Carmi White County Community Unit School District 5 Board of Education met Jan. 16.

Here is the minutes provided by the Board:

The regular meeting of the board of education of Carmi-White County Community Unit District No. 5 was held on Tuesday, January 16, 2018 at Jefferson Attendance Center (new building). The meeting was called to order by President Kelli M. Chapman at 7:00 p.m.

Recital Of Pledge Of Allegiance

Those present were board members Acord, Chapman, Fulkerson, Hammell, Hoskins, and Mitchell. Others present were Superintendent Brad Lee, Amy Atteberry, Washington Attendance Center principal; Cynthia Hoskins, Brownsville Attendance Center principal; Bart King, junior high principal; Jarrod Newell, high school principal; Lacey Moore, elementary dean of students; Bob Lamp, CWCEA president; Rachel Blazier, unit secretary; Scott Mareing (WROY), and Brandon Siegert (The Carmi Chronicle).

Consent Agenda Items Approved

Consent agenda items were presented to the board for its approval as follows:

1. Minutes of December 18, 2017 regular board meeting

2. Board scholars, first semester, 2017-2018 school year

Under Board Policy, any high school student who earns a grade of “A” in every class in which he/she is enrolled and in which grades are assigned and has received credit in those classes where no grades are assigned has earned the distinction of Board Scholar. The following students have achieved that distinction for the first semester of the 2017-2018 school year.

FRESHMEN

Gia K. Berekashvili

Jenna N. Brinkley

Ariana G. Goforth

Sydnie R. Hammell

Emma C. Hoskins

Joshua R. Howard

Hannah G. Lueke

Katelynn K. Miller

Blake A. Pollard

Devin C. Rankin

Jasmine N. P. Smith

Heidi E. Trout

Justin R. Weaver

SOPHOMORES

Hannah A. Anderson

Catalina C. Baker

Marie E. Blankenberger

Isabella H. Bryant

Hunter M. Colman

Alexis N. Conner

Payton N. Dixon

Allie D. Gee

Elizabeth J. Gwaltney

Olivia L. Gwaltney

Olivia K. Hon

Alex M. Issawi

Sydney J. Lucas

JUNIORS

Cole A. Blazier

Emily E. Brown

Remi E. Huff

Kelsi P. Kessler

Seth C. Mann

Gunner L. Peterson

Hailey N. Trout

Kaylee E. Wagner

SENIORS

Travis L. Black

Carrie A. Blankenberger

Olivia B. Bohleber

Madison A. Childers

Josie M. Harrison

Natalie M. Howard

Alex J. Hunsinger

Peyton R. Roedder

Grace E. Sinclair

Janes P. Smith

Samantha R. Wooten

Faye Xiao Hui Yang

It was recommended that by board vote, the listed students be named Board Scholars for the first semester of the 2017-2018 school year.

Board of Education January 16, 2018

3. Resignations

Mike Pfister has submitted a letter of resignation as a building custodian at the Carmi-White County Junior/Senior High School effective January 5, 2018.

John Choate has submitted a letter of resignation as the High School Varsity Boys’ Assistant Baseball Coach effective immediately.

5. Proposed Changes in Board Policies 2:260, 4:15, 4:110, 4:150, 4:170, 5:20, 5:90,

5:100, 5:200, 5:220, 5:240, 5:290, 6:50, 6:60, 6:150, 6:300, 6:310, 6:340, 7:10, 7:15, 7:20, 7:70, 7:180, 7:190, 7:250, 7:275, 7:305 and 7:340

Due to changes in Legislation and upon the recommendation of the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB), the district needs to update the following board policies: 2:260, 4:15, 4:110, 4:150, 4:170, 5:20, 5:90, 5:100, 5:200, 5:220, 5:240, 5:290, 6:50, 6:60, 6:150, 6:300, 6:310, 6:340, 7:10, 7:15, 7:20, 7:70, 7:180, 7:190, 7:250, 7:275, 7:305 and 7:340.

