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Galatia Community Unit School District 1 Board of Education met January 25.

Here is the minutes provided by the Board:

The regular meeting of the Galatia Community Unit School District No. 1 Board was held in the boardroom at the junior/senior high school. Roll call was taken, and those present were Joy Richey, Bryan McCabe, Tim Pribble, Elaine Jackson, and Justin Travelstead. Aaron Allen and BJ Pigg were absent. Five (5) members present and two (2) members absent. Board President Tim Pribble called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.

Visitors:

Heather, Jamie, Clayton and Austin Anderson, Christan Fry, Heather Lynch, and Tim Arnold were the visitors in attendance.

Additions/Deletions To Agenda:

There were no additions/deletions to the agenda.

Consent Agenda:

1) A motion was made by Pribble and seconded by McCabe to approve the regular meeting minutes of December 19, 2017. McCabe-aye, Jackson-aye, Pribble-aye, Richey-aye, and Travelstead-aye. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.

2) A motion was made by Pribble and seconded by McCabe to approve payroll and bills for payment. McCabe-aye, Jackson-aye, Pribble-aye, Richey-aye, and Travelstead-aye. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.

3) A motion was made by Pribble and seconded by McCabe to approve the Treasurer’s Report and co- mingled funds as presented. Jackson-aye, Pribble-aye, Richey-aye, Travelstead-aye, and McCabe-aye. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.

Audience To Visitors:

Heather Lynch and Christan Fry, Galatia high school teachers and current senior class sponsors, presented board members with trip itineraries for a proposed senior trip to Gatlinburg, Tennessee for the dates of May 2nd through May 4th, 2018. There will be 11 males and 12 female senior students going on the trip, with a maximum of four to a room at the resort in which they will stay.

Board members asked the sponsors to make sure the resort’s nighttime security is aware of the students staying in the resort, and inform them that they may not leave the premise during night hours.

4) A motion was made by McCabe and seconded by Jackson to approve senior students to go on a trip to Gatlinburg, TN on May 2nd through May 4th, 2018, following itinerary as presented. Jackson-aye, Pribble-aye, Richey-aye, Travelstead-aye, and McCabe-aye. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.

BJ Pigg entered the board meeting at 7:25p.m.

Aaron Allen entered the board meeting at 7:32p.m.

Heather and Jamie Anderson spoke to the board regarding their support in favor of a potential trap shooting team, and Mr. Anderson’s interest in becoming a trap shooting coach. Board member Bryan McCabe stated the trap shooting students would learn responsibility and ownership skills.

Mr. Tim Arnold, Galatia Ag/Shop Teacher, presented a grant application to the board for a greenhouse to be constructed on the grounds of the high school. The cost of the green house is $16,500 for materials and another $1,000 for installation (Mr. Arnold would do most of the install, along with the help of his students). The grant, if awarded, would be for $10,000. The district would have to pay the remaining amount of $7,500. Mr. Arnold did not receive this grant last year, but has received it two times in the past.

Mr. Arnold stated that the FFA Club had recently purchased a 2006 Ford mini school bus (with installed wheel chair lift). He reported that it was not convenient or efficient to drive a large school bus to FFA events when only taking 10 – 15 students. Mr. Arnold has taken this bus to two contests in the past two weeks. The bus has a new turbo and radiator. Mr. Arnold reported the two school vans are heavily used, and the district has only one spare bus at this time. He requests the board pay insurance, license, inspection fee, and split the maintenance and repair fees with the FFA Club, in order to be able to use this bus when it is idle.

Mr. Arnold will have a quote for installation of a bathroom in the new Ag shop, ready for the February, 2018 board meeting. Board member BJ Pigg inquired if students will get to participate in the bathroom installation. Mr. Arnold replied that students will get to watch the process, but the work has to be done by a certified plumber.

Executive Session:

5) A motion was made by Pribble and seconded by Richey to enter into executive session at 7:25 p.m. to discuss compensation, employment, hiring, firing, of prospective or current employees (personnel), review executive session minutes, professional negotiations, and matters of student discipline. Pribble- aye, McCabe-aye, Travelstead-aye, Allen-aye, Richey-aye, Pigg-aye, and Jackson-aye. Seven (7) ayes, motion carried.

6) A motion was made by Pribble and seconded by Allen to end executive session at 8:30 p.m. Travelstead-aye, Allen-aye, McCabe-aye, Pigg-aye, Pribble-aye, Jackson-aye, and Richey-aye. Seven (7) ayes, motion carried.

7) A motion was made by Pribble and seconded by Richey to approve executive session minutes as read. Richey-aye, Travelstead-aye, Jackson-aye, Allen-aye, Pigg-aye, McCabe-aye-aye, and Pribble-aye. Seven (7) ayes, motion carried.

8) A motion was made by Pigg and seconded by McCabe to approve the obligation of up to $8,000 for the greenhouse installation project, if the greenhouse grant ($10,000) is awarded to the district. McCabe- aye, Allen-aye, Jackson-aye, Pribble-aye, Richey-aye, Travelstead-aye, and McCabe-aye. Seven (7) ayes, motion carried.

