MENDOTA TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL

Regular Board Meeting Minutes

November 21, 2005

 

 

            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, November 21, 2005 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, Burke, Flahive, Holdenrid, Jauch, and Bauer.  Absent was Strouss. 

 

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

 

            Supt. Prusator introduced Russ Rumbold, from Gorenz & Assoc.  Rumbold was at the meeting to give the board an overview of the Annual Audit for FY05.  Rumbold presented a handout to board members which recapped the financials for FY05.  Discussion followed with Q&A concerning fund balance concerns and future budget challenges facing the board.  Prusator and Bauer thanked Rumbold for his report.

 

            Bauer asked for questions, comments, or corrections to the Regular Meeting Minutes of 10/17/05.  A motion was made by Bauer, seconded by Holdenrid to accept the regular meeting minutes of 10//17/05 as presented.  Upon roll call the following vote was recorded:  Ayes:  Vercimak, Burke, Flahive, Holdenrid, Jauch, and Bauer.  No nays.  Motion carried.

 

            Bauer noted that the Closed Meeting Minutes of August 15th and September 19, 2005 would be done during the Closed Session portion of the meeting.

 

            Bauer asked for questions or comments on the following reports:

 

6.1    Treasurer’s Report

6.2    Imprest Fund

6.3    Activity Fund Report

6.4    Cafeteria Report

 

A short discussion followed.  A motion was made by Bauer, seconded by Holdenrid to accept the reports 6.1-6.4 as presented.  Upon roll call the following vote was recorded:  Ayes:  Vercimak, Burke, Flahive, Holdenrid, Jauch, and Bauer.  No nays.  Motion carried.

 

            Bauer asked for questions or comments concerning the Current Bills Payable List.  Prusator noted that the Bills Payable List for this month includes the bond payments to UnionFinancial and First State Bank.  Discussion followed.  A motion was made by Bauer, seconded by Flahive to accept the Current Bills Payable List as presented.  Upon roll call the following vote was recorded:  Ayes:  Vercimak, Burke, Flahive, Holdenrid, Jauch, and Bauer.  No nays.  Motion carried.

 

            No board action was required with Fund Balances.

 

            Bauer asked Prin. Aughenbaugh for her report.  Aughenbaugh reported on the following items:

 

1.     Enrollment:  Currently at 598 students.  MHS also has an attendance of approx. 95%. 

2.     Parent/Teacher Conferences:  Held 11/3-4.  65% Attendance during the conference dates.  Total parent contact for report card pick-up has been 79%.  Mid-term progress reports will be sent out again this term.

3.     Curriculum Committee:  Met several times this month.  Proposed additions to curriculum include:  Agri-Science, Agri-Business, and Practical Geometry.  Aughenbaugh noted that a motion was necessary to update the Student Information System (Registration Guide) for the 2006-07 school year.  A motion was made by Vercimak, seconded by Burke to approve the Student Information System (Registration Guide) for the 06-07 school year.  Upon roll call the following vote was recorded:  Ayes:  Vercimak, Burke, Flahive, Holdenrid, Jauch, and Bauer.  No nays.  Motion carried.

4.     Textbook Review-A sample of the Small Gas Engine Textbook was placed on 30-day display.

5.     Commendations:

a. DAR Recipient:  Ashley Lewis     SAR Recipient:  Thomas Neff

b. All Academic Team:  29 students made the team with an additional 24 students named to Honorable Mention.

c. National Spanish Honor Students placed 3rd in Spanish contest.

d. Donation of $500 received from H.F. Gehant for FFA.

e. Joe Masini and Jeff Landers, teachers at MHS attended 3 days of training for the new machine donated by Black Bros. for Ind. Tech.

 

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

 

            Prusator gave the board Preliminary Tax Levy Information.  Included with the handout was a spreadsheet with several scenarios based on tentative EAVs.  Prusator told the board that this is just preliminary information; however, there could be a need for a possible Tax Levy Hearing in December.  Prusator will keep the board informed prior to the December 19th board meeting.

 

            Snow bids were received.  The lowest bid was received by Mauch Carpentry of Mendota, IL at a rate of $46.50/hr per piece of snow removal equipment.  Bauer asked for questions or comments on the bid.  A motion was made by Holdenrid, seconded by Flahive to accept the bid of Mauch Carpentry at a rate of $46.50/hr per piece of equipment.  Upon roll call the following vote was recorded:  Ayes:  Vercimak, Burke, Flahive, Holdenrid, and Jauch.  Abstain:  Bauer.  No nays.  Motion carried.

 

            Prusator asked for board action to authorize the Superintendent to prepare bid documents for the Security Camera project.  A motion was made by Vercimak, seconded by Flahive to authorize the Superintendent to prepare bid documents for the Security Camera Project.  Upon roll call the following vote was recorded:  Ayes:  Vercimak, Burke, Flahive, Holdenrid, Jauch, and Bauer.  No nays.  Motion carried.

 

            Prusator gave the board an update on the Tennis Court Project.  Revised plans are in the works and scheduled to be put out for bid sometime in January/February of 2006.  Proposed completion date would be by the end of the 06-07 school year.

 

            Prusator told the board that MHS has been the recipient of a $37,700 Rural Education Grant from the Federal Government.  A proposed expenditure from this grant of approx. $25,000 is being presented for approval.  The $25,000 would be used to upgrade the General Use Computer Lab.  This would provide greater opportunity to impact the low achieving students via PLATO and other software targeted toward these students.  Discussion followed.  A motion was made by Jauch, seconded by Vercimak to approve the expenditure of approx. $25,000 from the Rural Education Grant to upgrade the General Use Computer Lab.  Upon roll call vote the following vote was recorded:  Ayes:  Vercimak, Burke, Flahive, Holdenrid, Jauch, and Bauer.  No nays.  Motion carried.

 

            Prusator reported to the board that he has received from Brennan & Stuart the Blue Cross/Blue Shield Health Insurance renewal rates for the 2006 term (1/1/06-12/31/06).  The increase in Health Coverage will be 9.88% (initial increase began at 15.3%).  Dental coverage will see an increase of 6.8%.  Prusator reported that after talking to Brennan & Stuart about the potential increase MHS could have received he is satisfied with the rates for the 2006 term.

           

            Prusator ended his report.

 

            With no additional business in the open session; a motion was made by Bauer, seconded by Holdenrid to adjourn into closed session for the following purposes:  1) the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees or students; 2) discussion of acquisition or sale of real property; 3) review closed meeting minutes of August 15th, September 19th, and October 17, 2005.

Upon roll call the following vote was recorded:  Ayes:  Vercimak, Burke, Flahive, Holdenrid, Jauch, and Bauer.  No nays.  Motion carried. 

 

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

 

                                                            Respectfully submitted,

 

 

                                                            Debbie Phalen

                                                            Board Recording Secretary