Bement Community Unified School District No. 5 Board of Education met Wednesday, Nov. 9 to hear comments regarding a plan to put a cell tower on Coles Pasture.
Here are the minutes as provided by Bement CUSD No. 5:
BOARD MINUTES BEMENT COMMUNITY UNIT SCHOOL DISTRICT 5 REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
NOVEMBER 9, 2016
The regular meeting of the Bement Community Unit School District 5 Board of Education was held Wednesday, November 9, 2016 in the FACS room. The meeting was called to order by board president Jeff Funk at 7:01 p.m.
Board members present were Kyle Rogers, Jeff Funk, Janice Fogerson, Trixie Flavin, Valerie Stoerger, Jeanne Strack and Todd Scott.
Mr. Kepley gave his middle school/high school report on athletics and upcoming events.
Mrs. Greenwood gave her elementary school report on the Book Fair and upcoming SIP Day activities.
In her superintendent’s report Mrs. Greenwood told the board that Verizon wants to put up a cell tower located in Coles Pasture. The proposed tower would be approximately 110-150’ in height and would be moved a bit away from the existing property line. There is no risk of radiation as it is not a transmitter tower. It would also be silent unless the power went out and then a generator would kick on. The income to the district from Verizon would be $1000 per month for the first five year contract. Mrs. Greenwood told the board that the building and grounds committee had met with Sharon Uslan the senior manager with Opterra Energy. She will meet with the board at the December meeting to go over her findings.
A motion was made by Strack and seconded by Flavin that the executive session minutes of the October 12, 2016 regular meeting of the board of education be approved as presented. Motion carried by a 6-0-1 roll call vote. Strack – yes; Funk – yes; Rogers – abstain; Stoerger – yes; Fogerson – yes; Scott – yes; Flavin - yes.
A motion was made by Scott and seconded by Fogerson that the open session minutes of the October 12, 2016 regular meeting of the board of education be approved as presented. Motion carried by a 6-0-1 roll call vote. Strack – yes; Funk – yes; Rogers – abstain; Stoerger – yes; Fogerson – yes; Scott – yes; Flavin - yes.
A motion was made by Strack and seconded by Scott that the board accept and pay all bills as presented. Motion carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
Mrs. Greenwood and the board reviewed the treasurer’s report.
The board heard comments from the audience in opposition to the Verizon cell tower being located on Coles Pasture.
A motion was made by Stoerger and seconded by Flavin that the board adjourn to executive session at 8:16 p.m. to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees, the purchase, lease or setting the price of real property owned by the public body. Motion carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
A motion was made by Stoerger and seconded by Scott that the board return to open session at 8:43 p.m. Motion carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
A motion was made by Rogers and seconded by Funk that the board approve the Resolution Regarding Estimated Amounts Necessary to be Levied for the Year 2016 as presented. Motion carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
A motion was made by Strack and seconded by Flavin that the board keep the past six months executive session minutes closed in their entirety due to the sensitive nature of the material. Motion carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
A motion was made by Funk and seconded by Rogers that the board appoint a certified evaluator for the Superintendent in order to be compliant with the Performance Evaluation Reform Act due to the Superintendent’s dual role as PreK-5 principal. Motion carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
A motion was made by Fogerson and seconded by Flavin that the board hire Annie Hobson as a high school scholastic bowl co-sponsor for the 2016-2017 school year. Motion carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
A motion was made by Flavin and seconded by Funk that the board hire Melissa Miles as a high school scholastic bowl co-sponsor for the 2016-2017 school year. Motion carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
A motion was made by Rogers and seconded by Strack that the board hire Brian Wright as an assistant softball coach for the 2016-2017 school year. Motion carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
A motion was made by Strack and seconded by Funk that the board accept the resignation of Carissa Benner as the high school head volleyball coach as presented. Motion carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
A motion was made by Stoerger and seconded by Rogers that the board adjourn at 8:54 p.m. Motion carried by a unanimous roll call vote.