Carmi White County Community Unit School District 5 Board of Education met Nov. 18.
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 Monday, November 18, 2019, at the Jefferson Attendance Center (new building). The meeting was called to order by President Any Acord at 7:00 p.m.
RECITAL OF PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all present.
Those present were board members Acord, Chapman, Fulkerson, Hammell, Hoskins, Mitchell, and Scates.
Others present were Superintendent Brad Lee; Amy Atteberry, Washington Attendance Center principal; Dr. Amy Dixon, Jefferson and Lincoln Attendance Centers principal; Bart King, junior high school principal; Jarrod Newell, high school principal; Kathy Price, Brownsville Attendance Center Principal; Corey Ackerman, CWCEA President; Lacey Moore, Elementary Dean of Students; Todd Haley, Junior/Senior High School Dean of Students; Krista McLaren, Kemper CPA; Rachel Blazier, unit secretary; Scott Mareing (WROY); and Nicole Behnke-Bullock, Editor (The Carmi Chronicle).
CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS APPROVED
Consent agenda items were presented to the board for its approval as follows:
1. Minutes of the October 21, 2019 regular board meeting.
2. Adoption of Board Policy 6:125 – Definition of Service Animals and Therapy Animals
For board policy adoptions to become effective, they must be acted on at two (2) meetings. This will be the second and final action on adoption of board policy:
6:125 – Definition of Service Animals and Therapy Animals.
It was recommended that the board of education give final approval to adoption of board policy.
3. Surplus Property
Attached is a list of district vehicles that need to be declared surplus property.
These vehicles are very old and have high mileage. If possible, these vehicles will be sold by sealed bid.
It was recommended that the attached list of district vehicles be declared surplus property.
4. Retirement
John Bingman has submitted a letter of retirement as a building custodian at the Carmi-White County Junior/Senior High School effective December 31, 2019.
It was recommended that the letter of retirement of John Bingman as a building custodian at the Carmi-White County Junior/Senior High School effective December 31, 2019 be accepted.
5. Resignations
Tomas Brandt has submitted a letter of resignation as the 5th Grade Boys’ Basketball Coach effective November 2, 2019
Cassie Eaton has submitted a letter of resignation as a Pre-Kindergarten Classroom Aide at Washington Attendance Center effective November 22, 2019.
It was recommended that the letter of resignation of Tomas Brandt as the 5th Grade Boys’ Basketball Coach effective November 2, 2019 and the letter of resignation of Cassie Eaton as a Pre-Kindergarten Classroom Aide at Washington Attendance Center effective November 22, 2019 be accepted.
6. Donations
Brownsville Attendance Center has been the recipient of the following donations
in support of its program:
Hawthorne Homemakers Extension.$25.00
Mr. and Mrs. Lelan Russell Jr..$2,500.00
Mr. and Mrs. Dean Colyer.$1,000.00
Mr. and Mrs. David Templeton.$400.00
Ms. Janice Gates.$100.00
Mr. and Mrs. Joe Kimmell.$100.00
TOTAL DONATIONS.$4,125.00
In line with board policy, it was recommended that the board of education accept the donations noted above.
Motion by Mitchell, second by Hammell, that recommendations for consent agenda items as follows:
1. Minutes of October 21, 2019 regular board meeting
2. Final Action of Adoption of Board Policy 6:125
3. Surplus Property
4. Retirement
5. Resignations
6. Donations
be approved. Roll call vote: Fulkerson, yes; Hammell, yes; Hoskins, yes; Mitchell, yes; Scates, yes; Chapman, yes; Acord, yes. Motion carried.
BILLS APPROVED
An additional list of bills was presented to the board of education for its consideration and approval.
Motion by Scates, second by Hoskins, that the bills for the month of October 2019 be approved as listed. Roll call vote: Hammell, yes; Hoskins, yes; Mitchell, yes; Scates, yes; Chapman, yes; Fulkerson, yes; Acord, yes. Motion carried.
TREASURER’S REPORT READ AND APPROVED
The treasurer’s report for the month of October 2019 was read as follows: Education Fund, $1,294,677; Building Fund, ($112,686); Transportation Fund, $507,423; Municipal Retirement Fund, ($67,270); Imprest Fund, $7,525; Tort Fund, $304,756; Debt Service Fund, $73,401; Working Cash Fund, $30,230; Fire Prevention and Safety Fund, $133,613; and Capital Projects, $412,022. Investments by Fund: Education Fund, $4,000,000; Building Fund, $600,000; Municipal Retirement Fund, $475,000; Working Cash Fund, $425,000; and Capital Projects, $1,000,000.
