Pope County Community Unit School District 1 Board of Education met Aug. 15.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
Meeting was called to order by President Hansen at 7:00 p.m. The following members were present: Aly, Schuchardt, Wallace, Hogg, and Hansen. Walker and Simmons were absent.
A motion was made by Schuchardt and seconded by Aly to approve the agenda. Roll call vote: all ayes.
Member Walker entered meeting at 7:01pm.
A motion was made by Schuchardt and seconded by Aly to approve the consent agenda including the following items; 1) Approve Minutes of Board Meeting on 7/18/19; 2) Approve Closed Session Minutes; 3) Approve Bills for Payment; 4) Accept Financial Reports; and 5) Accept Resignations; Kathy Herring - Jr. High Special Ed teacher, Bob McCuan - Bus Driver, Paula Baker – High School Yearbook Sponsor. Roll call vote: all ayes.
During Recognition of Visitors; Mrs. Katrina Snell was recognized for her work in the school supply drive. President Hansen read a letter from the Board:
Mrs. Snell & Coalition of Area Churches,
What makes our community great is how we come together for great causes. Through the generosity of 15 churches and its members, over 180 students received free school supplies for the upcoming school year. These supplies included backpacks, crayons, folders, papers, notebooks, tissues, pencils, pens, among other much needed supplies. We heard reports that the value of these items were in excess of $15,000. The looks on our students faces, in addition to relieved looks on our parents faces was awesome. These supplies have given our students the confidence they need for a successful school year.
In a world plagued with commonplace tragedies, only one thing exists that truly has the power to save lives, and that is love. Our area churches have shown our community this love and this impact is immeasurable. On behalf of the Administration, this Board, and our entire community, we hope you will accept this letter as a token of our gratitude. Please share this appreciation with your church leadership and area congregations.
Also recognized was Mrs. Lisa Reed for her work on the Pre-K Grant. Mr. Climer stated that the grant was reopened this year and the District was able to reapply. The majority of the work on the grant was done by a key team member, Mrs. Lisa Reed. President Hansen read a letter from the Board:
Mrs. Reed,
As you are aware, our school district received the devastating news last summer that we had lost our Pre-K funding. The Pope County Pre-K program has been around since the 1980’s and has most certainly contributed to the success of our students in preparing them for elementary school and beyond. The School District was faced with a very difficult financial situation, and tough decisions would have to be made going forward in the coming years. We were delighted to hear of a new funding opportunity earlier this year that shed some hope that our program would once again be funded. Mrs. Reed, you took on the challenge, you dove into the grant application, spent many hours and resources and helped put together a great submittal. This past week, we were notified that our Pre-K program is set to receive $143,000 this year. Mrs. Reed, words cannot efficiently represent our gratitude and thanks for your work on this. As you know, our budgets are always tight and this funding helps our District to continue the high standard of education that we have grown to expect.
I saw a quote once that said “Every job is a self-portrait of the person who did it.” Well Mrs. Reed, you have autographed your work with excellence.
On behalf of the Administration, this Board, and our entire community, please accept this letter of commendation as a small token of our appreciation and gratitude.
Mrs. Reed, job well done.
Under Administrative reports, Mr. Blankenship reported the following: 1) Softball and baseball seasons are about to start. They will play their first game on Monday at Galatia; 2) Cross Country try-outs will take place on August 27th; 3) Pre-School Fall Screenings will take place on September 19th; 4) We have received donations of school supplies from area churches, organizations and individuals. I want to thank all who have made the donations, especially Dixon Springs Baptist Church, who organized the supply drive during registration; 5) The janitors had the building and grounds ready for the return to school. All the intermediate rooms and 4 Jr. High rooms have been repainted; 6) The new computers are in place in the Jr. High computer lab and the carts are being prepped for use; and 7) Enrollment as of August 15th: 341.
Mr. Fritch reported the following; 1) Fall baseball will begin September 7th; 2) Cross Country will be September 4th; 3) Custodians have been cleaning, painting, and making repairs to the buildings and gym floor. Thanks to all the janitors on their hard work this summer; 4) Thank you to Mrs. Tresa Hargrove for her hard work during registration; 5) Thanks to Mrs. Candice Potts for her hard work in reworking the schedule to accommodate all the students since we lost a teacher; 6) We had a bleacher inspection last Tuesday and all went well. The janitors made some necessary repairs and have the bleachers up to code; and 7) Enrollment is at 167 as compared to last year’s enrollment of 148. We have a large freshmen class that came in with 53 students.
Mr. Climer reported the first day of student attendance went well. All the students and teachers did well with adjusting to the new school year. There were no transportation issues. All around good start to the new school year. Mr. Climer added the District office had an audit and there were no major findings.
