Chambana Sun

Paxton-Buckley-Loda Community Unit School District 10 Board of Education met Nov. 13.

Here is the agenda provided by the board:

President Dawn Bachtold called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

Upon roll call, the following board members answered present: Dana Bergandine, Steve Pacey, Allen Johnson, Craig Loschen, Shawn Young, Jason Dirks, and Dawn Bachtold.

Others present were Cliff McClure, Barry Wright, Josh Didier, Travis Duley, Amanda Styck, Jesse McFarling, Melinda Busby, Mike Ewald, Will Brumleve, Jeff Faust, and Amy Teske - Board Secretary.

Mr. Pacey read a letter dated October 21, 2019 from Brad Pickens resigning as junior high head softball coach.

Mr. Pacey read a letter dated November 12, 2019 from the Family of Marilyn Weber thanking the board for the flowers in her memory.

Mr. McClure recommended the board approve the consent agenda. Craig Loschen made a motion to approve the consent agenda. Jason Dirks seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all board members being present, the vote was unanimous, and the motion passed.

Allen Johnson made a motion to approve the treasurer’s report. Craig Loschen seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all board members being present, the vote was unanimous, and the motion passed.

Dana Bergandine made a motion to approve payment of current board bills. Allen Johnson seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all board members being present, the vote was unanimous, and the motion passed.

No visitors addressed the board.

Mr. McClure informed the board that there are no committee reports but wanted to update the board regarding the most recent Press Policy update. He stated that the district recently received the largest Press Policy update that has ever been received due to new legislation. He advised that he and Lynnette will be working their way through these policy revisions. Mr. McClure stated that over the next month or so a Policy Review Committee meeting will be held, and then the policies will be released to the board for review sometime in either January or February. He reminded the board that the Ford County Special Education Cooperative has a meeting tomorrow evening at 5:30 p.m.

Mr. McClure advised that the proposed levy has been uploaded for the board’s review. He stated that the levy has changed somewhat from last month’s preliminary levy as the district’s EAV has increased. Mr. McClure advised that the proposed levy has a 4.83 aggregate and a 6.04 overall rate which reflects a reduction in rate over last year’s rate. He stated that this will be the third year in a row that the district will be reducing its rate. He added that he will be reviewing EAV numbers with Ford and Iroquois Counties again before the final levy is approved in December. Craig Loschen made a motion to approve the proposed levy. Jason Dirks seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all board members being present, the vote was unanimous, and the motion passed.

Mr. McClure informed the board that he met with David Norris of Gilbane this morning. He stated that Gilbane has assigned Jeremy Roling who will finish out the district’s punch list and that Nick Gonzalez has left Gilbane. He reviewed the outstanding items to be completed at Clara Peterson Elementary and feels the meeting was very productive. Mr. McClure stated that the goal is to complete the punch list items by the Christmas holiday.

Mr. Ewald addressed the board regarding Eastlawn Elementary demolition. He stated the asbestos abatement is complete, and demolition began on Monday, November 4, 2019 and is well underway. Mr. Ewald advised that Environmental Consultants has a person on site each day to monitor the project and air quality. He stated that a pay request has been issued to Lee Farms which represents conclusion of the asbestos abatement and fifteen percent of the demolition work. Mr. Ewald advised that Lee Farms is closed to twenty-five percent done with demolition and that they continue to work on the site. He stated that the interns were on site today and got to view some of the demolition work and discuss things that Environmental Consultants is doing on site as the demolition progresses.

Mike Ewald left the meeting at 6:13 p.m.

Mr. McClure informed the board that at last month’s meeting a discussion was held regarding the proposed Memorial Field improvements. He stated the improvements consist of a new backstop and replacement of fencing to the dugouts. The estimate for the improvements including labor and equipment is $35,000. Mr. McClure advised that he needs to discuss the improvements with the trustees of Memorial Field. Steve Pacey made a motion to approve the Memorial Field improvements in the estimated amount of $35,000. Dana Bergandine seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all board members being present, the vote was unanimous, and the motion passed.

Mr. McClure recommended the board approve the 2019 IASB position statements. He stated that he has reviewed all of the new and revised position statements and feels that the PBL delegate should vote yes to them. He feels this provides more opportunity for local control of legislation. Craig Loschen made a motion to approve the 2019 IASB position statements. Jason Dirks seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all board members being present, the vote was unanimous, and the motion passed.

Mr. McClure suggested to the board that he would like to hold off on the intergovernmental agreement with the Ford County Sheriffs Department until next month. He stated this will allow Dustin Franckey an opportunity to speak with MCS regarding a few technology specifics with regard to this agreement.

