**(Information typed inside of parenthesis and bolded is not part of the abbreviated summary and is instead derived from the recording of the meeting)
Following is a summary of minutes of a regular meeting of the Board of Education of Jasper County Community Unit School District No. 1 held in the Board of Education offices, Monday, October 21, 2019.
Board members present were Mr. Gordon Millsap, Mr. Jon Fulton, Mrs. Mandy Rieman, Mr. Jason Kuhl and Mrs. Holly Farley. Members absent: Mr. Bill Meinhart.
All votes are considered unanimous unless otherwise noted.
Gordon Millsap called the meeting to order.
The agenda was adopted as presented.
The board went into executive session at 6:30pm for 5 ILCS 120/2 ( c) (1) – To consider information regarding appointment, employment or dismissal of individual employees, 5 ILCS 120 /2 ( c ) (10) To Discuss Matter Relating to Individual Students and 5ILCS 120/2 ( c ) (3) Selection of a person to fill a
public office including a vacancy. Approval to return to open session at 7:04pm.
Appointment of Mindy Street to serve out the term of the vacated board member seat until the next board election in April 2021. Mindy read the Oath of Conduct.
Under the Superintendent’s Report, Mr. Johnson informed the board of the next building committee meeting on October 28 at 6:30pm at the Board of Education office.
Mrs. Probst reported to the board an update to the school report card. She is working on a school improvement plan to submit to ISBE. This document needs board approval and is due to ISBE by December 31. Atlantic Resources has been in the district to help the junior high English language arts teachers, they will also look over our new language arts curriculum and board goals.
Mr. Johnson informed the board that the District received its first installment/payment of the 1 percent sales tax for July 2019. A check for $34,727.66 was received, this amount projected for 12 months is $416,731.92.
(“Those numbers came from First MidState and I don’t know where I can dig anymore to find an estimate, but I will without a doubt stand behind the mistake of quoting that there would be $800,000 received in revenue rather than $400,000. I think the fortunate part to that is that we haven’t done anything. So we are in a position, again though it depends on how you want to look at it, the cups half empty, we aren’t going to get 800 we are only going to get 400 possibly. Cups half full we are going to get 400 and we were not getting anything.” Superintendent Andrew Johnson)
This is significantly less than the projection that Mr. Johnson reported in the Fall of 2018. Fortunately no big project decisions have been made at this time. Any future project will be adjusted to reflect the less amount of money that will be received for the 1 percent sales tax.
Gordon asked for recognition of guests and public comments, there were none. Jason Kuhl commented on the great job the high school band has been with competitions this Fall. The band goes to U of I this Saturday.
The consent agenda was approved as follows:
Regular and Closed Session Minutes for September 23, 2019
The Bills and Payroll
Presentment of Monthly Financial Reports
Destruction of Closed Session Recording for October 19, 2017
Volunteers:
Susann Steber – Mentor for the District
Michelle Schafer – Mentor for the District
Kassandra Charters – NE Volunteer
Stephanie Woods – SME and NE Volunteer
Heather Carey – Mentor
Sandra Michels – Mentor for the District
Donations:
Eagle for Life – money for playground trenching work at NE
$3,000 for new cheer uniforms (since they never were in the rotation until now)
$1,896 for new hurdles
$3,210 for half, plus shipping costs, for a new “gun” (Dr. Dish) – automatic rebounder and passer for basketball (other half not due until next year).
$300 from Peyton Wyatt for boys’ basketball
Benches from PTO (PTO paid for the processing of the caps into benches) – this was a third grade students class service project where they collected caps to recycle into benches for the school
Approval of 3 Circles Ag Grant for John Lidy, Brock Tarr and Travis Tarr
Approval of agreement with the Newton FFA Alumni Association
Approval to change the current job description title of Computer/Network Technician to Technology
Support Specialist.
Presentation and Approval of Audit/Annual Financial Report – Krista McLaren from Kemper CPA Group LLP. She reported a clean report for the District. Our total profile score went from 3.35 last year to 3.55 this year with 4.00 being the highest. Overall the district had a great year, thanks to Misty and Janet for their assistance.
Approval of Bank Deposit/CD Agreement and Collateral Agreement with Dieterich Bank.
(All four banks were given a sheet to get a quote to see what they could do with money to be put in CD and money markets. Dieterich Bank had the highest percentage yield for both the CD and money markets. This is a subject that can be revisited. “This is no reflection of a lack of appreciation for what they – People’s State Bank- have done or what they continue to do for this District. But at the same time, I feel like I have the obligation, and I think you do too, to make those decision in order to do what’s best for us. I’m not going to give you a quote for what I think we are going to make off of this, what I am going to tell you is that it is significantly higher than what we were making before.” Superintendent Andrew Johnson.)
Approval of updated District Bullying Policy 7:180 – Complaint managers have changed. This is an ISBE requirement to review every two years.
Approval of Amendment to Superintendent Employment contract.
(This amendment was a wording change and did not change any of the details of the contract such as pay or end dates)
Approval of the resignation of Brian Shamhart as NCHS Math Teacher effective October 21, 2019. (This is subject to TRS approval and legal review by the District attorneys)
Approval to hire Clayton Curtright as a Technology Specialist.
Approval of the retirement of Rex Shew as Newton Elementary Custodian effective January 2, 2020. Rex has 22 years of service to the district, many thanks to him.
Approval to advertise for the following positions: High School Math Teacher and Anticipated Nurse.
Approval to grant Mr. Johnson hiring authority now through October 21, 2020.
Meeting adjourned at 7:38pm.
(This previously was a month by month vote and after discussion it was determined to vote on this yearly instead.)
Next meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 18, 2019 at 6:30 pm at the Board Office.
