Southern Illinois News

Pope County Community Unit School District 1 Board of Education met June 18.

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 Wallace and seconded by Hogg to approve the agenda. Roll call vote: all ayes.

President Hansen asked if there were any questions on the consent agenda and stated he was pleased with the new finance software and the report. He also commented on the transportation fund which is looking good with still one payment due by the State. Mr. Fritch stated expenditures are higher than normal due to some classroom supplies that were purchased with carryover money, $26,000 had to be spent this year or we would lose it. President Hansen asked about invoices from Baysinger. Mr. Fritch stated there is nothing new and still waiting on an explanation of cost. A motion was made by Wallace and seconded by Hogg to approve the consent agenda including the following items; 1) Approve Minutes of Board Meeting on 5/21/20; 2) Approve Closed Session Minutes; 3) Approve Bills for Payment; and 4) Accept Financial Reports. Roll call vote: all ayes.

At this time, President Hansen recognized Mr. Bailey Climer. Mr. Climer thanked the Board for the last two years and allowing him to serve as Interim Superintendent. Mr. Climer added that he really enjoyed it and feels he is leaving the District in good hands with the administration in place. Mr. Hansen added that the Board was looking for some stability and appreciates the leadership and guidance in a tough time. Mr. Climer has made things easier, no fight in getting things done, and appreciates the guidance shown to the Board and administration. The Board wishes Mr. Climer the best in his future endeavors.

Under Administrative reports, Mr. Fritch thanked and stated how much he appreciated Mr. Climer for the guidance and everything he has done for the District. Mr. Fritch reported the following: 1) Governor has signed a new bill as of today in response to COVID-19. ISBE will be putting out some guidelines with in-person learning. President Hansen stated he was disappointed with the email from ISBE that was poorly written and terrible. Mr. Fritch state that IHSA has released recommendations for return to play sports with some limits, waiting on the Department of Public Health to pass it. Once it has passed the coaches can begin practices within the quidelines; 2) Mr. Blankenship and Mr. Fritch traveled to Cadiz, KY to an auction house that has like-new desks and chairs for under $10 a piece from Trigg County Schools. They are looking to purchase 100 desks and chairs and renting a U-Haul to transport them. Hogg stated he may be able to help with a trailer for hauling; 3) We are looking to get bids for mini-splits in the Elementary building to replace old units. We have recently had two installed, one in the old computer lab and one in the teacher’s lounge, for $8,500. These units will tap in with what we currently have. Roof top units would require bigger service from the electrical company. We would have to sit down with SEIEC to see how they could help with more service; 4) Election Day is now a holiday, the bill passed. We will need to amend the school calendar to reflect this holiday. President Hansen asked that this be added to next month’s agenda.

President Hansen asked about the food program that the school is involved with. Mr. Fritch stated the school is not directly involved but are willing to help in whatever capacity we can. Member Aly added that the program is through the USDA food banks. They are providing around 200 boxes in our area. They are looking for groups to help distribute the food, Main Street and Ryder Farms are currently involved with this program. President Hansen stated he appreciations everyone who is helping with this program.

A motion was made by Wallace and seconded by Schuchardt to enter closed session for the purpose of personnel performance, procedures, and employment. Roll call vote: all ayes. Board entered closed session at 7:17 pm.

Walker entered the meeting and closed session at 7:30 pm.

A motion was made by Walker and seconded by Aly to return to regular session. Roll call vote: all ayes. Board returned at 7:54 pm.

Motion to approve the Treasurer’s Bond for the 2020-2021 SY was made by Hogg and seconded by Wallace. Roll call vote: all ayes.

Mr. Fritch stated he watched a webinar regarding the cost increase for our insurance renewal. Overall, increase is around 20%, due to more natural disasters, property has increased. Motion to approve renewal of the 2020-2021 District Insurance Policy with PSIC/Illinois School District was made by Wallace and seconded by Walker. Roll call vote: all ayes. President Hansen stated that next year around April – May we could do some price checking and see if there is a better option.

Motion to approve the Prevailing Wage Rate Resolution 19-06-20 was made by Hogg and seconded by Aly. Roll call vote: Walker, Aly, Wallace, Simmons, Hogg; aye, Hansen; abstain. Motion carried.

Mr. Fritch distributed the proposed salary schedule for non-certified employees. He stated a $0.50 increase, base being $0.39 and step being $0.11, which increases the budget by $27,000. Motion to approve the 2020-21 salary schedule for non-certified employees with a $0.50 increase was made by Hogg and seconded by Aly. Roll call vote: all ayes.

