Kankakee Times

Iroquois County Community Unit School District 9 Board met Nov. 9.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

RESENT: James Bruns, President, called the meeting to order at 6:00

p.m. In attendance were Bob Burd, Crystal Blair, Brittany Cluver, Gina Greene, and Rusty Maulding.

Also present were: Guy Gradert, Claire Henneike, Julie Dunn, Jennifer Taylor, Nola Loeffler, Carla Waters, Sarah Combes, Pam Ely, Robert Zummallen, Russell Leigh, Dawn Garner, Carolyn Short, Jessica Heldt, Heather Gerth, James Bunting, and Connie Breeling.

Absent: Kirk McTaggart

GUESTS AND PUBLIC COMMENTS: None

PRESENTATION OF THE FY18 AUDIT: Mr. Leigh, of Russell Leigh and Associates, provided an overview of the FY18 audit. Mr. Leigh stated it was a clean audit, Pam Ely did an excellent job. Increase in revenue in ED Fund due to evidence based funding. Mr. Leigh believes that evidence based funding will probably decrease in the coming years.

O&M Fund had a deficit due to building projects. District received five (5) payments for Transportation, Mr. Leigh estimates the State will be out of money by March of 2019 for further Transportation payments. State of Illinois does not have sufficient funds for TRS, he projects at some point in the future, local tax payers will have to fund pension liabilities. Mr. Leigh suggests a reduction in amount funded to IMRF, currently have too much in fund, and can’t accumulate funds. He believes the district is in good shape, should continue to maintain balances to be ready for the future.

Russell Leigh and Pam Ely exited the meeting at 6:15 p.m.

UNEA REPORT: No report.

CONSENT AGENDA: Mr. Bruns stated that items A through F are routine items. Item G is approval of a snow removal bid from Trent Sterrenberg of Trent’s Lawn Care Inc. Mr. Maulding expressed concern regarding cost of salt. Mr. Bunting stated Mr. Sterrenberg only salts when asked, Mr. Bunting remembered only one time when he had to call Mr. Sterrenberg to salt. Typically, custodians salt their individual buildings. Mr. Sterrenberg has had the contract for several years and does a good job, only plowing when needed. District only received one snow removal bid.

It was moved by Bob Burd and second by Brittany Cluver to approve: the open and closed session minutes from the regular Board of Education meeting on October 15, 2018; the open session minutes from The Committee of Ten meetings held on October 17 and October 23, 2018; the payment of Unit #9 bills; the monthly imprest expenditures; the credit card expenditures; the Treasurer’s Report; the destruction of the closed session recording from the regular Board of Education meeting held on May 15, 2017; bid for removal of snow for FY19-FY21; volunteers Rhoda Greene, Amber Hamilton, Nicholus Johnson, Jamie Jolley, Deann Stanley, and Stuart Swalls; resignation of: Liz Hamende as WCHS secretary, Nickole Oaks as a Cook’s Aide, and Lydia DePatis as GRS Volleyball Coach. Roll call. Aye: 6. Nay: 0. Motion carried.

COMMUNICATION: None.

SPECIAL EDUCATION REPORT: Mr. Gradert reported the board discussed IDEA money, a possible Pre-K grant, the upcoming office move in June 2019, and Professional Development.

BOARD COMMITTEES: Rusty stated the Building and Grounds committee met with Andy Guimond; Athletic Boosters would like to add a larger press box to the existing bleachers. Robert Zummallen and the architect looked at the structure and stated the current bleachers would not support a press box. The committee and Mr. Zummallen reviewed the 10 year capital improvement plan. Committee agreed the high school project should proceed.

Policy meeting set for November 29, 2018 at 5:00 p.m.

Finance meeting set for December 11, 2018 at 3:00 p.m.

Building and Grounds meeting set for January 4, 2019 at 2:00 p.m.

OLD BUSINESS: NONE NEW BUSINESS:

Consideration and possible approval of the 10 year capital improvement plan. Mr. Zummallen reviewed the 10 year capital improvement plan. ADA accessibility is an issue that needs to be addressed at all schools. The high school water main has to be shut off by the city at the water main, no shut off valve in the school. Fire alarm system is out of date. Mr. Zummallen estimates cost to bring all schools into compliance is approximately 16 million dollars. Cost to build a new Pre-K through 8 school is approximately 14 million, this building would house 50-60 more students than are currently attending Unit 9. If plan is approved it is not a commitment to do all projects in the plan, just a map of what needs to be done. Projects can be prioritized and agreed upon as needed.