Mr. McClure recommended the board approve the purchase of new bulletin boards for the hallways of the renovation side of Clara Peterson Elementary in the estimated amount of $24,090. He explained that this was a project on hold to make sure the district had enough funds left over once the project was closer to completion. Mr. McClure stated that the new bulletin boards can be installed over the Christmas holiday. Dana Bergandine made a motion to approve the purchase of new bulletin boards for the hallways of the renovation side of Clara Peterson Elementary in the amount of $24,090. Allen Johnson seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all board members being present, the vote was unanimous, and the motion passed.

Mr. McClure recommended the board approve the 2019 levy hearing date time to be Wednesday, December 11, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. in the PBL board room. Allen Johnson made a motion to approve the levy hearing date and time to be Wednesday, December 11, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. in the PBL board room. Steve Pacey seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all board members being present, the vote was unanimous, and the motion passed.

Mr. McClure informed the board that Mr. Duley is recommending new courses for PBL High School for the 2020/2021 school year. Mr. Duley advised that the proposed courses and rationale be approved for next school year. He added that due to Mr. Bodine’s absence one other course to be approve would be Psychology as an advanced placement course for the 2020/2021 school year. Dana Bergandine made a motion to approve Quantitative Literacy/Statistics, AP European History, AP Psychology, Pre-AP English I, and Pre-AP English II as new courses for PBL High School for the 2020/2021 school year. Steve Pacey seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all board members being present, the vote was unanimous, and the motion passed.

Mr. McClure recommended the board approve the 2020/2021 Walsworth contract for the high school yearbook in the amount of $12,285.00. Allen Johnson made a motion to approve the 2020/2021 Walsworth contract for the high school yearbook in the amount of $12,285.00. Dana Bergandine seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all board members being present, the vote was unanimous, and the motion passed.

Ms. Chandler addressed the board regarding school improvement. She stated that she has uploaded the Illinois State School Report cards to the board’s website along with highlight sheets for each school. Ms. Chandler advised that the highlight sheets will go home to parents. She informed the board that professional development is currently going on in the district with Cathy Carter Shide coaching elementary math teachers, Julie Eckberg conducting individual sessions with teachers, and Catherine Rosen discussing classroom management and organization with new teachers.

Mr. McClure informed the board that the PIT Crew and PBL Booster Club minutes have been posted to the board’s website as well as the updated FOIA spreadsheet and winter weather letter. He stated that he has discussed the possibility of late starts this school year with the building principals, and they are willing to try this option. Mr. McClure suggested that elementary and junior high parents could drop their children off at the buildings at 7:30 a.m. on late starts and the district will provide supervision until school starts.

Mr. Pacey stated that he would like to have a discussion regarding the FOIA statutes and voluminous requests the district has been receiving. He feels the district needs to begin contemplating charging for staff and administration time. A brief discussion was held regarding the FOIA requests the district has received recently.

Steve Pacey made a motion to go into closed session to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee of the public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity. However, a meeting to consider an increase in compensation to a specific employee of a public body that is subject to the Local Government Wage Increase Transparency Act may not be closed and shall be open to the public and posted and held in accordance with this Act pursuant to 5 ILCS 12/2(c)1 and litigation, when an action against, affecting or on behalf of the particular public body has been filed and is pending before a court or administrative tribunal, or when the public body finds that an action is probable or imminent, in which case the basis for the finding shall be recorded and entered into the minutes of the closed meeting pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)11. Craig Loschen seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all board members being present, the vote was unanimous, and the motion passed.

Closed session began at 6:33 p.m.

Allen Johnson made a motion to come out of closed session. Jason Dirks seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all board members being present, the vote was unanimous, and the motion passed.

Closed session ended at 6:59 p.m.

Mr. McClure recommended the board approve the hiring of Richard Harper as a custodian at PBL Junior High. Allen Johnson made a motion to approve the hiring of Richard Harper as a custodian at PBL Junior High. Craig Loschen seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all board members being present, the vote was unanimous, and the motion passed.

Mr. McClure recommended the board approve the hiring of Austin Coe as a social studies teacher at PBL Junior High. Allen Johnson made a motion to approve the hiring of Austin Coe as a social studies teacher at PBL Junior High. Shawn Young seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all board members being present, the vote was unanimous, and the motion passed.

Mr. McClure recommended the board approve the hiring of Hannah McDermaid as junior high yearbook sponsor. Allen Johnson made a motion to approve the hiring of Hannah McDermaid as junior high yearbook sponsor. Shawn Young seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all board members being present, the vote was unanimous, and the motion passed.

Allen Johnson made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Dana Bergandine seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all board members being present, the vote was unanimous, and the motion passed.

The meeting adjourned at 7:08 p.m.

https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/540495/Regular_minutes_-_Nov_2019.pdf