Old Business:

The agenda item of trap shooting was discussed earlier in the meeting. An MOU with the Galatia Education Association was presented to the board, stating the Association’s approval of the addition of the new sport of trap shooting, along with the approval to co-op with Thompsonville School District for bass fishing and trap shooting.

9) A motion was made by Pigg and seconded by McCabe to establish a Trap Shooting Team, with zero cost to the district, other than $300 for a coach stipend, and approve the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Galatia Education Association (attached). Allen-nay, Jackson-aye, Pribble-aye, Richey-abstain, Travelstead-aye, Pigg-aye, and McCabe-aye. Five (5) ayes, One (1) nay, One abstain (1), motion carried.

10) A motion was made by Pigg and seconded by McCabe to approve the co-op agreement, for the Trap Shooting Team, with Thompsonville School District. Pribble-aye, McCabe-aye, Travelstead-aye, Allen-aye, Richey-abstain, Pigg-aye, and Jackson-aye. Six (6) ayes, One (1) abstain, motion carried.

11) A motion was made by Pigg and seconded by Jackson to approve the co-op agreement, for the Bass Fishing Team, with Thompsonville School District. Pribble-aye, Travelstead-aye, Allen-aye, McCabe- aye, Pigg-aye, Jackson-aye, and Richey-aye. Seven (7) ayes, motion carried.

Mr. Shain Crank, district superintendent, met with the majority of elementary, junior high and high school teachers to discuss a potential new grading scale, which would take effect in school year 2018/2019. He reported that more teachers were in favor of the new grading scale versus teachers that wanted to keep our current grading scale.

The board discussed the pro and cons of the current grading scale vs the proposed “10 point” grading scale. The board discussed that 60% of local area schools are on a 10 point scale, and our students are competing against other students (who are receiving grades on a 10 point scale) for scholarships. Galatia students have to make higher point grades in order to achieve an “A” in a class. This might be a disadvantage for Galatia students. However they are held to a higher standard to achieve an “A” in the current grading scale, which could be an advantage when completing college level coursework. The proposed, lower grading scale could be advantageous to a student in a pass (D) or fail (F) situation.

New Business:

All board members received the superintendent’s evaluation form in their monthly board packet. This will be discussed in executive session.

Mr. Crank discussed the agenda item of retirement gifts. He stated that nominal amounts are legal and customary practice with other districts. The board discussed the use of taxpayer dollars. It was agreed that the policy will be to purchase a clock for retirees, and employees that have spent at least 20 years with the district. No food or other expenses are to be purchased with district funds.

The FFA Bus, Co-op for bass fishing and Co-op for trap shooting was discussed earlier in the meeting.

Committee Reports:

Mr. John Cummins reported that Mr. Pittman changed a flat tire on bus #7, at 6:00 a.m. on January 8, 2018. He also reported that Schaeffer oil is in and being used by Mr. Pittman. Bus #23 is scheduled for its hood to be repaired on Feburary 19, 2018.

Mr. Shain Crank informed the board the restoration company of ServePro, should have their equipment out of the elementary school gym by February 19, 2018. The adjuster will then evaluate the gym floor for further restoration, due to the water leak, which damaged the elementary gym floor, in January 2018.

Mr. Crank reported on the upcoming schedules of all athletic programs in the district. He asked board permission for the boy’s high school basketball coach, Rod Wallace, to take senior high school boy’s basketball players to the state tournament in Peoria during the dates of March 9th thru March 11th, 2018.

High School Principal Report:

Mr. John Cummins reported the loudspeaker for the high school gym was ordered and is to be installed in February, 2018. The high school gym bleachers were repaired. The service company (who completed the repair) stated the reason for the rails not working was due to food in the rails. Mr. Cummins has set up an area on the high school stage for the overflow of students to eat lunch.

Mr. Cummins informed the board of the IEP meetings cancelled due to snow days that school was not in attendance. He also reported the Title grants are still under review at ISBE. School bus driver Mary Mayberry turned in a resignation letter to the board, with her last day as February 23, 2018. Sharon Patterson turned in a retirement letter effective June, 2018, and Brenda Raymer, pre-k custodian, resigned, effective immediately. The Galatia speech team, (co-op with Eldorado high school) did very well in a tournament at Belleville West High school, with one Galatia student earning 1st place.

Mr. Cummins stated he will apply for the State Farm Grant which awards re-furbished laptop computers to school districts. Galatia CUSD #1 received 25 laptops from State Farm in 2017.

He has been working with the high school English teacher and SIC to ensure the district’s English/Literature curriculum is making students’ college ready. Mr. Cummins reported the Mt. Vernon conference, which all teachers in the district attended in October, was very helpful.

Superintendent Report:

Mr. Shain Crank reported the continued progress made toward completing all teacher evaluations by the end of February. Plans are being made and setting dates for all student state testing.

