Pope County Community Unit School District #1 Board of Education met Jan. 20
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
Meeting was called to order by Acting President Aly at 7:17 p.m. The following members were present: Kizziar and Aly via Zoom, Wallace, Simmons, Schuchardt. Walker and Hogg were absent.
A motion was made by Wallace and seconded by Simmons to approve the agenda. Roll call vote: all ayes.
A motion was made by Wallace and seconded by Schuchardt to approve the consent agenda including the following items; 1) Approve Minutes of Board Meeting on 12/16/2021; 2) Approve Closed Session Minutes; 3) Approve Bills for Payment; 4) Accept Financial Report; and 5) Approve destruction of Closed Session Meeting CDs more than 18 months old. Mr. Fritch commented that some items from Mrs. Hosfeldt’s library grant were in this month’s bills. Some heater motors were purchased to fix some heating units. With no further comments, roll call vote: all ayes.
Under Administrative reports, Mr. Blankenship reported the following: 1) We are in the process of the Aimsweb testing for the Winter bechmark; 2) Progress Reports for the 3rd quarter are scheduled to go out on February 4th; 3) Mrs. Dunning’s 4th grade class is accepting donations for the St. Jude Quest for One Million Pennies; 4) The Jr. High Lady
Pirate basketball team finished a successful season last week. They finished as Little GEC season champions (undefeated) and won the Little GEC tournament. They had two of our players named to the All-Conference Team: Bella Fasolo (Captain) and Maddie Walker; 5) The Jr. High Boys basketball team will be finishing their Little GEC tournament on Saturday, January 22nd. They will start their regional tournament on January 26th; 6) Both the Jr. High coaches are starting their practices for the 5th and 6th grade travel teams; 7) Jr. High Volleyball season is about to start. They have had try outs and have started practice. Their first game will be on Tuesday, February 1st when we host Hardin County; 8) The window and door project started – then paused. They are still waiting on some of the windows; and 9) Current Enrollment 327 as of January 20th.
Mr. Graves reported the following; 1) Final Exam make ups were completed our second week back due to snow days and learning exclusions; 2) Homecoming was held January 8th; 3) FBLA is partnering with Mrs. Dunning at the Grade School for St. Jude’s Pitch Penny; 4) The first incentive trip is scheduled for February 11th at SIU Rec Center; 5) We have begun the annual 5 Essentials Survey for students and have posted the parent survey portion on our social media page; 6) FCA hauled off 400+ can goods to the local food pantries; 7) Our boys basketball team won 1st place at the Dongola Tournament; 8) Our girls are currently competing in the Elverado Tournament; and 9) Enrollment: 181.
Mr. Fritch reported the following: 1) There is a new grant, IDEA ARP with an allotment of $25,000 for special education and $2,500 for Pre-K special education; 2) Governor plans to veto bill giving COVID time to school employees and teachers; 3) Watch for judge ruling on Devore court case. He is suing 145 school districts/IDPH/ISBE Governor for masking and other exclusionary items; and 4) As COVID numbers have risen schools in our area have been forced to shut down and go to remote.
A motion was made by Simmons and seconded by Wallace to enter closed session for the purpose of personnel performance, procedures, and employment. Roll call vote: all ayes. Board entered closed session at 7:32 p.m.
A motion was made by Schuchardt and seconded by Wallace to return to regular session. Roll call vote: all ayes. Board returned at 7:59 pm.
Motion to approve closed session minutes and recommendation of minutes to become public record was made by Wallace and seconded by Simmons. Roll call vote: all ayes.
Motion to approve out-of-state field trip for the FFA to attend the Farm Machinery Show in Louisville, KY on February 18, 2022 was made by Simmons and seconded by Wallace. Roll call vote: all ayes.
Mr. Fritch state we still have not received the Annual Financial Report from our auditors. It was due in October and we are still waiting on it. There are 8 school districts in the state that have not submitted their AFRs to ISBE and we all use the same auditors. Hopefully we will have it by the February meeting. This was tabled.
Mr. Fritch explained that TRS has developed a supplemental savings plan, like a 403b plan, for teachers This have been passed by State law and we are required to offer this plan. The teachers may elect this plan if they so choose. It has a start date of March 10, 2022. Motion to approve Resolution 22-01-20 TRS Supplemental Saving Plan as presented was made by Wallace and seconded by Schuchardt. Roll call vote: all ayes.
Motion to authorize superintendent to solicit bids for fuel was made by Schuchardt and seconded by Wallace. Roll call vote: all ayes.
Mr. Fritch stated we received a low bid of $291,811 for the high school gym floor project. The volleyball standards set in concrete and the removal and installation of new bleachers are included in this bid. There was also an alternate bid for $49,000 to vent the air under the gym floor but this portion is included in the HVAC bid. Mr. Fritch reported that the 50/50 maintenance grant was approved and recommended using O & M funds for the out-of-pocket expenses. The Board also discussed selling pieces of the old gym floor as a fundraiser. Motion to approve the low bid of $291,811 for the high school gym floor project was made by Schuchardt and seconded by Simmons. Roll call vote: all ayes.
Under Old Business, Mr. Fritch distributed the itemized bid sheet for the high school gym HVAC system. ISBE has approved the blending of funds in ESSER II with ESSER III to cover the cost of this project. He stated he would take a bus out of ESSER III and add some of the HVAC cost to ESSER II. The architect fees could be paid out of ESSER III or tort fund. After some discussion, a motion to approve the low bid for the high school HVAC project was made by Simmons and seconded by Schuchardt. Roll call vote: all ayes.
Member Wallace asked about the septic project. Mr. Fritch stated it is in ESSER III but has not been approved yet. The grant will be finalized and submitted within the next couple of weeks. If it is not approved, we will have to look at alternative funding.
With no further business, a motion to adjourn the meeting until the next regular meeting to be held on Thursday, February 17, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. in the J.H. Hobbs Memorial Library was made by Wallace and seconded by Simmons. Roll call vote: all ayes. Meeting adjourned at 8:26 pm.
http://p6cdn4static.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_2554242/File/Board%20Minutes/Jan%2020%202022.pdf
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