Chambana Sun

Mahomet-Seymour Community Unit District No. 3 Board of Education met March 13.

Here is the minutes provided by the Board:

• Call to Order:

The meeting was called to order by President Max McComb at 7:03 p.m. He welcomed all present to the meeting.

• Roll Call:

Board members present for the roll call were: Max McComb, Nezar Kassem, Lance Raver, Jenny Park and Becky Ryherd. Also present were Superintendent Rick Johnston and Board Recorder, Jennifer Farm. Merle Giles and Cheryl Melchi were not present for the meeting.

• Pledge of Allegiance:

President McComb asked those in attendance to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.

• Approval of Agenda:

Motion was made by Park, seconded by Raver, to approve the agenda as presented. The motion passed.

• McComb reviewed the Visitor Guidelines and called for any Public Participation forms.

• Consent Agenda Items:

McComb asked the Board if they would like to see any changes to the consent agenda. There were no changes.

• Minutes for the February 13, 2017 Regular Board Meeting – Open Session

• Bills as presented

• Treasurer’s Report as presented

• Personnel Changes as presented

• Records management for the destruction of the verbatim records of all closed meetings for June, 2015. The written minutes of these meetings have been previously approved.

• Surplus Items –High School

• New Activity Fund – High School PBIS

Motion was made by Ryherd second by Kassem, to approve all items on the consent agenda. Motion was approved by “yes” vote, 5-0. Motion carried.

• Communications from PTO, MSEA, Foundation, Visitors and Board Commendations: 

PTO – none 

MSEA – none 

Foundation – none 

Public Comments – none

• Reports, Updates & Informational Items:

• Building Reports: Building Administrators: Principals submitted reports prior to the meeting. These highlights are part of the meeting packet on the website.

• Board Communication:

• Mr. Raver shared that two 5th Grade classes placed 1st and 2nd at the U of I Rube Goldberg event.

• Member Ryherd enjoys reading the building reports, particularly this week’s Dr. Seuss activities.

• Dr. Kassem attended “Bye, Bye Birdie” at the Jr. High. The cast was very talented, and he looks forward to seeing them perform in High School.

• President McComb worked with a family that was relocating. They chose Mahomet because of the school district. “Thank you to all staff for what you do to make Mahomet-Seymour a noteworthy District.”

• Financial Update: Trent Nuxoll: The February financial report was included in the board packet. CSBO, Nuxoll, shared that the Districts Mod rate has gone from 1.08 in 2012 to.73 this year. When asked by member Park just how significant that decrease was, Mr. Nuxoll reported that it is very significant, and that anything under 1.00 is beneficial to the District in terms of Work Comp Insurance Premium savings.

• District Technology Update: Chris Forman, ITCK and Jared Lynn, District Network Specialist Instructional Technology Coordinator, Chris Forman and District Network Specialist, Jared Lynn highlighted how far the District has come in both infrastructure, district software and instructional technology.

• Superintendent’s Report: Rick Johnston:

1. PreK-2 Principal Position: The target for hiring the PreK-2 Principal is the April 17th Board of Education regular meeting. Dr. Hall will be holding first round interviews on March 29th. The deadline to apply is March 22nd. 

2. Facility Committee Tour: Last Wednesday, Max McComb (Substituting for C. Melchi) and Becky Ryherd met with Trent Nuxoll, Damien Schlitt, Shane Truitt, and Superintendent Johnston on a tour of the Mahomet-Seymour buildings. Building needs highlighted, included items from the Health, Life Safety Survey, Director of Facilities, and each principal. A master list of priorities will be developed so that a new five-year master plan can be implemented over the next six months. 

3. Ittner/B-R Coordination Meeting: Last Friday was the first of many construction meetings that will occur the next 17 months. Site logistics was the main focal point of the meeting. Superintendent Johnston shared a construction site map with the attendees.

4. Snow Event Efforts: Johnston thanked our maintenance staffs in each building and the Director of Facilities, Shane Truitt for their work early this morning. It was noted that communication with Village and township road commissioners remains strong with the district. 

5. Legislative Update: There continues to be efforts to adopt the Evidence Based Funding Model for K-12 schools. IASA, IASB, and IASBO are working tirelessly to lobby law makers into needed action. 