Mr. Fritch distributed a proposal for a new format for the athletic bidding process. He stated in the past they would approve a list compiled by all the coaches and condensed by the AD. To lessen the burden on the Board and for budgeting purposes, a budgeted amount would be given to each team and the coaches would oversee their team budget. The coaches could spend as needed. The Board would still purchase uniforms on the rotation schedule since these are a big ticket item. This year Jr. High basketball and cross county will receive uniforms. Softball and baseball would receive $1,500 due to their need of equipment, basketball and cross county would receive $750, AD would receive $1,500 for renewal of scheduling program and supplies, PE supplies would receive $500, and recess supplies would receive $250. Member Aly asked that cheer be added as well. Motion to approve amended Athletic bid budget policy adding cheer for Jr. High and high school the 2020-21 SY was made by Hogg and seconded by Aly. Roll call vote: all ayes.

Mr. Blankenship distributed copies of the 2020-21 Elementary/Jr. High School Student Handbooks and discussed the changes, number of absences were changed to help with truancy issues. Motion to approve the Elementary/Jr. High School Student Handbook as presented by Mr. Blankenship was made by Wallace and seconded by Schuchardt. Roll call vote; all ayes.

Mr. Graves distributed copies of the High School Student Handbook and discussed the changes; same as elementary absences, calendar, Board members updated, personnel updates. Motion to approve the High School Student Handbook as presented by Mr. Graves was made by Wallace and seconded by Walker. Roll call vote: all ayes.

Motion to reclassify position of Health Aide to School Nurse and increase rate of pay to reflect RN degree and job duties was made by Wallace and seconded by Schuchardt. Roll call vote: all ayes.

Motion to hire Jacob Lane as Jr. High Scholar Bowl Sponsor was made by Wallace and seconded by Hogg. Roll call vote: Walker, Schuchardt, Wallace, Hogg, Hansen; aye; Aly abstain. Motion carried.

Motion to post for Individual Aide was made by Wallace and seconded by Schuchardt. Roll call vote: all ayes.

Motion to approve FMLA request was made by Schuchardt and seconded by Walker. Roll call vote: all ayes.

Mr. Fritch distributed a copy of the new lease agreement costs and explained we have worked with Tri-State Business Equipment for years and they have provided excellent customer service over the years. The new lease will lower our cost from $612 to $570 per month. We will get five new machines in the areas of high school lounge, high school office, unit office, elementary teacher lounge, and elementary office. Motion to approve proposed five-year lease agreement with Tri-State Business Equipment for five new copiers was made by Schuchardt and seconded by Wallace. Roll call vote: all ayes.

Under Old Business, Mr. Fritch stated Phase 1 for five door and window units have been completed. Motion to authorize payment to Randy Jones Glass was made by Hogg and seconded by Schuchardt. Mr. Fritch stated there was some felt at the bottom of the doors that would get done when they come back. Hansen asked regarding the warranty period. Mr. Fritch stated he would look at the contract for the timeframe. The next phase of units would begin around August 1st, after the doors and windows come in. This phase will be 10 units and with $50,000 paid out of the maintenance grant, the remaining will be in the budget. Roll call vote: all ayes.

Under Other Business, Mrs. Krysta Graves gave an update on the Hometown Heroes project. Mrs. Hosfelt and herself have submitted the sign designs and waiting on approval from the company. The project will get finished and will plan a ceremony when COVID guidelines permit.

Member Hogg asked about the school website, who does it and can we be more proactive as a district, can a class make updates. Mrs. Paula Baker handles the majority of the website, Mrs. Jessi Hall has access to the sports pages, and the secretaries have access to the announcements on their home pages. Security issues would prevent students from having access to the websites. I would be more than happy to keep the website more up-to-date on events and happenings in the district. I just ask that staff and students let me know. Member Hogg suggested that a class can prepare the announcements, news, scores, etc. and send to Paula for uploading on the website. Mr. Fritch said he will let everyone know to get the information to Paula.

Member Wallace asked about the softball concession stand, is there a quote or drawings for a new building. Mr. Fritch stated he received some information but no pricing. Member Wallace asked if we could get a 30-day quote from Weaver’s in Anna and maybe a timeframe on when it could get completed. Also asked if the electrical service to the concession stand could be on the next meeting agenda, this needs to be fixed.

Walker asked about volleyball and track. Mr. Fritch stated volleyball is a possibility but with what is going on right now with the COVID-19 situation and funding in question, the district should probably wait and see what funding we get for next year. We have been told it will be a flat rate funding, the same amount as last year. Mr. Fritch added he would not recommend starting new sports programs at this time.

Member Aly stated since the high school is getting new signage, could we upgrade the elementary sign in the front. Mr. Blankenship said it is peeling and will look at getting it fixed.

President Hansen mentioned the parking lots need to be resealed. Hogg suggested looking into a mom and pop business to reseal. We need to keep up with upgrades of the ground since the Hometown Heroes project is upgrading the buildings.

With no further business, Wallace made a motion seconded by Schuchardt to adjourn the meeting until the next scheduled meeting to be held on Thursday, July 16, 2020 at 7:00 pm in the J.H. Hobbs Memorial Library. Meeting adjourned at 8:36 pm.

http://www.popek12.org/UserFiles/Servers/Server_2554242/File/Board%20Minutes/June%2018%202020.pdf