Chambana Sun

Arthur Community Unified School District No. 305 Board of Education met Wednesday, Sept. 14.

Here are the minutes as provided by Arthur Community Unified School District No. 305:

ARTHUR COMMUNITY UNIT SCHOOL DISTRICT #305

Arthur Board of Education Regular Meeting and FY 17 Budget Hearing

September 14, 2016

The regular meeting of the Arthur Board of Education was called to order by President Jake Kamm at 6:00 pm on September 14, 2016 in the Arthur Unit Office with the following members and administrators present: Brian Fay, Jake Kamm, Doug Kitchen, Ed Miller, Beth Wiley and Todd Wellbaum, Kenny Schwengel, Sage Hale, Kristin Nall, Steffanie Seegmiller and Jared Vanausdoll,.

Visitors were also present. Jon Day were absent.

Recognition of visitors and receipt of communications:

Jake Kamm welcomed visitors.

A Hearing was held on the FY17 Budget.

A motion was made by Wellbaum, seconded by Miller to approve the FY 17 budget. Upon roll, all members present voted yea. Motion carried.

A motion was made by Todd Wellbaum seconded by Beth Wiley to approve the consent agenda as presented. Upon roll, all members present voted yea. Motion carried.

Kristin Nall reported: First Night was held August 16-17 at AHGS. We had a good percentage of the students attend. Teachers said this was the highest attendance they have had in years.

Teachers did an excellent job talking to parents and creating handouts to provide information about their classrooms. We started our “sunshine jar” rewards. Each week we draw 2-3 names from each jar. The past couple of weeks the reward has been frozen yogurt from “The Tastee Cup.” Our theme this year is “You can make a difference.” Kids are rewarded for following school rules as well as being “caught” making a difference in student’s lives whether it be by going out of their way to be polite, using manners, helping, or cleaning up the school.

Our PTO PRIDE group just kicked off their Fall fundraiser. Jason Eversole came and did an all school assembly to explain to the kids. Currently, PRIDE is working on raising money for a new playground. 6th grade Science - I was able to visit Mr. Manselle’s 6th grade science class and observe them learning about the rock cycle by making rock cycle fudge. Each student played a different part in the process and then at the end enjoyed some delicious fudge! Sage Hale reported:

New Teacher Mentoring Program - Our district has designed a mentoring program this year to help support our new teachers both professionally and personally in effort to becoming a high performing educators. Through this program, mentors will be helping new teachers become familiar with their school building and the district educational procedures, policies, and requirements. This one year program will also provide an opportunity for new teachers to be observed by their mentors, visit other teachers classrooms and attend quarterly meetings to collaborate.

AGS Open House – was August 25th from 6-7pm for the Grade School and 7-8pm for the Junior High. We had a good turn out even with the heat. “New to Us” - I would like to thank Joan Sutherland and Carla Poorman for seeking out some “free” shelving they found for our library. This will provide us an opportunity to add more books to our library collection.

Donors Choose - Mrs. Crossman was able to receive donations through Donors Choose to purchase items to create “flexible” seating for her Kindergartners. She received close to $1000 for 6 stability balls with feet and 6 hokki stools.

The benefits of flexible seating include burning calories, using up excess energy, increased motivation and engagement, and improving core strength and overall posture.

Cooking in the Classroom - I would like to thank the Arthur State Bank for contributing $150 this year to help our Kindergartners have Cooking in the Classroom. Students have an opportunity to create their own snack on Fridays that are built around the lessons they are learning in class.

Knight Vision - Meetings will take place the first Wednesday of each month @ 6:30 in the AGS Cafeteria. We will be creating a “Go Fund Me” website for fundraising for our playground. Current Need: We are looking for someone who would be interested in helping write grants for our playground.

Steffanie Seegmiller reported - Attendance Update: Our total at August Board Meeting was 290 and currently are 286 + 11 students at alternate locations.

Open House : We had 180 visits. (This isn’t families or students, but the number of total visits to classrooms.) Freshman - April Hart is our Faculty member that organizes and oversees our Mentoring Program. Lunches with mentors once a month. Last Friday she and the mentors organized a tailgate before the FB game.