Superintendent Lee provided board members a breakdown of receipts for October 2019 by fund account. The district still has not received any local property tax revenue this year.
The Education Fund’s receipts were from the State and Tames totaling $670,258. Revenue from 1% Sales Tax totaled $59,992. Total receipts for the month of October 2019 totaled $730,250.
Motion by Mitchell, second by Hammell, that the treasurer’s report for the month of October 2019 be approved as read. Roll call vote: Hoskins, yes; Mitchell, yes; Scates, yes; Chapman, yes; Fulkerson, yes; Hammell, yes; Acord, yes. Motion carried.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT TO THE BOARD
Superintendent Lee reported the following items to the board:
1. PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES
Once again this year, evening parent/teacher conferences were held during October. This format continues to be successful, as evidenced by the many parents who take advantage of the opportunity to talk with their child’s teacher(s).
2. WABASH AND OHIO VALLEY SPECIAL EDUCATION DISTRICT
GOVERNING BOARD MEETING
The fall meeting of the Wabash and Ohio Valley Special Education District governing board is scheduled for Tuesday, November 26, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. at the Hood Center in Norris City. Each school district in the nine-county WOVSED cooperative is represented by one member of the board of education. The Carmi-White County Unit 5 representative is Mrs. Kelli Chapman.
3. FALL ATHLETICS
The fall school sports seasons are officially completed. Congratulations were extended to all of the fall athletic teams and coaches for their efforts and positive representation of the district. Mr. Lee thanked the Booster Club for all they do for the district’s athletic teams.
4. CONGRATULATIONS TO CROSS COUNTRY RUNNERS
Congratulations were extended to Cross Country runner Ty Barbre for advancing to the State Cross Country meet in Peoria. Ty is a junior, and he placed 2nd at the Sectional.
5. FALL PLAY
The high school fall play, “Cinderella”, was presented on November 15, 16 and 17. The cast, crew, and sponsors were commended for their hard work and dedication.
6. SWEATS FOR VETS
Students at Washington Attendance Center participated in a service project leading up to Veteran’s Day. It was discovered that veterans in the VA Hospital in Marion were in need of items for winter. Students and staff began a “Sweats for Vets Drive”. One thousand and seventy-two (1,072) items were collected, including sweatshirts, sweatpants, socks, thermal underwear, slippers, gloves, hats, pajamas, blankets and t-shirts. These items were delivered to the VA Hospital in Marion.
7. CHRISTMAS PROGRAMS
Following is a listing of scheduled Christmas programs throughout the district:
December 9, 7:00 p.m..Junior High Christmas Program
December 12, 7:00 p.m.. High School Christmas Program
December 18, 12:30 p.m.. Brownsville Christmas Program
December 18, 9:00 a.m.. Lincoln Kindergarten Christmas Program
1:00 p.m..Lincoln 1st Grade Christmas Program
December 19, 9:00 a.m.. Jefferson 2nd Grade Christmas Program
1:00 p.m.. Jefferson 3rd Grade Christmas Program
December 20, 1:00 p.m.. Washington Christmas Program
8. SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS DAY
Friday, November 15, 2019, was designated as “School Board Members Day” in Illinois. This day was to recognize these public servants for their commitment and contributions. Mr. Lee thanked the Unit #5 board members for their service and dedication to our schools and community.
9. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE GRANTS
Congratulations were extended to the following teachers for receiving a $300.00 grant from the Chamber of Commerce: Melissa Dartt, Hillary Gee, Sarah Richards, Stacy Simon and the sixth grade team at Washington Attendance Center. Superintendent Lee thanked the Chamber of Commerce for awarding these grants to the district’s teachers.
10. RETIRED TEACHER’S GRANTS
Congratulations were extended to the Barbara McArthy and Whitney Pearce for receiving a $500 grant and to Cindy Colman for receiving a $500 grant.
Superintendent Lee thanked the White County Retired Teacher’s Association for awarding these grants to the district’s teachers.
11. GOOD NEWS
Mrs. Moore reported that Lincoln Attendance Center is gearing up for next week’s “Kindergarten Feast”. Each student is asked to bring one item to contribute to this feast. Board members were invited to attend.
Jefferson Attendance Center is trying something new. School mentor Allie Gee, a high school student, who is very talented in art is teaching art in each classroom. She is thinking about becoming an art teacher so this serves two purposes – providing art classes to the students and providing Ms. Gee with experience teaching art to students.
