Rickard, Mrs. Thorp, Mr. Trulson
NAY: None
Whereupon the President declared the motion carried

Mr. Trulson thanked the faculty and community on their input on this issue. He also thanked them for their support and asked that they continue to support the Board as the Expansion continues.

It was moved by Member Johnson and seconded by Member Thorp to approve the IHSA Membership for 2009-2010.
Roll call vote was as follows:
AYE: Mr. Bogard, Mr. Byom, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Neubert, Mr. Rickard, Mrs. Thorp, Mr. Trulson
NAY: None
Whereupon the President declared the motion carried

Agenda item 8.7 was tabled until a Special Board Meeting on April 29th. At that meeting they will certify the winners of the April 7th election.

It was moved by Member Rickard and seconded by Member Bogard to table the KHS Student Handbook changes until the May 20th Regular Board Meeting.
Roll call vote was as follows:
AYE: Mr. Bogard, Mr. Byom, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Neubert, Mr. Rickard, Mrs. Thorp, Mr. Trulson
NAY: None
Whereupon the President declared the motion carried

It was moved by Member Bogard and seconded by Member Rickard to waive the fees for the 2008-2009 Youth League.
Roll call vote was as follows:
AYE: Mr. Bogard, Mr. Byom, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Neubert, Mr. Rickard, Mrs. Thorp, Mr. Trulson
NAY: None
Whereupon the President declared the motion carried

Communications/Other
None

It was moved by Member Thorp and seconded by Member Johnson to exit Open Session and enter Executive Session at 10:54 p.m.
Roll call vote was as follows:
AYE: Mr. Bogard, Mr. Byom, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Neubert, Mr. Rickard, Mrs. Thorp, Mr. Trulson
NAY: None
Whereupon the President declared the motion carried

It was moved by Member Thorp and seconded by Member Byom to exit Executive Session and enter into Open Session at 11:25 p.m.
Roll call vote was as follows:
AYE: Mr. Bogard, Mr. Byom, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Neubert, Mr. Rickard, Mrs. Thorp, Mr. Trulson
NAY: None
Whereupon the President declared the motion carried

There being no further business to come before the Board, it was moved by Member Rickard 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 11:25 p.m.
Roll call vote was as follows:
AYE: Mr. Bogard, Mr. Byom, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Neubert, Mr. Rickard, Mrs. Thorp, Mr. Trulson
NAY: None
Whereupon the President declared the motion carried

Approved ___________________
________________________ _________________________
President                                             Secretary