He states the district architect should have a plan for the HLS bond fund by the February, 2018 board meeting. Mr. Crank is finalizing a five/seven year strategic plan for the district. He reminded board members of his self- evaluation that was included in their board packets. The 2018/2019 Pre-k RFP was completed and delivered to Springfield on January 11, 2018.

Executive Session:

12) A motion was made by Pribble and seconded by Allen to enter into executive session at 10:15 p.m. to discuss compensation, employment, hiring, firing, of prospective or current employees (personnel), review executive session minutes, professional negotiations, and matters of student discipline. Travelstead-aye, Allen-aye, McCabe-aye, Pigg-aye, Jackson-aye, Pribble-aye, and Richey-aye. Seven (7) ayes, motion carried.

13) A motion was made by Richey and seconded by Allen to end executive session at 11:26 p.m. McCabe- aye, Allen-aye, Travelstead-aye, Pigg-aye, Pribble-aye, Jackson-aye, and Richey-aye. Seven (7) ayes, motion carried.

14) A motion was made by Pribble and seconded by Richey to approve executive session minutes as read. Richey-aye, Travelstead-aye, Jackson-aye, Allen-aye, Pigg-aye, McCabe-aye, and Pribble-aye. Seven (7) ayes, motion carried.

15) A motion was made by Pribble and seconded by McCabe to terminate non-certified custodian, effective immediately. Allen-aye, Pigg-aye, Jackson-aye, Pribble-aye, Richey-aye, Travelstead-aye, and McCabe-aye. Seven (7) ayes, motion carried.

16) A motion was made by Pribble and seconded by Pigg to hire Gregory Cherry as full-time custodian, per salary schedule, pursuant to District Board Policy 5:290. Allen-aye, Jackson-aye, Pribble-aye, Richey- aye, Travelstead-aye, McCabe-aye, and Pigg-aye. Seven (7) ayes, motion carried.

17) A motion was made by Allen and seconded by Pigg to hire Dennis Britt as part-time custodian, per salary schedule, pursuant to District Board Policy 5:290. Pribble-aye, McCabe-aye, Travelstead-aye, Allen- aye, Richey-aye, Pigg-aye, and Jackson-aye. Seven (7) ayes, motion carried.

18) A motion was made by Pigg and seconded by McCabe to allow head high school basketball coach (Rod Wallace) to take five (5) senior basketball players to the Illinois State basketball tournament, in Peoria for two nights and three days (March 9th, 10th and 11th, 2018) at no cost to the district. Pribble-aye, Travelstead-aye, Allen –aye, Pigg-aye, Jackson-aye, McCabe-aye, and Richey-aye. Seven (7) ayes, motion carried.

19) A motion was made by McCabe and seconded by Pigg to adopt a new grading scale for the district effective for the 2018/2019 school year, as a “10 point” scale (90 – 100 A; 80 – 90 B; 70 – 80 C; 60 – 70 D; below 60 F). Travelstead-aye, Allen-nay, McCabe-aye, Pigg-aye, Jackson-nay, and Pribble-aye, and Richey-nay. Four (4) ayes. Three (3) nays, motion carried.

20) A motion was made by Allen and seconded by Jackson to approve the first reading of policy numbers: 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; 6:00; 6:340; 7:10; 7:15; 7:20; 7:70; 7:180; 7:190; 7:250; 7:260; 7:275; 7:305; 7:340. Allen-aye, Pigg-aye, Jackson-aye, Pribble-aye, Richey-aye, McCabe-aye, and Travelstead-aye. Seven (7) ayes, motion carried.

21) A motion was made by Pribble and seconded by Jackson to accept Sharon Patterson’s retirement letter, (see attached). Allen-aye, Jackson-aye, Travelstead-aye, Pribble-aye, Richey-aye, McCabe-aye, and Pigg-aye. Seven (7) ayes, motion carried.

22) A motion was made by Allen and seconded by Richey to accept Mary Mayberry’s retirement letter (see attached). Jackson-aye, Pigg-aye, Allen-aye, Pribble-aye, Travelstead-aye, McCabe-aye, and Richey- aye. Seven (7) ayes, motion carried.

23) A motion was made by Allen and seconded by Pigg to accept Brenda Raymer’s resignation, effective immediately (see attached). Pribble-aye, Richey-aye, Travelstead-aye, Pigg-aye, Jackson-aye, McCabe- aye, and Allen-aye. Seven (7) ayes, motion carried.

24) A motion was made by Allen and seconded by Jackson to approve maternity leave for Chelsey Yates’ maternity leave through the summer months, returning to work on October 1, 2018. Allen-aye, Pigg- aye, Jackson-aye, Pribble-aye, Richey-aye, McCabe-aye, and Travelstead-aye. Seven (7) ayes, motion carried.

Adjournment:

25) A motion was made by Allen and seconded by Jackson to adjourn at 11:54 p.m. Richey-aye, Jackson- aye, Allen-aye, McCabe-aye, Pigg-aye, Travelstead-aye, and Pribble-aye. Seven (7) ayes, motion carried.

http://www.galatiak12.org/Board%20of%20Education%20Stuff/Minutes%20January%2025,%202018.pdf