It was recommended that board policies 2:260, 4:15, 4:110, 4:150, 4:170, 5:20, 5:90, 5:100, 5:200, 5:220, 5:240, 5:290, 6:50, 6:60, 6:150, 6:300, 6:310, 6:340, 7:10, 7:15, 7:20, 7:70, 7:180, 7:190, 7:250, 7:275, 7:305 and 7:340 be preliminarily adopted, as amended, with final action set for the regular February meeting of the Board of Education.

6. Leave of Absence Continuance Request

Shirley Ritsch has submitted a request for a continuance to her leave of absence through February 26, 2018.

7. Donation

Brownsville Attendance Center has been the recent recipient of the following donation in support of its program:

Carmi Kiwanis Christmas Donation.$500.00

Total.$500.00

In line with board policy, it was recommended that the board of education accept the donation noted above.

Motion by Mitchell, second by Acord, that recommendations for consent agenda items as follows:

1. Minutes of December 18, 2017 regular board meeting

2. Board scholars, first semester, 2017-2018 school year

3. Resignations

4. Revision of Board Policies 2:260, 4:15, 4:110, 4:150, 4:170, 5:20, 5:90, 5:100,

5:200, 5:220, 5:240, 5:290, 6:50, 6:60, 6:150, 6:300, 6:310, 6:340, 7:10, 7:15, 7:20, 7:70, 7:180, 7:190, 7:250, 7:275, 7:305 and 7:340

5. Leave of Absence Continuance Request

6. Donation

be approved. Roll call vote: Acord, yes; Fulkerson, yes; Hammell, yes; Hoskins, yes; Mitchell, yes; Chapman, yes. Motion carried.

Bills Approved

An additional list of bills was presented to the board of education for its consideration and approval.

Motion by Acord, second by Hammell, that the bills for the month of December 2017 be approved as listed. Roll call vote: Fulkerson, yes; Hammell, yes; Hoskins, yes; Mitchell, yes; Acord, yes; Chapman, yes. Motion carried.

Treasurer’s Report Read And Approved

The treasurer’s report for the month of December 2017 was read as follows: Education Fund, $4,407,295; Building Fund, $882,070; Transportation Fund, $485,364; Municipal Retirement Fund, $625,457; Imprest Fund, $7,564; Tort Fund, $578,154; Debt Service Fund, $478,560; Working Cash Fund, $381,146; Fire Prevention Fund, $142,677; and Capital Projects, $701,542. Investments by Fund: Municipal Retirement Fund, $100,000.

Superintendent Lee provided the board with a breakdown of revenue by fund for the month of December. In the Education Fund, General State Aid received $446,926; Federal Lunch reimbursement received $35,716; Orphans Tuition received $42,420; and Special Education BCH Orphanage received $4,361; along with other categoricals for a total of $798,760. Local taxes in the month of December totaled $1,483,072. Superintendent Lee reported that the district has received about 93% of local taxes for this school year. The 1% Sales Tax Fund received $48,430. Total revenue for the month of December was $2,330,263.

Superintendent Lee reported that the State does not owe the district any money from the last school year but has not paid categoricals, such as special education reimbursement, lunch and breakfast reimbursement, transportation, early childhood grant, etc. totaling $310,000 for this school year.

Motion by Fulkerson, second by Hoskins, that the treasurer’s report for the month of December 2017 be approved as read. Roll call vote: Hammell, yes; Hoskins, yes; Mitchell, yes; Acord, yes; Fulkerson, yes; Chapman, yes. Motion carried.

Superintendent’s Report To The Board

Superintendent Lee reported the following items to the board:

1. District Enrollment

The district’s most recent enrollment figures show that it has 1,366 students district-wide—down 24 students from last year at this time. Last year at this time, the district had 1,390 students. Enrollment fluctuations of this type are not unusual.

2. State Scholars

Superintendent Lee recognized the following Carmi-White County students for being named Illinois State Scholars for the 2017-2018 school year. These students were: Travis Black, Carrie Blankenberger, Olivia Bohleber, Madison Childers, Josie Harrison, Natalie Howard, Alex Hunsinger, Peyton Roedder, Janes Smith, and Faye Yang.

