MENDOTA TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL

Regular Board Meeting Minutes

August 20, 2007

            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, August 20, 2007 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:  Burke, Flahive, Strouss, Ayers, and Bauer.  Absent were Vercimak, and Holdenrid.  Also in attendance were Supt. Prusator, Princ. Aughenbaugh, new faculty members (Katie Perry, Mary Beth Niles, and Heath Raley), Curtis and Tina Kittleson (Boy Scout Reps), and members of the media.

            Prusator and Aughenbaugh introduced the new staff members at MHS.  Those new members:

            Mary Beth Niles – Curriculum Director

            Katie Perry – Physical Education

            Heath Raley – Industrial Arts

Bauer and Board thanked Niles, Perry and Raley for attending the meeting and wished them well at MHS.

            Bauer introduced Curtis Kittleson.  Kittleson is a student at MHS who is working toward the rank of Eagle Scout.  Kittleson asked the board’s permission to redo the sand pit at the Athletic Field.  Discussion followed.  A motion was made by Flahive, seconded by Ayers to approve the sand pit project of Kittleson’s.  Upon roll call the following vote was recorded:  Ayes:  Burke, Flahive, Strouss, Ayers, and Bauer.  No nays.  Motion carried.

            FFA Sponsor, Jeff Landers and the FFA were not able to attend the meeting due to a conflict in schedules.

            Dr. Vercimak arrived at the meeting.

            Bauer asked for questions or comments concerning the June 25, 2007 regular meeting minutes.  A motion was made by Bauer, seconded by Flahive to approve the meeting minutes as presented.  The vote was unanimously in favor by acclamation.

            Bauer asked for questions or comments on the following reports:

            Treasurer’s Report – Vercimak asked that the Hume money resident in Education be moved to the Hume C.D. which is resident in the Student Fund Acct.  Prusator told the board he would look into the Hume funds and action would be taken at the next board meeting.

            Imprest Fund and Reimbursement – No questions.          

            Activity Fund Report – Short discussion followed concerning balances in various accounts.

            Cafeteria Report – No questions.

A motion was made by Bauer, seconded by Strouss to approve the above reports as presented.  Upon roll call the following vote was recorded:  Ayes:  Vercimak, Burke, Flahive, Strouss, Ayers, and Bauer.  No nays.  Motion carried.

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

            No board action was required on the Fund Balance Report.

            No Board Member Reports or Requests.

            Bauer asked Principal Aughenbaugh for her report.  Aughenbaugh reported that registration for the 07-08 school year was held on 8/6 & 8/7.  Approximately 565 students registered.  Enrollment for MHS looks to be approx. 645 at the beginning of the school year.  Aughenbaugh also reported that a Back-to-School dance was sponsored by the MHS Booster Club on 8/17; Fall Sports are underway, that a Faculty Institute Day was held on 8/16, and the first student attendance day was 8/17. 

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

            Prusator reported that the FY07 Audit has been completed by Gorenz and Associates.  A representative from Gorenz and Assoc. will be at the meeting in October to give their report.  

            Prusator gave the board an overview of the FY07 Budget.  Prusator touched on ending Fund Balances and a short discussion followed.

            Prusator asked the board for questions or comments in regard to the Preliminary Budget for FY08.  Prusator told the board that with the State budget not being passed or approved; the State Aid figures in the budget are based on last years budgeted amounts.

Prusator told the board that a motion was necessary to place the FY08 Budget on display for 30 days prior to adopting.  A motion was made by Bauer, seconded by Flahive to approve the display of the FY08 budget for the necessary 30 days.  Upon roll call the following vote was recorded:  Ayes:  Vercimak, Burke, Flahive, Strouss, Ayers, and Bauer.  No nays.  Motion carried.

            Prusator asked the board to consider moving the September board meeting to accommodate the 30 day display of the budget.  A motion was made by Bauer, seconded by Burke to hold the Budget Hearing Meeting on 9/20/07 at 6:00 p.m.; with the regular board meeting to following immediately after the hearing.  The vote was unanimously in favor by acclamation.

            Prusator gave a brief update on the Tennis Court Project.  Progress is being made; however, the recent rains have delayed the project.  Prusator was hopeful that by the next board meeting the courts would be completed.

            Prusator asked for questions or comments concerning the proposals for insurance given by Prairie State and The Phoenix Group.  Discussion followed.  A motion was made by Vercimak, seconded by Flahive to approve the proposal for insurance by The Phoenix Group for the term 9/1/07 through 8/31/08.  Upon roll call the following vote was recorded:  Ayes:  Vercimak, Burke, Flahive, Strouss, Ayers, and Bauer.  No nays.  Motion carried.

            The request to approve Greenhouse Grant was tabled due to the fact that Mr. Landers and the FFA could not attend the meeting.

            Prusator asked for questions or comments concerning the need to repair areas in the parking lot.  Proposals were received from DeKalb Paving $18,700, and McDonald Asphalt $16,821.  Discussion followed.  A motion was made by Flahive, seconded by Ayers to accept the proposal of McDonald in the amount of $16,821 for repairs to the Parking Lot and Additional Areas as listed.  Upon roll call the following vote was recorded:  Ayes:  Vercimak, Burke, Flahive, Strouss, Ayers, and Bauer.  No nays.  Motion carried.

            Prusator asked the board for a motion to authorize the Architect to create bid specifications for the Baseball/Softball Fields at MHS.  Discussion followed.  A motion was made by Vercimak, seconded by Flahive to authorize the architects to create bid specifications for the baseball/softball fields. Upon roll call the following vote was recorded:  Ayes:  Vercimak, Burke, Flahive, Strouss, Ayers, and Bauer.  No nays.  Motion carried.

            With no further business to conduct in open session; a motion was made by Bauer, seconded by Burke to adjourn into closed session for the purpose of: 1) the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees; and 2) to review closed meeting minutes of June 25, 2007.  The vote was unanimously in favor by acclamation.

            The meeting adjourned into closed session at approx 8:15 p.m.

                                                                        Respectfully submitted,

                                                                        Debbie Phalen

                                                                        Board Recording Secretary