Mrs. DiMaggio, high school Spanish teacher, is bringing Spanish students to the first grade classes. They are beginning by learning letters, colors, etc. in Spanish.
Dr. Dixon gave a testament to the community. She received a phone call from a community group who wanted to donate some food items to a family in need.
Within five minutes, a student’s mother came to the building and explained that the family had spent all of their money on their monthly electric bill and had no money left for food. The mother asked if Dr. Dixon knew of anyone that could help her family. Here is an example where she had a donor and a family in need.
A donation of food items plus a $50.00 gift card from Little Giant to help provide a Thanksgiving meal was given to this family. In addition, the group was able to donate ten $50.00 Little Giant gift cards for other families.
Mr. King told the board that the junior high recently purchased a new salad bar to provide healthy reimbursable options for students. Pam Haywood with the Illinois Extension Office will be providing instructions to the staff on how to utilize the salad bar with the students.
Mr. Newell said that the high school has been working on projects outside of the building. Students from Ms. Tockstein’s and Mr. Cross’ classes completed landscaping projects at the junior/senior high school. Mrs. Zieren purchased picnic tables and trash cans. Mr. Lamp added a concrete area to the end of the building to be used during lunch periods. Through a grant received from Monsanto, the media center has been converted into a STEM lab.
Mrs. Atteberry reported that the Pre-Kindergarten classes will also be preparing a Thanksgiving feast. The Monday before Thanksgiving, students will be asked to bring in a food item to prepare “Stone Soup” to be served on Tuesday. The fourth grade class has just completed its “Sweats for Vets” project. The 5th grade class will be helping at the “Lights of Hope” by volunteering at the gates on December 15. The 6th grade class is using the Chamber of Commerce grant that it receiving by making fleece blankets for the residents at the Wabash Retirement Center.
Mrs. Price reported that junior high students are coming to the Brownsville School and helping to decorate for the Christmas program. The Special Olympics Volleyball Team at Brownsville recently placed 3rd at State.
ANNUAL AUDIT
Kemper CPA has completed the audit of FY19 for the school district. Krista McLaren was present to review the audit with the Board of Education at this point in the agenda. She said the district’s financial report is of clean opinion of the Illinois State Board of Education’s requirements.
Each board member received a copy of the FY19 Annual Financial Report and Supplementary Information. Mrs. McLaren reviewed the “Report Presentation Summary” with the board members to summarize the audit.
Mrs. McLaren reported that the district’s Financial Profit Scored remained at 3.90 in FY2019 (Recognition). The Long-Term Debt Margin raised to $14.1 million in FY2019, which is the amount of money the district could borrow. The area of “Days Cash on Hand” raised from 214 to 237. This means the district would be able to operate 237 days if there was no revenue coming in.
Mrs. McLaren reviewed comments and suggestions that were made by Kemper CPA.
She then asked the board if any member had a question regarding the audit. There were no questions, and Superintendent Lee thanked Mrs. McLaren for her report.
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ABATEMENT OF BOND LEVY
To date, the district has received forty-eight months of revenue from the County Schools Facility Tax that passed in November 2014. The Board of Education conveyed to the tax payers that Unit #5 would take one-third of the revenue each year to pay down the existing bonds. A total of $700,468 was received from the 1% tax for the past twelve months, therefore, Mr. Lee requested that the board pass a resolution abating $230,000 of the General Obligation School Refunding Bonds Series 2011.
Motion by Fulkerson, second by Hoskins, that the board pass a Resolution Authorizing Abatement of Bond Levy for bond issue in levy year 2019 by the total amount of Two Hundred Thirty Thousand Dollars ($230,000.00). Roll call vote: Mitchell, yes; Scates, yes; Chapman, yes; Fulkerson, yes; Hammell, yes; Hoskins, yes; Acord, yes. Motion carried.
2019 PRELIMINARY REVIEW OF TAX LEVY
Attached is a prospective levy for 2019. This levy is against the property values of 2019. It will be extended in the summer of 2020, and the district will spend the money during the 2020-2021 school year beginning July 1, 2020.
A number of the district’s levies have rate caps. Those levies and caps are: Education, 2.01; Operation and Maintenance (Building),.50; Transportation,.20; Working Cash,.05; Fire
Prevention and Safety,.05; and Special Education,.04. These are listed as cents per $100 of assessed valuation. In these funds, regardless of what the district sets as a levy, the district will only receive that rate times our equalized assessed valuation. In the other levies (Debt Service [Bond and Interest], Municipal Retirement, Social Security, and Tort Immunity), whatever we levy will be extended.
