MENDOTA TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL

Regular Board Meeting Minutes

January 17, 2006

            The regular board meeting of the Board of Education of Mendota Township High School District No. 280, LaSalle, Bureau, and Lee Counties, Illinois was held in the high school boardroom on Tuesday, January 17, 2006 at 7:15 p.m. pursuant to rule with a quorum present.

            President Bauer called the meeting to order, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.  On roll call the following members were recorded as present:  Vercimak, Burke, Flahive, Jauch, Strouss, and Bauer.  Absent was Holdenrid. 

            There were no items on the Citizen’s Agenda/Non-Agenda Items.

            Bauer asked for questions or comments on the minutes of the Levy Hearing and Regular Meeting of December 19, 2005.  With no questions or comments; a motion was made by Strouss, seconded by Flahive to approve the minutes of the Levy Hearing and Regular Meeting of December 19, 2005 as presented.  The vote was unanimous by acclamation.

            Bauer asked the board to look at the following Financial Reports:

6.1    Treasurer’s Report

6.2    Imprest Fund Report and Reimbursement

6.3    Activity Fund Report

6.4    Cafeteria Report

With no questions or comments; a motion was made by Bauer, seconded by Jauch to approve the above reports as presented.  Upon roll call the following vote was recorded:

Ayes:  Flahive, Jauch, Strouss, Vercimak, Burke, and Bauer.  No nays.  Motion carried.

            Bauer asked the board for questions or comments with regard to the Current Bills Payable List.  A motion was made by Bauer seconded by Flahive to approve the Current Bills Payable List as presented.  Upon roll call the following vote was recorded:  Ayes:  Flahive, Jauch, Strouss, Vercimak, Burke, and Bauer.  No nays.  Motion carried.

            Supt. Prusator asked the board to hold any questions or comments on the Fund Balance Reports until his report.

            There were no Board Member reports or requests.

            Bauer asked Principal Aughenbaugh for the Principal Report.  Aughenbaugh reported on the following items:

            A.  Illinois Virtual High School Update-10 of the 11 students enrolled in the program completed the course with an A or B grade.  Received positive comments from instructors on students enrolled 1^st semester.    27 students are enrolled in IVHS for seconded semester in a wide variety of course.  Discussion followed.

B.    REAP Grant-Will be used to supplement NCLB Title Grants.  Exploring the possibility of offerings outside the regular school day; an after school program could be one possibility. 

C.  MHS Wellness Plan-Aughenbaugh thanked Board Member, Cathy Burke, for                      

                  being on the MHS Wellness Policy Committee. 

Flahive interjected at the end of Aughenbaugh’s report that the Financial Aid Night was a great success.  125 students and parents were in attendance.  Discussion followed.

            Bauer thanked Aughenbaugh for her report and asked Supt. Prusator for the District and Business Report.

            Prusator asked the board to look at the Preliminary Calendar for the School Year 06-07.  This is a tentative calendar with action being taken on this issue next board meeting.  Discussion followed.

            Prusator told the board that the school is 50% through FY06.  He commented that overall the budget is in good shape.  There have been savings in the area of Health Insurance.  Also the interest rates are on the rise which has improved our investment outlook.  Discussion followed.

            Prusator told the board that Gary Kettleborough, Transportation Director, is asking the board to approve the letting of bids for vehicles.  Kettleborough would like to obtain bids for the following vehicles:

1.     Buses (2)

2.     Mini-Van (1)

3.     Automobile (1)

Prusator told the board that the Transportation Dept. is trying to address the needs of the students of MHS and also Dist 289.  Discussion followed.  A motion was made by Vercimak, seconded by Flahive to let Bus Bids on the above vehicles.  The vote was unanimous by acclamation.

            Prusator asked the board for action on the Approval of the Auditor for FY07.  Strouss asked if there wasn’t an auditor in the area; without having to rely on the firm from Peoria.  Prusator stated that Gorenz has provided consistency and is able to provide historical numbers.  Jauch asked if this was put out for bid.  Prusator told the board that the amount charged for an audit is under the limit necessary to bid out a project.

Discussion followed.  A motion was made by Vercimak, seconded by Burke to approve Gorenz and Assoc. as auditors for the FY06 school year.  Upon roll call the following vote was recorded:  Ayes:  Flahive, Jauch, Vercimak, Burke, and Bauer.  Nays: Strouss.  Motion carried.

            Prusator told the board that the AED (Automatic External Defibrillator) has been received and installed by the gym.  14 staff members have been trained.  Future training will be given this spring.

            Prusator relayed to the board that Tom Nielson/Kathy Bohn have created a new scholarship for MHS.  They will be meeting with MHS to set-up the criteria for this new scholarship.  Prusator thanked Tom and Kathy for their generosity to MHS.

            With no further business to be discussed; a motion was made by Bauer, seconded by Burke to adjourn into closed session for the following purposes:  1) the discussion of sale of real property 2) review closed meeting minutes of December 19, 2005.  Upon roll call the following vote was recorded:  Ayes:  Flahive, Jauch, Strouss, Vercimak, Burke, and Bauer.  No nays.  Motion carried. 

            Meeting adjourned at approx. 8:00 p.m.

                                                                        Respectfully submitted,

                                                                        Debbie Phalen

                                                                        Board Recording Secretary