6. Parent/Teacher Conferences: This Thursday is the formal parent teacher conferences for our buildings. Some building staff members meet after school hours during the week prior to Thursday in an effort to accommodate all parents’ requests. We encourage parents who have not already scheduled their meeting with staff to do so. 

7. Upcoming spring testing includes: (but not limited to)

• High school SAT April 5 and Act April 19. (reminder that we are giving both tests this year transitioning to SAT only next year)

• Science testing for 5th, 8th, and HS Biology between April 20th-27th.

• PARCC testing window between April 3rd-27th. (Grades 3-8) 

8) Regular Business

8. A. Unfinished Business 

8. B. New Business 

8. B.1. Personnel – Reduction in Force for Annually Funded Title I Aide Positions: Mary Weaver:

Director of Instructor, Mary Weaver, explained that the Literacy Aide Positions are funded by Title 1 money. Due to the uncertainty of that funding these part time positions will be Reduced in Force. In addition, a half time Pre-K aide position is being reduced due to the unknown Pre-K numbers for next year.

Motion was made by Park, and seconded by Raver, to approve the Reduction in Force of Annually Funded Title 1 Aide and a Half Time Pre-K Aide Position as presented. The motion was approved by “yes” vote, 5-0. Motion carried.

8. B. 2. Approve Press Update #93: Policy Committee and Rick Johnston:

Superintendent Johnston shared that the Superintendent Policy Advisory Committee has reviewed this Press Update and recommend its approval. The resolutions for employee and board member reimbursements were included as well.

Motion was made by Ryherd, and seconded by Kassem, to approve the Press Policy Update #93 as presented. The motion was approved by “yes” vote, 5-0. Motion carried.

8. B. 3. MSHS Corporate Sponsorship Program: Shannon Cheek: 

President McComb requested to table this item.

Motion was made by Kassem, and seconded by Ryherd, to table the MSHS Corporate Sponsorship Program. The motion was approved by “yes” vote, 5-0. Motion carried.

8. B. 4. Approve Phase Three Electrical Upgrades at Mahomet-Seymour Jr. High: Rick Johnston: 

This project will allow the District to complete the air conditioning project at the Jr. High.

Motion was made by Raver, and seconded by Park, to approve the Electrical Upgrades at Mahomet-Seymour Jr. High as presented. The motion was approved by “yes” vote, 5-0. Motion carried.

8. B. 5. Approve Air Conditioning Installation for Specified Areas at Mahomet-Seymour Jr. High: Rick Johnston:

This will allow for the installation of Air Conditioners in the main hallway classrooms. Two spaces (301 and 302) will utilize window air conditioning units that are being repurposed from Lincoln Trail. This action will provide air conditioned spaces throughout the Jr. High.

Motion was made by Park, and seconded by Ryherd, to approve the Air Conditioning Project at Mahomet- Seymour Jr. High and authorize the Superintendent to Execute the Final Contract as presented. The motion was approved by “yes” vote, 5-0. Motion carried.

8. B. 6. Approve Roof Inspection: Shane Truitt:

Superintendent Johnston shared that one of the items that surfaced during the facility tour as a focal point were the roofs in the District. It is recommended by Damien Schlitt and Shane Truitt to complete an infrared inspection on all building roofs. This will locate moisture in the sub straight below the roof line, allowing us to specifically target where the repairs are prioritized.

Motion was made by Raver, and seconded by Kassem, to approve the Roof Inspection Contract not to exceed $10,000 as presented. The motion was approved by “yes” vote, 5-0. Motion carried.

10) Closed Session:

McComb stated it was necessary to go into Closed Session for the purpose of discussing: The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee to determine its validity.

Motion was made by Park, seconded by Raver, at 8:04 p.m. to go into Closed Session for the purposes stated by McComb. The motion was approved by “yes” vote, 5-0. Motion carried.

Motion was made by Kassem, seconded by Raver, at 8:58 p.m. to return to Open Session. The motion was approved, 5-0. Motion carried.

11) Adjournment:

With no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned by consensus at 8:59 p.m.

https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/51234/3-13-17_Reg_Mtg_Minutes_OPEN.pdf