Pope County Community Unit School District #1 Board of Education met Feb. 16.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
Meeting was called to order by President Hogg at 5:03 p.m. The following members were present: Kizziar, Aly, Schuchardt, Wallace, Simmons, and Hogg. Walker was 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 1/19/2023; 2) Approve Closed Session Minutes; 3) Approve Bills for Payment; and 4) Accept Financial Report. Mr. Fritch commented on the bills for the track team and the BMO Mastercard. With no further comments, roll call vote: all ayes.
Under Administrative reports, Mrs. Paula Allen reported the following: 1) Jr. High Volleyball is underway and 8th grade recognition will be March 6 vs Hardin Co, Regionals will begin March 14; 2) Boys/girls 5th/6th grade basketball is underway; 3) 3rd quarter midterms were sent home on 2/10 for grades 1-5 and mailed home for grades 6- 8; 4) Health/life Safety inspector and Fire Marshall inspected the elementary building on 2/9; 5) IAR testing for grades 3-8 will be March 7-13; collaborating with teachers to come up with testing incentives; 6) Safari Dental will be here on February 23; 7) PTO Fun Day will be April 28, makeup date: May 5; 8) Some of the primary teachers would like to take their class(es) on a field trip to the Carson Center during the upcoming months; and 9) Enrollment as of February 15, 314.
Mr. Graves reported the following; 1) The Lady Pirates play for the Regional Championship tonight at home at 7 pm; 2) The Pirates open Regional play this Saturday
(2/18) at 6 pm at home; 3) FFA is currently at the convention in Louisville; 4) The date for the SAT has been scheduled for April 12; 5) We have several organizations leading fundraisers in conjunction with the Grade School for individuals in our community with health issues; and 6) Enrollment is 164.
Mr. Fritch reported the following: 1) We received an ISBE audit of several of our Federal Grants and our State Transportation claim. There were minimal findings. Overall it was a very good audit, especially considering all of the Federal Grant Funds we have received. Margie and Paula have done a good job keeping up with all the grants; 2) I am asking our engineer to give us another cost estimate of the wastewater project before signing the contract with them to begin the construction process; 3) FY22 Audit is happening next week. We will get back on a normal schedule with our new audit firm for FY23; 4) Our kitchen is working with the U of I extension in the development of some new food service opportunities and evaluating our district wellness policy. We have received a grant for a new salad bar for the High School and several new kitchen items. We are looking forward to this new partnership with the Extension; 5) Pre construction meeting next week for the replacement of the HVAC on the grade school gym. Should have a better idea on when that construction will start; 6) Governor budget address was held this week. He has prioritized education again, with a promise of over $350 million added to the EBF formula. Also, a push for universal Pre-K Birth to 5.
A motion was made by Schuchardt 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 5:22 p.m.
A motion was made by Wallace and seconded by Simmons to return to regular session. Roll call vote: all ayes. Board returned at 6:10 pm.
Under New Business, the Statements of Economic Interest was passed out to members to complete. President Hogg asked that they be returned to Paula Baker.
A motion to authorize Superintendent to solicit bids for services (dairy products, tires, fuel, and pest control) was made by Wallace and seconded by Kizziar. Roll call vote: all ayes.
Motion to set 8th Grade Promotion to May 11, 2023 to begin at 6 pm and High School Graduation for May 12, 2023 to begin at 6 pm was made by Wallace and seconded by Aly. Roll call vote: all ayes.
Motion to renew Mr. Graves’ contract, High School Principal, as discussed in closed session was made by Simmons and seconded by Kizziar. Roll call vote: all ayes.
Motion for post for Jr. High English Teacher was made by Simmons and seconded by Aly. Roll call vote: all ayes.
Motion for post for Grades 3-5 Special Education Teacher was made by Aly and seconded by Schuchardt. Roll call vote: all ayes.
Motion for post for Transportation Director was made by Wallace and seconded by Kizziar. Roll call vote: all ayes.
Motion to approve overnight trip request for FFA to attend Ag Legislative Day in Springfield, IL in March was made by Wallace and seconded by Simmons. Roll call vote: all ayes.
Under Other School Business, Member Simmons asked about the return of the Sports Banquet. Mr. Fritch explained they are already making plans to make this happen this year. Member Wallace stated he thought there was a new bill in the works for school to use larger vans for transportation. Mr. Fritch added that our school van hit a deer and is currently in the shop. The students are being transported by bus to Norris City. We are expecting to receive another student that will be going to Norris City, which will max out the capacity of the van and a bus will be used.
Member Walker entered the meeting at 6:15 pm.
Member Wallace made a motion to return to executive session for the purpose of personnel, seconded by Walker. Roll call vote: all ayes. Board entered at 6:20 pm.
A motion was made by Wallace and seconded by Simmons to return to regular session. Board returned at 6:32 pm.
With no further business, a motion to adjourn the meeting until the next regular meeting to be held on Thursday, March 16, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. in the J.H. Hobbs Memorial Library was made by Simmons and seconded by Wallace. Meeting adjourned at 6:33 pm.
https://cdnsm5-ss6.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_2554242/File/Board%20Minutes/Feb%2016%202023.docx.pdf
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