A motion was made by Wallace and seconded by Hogg to enter closed session for the purpose of personnel performance, procedures, and employment. Roll call vote: all ayes. Board entered closed session at 7:15 p.m.
A motion was made by Hogg and seconded by Wallace to return to regular session. Roll call vote: all ayes. Board returned at 7:44 pm.
Motion to hire Kelly Kennedy as bus driver was made by Wallace and seconded by Hogg. Roll call vote: all ayes.
Motion to hire Tomisceia Clardy as Individual Aide was made by Wallace and seconded by Schuchardt. Roll call vote: all ayes.
Motion to hire Laura Hosfeldt as High School Yearbook Sponsor was made by Wallace and seconded by Aly. Roll call vote: all ayes.
Motion to post for School Van Driver was made by Walker and seconded by Wallace. Roll call vote: all ayes.
Motion to post for Jr. High Special Education Teacher was made by Aly and seconded by Walker. Roll call vote: all ayes.
Motion to approve Zach Rison and Jonathan Rea as volunteer Jr. High baseball coaches was made by Schuchardt and seconded by Walker. Roll call vote: all ayes.
Motion to approve lease agreement with Southern Seven Head Start for the 2019-2020 SY was made by Wallace and seconded by Schuchardt. Roll call vote: all ayes.
Regarding the Long Term Substitute Teacher Pay, Mr. Climer recommended a rate of $80.00 per day for 20 consecutive days, on the 21st day; the rate would be that of a BS at 0 years on the Certified Teacher’s Salary Schedule for that school year. Roll call vote: all ayes.
Under Old Business, Mr. Fritch reported on the tentative FY 2020 budget. He distributed handouts of the summary pages and detailed account lines. Transportation is a concern as has been in the past. We are looking at possibly moving some funds from working
cash to transportation. We will continue to monitor that account as the year progresses. It will depend on what funds the state releases and how much we get. A motion was made by Wallace and seconded by Hogg to approve and display the tentative FY 2020 budget. Roll call vote: all ayes.
Mr. Fritch stated we are still in a waiting period on the bus and van project. Mr. Climer added the purchase of a bus is in the works but the first payment will not be until FY 2021.
President Hansen stated Brett Lewis, Jr. High baseball coach, received the other half of the cost of a valle screen. No action needed.
President Hansen stated he still has not received any word from the County Commissioners regarding the Safety Resource Officer. President Hansen and Hogg have spoken to a commissioner and no public position has been taken by the commissioners. It was decided that the school attorney and the State’s Attorney discuss the agreement terms. We are waiting to hear the results of their meeting and as of this time, we do not know if they have met. President Hansen stated the Board will give the County Commissioners until the next school board meeting to make a public position on the Safety Resource Officer. If no position is taken, school board members will be at every commissioners meeting until we get an agreement.
Mr. Fritch reported the doors and windows replacement is scheduled to begin in October/November and the five rooms have been picked.
Other School Business, President Hansen stated he had been contacted about the concession stand needing repairs. The weather head for the electrical was needing fixed and rewiring of the outlets. He was asked if the school would go halves on the cost with the Youth League. Matt Faulkerson has agreed to make the repairs for $500. President Hansen stated no Board action would be need and would be left up to the administration.
Member Walker asked if the students had to pay to play sports. Mr. Fritch stated they have never had to pay. Member Walker asked if the sports teams do fundraising. Mr. Fritch stated some do more than others but they all fundraise for extra items they want that are not on the athletic bid.
Member Hogg asked about the engineer for the septic system. Mr. Fritch stated he is working with him and providing information requested and we have received a bill for services.
Member Hogg asked who is responsible for the baseball field in July. Mr. Fritch explained that the janitors are busy working on the building and gym floor during the summer and do not have time to care to the ball fields. The softball field is taken care of by the coach. The Board asked that the coaches understand that they are responsible for the fields during July once the Youth League games have finished. Member Hogg also asked the status of the baseball field lights. Mr. Fritch stated he has new bulbs in
and waiting on George Smith to come install them. They are also waiting on Mr. Smith to repair the conduit and electric lines on one of the poles. He is trying to find a bucket truck to use.
Member Hogg asked about the LGBTQ history bill that was just passed. Mr. Blankenship stated they have to teach about the contributions to society made by all groups. Teachers cannot exclude any groups when teaching about the historical contributions to society.
With no further business, a motion to adjourn the meeting until the next regular meeting to be held on Thursday, August 15, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. in the J.H. Hobbs Memorial Library with a Public Hearing to be held at 6:45 pm on the tentative budget was made by Schuchardt and seconded by Hogg. Roll call vote: all ayes. Meeting adjourned at 8:37 pm.
http://www.popek12.org/UserFiles/Servers/Server_2554242/File/Board%20Minutes/August%2015%202019.pdf
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