December Minutes
December 2009
by Jason Fields
DELAVAN COMMUNITY UNIT SCHOOL DISTRICT #703
BOARD OF EDUCATION
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
December 14, 2009
A regular meeting of the Delavan Board of Education was held on Monday, December 14, 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, and Mark Vannaken. Also in attendance was Tammy Adair, Karen Lessen, and Rich Lessen, Delavan Faculty; Staci Harper, Elementary Principal; Paul Lewis, Special Education Coordinator; Ryon Kramer, Athletic Director; Mary Parker, Superintendent; Lori Smith, Board Secretary; and Beth Zimmer.
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was recited.
(Shari Teal entered the meeting at 7:03 p.m.)
RECEPTION OF VISITORS
Agenda
None.
Non-Agenda
None.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Howard, Second by Vannaken to approve the November 23, 2009 closed session minutes; November 23, 2009 regular meeting minutes; current bills; and payrolls for November 25, 2009, and December 11, 2009. By Roll Call Vote: Gresham, yea; Howard, yea; Schweigert, yea; Shipton, yea; Teal, abstain; Vannaken, yea; and Johnson, yea. Motion carried.
HEARING OF DELEGATES/COMMITTEE REPORTS
None.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Christmas Break will be observed from December 21, 2009 through January 1, 2010.
The Public Relations Committee will meet at 6:00 p.m. on January 25, 2010, prior to the regularly scheduled board meeting, instead of holding a separate meeting on January 11 as stated on the agenda. The Committee will meet to discuss the Senior Class’ baccalaureate program.
Board members are invited to a “Basics of Law on Board Meetings and Practices” workshop from 5:00 – 10:00 p.m. in Springfield on January 26, 2010.
PERSONNEL
Motion by Shipton, Second by Gresham to approve the posting for an Agriculture Instructor/Jr. High Science Instructor/FFA Co-sponsor position for the 2010-2011 school year. By Roll Call Vote: Gresham, yea; Howard, yea; Schweigert, yea; Shipton, yea; Teal, yea; Vannaken, yea; and Johnson, yea. Motion carried.
Motion by Johnson, Second by Vannaken to approve the posting for a Special Education Teacher for 2010-2011 school year. 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 Johnson to approve Tabatha Bales as a Special Education Teachers’ Assistant effective December 15, 2009, for the remainder of the 2009-2010 school year at a rate of $8.00 per hour. Tabatha was congratulated and welcomed.
NEW BUSINESS
Motion by Gresham, Second by Schweigert to approve the request for a Post-Prom Party on Saturday, May 1, 2010, until 4:00 a.m. May 2, 2010. The Post-Prom Steering Committee consists of Beth Zimmer, Karla Carr, and Shari Teal. By Roll Call Vote: Gresham, yea; Howard, yea; Schweigert, yea; Shipton, yea; Teal, abstain; Vannaken, yea; and Johnson, yea. Motion carried.
PRINCIPALS’ AND ATHLETIC DIRECTOR’S REPORTS
Jr./Sr. High Principal Matt Gordon was absent due to a family emergency.
Elementary Principal Staci Harper reported on a very successful holiday program and thanked Vivian Gerrietts for all her hard work. (Steve Skinner and the bands were commended as well.) The Elementary Quarterly Assembly will be held on January 11, 2010, and will recognize honor roll students and winter sports athletes. “DARE graduation” for the 6th graders will be held on January 6, 2010.
Principal Harper also reported that “benchmarking activities” will be conducted the first week in January; and motivational posters featuring Delavan students and teachers’ quotes will be received from Interstate Studios on January 14. Hearing and Vision screening will be conducted by the Health Department during January as well. A guided reading specialist has been scheduled for once per month for the remainder of the year; and Ravonda Jeckel is organizing a chess clinic for lower grades with the help of Chess Coach Jerry Parker and funds provided by the Delavan Education Foundation. Mrs. Harper encouraged board members to “check out” the halls which have been decorated with clever teacher/student projects. The website should also be checked regularly for new articles.
Athletic Director Ryon Kramer reported that costs are being obtained for replacing the gymnasium stage curtain. The 7th and 8th Boys Basketball teams won the County Tournament and are performing well. The High School Boys Basketball team is off to a good start, and will participate in the Holiday tournament with their first game at 9:00 a.m. on December 26, 2009. Fans (including students) are encouraged to participate at high school basketball games! Delavan will be hosting the high school boys’ basketball Regional Tournament this year. Mr. Kramer recognized the coaches for all their hard work, and especially thanked Jake Green for volunteering as a high school boys’ basketball coach for the past nine years.
COMMUNICATIONS / INFORMATION
Thank you notes were read from Janet Schoenbein, Julie Faires, Lona Sipka, Heather King, Kathy Nelson, Jim Nelson, Vicki Stout, Jill McCoy, Michelle Mandrell, and Mary Hartzler for their Christmas gifts.
OTHER
Motion by Johnson, Second by Teal to enter closed session to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body (5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(1)). By Roll Call Vote: Gresham, yea; Howard, yea; Schweigert, yea; Shipton, yea; Teal, yea; Vannaken, yea; and Johnson, yea. Motion carried. The Board entered closed session at 7:30 p.m.
The Board returned to open session at 8:10 p.m. Board members present were Gresham, Howard, Schweigert, Shipton, Teal, Vannaken, and Johnson. Discussion ensued about the specific roles of Board members and administrators pertaining to tenured and non-tenured teachers.
Motion by Gresham, Second by Schweigert to adjourn. By Voice Vote: Ayes 7; Nays 0. Motion carried. The board meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
(The agenda for the meeting was posted 48 hours prior to the meeting at the District office located at 907 Locust Street, Delavan, Illinois, and are made a part of and incorporated in these minutes.)
President __________________________________ Secretary ____________________________
