Mendota Township High School

Regular Board Meeting Minutes

November 20, 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 Monday, October 20, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. pursuant to rule with a quorum present.

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

            Flahive asked for questions or corrections to the open meeting minutes of October 16, 2006.  A motion was made by Holdenrid, seconded by Vercimak to approve the minutes of 10/16/06 as reported.  Upon roll call the following vote was recorded:  Ayes:  Vercimak, Burke, Flahive, Holdenrid, and Strouss.  No nays.  Motion carried.

            Flahive asked for questions or comments on the following reports:

1.      Treasurer’s Report

2.      Imprest Fund Report and Reimbursement

3.      Activity Fund Report

4.      Cafeteria Report

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

            Flahive asked for questions or comments on the Current Payment of Bills.  A motion was made by Flahive, seconded by Burke to approve the Current Payment of Bills as presented.  Upon roll call the following vote was recorded:  Ayes:  Burke, Flahive, Holdenrid, and Strouss.  No nays.  One abstain-Vercimak.  Motion carried.

            No board action required on Fund Balance Report.

            Flahive asked Prin. Aughenbaugh for the Principal’s Report.  Aughenbaugh reported on the following items: 

1.      Parent/Teacher Conferences and Edline-Conferences were held on 11/2-3.  The new Edline program was demonstrated and report cards could be picked up.  Parent Survey was also distributed to parents.  Conference was well received and attended.

2.      Curriculum Committee-Committee has met several times to discuss different items.  Cathy Burke served as the board liaison to the committee.  Changes to the curriculum were given to the board members in their packet this month.  AUghenbaugh asked for a motion to approve the student information/handbook for the FY08 School Year (2007-2008).  A motion was made by Vercimak, seconded by Flahive to approve the student handbook/information for the FY08 School Year as presented.  Upon roll call the following vote was recorded:  Ayes:  Vercimak, Burke, Flahive, Holdenrid, and Strouss.

3.      Textbook Review-Mendota will be eligible for approx. $25,000 in textbook grant program next year.  Textbook will be displayed for the required 30 days at the January Board Meeting.

4.      Commendations-DAR Award Recipient –Teresa Bruno, SAR Award Recipient-Giacomo Caruso.  Also Student Athletes who made all Academic Honors and Spanish Club members who received recognition.

5.      PSAE Scores & School Report Card-Aughenbaugh reported that there are no reports or scores that have been received by the company processing the PSAE tests.

6.      Donations-A $500 donation was received by the FFA from H.F. Gehant Bank.

Vercimak asked for a breakdown of the number of MHS students at risk (S.I.P.) are being given the counseling and tutoring during prep times as discussed in the past.  Aughenbaugh told Vercimak she would report on that at the next regular board meeting.

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

1.      Approval/Rejection of Snow Removal Bids-1 bid was received with an increase of 3 ½ % over the previous year.  The vendor that gave the bid has not raised the rate in the previous year.  The rate will be $48.25/hr per piece of equipment.  A motion was made by Vercimak, seconded by Holdenrid to accept the Snow Removal Bid from Mauch Carpentry as bid.  Upon roll call the following vote was recorded:  Ayes:  Vercimak, Burke, Flahive, Holdenrid, and Strouss.  No nays.  Motion carried.

2.      Approval of FY06 Audit-Tabled until the December Board Meeting.  Gorenz and Assoc. CPA, Russ Rumbold will be at the meeting to discuss the audit. 

3.      Holiday Waiver Approval-MHS has received approval from the ROE for Holiday Waiver for next five years.

4.      Approval Health Insurance Renewal-MHS Health Insurance premiums for the 07 year are down due to lower pool claims and school related factors.  A motion was made by Burke, seconded by Vercimak to approve the Health Insurance Renewal as received from Brennan & Stuart on behalf of Blue Cross/Blue Shield of IL.  Upon roll call the following vote was recorded:  Ayes:  Vercimak, Burke, Flahive, Holdenrid, and Strouss.  No nays.  Motion carried.

5.      Preliminary Tax Levy-Prusator handed out the preliminary tax levy figures to the board based upon numbers received from the taxing counties.  Levy Hearing will be held prior to the December regular board meeting.

With no further business to conduct in open session; a motion was made by Flahive, seconded by Holdenrid to adjourn in to closed session for the following purposes:  1) appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees and 2) review of closed meeting minutes of October 16, 2006.  Upon roll call the following vote was recorded:  Ayes:  Vercimak, Burke, Flahive, Holdenrid, and Strouss.  No nays.  Motions carried.

Meeting adjourned into closed session at approx. 7:40 p.m.

                                                                        Respectfully submitted,

                                                                        Debbie Phalen

                                                                        Board Recording Secretary