Leadership Workshop - Kendall Huffman and April Hart chaperoned taking 12 students to the Leadership Conference at Lakeland Community College. These students were chosen based on teacher recommendations.

Changes in History Courses regarding new state Civics requirements that impact this year’s sophomores.

This year the Constitution will be removed from US I curriculum. Remove the ‘Rights & Responsibilities of an 18 year old in the state of Illinois” from US II curriculum next year. Add both of these to the Civics curriculum that this year’s Sophomores will take their Senior year.

The department will individually teach and test the Constitution with any student who moves into the district this year or next and who would miss the Civics class that will institute the above instruction. We are looking at piloting this course next year. (This will allow us to include students that have transferred in and need course.)

Homecoming Notes: Theme - ALAH Round the World Attendants: Freshman: Kaylee Yeakel and Lucas Otto, Sophomore: Makenna Green and Adam Day, Junior: Macy Hollingsworth and Eusebio Briseno, Senior: Queen Candidates: Megan Cornwell, Kim Davis, Mycaela Miller, Gracie Plank; King Candidates: Shandon Herschberger, Jacob Larimore, Justin Laughlin, Nick Stolte.

The Family Consumer Science Classes will be having a ‘garage sale’ before the VolleyBall Game. They will be selling excess supplies (rolling pins, hot pads, cups, etc.). The money raised will go to purchase a waffle maker (or maybe two) for their kitchens. Jared Vanausdoll: Football: Record: 2-0 @ Oblong on 9/9 and Homecoming vs. LSA on 9/16 Volleyball: 5-0 next 9/12 @ Sullivan and 9/15 vs. Tri-County @ 4:45; Soccer: 1-5, vs Newton on 9/10, @ Oakwood on 9/12 - Games working out well on new game field; Cross Country – Off to great start – 6 boys members and 2 girls running – next meet 9/10 @ Paxton, 9/17 @ Tuscola. Home meet @ Pumpkin Patch on 9/22; Golf – 13-1 next: 9/10 @ Blue Ridge, 9/12 and 9/15 home - 9/13 and 9/17 @ Windsor JHGB – Added 6th grade girls due to low numbers - 8th grade – 9 total -7th grade – 10 total Begin games on 9/12 in Lovington vs. Bement

Mr. Schwengel reported: The IASB Illini Division meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 27th at Riddle Elementary School in Mattoon. Registration is 6:00 with dinner at 6:30. Beth Wiley will receive an award for participating in the IASB Master Board Member/Leadershop Academy Program. She will be recognized at the upcoming division dinner meeting. There is a meeting with the Amish reps on September 20th.

Board comment: Jake Kamm reminded the board about the upcoming pancake breakfast Saturday morning. Board adjourned into break at 6:21.

A motion was made by Beth Wiley,seconded by Todd Wellbaum to enter executive session at 6:22 pm to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body. All members present voted yea. Motion carried.

A motion was made by Brian Fay, seconded by Beth Wiley, to leave executive session at 6:45 pm. All voted yea. Motion carried.

A motion was made by Beth Wiley, seconded by Doug Kitchen to accept executive session minutes as read in executive session. All members voted yea. Motion carried.

A motion was made by Beth Wiley, seconded by Ed Miller to accept the resignation of Chrissy Patterson as A-H scholastic bowl sponsor. Upon roll, all members present voted yea. Motion carried.

A motion was made by Beth Wiley, seconded Ed Miller to approve Roger Punches, JH boys assistant basketball coach, Bryton Ragon, HS boys track head coach, Tabitha Davis, JH volleyball assistant coach, Nicole Doehring as A-H scholastic bowl sponsor, Lynnette Wilson, full time AGS aide and Beth Hill, freshman class sponsor. Upon roll, all members present voted yea. Motion carried.

A motion was made by Beth Wiley, seconded by Doug Kitchen to adjourn at 7:02. All members present voted yea. Motion carried.