Illinois State Scholars represent approximately the top ten percent of high school seniors from 738 high schools across the state. Illinois State Scholars possess strong academic potential and are chosen based on a combination of exemplary ACT or SAT test scores and sixth semester class rank. The district is proud of these students.

3. FY18 School District Library Grant

Superintendent Lee said that he recently learned that the district has been awarded a School Library Grant in the amount of $1,036. This grant provides supplementary support for the school district’s library media program, which enhances student learning and academics. The district would like to thank Mrs. Huggins for taking advantage of this grant opportunity to improve library resources and services to benefit the district’s students.

4. Carmi-White County Invitational Tournament (CWCIT)

The CWCIT is being held this week. Carmi-White County, Edwards County, Fairfield, Harrisburg, Mt. Carmel, and Mt. Vernon, Indiana make up the six team Round Robin tournament. Superintendent Lee expressed his appreciation to all those individuals, including Mr. Newell and staff, who played a role in making this a very successful tournament in its 39th year.

Transportation Update

Mr. King, Director of Transportation, provided an update on the current fleet of vehicles that the district owns or leases. He also presented information on the potential lease or purchase of two specialty busses. He expressed his appreciation to the board for its approval of the leasing of 10 school busses during the previous years, which he feels are much safer and more dependable than the busses that these vehicles replaced. The listing highlighted the two suburbans and one van that is used by the Brownsville Attendance Center. In the past, Brownsville also utilized mini busses, which included Mini Bus 18 that burned down a few years ago. Since that time, Brownsville has done a tremendous job getting by with suburbans, a van, and school size busses for its curricular needs. These vehicles provide transportation for Brownsville’s students to go into the community, such as Wal-Mart, local restaurants, the post office, and local businesses to enhance their life skills, and also provides transportation for these students to attend Special Olympics events.

Mr. King recommended that at this time the district acquires for Brownsville a short bus, which will be handicap accessible. This vehicle will not have air brakes, which will allow a lot of drivers at Brownsville the capability to drive this unit. Mrs. Hoskins, principal at Brownsville Attendance Center, explained to the board that bus drivers from other districts transport their students to the Brownsville Attendance Center and then stay with their students as individual health aides. Not one of these drivers have air brake endorsements. These drivers would be included in our district’s random drug testing pool, be covered by our district’s insurance, but could provide transportation for Brownsville’s students at no additional cost. The handicap accessible bus could transport up to 27 passengers when not transporting any wheelchairs.

Mr. King also explained that the district utilizes the newer suburban and van for extracurricular and athletic events. What the transportation department runs into a lot of the time is when there is more than one event scheduled and these vehicles do not get back in time for the next scheduled event to depart. During these incidents, the district has to use a full size bus, which requires pulling its driver off of his/her regular route in order to drive for the event and then subbing the route by Mr. King or Mr. Hite, due to the shortage of drivers. Mr. King said that a lot of districts are using a white activity bus for non-curricular events. Any person with a valid driver’s license is permitted to drive this vehicle. It could be used for the math team, band, and sports. The white activity bus would be more cost efficient and ease up some of the stresses in the transportation department.

Mr. King reported that he has spoken with the ISBE transportation department regarding the State’s reimbursement during the past years which was 60%. He was told that the State is now going to be reimbursing transportation at 68-70% and this might not be a bad year to purchase and/or do a five year lease/purchase. This would also build collateral for the district. Mr. King feels that the lease/purchase would provide some surplus vehicles.

Mr. King recommended a five year lease/purchase for an activity bus and a handicap accessible bus for Brownsville. Board Member Hammell stated that the list showed nine suburbans in the district’s fleet. He said that it looks like some of these could be surplus vehicles. Mr. King said that when the district can get an activity bus, then it will look at including a couple of suburbans as surplus vehicles. Board Member Hammell then asked if the driver of the activity bus would have to have any special license. Mr. King provided the requirements for a white activity bus to the board: vehicle could be used for grades 12 and under for non-curricular events and required only a valid driver’s license.