It was moved by Rusty Maulding and second by Bob Burd to approve the 10 year capital improvement plan, as presented. Roll call. Aye: 6. Nay: 0. Motion Carried.

Mr. Zummallen exited the meeting at 6:49 p.m.

Consideration and possible approval of tentative tax levy for FY20. Mr. Gradert reported he is proposing a decrease of 4.54% from last year’s levy. The decrease is to maintain balances, and not to have balances in excess of what the district needs. Funds decreased: IMRF, Social Security and Tort. EAV is currently $85,900,000. This is a pre-flood rate and will be adjusted.

It was moved by Gina Greene and second by Bob Burd to approve the tentative tax levy for FY20. Roll call. Aye: 6. Nay: 0. Motion Carried.

James Bunting exited the meeting at 6:59 p.m.

Consideration and possible approval of a memorandum of understanding with the Unit 9 Education Association. Discussion for executive session.

Consideration and possible approval of employment of cook’s aide. Discussion for executive session.

Consideration and possible approval of adding food van driver duties to GRS night custodian responsibilities. This matter was tabled.

Consideration and possible approval of updates to the GRS extra duty list. Discussion for executive session.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT: Mr. Gradert stated the consolidation petition has been approved by Dr. Murphy and has been forwarded to the State Superintendent for approval. His decision will determine if the question can be placed on the April ballot. Mr. Gradert thanked the Academic Foundation for the time and effort in organizing and hosting Pride Night. The district appreciates their contributions. Crescent-Iroquois is hosting an informational meeting at the Crescent-Iroquois grade school to discuss consolidation on Saturday, December 8th at 10:00 a.m. Anyone interested is encouraged to attend. District received a “commendable” on the School Report Card. Administrators will give a presentation at the December meeting. Mr. Gradert will be meeting with Midwest Transit and Central States in December for bus lease prices.

ADMINISTRATORS’ REPORTS:

Mrs. Heldt reported 4th grade students who reached reading goals will be going to the high school to watch a movie. ROE inspected Wanda, only suggested a few changes. High school band performed for the students. Red Ribbon Week went well, students enjoyed the activities Mrs. Forbes organized. PTO raised $900.00 from box tops. Attendance is at 96.2 %. Wanda has 5 new 2nd grade students.

Mrs. Gerth reported Nettie Davis participated in Red Ribbon Week for the first time. Mrs. Forbes did a great job organizing events. Mrs. Gerth thanked the PTO, they provided food for Parent Teacher conferences. Nettie currently has 39 students with perfect attendance. Parent teacher conferences were attended by 97% of parents. Mrs. Forbes has started Blessings in a Backpack program. This is a United Way program, food is sent home in backpacks to students who don’t have enough food over the weekends or during holidays.

Mrs. Short stated the annual Holiday meal for seniors is December 7, 2018. Parent teacher conferences were attended by 93 parents/guardians. Junior class visited Parkland and U of I on November 13th.

Mrs. Garner stated that she helped hand out cookies at Pride Night. She was pleased that students were polite and all thanked her for the cookies. Mrs. Garner said we focus on the negative when there are good things happening in the District.

EXECUTIVE SESSION: It was moved by Bob Burd and second by Gina Greene to enter executive session at 7:22 p.m. to consider information regarding appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of individual employees, collective negotiations, and impending litigation. Roll call. Aye: 6. Nay: 0. Motion carried.

It was the consensus of the Board to return to open session at 7:49 p.m. PERSONNEL:

It was moved by Gina Greene and second by Brittany Cluver to approve the memorandum of understanding between Erik Parmenter and UNEA. Roll call. Aye: 6. Nay: 0. Motion carried.

It was moved by Rusty Maulding and second by Bob Burd to approve the employment of Jodie Neal as Cook’s Aide, pending required background checks and proper paperwork completion. Roll call. Aye: 6. Nay: 0. Motion carried.

It was moved by Bob Burd and second by Gina Greene to approve updates to the GRS extra duty list. Roll call. Aye: 6. Nay: 0. Motion carried.

PRESIDENT’S PREROGATIVE: None

ADJOURNMENT: It was moved by Rusty Maulding and second by Gina Greene to adjourn the meeting at 8:04 p.m. Roll call. Aye: 6. Nay: 0. Motion carried.

https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/276003/Reg_November_19_2018.pdf