At this point in time, Mr. Lee recommends that the district base its levy on a projected EAV of $150,453,172. The final projected total tax rate of 3.839 is lower than the 2018 tax rate of 3.957. The projected levy extension request attached is less than 105% of last year’s extension; therefore, it is not necessary to publish a Truth in Taxation advertisement. This figure could change as more information becomes available.
FUND AMOUNT
Education Fund $3,024,109
Building Fund $752,266
Transportation Fund $300,906
Working Cash Fund $75,227
IMRF $265,000
Social Security $265,000
Fire/Life Safety $75,227
Tort Immunity $680,000
Special Education $60,181
Debt Service $278,585
TOTAL $5,776,501
Also attached is a copy of the district’s recent EAV history in addition to the district’s Rate History.
The final attachment is the projected Bond Repayment Schedule through the end of the district’s projected bond payments.
Motion by Acord, second by Hammell, that a levy be set for the regular December meeting of the Board of Education. Roll call vote: Scates, yes; Chapman, yes; Fulkerson, yes; Hammell, yes; Hoskins, yes; Mitchell, yes; Acord, yes. Motion carried.
SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLANS AND DISTRICT SCHOOL REPORT CARDS AND STATE TEST SCORES
Dr. Amy Dixon, Director of Instruction, provided an overview of the 2019-2020 school improvement plans (SIP) that are developed each school year. These data driven documents developed by the school improvement teams in each building are the blueprints that guide the teaching and learning process throughout the year.
Per Illinois School Code, since 1987 all public schools are required to write school improvement plans. Brownsville Attendance Center is not required to write a school improvement plan because it is a serving school only.
Dr. Dixon reported that the district currently includes:
• Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) – Grades 3-8 Reading/Math
• PSAT – Grades 9-10 (now required). She has heard that the State will be tracking these at the high school.
• SAT – Grade 11
New district requirements include:
• iReady – Grades 2-8 Reading/Math
• AimsWeb Plus – Grades K-1, Special Education, and RtI 9 and 10
• Track student progress
The School Report Card is now available on-line only. The district’s attendance rate is 95% for the past school year. The state average is 94%. The district hopes to increase its attendance rate to 96%. The district’s chronic absenteeism is 18%. The State measures chronic absenteeism as a student that misses 10% or more attendance days.
Each school receives a designation. All schools in the district received a “commendable” designation except for the junior high school who received “underperforming”.
This was due to a subgroup not performing to standards. Designations include: exemplary, commendable, underperforming and lowest performing. A commendable designation means the school has no underperforming student groups. To be exemplary, the schools would have to be performing in the top 5 percent of schools statewide. The district will receive money due to the “underperforming” designation in the amount of $65,000-$70,000 over the next four years.
The district received a parent rating of 99%. Student to teacher ratio is 21:1. The district’s student mobility rate is over the state average. The mobility rate for these students are now assigned to the school district that houses these students for the longest period of time during a school year.
The School Improvement Plans include:
• Creating time for teachers to grow (PD)
• Continue to make changes based on evidence-based indicators for success
Motion by Scates, second by Acord, that the board approve the 2019-2020 School Improvement Plans as well as the district improvement plan. Roll call vote: Chapman, yes; Fulkerson, yes; Hammell, yes; Hoskins, yes; Mitchell, yes; Scates, yes; Acord, yes. Motion carried.
SCHOOL FACILITIES
Open Houses have been completed at the district’s three elementary buildings.
Superintendent Lee commended those individuals that are serving on the “Building Pride for Future Bulldogs” Committee. He expressed that a lot of work went into the Open Houses and their dedication to this community engagement process is appreciated. Community members were able to tour the facilities and then ask questions concerning the three options as the district moves forward. They were given the opportunity to see how this could impact the students and their learning environment. A financial consultant was available to answer questions concerning funding options to improve the elementary schools. Finally, those attendees were asked to provide feedback on the options that were presented through a survey.
Strategic long term planning for school facilities:
2017 – District applied for Capital Grant.
2018 – Grant format was discontinued.
2019 – 3 options were established for school facilities:
Option 1 – Put building referendum on ballet in March. Advantage of doing this is that it’s a new debt not associated with total debt limit to be used by district. Disadvantage is failure of voters to support.
Option 2 – Don’t put on ballot and vote as a board to building K-8 with no voter approval. Advantage is new K-8 building. Disadvantage is that the entire debt limit for school will go into this with no guarantees for money if something were to happen at another building in the future.
Option 3 – Wait for State funding to be announced in May 2020 and make a decision after that depending on the outcome.