Superintendent Lee said that the biggest transportation expenses that the district has are lease payments and fuel. He said that looking at what Mr. King has proposed, the two vehicles would increase expenses $24,000 per year. Brownsville vehicles do not put a lot of mileage on vehicles per year. The activity bus will probably average 10,000 miles per year. Board Member Acord asked if working cash could be transferred into the transportation fund. Superintendent Lee said yes. He also said that the district can transfer money from the education fund into the transportation fund. He said that $150,000 was transferred from the working cash fund into the transportation fund during the last school year to help increase the transportation fund balance.

The board approved to put out bids for the lease/purchase of a handicap accessible bus and a white activity bus.

Depository Of School Funds

As discussed at last month’s meeting, Unit #5 currently uses a two-year term bank depository with the four banks located in Carmi. Superintendent Lee and the district bookkeeper feel it would be beneficial to have the same depository for longer than two years. It would be his recommendation that the district: 1) Rotate banks every four to five years, 2) Bid it out to the lowest bidder every four to five years, or 3) Name one bank as the permanent depository.

Superintendent Lee’s recommendation was for the board to select one of the three recommendations so that appropriate documents and plans can be made for the next depository of school funds beginning July 1, 2018.

Board Member Fulkerson asked Superintendent Lee if he had contacted other districts as discussed at last month’s meeting to see what they did with their depository. Superintendent Lee reported that most districts have one bank that they utilize. He said that our district is the only district that he knows of that rotates depositories. Board member Hammell said he thought the district should go with one depository and stay with it. He said that the district may want to bid it out originally and then stick with one bank. Superintendent Lee stated the bank fees range $1,000-$1,900 a year and interest rates fluctuate 2-3%.

Board Member Acord said that this is a board issue. Board Members Acord and Fulkerson are on the Finance Committee. As a current employee to one of the local banks, Board Member Fulkerson will have to abstain from participating in the selection of criteria and voting on the depository selection. Board Member Hoskins will also have to abstain from the vote as she is also an employee of one of the local banks. Board Member Acord said that he will look at some numbers and get back with the board at next month’s meeting. He will then suggest rotating every four or five years or picking one bank to stay with. Superintendent Lee said that if the board decided to continue rotating banks, the new rotation of every four or five years would start July 1, 2018.

Closed Session

Motion by Hammell, second by Mitchell, that the board meet in closed session at 7:35 p.m. for purposes of discussing appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of an employee or officer, and student discipline. Roll call vote: Hoskins, yes; Mitchell, yes; Acord, yes; Fulkerson, yes; Hammell, yes; Chapman, yes. Motion carried.

Motion by Hammell, second by Acord, that the board return to open session at 8:42 p.m. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

Closed Session Minutes Approved

Motion by Hoskins, second by Acord, that the board approve closed session minutes of the December 18, 2017 regular meeting of the board of education. Roll call vote: Acord, yes; Fulkerson, yes; Hammell, yes; Hoskins, yes; Mitchell, yes; Chapman, yes. Motion carried.

John Choate Approved As A High School Volunteer Assistant Boys’ Baseball Coach

Motion by Fulkerson, second by Mitchell, that John Choate be approved as a High School Volunteer Assistant Boys’ Baseball Coach for the 2017-2018 school year. Roll call vote: Acord, yes; Fulkerson, yes; Hammell, yes; Hoskins, yes; Mitchell, yes; Chapman, yes. Motion carried.

Chris Shelton Employed As High School Girls’ Softball Coach

Motion by Hoskins, second by Hammell, that Chris Shelton be approved as the High School Girls’ Softball Coach to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Scott Conner for the 2017-2018 school year. Roll call vote: Fulkerson, yes; Hammell, yes; Hoskins, yes; Mitchell, yes; Acord, yes; Chapman, yes. Motion carried.

Adjourn

Motion by Acord, second by Hammell, that the meeting be adjourned at 8:44 p.m. Motion carried by unanimous vote.

http://www.carmischools.org/images/pdf/minutes/janmin.pdf