Board Meeting Minutes
08-24-09
by Jason Fields
DELAVAN COMMUNITY UNIT SCHOOL DISTRICT #703
BOARD OF EDUCATION
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
August 24, 2009
A regular meeting of the Delavan Board of Education was held on
Monday, August 24, 2009, in the District’s library. The meeting was
called to order by Chairman Johnson at 7:00 p.m. Members present at
roll call were Mike Gresham, Sue Howard, Jeff Johnson, Wendy
Schweigert, Matt Shipton, Shari Teal, and Mark Vannaken. Also in
attendance was Nicole Zuercher, Delavan Faculty; Staci Harper,
Elementary Principal; Mary Parker, Superintendent; Lori Smith,
Board Secretary; and Mark Williams.
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was recited.
RECEPTION OF VISITORS
Agenda
Mr. Paul Lewis was unable to attend due to a family member’s
illness.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Schweigert, second by Gresham to approve the Consent
Agenda consisting of July 20, 2009 and August 10, 2009 closed
session minutes; June 29, 2009, and July 20, 2009 regular meeting
minutes; August 10, 2009 special meeting minutes; current bills
(including imprest bills); and payrolls for July 24, 2009, August
7, 2009, and August 21, 2009. By Roll Call Vote: Gresham, yea;
Howard, yea; Schweigert, yea; Shipton, yea; Teal, yea; Vannaken,
yea; and Johnson, yea. Motion carried.
HEARING OF DELEGATES/COMMITTEE REPORTS
None – Finance Committee Meeting on July 13, 2009 had previously
been reported.
PERSONNEL
Motion by Gresham, second by Teal to accept the resignation of
Steve Dare as a Special Education Teacher Assistant, effective
immediately. By Roll Call Vote: Gresham, yea; Howard, yea;
Schweigert, yea; Shipton, yea; Teal, yea; Vannaken, yea; and
Johnson, yea. Motion carried.
Motion by Howard, second by Vannaken to approve Holly Wonders as a
Special Education Teacher Assistant for the 2009-2010 school year,
at a rate of $8.00 per hour for 1408 hours (176 days). By Roll Call
Vote: Gresham, yea; Howard, yea; Schweigert, yea; Shipton, yea;
Teal, yea; Vannaken, yea; and Johnson, yea. Motion carried.
Motion by Shipton, second by Howard to approve Lindsey (Struble)
Bramlet as a Special Education Teacher Assistant for the 2009-2010
school year, at a rate of $8.00 per hour for 1408 hours (176 days).
By Roll Call Vote: Gresham, yea; Howard, yea; Schweigert, yea;
Shipton, yea; Teal, yea; Vannaken, yea; and Johnson, yea. Motion
carried.
Motion by Teal, second by Vannaken to approve Keith Arrenholz as a
volunteer for the Junior High Baseball team. By Roll Call Vote:
Gresham, yea; Howard, yea; Schweigert, yea; Shipton, yea; Teal,
yea; Vannaken, yea; and Johnson, yea. Motion carried.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
After discussion, it was decided to hold a special board meeting on
September 14, 2009, at 6:00 p.m. to fill the position of
Maintenance Supervisor. There are six applicants and five
interviews left to conduct.
Music for All (Bands of America) thanked the District for use of
school facilities this summer.
Superintendent Parker presented a summary of the District’s budget
for 2009-2010. Fund balances will remain at approximately the same
levels with some decrease in revenues due to a decline in the
state-wide corporate property replacement tax (CPRT). The wind
turbines will be included in next year’s property taxes (and
budget) benefiting the district with approximately $47,000. The
District’s audit was conducted in August, and fund balances remain
stable with a continued 4.0 financial rating. The Life Safety fund
may exceed revenues this year; reserves are available and may be
used. Dr. Parker reviewed the budget process timeline; a tentative
budget notice has been printed in the Delavan Times and the budget
is on display in the District office for 30 days for public
inspection. She also reviewed the tax levy, state aid, and state
and federal grants received over the past four years. District
Administration will continue to take a measured approach in cutting
costs to remain fiscally conservative again this year.
NEW BUSINESS
Motion by Shipton, second by Gresham to adopt the 2009-2010 Delavan
School District Annual Budget in tentative form and schedule a
public hearing for September 28, 2009, at 7:00 p.m. By Roll Call
Vote: Gresham, yea; Howard, yea; Schweigert, yea; Shipton, yea;
Teal, yea; Vannaken, yea; and Johnson, yea. Motion carried.
Motion by Schweigert, second by Teal to approve Delavan’s
Recognition of Schools for the 2009-2010 school year. (School
Recognition gives assurance to parents and the community that the
school’s educational program has been approved by the Illinois
State Board of Education {ISBE}. Recognition by the Illinois State
Board of Education is also a criteria used by public funding
agencies when considering educational grants, scholarships, etc.)
By Roll Call Vote: Gresham, yea; Howard, yea; Schweigert, yea;
Shipton, yea; Teal, yea; Vannaken, yea; and Johnson, yea. Motion
carried.
Motion by Shipton, second by Johnson to approve District Policy
5:100 Staff Development Program ADD and ADHD training for all
certified staff. (Non-certified staff will also attend the
training.) By Roll Call Vote: Gresham, yea; Howard, yea;
Schweigert, yea; Shipton, yea; Teal, yea; Vannaken, yea; and
Johnson, yea. Motion carried.
Motion by Gresham, second by Vannaken to approve Delavan Schools’
2009-2010 Fee Schedule as presented. By Roll Call Vote: Gresham,
yea; Howard, yea; Schweigert, yea; Shipton, yea; Teal, yea;
Vannaken, yea; and Johnson, yea. Motion carried.
PRINCIPALS’ REPORTS
Principal Matt Gordon was ill and unable to attend the meeting.
Principal Staci Harper reported on an elementary enrollment of 255
students, compared to last year’s enrollment of 267. Meet the
Teacher night emphasized this year’s theme of School Pride. An
assembly kicked-off the first day of school with the 3 R’s:
Respectful, Responsible, and Ready. Last week’s Teacher’s Institute
day included CPR training for all staff. Optional computer software
training will be provided for teachers before and after school
August 25, 2009.
COMMUNICATIONS / INFORMATION
Condolences to fourth grade teacher Jill Diekhoff upon the loss of
her mother.
There was discussion about admission to athletic events; follow-up
will be made with the Athletic Boosters.
The Board members toured the building prior to the meeting and
commended the custodial staff for all their efforts in making the
buildings look nice.
OTHER
Mark Williams, an employee of the Illinois State Board of
Education, was in the audience to observe the meeting as he is
seeking his superintendent-ship. He did comment that Delavan’s
fiscal policy is serving the school well, with good fund balances.
There will be increasing financial pressure put on school districts
in the future.
EXECUTIVE (CLOSED) SESSION
Item 12 – Closed (Executive) Session to discuss the appointment,
employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of
specific employees (5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(1)) was tabled.
Motion by Schweigert, second by Howard to adjourn. By Voice Vote:
Ayes 7; Nays 0. The board meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
(The agenda for the meeting was posted at least 48 hours in advance
of the meeting at the District office at 907 Locust Street,
Delavan, Illinois, where the meeting was held. A copy of the agenda
for the meeting is incorporated in and made a part of the
minutes.)
President __________________________________ Secretary
_____________________________