CLOSED SESSION
Motion by Chapman, second by Hammell, that the board meet in closed session at 8:15 p.m. for purposes of discussing appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of an employee or officer. Roll call vote: Fulkerson, yes; Hammell, yes; Hoskins, yes; Mitchell, yes; Scates, yes; Chapman, yes; Acord, yes. Motion carried.
Motion by Scates, second by Hoskins, that the board return to open session at 9:22 p.m.
Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
CLOSED SESSION MINUTES APPROVED
Motion by Scates, second by Mitchell, that the board approve closed session minutes of the October 21, 2019 regular meeting of the board of education. Roll call vote: Hoskins, yes; Mitchell, yes; Scates, yes; Chapman, yes; Fulkerson, yes; Hammell, yes; Acord, yes. Motion carried.
MIKE ZARANTI EMPLOYED AS 5TH GRADE GIRLS’ BASKETBALL COACH
Motion by Hoskins, second by Acord, that Mike Zaranti be employed as the 5th Grade Girls’ Basketball Coach for the 2019-2020 school year to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Justin Simmons. Roll call vote: Mitchell, yes; Scates, yes; Chapman, yes; Fulkerson, yes; Hammell, yes; Hoskins, yes; Acord, yes. Motion carried.
JUSTIN SIMMONS EMPLOYED AS 6TH GRADE GIRLS’ BASKETBALL COACH
Motion by Chapman, second by Mitchell, that Justin Simmons be employed as the 6th Grade Girls’ Basketball Coach for the 2019-2020 school year to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Mike Zaranti. Roll call vote: Scates, yes; Chapman, yes; Fulkerson, yes; Hammell, yes; Hoskins, yes; Mitchell, yes; Acord, yes. Motion carried.
JONATHAN GOEMAAT EMPLOYED AS A BUILDING CUSTODIAN AT THE
JUNIOR/SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Motion by Fulkerson, second by Scates, that Jonathan Goemaat be employed as a building custodian at the Junior/Senior High School for the 2019-2020 school year to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Jeremiah Downen. Roll call vote: Chapman, yes; Fulkerson, yes; Hammell, yes; Hoskins, yes; Mitchell, yes; Scates, yes; Acord, yes. Motion carried.
LAURA GOEMAAT REASSIGNED AS DISTRICT BOOKKEEPER
Motion by Hoskins, second by Acord, that Laura Goemaat be reassigned as the District Bookkeeper for the 2019-2020 school year to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Sheila Napier. Roll call vote: Fulkerson, yes; Hammell, yes; Hoskins, yes; Mitchell, yes; Scates, yes; Chapman, yes; Acord, yes. Motion carried.
JOY MCCULLTY REASSIGNED AS ADMINISTRATIVE SECRETARY AT THE
UNIT OFFICE
Motion by Chapman, second by Fulkerson, that Joy McCully be reassigned as an Administrative Secretary at the Unit Office for the 2019-2020 school year to fill the vacancy created by the reassignment of Laura Goemaat. Roll call vote: Hammell, yes; Hoskins, yes; Mitchell, yes; Scates, yes; Chapman, yes; Fulkerson, yes; Acord, yes. Motion carried.
UNIT OFFICE STAFF AND DIRECTOR OF MAINTENANCE RECEIVE INCREASE
IN SALARIES FOR THE 2019-2020 SCHOOL YEAR
Motion by Hoskins, second by Mitchell, to increase the salaries of the Unit Office Staff and the Director of Maintenance. Roll call vote: Hoskins, yes; Mitchell, yes; Scates, yes; Chapman, yes; Fulkerson, yes; Hammell, yes; Acord, yes. Motion carried.
ADMINISTRATORS RECEIVE TWO PERCENT (2%) INCREASE IN SALARIES FOR
THE 2019-2020 SCHOOL YEAR
Motion by Mitchell, second by Scates that Amy Atteberry, Washington Attendance Center principal; Dr. Amy Dixon, Lincoln and Jefferson Attendance Centers Principal; Bart King, Junior High Principal/High School Assistant Principal; Jarrod Newell, High School Principal; and Kathy Price, Brownsville Attendance Center Principal receive a two percent (2%) in their salaries for the 2019-2020 school year. Roll call vote: Mitchell, yes; Scates, yes; Chapman, yes; Fulkerson, yes; Hammell, yes; Hoskins, yes; Acord, yes. Motion carried.
ADJOURN
Motion by Chapman, second by Hoskins, that the meeting be adjourned at 9:26 p.m.
Motion carried by unanimous vote.
http://www.carmischools.org/images/pdf/minutes/novmin.pdf
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