MENDOTA TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL
Regular Board Meeting Minutes
February 19, 2008
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, February 19, 2008 at 7:00 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, Strouss, Ayers, and Bauer. Absent were Burke, Flahive, and Holdenrid.
Bauer asked for a moment of silence to remember the victims of the NIU shooting, and also their families and friends. A graduate of MHS, Juliana Gehant, was a victim of the shootings.
Bauer asked for questions or comments on the open meeting minutes of January 22, 2008. A motion was made by Bauer, seconded by Strouss to accept the minutes of the January 22, 2008 meeting as presented to the board. The vote was unanimously in favor by acclamation.
Bauer asked for questions or comments on the following Financial Reports:
A motion was made by Bauer, seconded by Vercimak to accept the above reports as presented to the board. Upon roll call, the following vote was recorded: Ayes: Strouss, Ayers, Vercimak, and Bauer. No nays. Motion carried.
Bauer asked for questions or comments on the Current Payment of Bills. Supt. Prusator asked the board to add two additional invoices for payment not listed on the Bills Payable list. The bills were as follows:
Short discussion followed. A motion was made by Bauer, seconded by Ayers to accept the Bills Payable list as presented with the addition of the two invoices mentioned above.
Upon roll call, the following vote was recorded: Ayes: Strouss, Ayers, and Bauer. No nays. Vercimak abstained. Motion carried.
No board action was necessary on the Fund Balances. Prusator commented on recent fall in interest rates on investments and the additional expenses that have been incurred in the O&M Fund.
During the board member reports, Dr. Vercimak addressed the media coverage concerning the contaminated meats recently. Vercimak would like to check into the possibility of contracting for meat locally. Prusator replied that he will talk with the Cafeteria Supervisor about different possibilities.
Cathy Burke arrived at the meeting.
Bauer asked Principal Aughenbaugh for the Principal’s Report. Aughenbaugh reported on the following:
Aughenbaugh concluded her report. Bauer asked Supt. Prusator for the District and Business Report.
Prusator asked the board for approval of the District’s Title 1 Improvement Plan. A motion was made by Vercimak, seconded by Burke to approve the District’s Title 1 Plan as presented to the board. The vote was unanimously in favor by acclamation.
Prusator gave the board a brief overview of the history of MHS and fundraising by different student groups. The fundraising change would be as follows: Each sport would suggest that each athlete sell 10 tickets at a cost of $10.00. At the end of a given time period a drawing would be held with prizes given. The profits from this fundraiser would then be split by the Sports (80%) and the Booster Club (20%). Discussion followed. A motion was made by Bauer, seconded by Ayers to adopt the fundraising change with the stipulation that athletes/participants would be encouraged to sell tickets. Upon roll call the following vote was recorded: Ayes: Strouss, Ayers, Vercimak, Burke, and Bauer. No nays. Motion carried.
Prusator gave the board an overview of AlertNow. AlertNow is a rapid communication service that would allow the school to contact parents, students, and faculty very quickly should an emergency or notification from the school was necessary. Special features would allow for Spanish speaking parents, and allow the school to reach all students/parents/staff within minutes. Discussion followed. Prusator told the board that he would recommend the cost of $1500/yr to purchase the system. This is a cost to the district of approx. $2.30 per household. It was noted that if District 289 would purchase the system it could possibly allow for a discount on the cost. Discussion followed on the cost. Prusator told the board that the district would absorb the cost for the first year and then look into funding options for the future. A motion was made by Strouss, seconded by Ayers to approve the purchase of the AlertNow System with or without District 289 purchasing the system. Upon roll call, the following vote was recorded: Ayes: Strouss, Ayers, Vercimak, Burke, and Bauer. No nays. Motion carried.
With no further business to discuss in open session a motion was made by Bauer, seconded by Burke to adjourn into closed session for: 1) the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees; and 2) review closed meeting minutes of January 22, 2008. The vote was unanimously in favor by acclamation.
The meeting adjourned into closed session at approx. 7:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debbie Phalen
Board Recording Secretary