MENDOTA TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL
Regular Board Meeting
March 17, 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 Monday, March 17, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. pursuant to rule with a quorum present.

In the absence of Board President Bauer, Vice President Flahive called the meeting to order, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.  Upon roll call the following members were recorded as present:  Vercimak, Burke, Flahive, Holdenrid, Strouss, and Ayers.  Absent was Bauer. 

A motion was made by Flahive to amend the Meeting Agenda to include the following:

            VIII. Administration
                        H.  Curriculum Director Report-Mary Beth Niles     

The motion was seconded by Burke.  The vote was unanimously in favor by acclamation.

Flahive asked for questions or comments concerning the following meeting minutes:

  1.  Regular Meeting – February 19, 2008
  2. Board Policy Committee Meeting – March 4, 2008
  3. Building Committee Meeting – March 11, 2008

 

With no comments being made, a motion was made by Flahive, seconded by Vercimak to approve the above mentioned minutes as presented to the board. 
            Flahive asked for questions or comments on the following Financial Reports:

  1.  Treasurer’s Report
  2. Imprest Fund Report and Reimbursement
  3. Activity Fund Report
  4. Cafeteria Report

 

Short discussion followed.  A motion was made by Flahive, seconded by Burke to approve the above mentioned Financial Reports as presented.  Upon roll call the following vote was recorded:  Ayes:  Strouss, Ayers, Vercimak, Burke, Holdenrid, and Flahive.  No nays.  Motion carried. 

            Flahive asked for questions or comments on the Bills Payable list.  Supt. Prusator asked the board to consider adding an invoice from DeKalb Paving for additional work done during the Tennis Court Project in the amount of $7500.  Discussion followed.  Vercimak asked if a change order was ever done for this work, as this is the first time that the board was made aware of additional monies being charged for court project.  Further discussion followed.  Bill from DeKalb Paving tabled until more information concerning charges can be compiled.  Supt. Prusator will contact Steve Wright from Dahlquist & Lutzow for more information.

A motion was made by Vercimak, seconded by Strouss to approve the Bills Payable List as presented, excluding the $7500 invoice from DeKalb Paving.  Upon roll call the following vote was recorded:  Ayes:  Strouss, Ayers, Vercimak, Burke, Holdenrid, and Flahive.  No nays.  Motion carried.

No board action was required on Fund Balance Report.

Board Members-Reports or Requests-Cathy Burke asked the board to commend the Fine Arts Dept. for their outstanding performances during the past weekend of “Beauty and the Beast”.  The musical was a sell-out on all 3 performances.  They also had a tea party with cast members on Saturday afternoon which was attended by approx. 130 children.  Board members commended Lori Schrock, Amy Wilson, and members of the cast for their outstanding contribution to MHS.

Bldg Committee Meeting comments will be heard during the District and Business Report.

Flahive asked Prin. Aughenbaugh for the Principal’s Report.

Aughenbaugh reported on the following items:

  1. Code of Conduct-To cover Athletics, Fine Arts, and X-tra curricular students.  Discussion followed.  Strouss disagreed with players having to adhere to Code of Conduct one their particular sport is concluded.  Discussion continued.  Tabled pending attorney approval of policy and policy wording.
  2. MHS Health Fair-held March 6th.
  3. ROE Excellence in Education Recipients-Certified:  Jayne Barnes, Holly Beals, Sherry Engstrom.  Non-Certified:  Judy Forney.
  4. Spanish National Honor Society-Held initiation ceremonies at Mendota Civic Center recently. 
  5. National Honor Society-Held initiation ceremonies at MHS recently.  17 new members were initiated.
  6. Math Team-Competed on 3/8.  Several students qualified to advance.  Sponsor is Kevin   Wohrley.
  7. Academic Challenge-Ben McCormick will advance to state level.
  8. Parent Teacher Conferences-held March 6-7.  Teachers were pleased with the number of parents who talked with teachers when picking up report cards.
  9. Curriculum Director Report-Aughenbaugh introduced Mary Beth Niles who gave the board and update on her activities for the 07-08 school year.  Three areas of interest:  Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment.  Discussion followed.  Board thanked Niles for her report.

 

Aughenbaugh concluded the Principal’s Report.
Flahive asked Supt. Prusator for the District and Business Report. 

Prusator asked the board for a motion to let bids for Tires for the 2008-09 school year for the Transportation Dept.  A motion was made by Vercimak, seconded by Strouss to let bids for tires for the 2008-09 year.  The vote was unanimously in favor by acclamation.

Prusator asked for questions or comments in regards to the information received concerning the plans for the baseball and softball fields at MHS.  Discussion followed.  The architect would like to begin letting bids for the fields.  The bids would be as follows:

            Base Bid
            +5 Alternatives

  1.  Scoreboard
  2. Press Box/Storage
  3. Drive and Parking (Gravel)
  4. Conduit for Lights
  5. Storage and Restroom facilities

Further discussion followed.  Prusator told the board a motion was necessary to allow for the letting of bids for the project.  A motion was made by Holdenrid, seconded by Flahive to let bids as recommended by the architect for the Baseball and Softball Fields.  Upon roll call the following vote was recorded:  Ayes:  Strouss, Ayers, Vercimak, Burke, Holdenrid, and Flahive.  No nays.  Motion carried.

Prusator asked for any questions or comments on the proposed TIF I Extension.  A motion was made by Strouss, seconded by Holdenrid to approve the TIF I Extension.  Upon roll call the following vote was recorded:  Ayes:  Strouss, Ayers, Vercimak, Burke, Holdenrid, and Flahive.  No nays.  Motion carried.

Prusator told the board that bids had been opened for busses.  A overview of the bids was handed out to the board.  Transportation Director, Kettleborough, feels that 3 busses should be purchased due to the aging fleet of busses at MHS.  Discussion followed.  Central States Bus was the low bid.  3 new busses (trading in 2) at a cost of $201,670.  A motion was made by Strouss, seconded by Holdenrid to approve the bid of $201,670 for 3 new busses from Central States Bus.  Upon roll call the following vote was recorded:  Ayes:  Strouss, Ayers, Vercimak, Burke, Holdenrid, and Flahive.  No nays.  Motion carried.

Flahive reported that there was no reason to adjourn into closed session.  A motion was made by Flahive, seconded by Strouss to adjourn the meeting.  The vote was unanimously in favor by acclamation.

The meeting adjourned at approx.  8:20 p.m.

                                                                        Respectfully submitted,

 

Debbie Phalen
                                                                        Board Recording Secretary