Carmi-White County Community Unit District No. 5 Board of Education met Oct. 18.
Here are 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 at the Carmi-White County Junior/Senior High School cafeteria. The meeting was called to order by President Pete Fulkerson at 7:00 p.m.
RECITAL OF PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all present.
Those present were board members Ackerman, Acord, Fulkerson, Hammell, Mitchell, Scates, and Westfall. Others present were Superintendent Brad Lee; Amy Atteberry, Washington Attendance Center principal; Dr. Amy Dixon, Lincoln and Jefferson Attendance Centers principal; Bart King, junior high school principal; Jarrod Newell, high school principal; Kathy Price, Brownsville principal; Lacey Moore, elementary dean of students; Todd Haley, junior/senior high school dean of students; Stacy Simon, High School Booster Club; Jerry Williams, inductee into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association of Hall of Fame, as a Friend of Basketball; Tom Crabtree, Stifel, Nicolaus and Company; Rod Wright, Creative Entourage; Rachel Blazier, unit secretary; Scott Mareing (WROY), Len Wells (The Carmi Chronicle) and Robert Beskow, Carmi Hometown Register.
Others present were Officer David Agee, Ryan Evans, Kenneth Jordan, Minerva Lovell, Carla Smith, and Kailey Smith.
Board President Fulkerson reiterated that all attendees at tonight’s board meeting must wear a mask and will be required to social distance for the duration of the meeting.
CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS APPROVED
Consent agenda items were presented to the board for its approval as follows:
1. Minutes of the September 20, 2021 regular board meeting of the board of education.
2. Retirement
Karen Upton has submitted a letter of retirement as a Cook at Lincoln Attendance Center at the end of the 2021-2022 school year.
It was recommended that the board accept the letter of retirement of Karen Upton as a Cook at Lincoln Attendance Center effective at the end of the 2021-2022 school year.
3. Resignations
Alyson Glaser has submitted a letter of resignation as a Special Education Classroom Aide at Lincoln Attendance Center effective October 1, 2021.
Jeremiah Downen has submitted a letter of resignation as a Building Custodian at Carmi-White County Junior/Senior High School effective October 8, 2021.
It was recommended that the board accept the letter of resignation of Alyson Glaser as a Special Education Classroom Aide at Lincoln Attendance Center effective October 1, 2021 and the letter of resignation of Jeremiah Downen as a Building Custodian at Carmi-White County Junior/Senior High School effective October 8, 2021.
5. Donations
Lincoln Attendance Center has been the recipient of the following donations in support of its program:
First Christian Church. ........................................$100.00
Ganath and Christopher Lucas .............................$30.00
TOTAL DONATIONS ...........................................$130.00
Brownsville Attendance Center has been the recipient of the following donation in support of its programs:
First Christian Church
Living Proof SS Class. ........................................$100.00
TOTAL DONATION .............................................$100.00
Motion by Acord, second by Scates, that the recommendations for consent agenda items as follows:
1. Minutes of September 20, 2021 regular board meeting
2. Retirement
3. Resignations
4. Donations
be approved. Roll call vote: Acord, yes; Hammell, yes; Mitchell, yes; Scates, yes; Westfall, yes; Ackerman, yes; Fulkerson, yes. Motion carried.
BILLS APPROVED
An additional list of bills was presented to the board at the meeting for its consideration and approval.
Motion by Mitchell, second by Hammell, that the bills for the month of September 2021 be approved as listed. Roll call vote: Hammell, yes; Mitchell, yes; Scates, yes; Westfall, yes; Ackerman, yes; Acord, yes; Fulkerson, yes. Motion carried.
TREASURER’S REPORT READ AND APPROVED
The treasurer’s report for the month of September 2021 was read as follows: Education Fund, $7,836,418; Operations/Maintenance Fund, $792,555; Bond & Interest Fund, $521,016; Transportation Fund, $510,748; IMRF/SS Fund, $378,946; Capital Projects Fund, $2,278,092; Working Cash Fund, $612,757; Tort Fund, $415,753; and Health Life Safety Fund, $169,110.
During the month of September 2021, the district received $935,766 in the Education Fund, $34,975 in Title, $163,487 in local taxes, and $79,860 in the 1% Sales Tax Fund – for a total of $1,214,088 in receipts for the month.
Motion by Hammell, second by Acord, that the treasurer’s report for the month of September 2021 be approved as read. Roll call vote: Mitchell, yes; Scates, yes; Westfall, yes; Ackerman, yes; Acord, yes; Hammell, yes; Fulkerson, yes. Motion carried.
FACILITIES AND FUNDING DISCUSSION
In November of 2019, the district completed Open Houses at its three elementary buildings. The “Building Pride for Future Bulldogs” Committee put a lot of work into the community engagement process. Considerable time and energy was devoted to developing plans for improving district school buildings.
It was decided in May of 2020 that due to the COVID crises and the declining economy that further considerations of building a new elementary school or renovating the three older buildings be put on hold. The existing building concerns have not gone away, and the board needs to determine if it would like to revisit the district’s facilities and funding options.
Tom Crabtree representing Stifel, Nicolaus and Company; and Rod Wright, representing Creative Entourage; attended tonight’s board meeting. Both gentlemen were involved with the previous facility planning, community engagement, and funding option discussions.
Mr. Crabtree presented a bond update discussion with the board. He stated that the first thing to look at is the general state of the district’s outstanding debt. Most important to look at is the “Next Call” date of 12/01/2021 at 100% for the outstanding Series 2011 bonds. This is the time to either pay off or refinance these bonds without any mathematical penalties. The district would acquire significant cost savings to refinance current bonds or to combine current bonds with any new bonds.
The district has a debt limit of $23,016,945 (minus Outstanding Debt of $4,605,000) for a total of $18,411,945. The debt capacity is the maximum legal borrowing limit according to Illinois Statutory provisions.
Mr. Ryan Evans, attendee of the meeting, stated that he 100% supports a new district school building, but asked what would be done with the vacant properties that would be replaced. Mr. Crabtree answered that architects would present cost of building, demolishing vacant structures, and appropriate uses of available funds. Mr. Evans asked if any federal people had been approached regarding funding of a new school building. Mr. Crabtree answered that due to ESSER I, II and III, they know that side of the equation already and don’t have any reason to believe that additional federal dollars will be available. Board Member Acord told Mr. Evans that he has been in contact with a demolition company about the potential demolishing of vacant buildings. Mr. Ryan asked about the increase in property taxes. Superintendent Lee explained to Mr. Evans that prior to November 2019, the district had formed a facilities committee, had held three different open houses at the elementary buildings enabling the public to view the buildings and ask questions to the architects, Mr. Crabtree and Mr. Wright.
Mr. Crabtree discussed the district’s levy information and how to allocate going forward. He discussed the use of County School Facility Sales Tax with no growth to EAV and with 1% growth to EAV. Mr. Crabtree then discussed property tax supported bonds (assuming legislative exception for debt).
Mr. Wright presented a layout of his suggested approach: Reactivate Building Pride in Future Bulldogs Facilitating Team (Oct.-Dec. 2021), Develop Options Including Benefits and Cost (Oct.-Dec. 2021), 2nd Round of Engagement – Grading Criteria Followed by Evaluation of Options (Jan.-May 2022), Consensus Reached on Facility Improvement Plan (May 2022) and Report to Board of Education (May-Jun 2022).
Mr. Ryan said that these were great presentations tonight but does not feel that all the residents in White County are being reached. Board Member Acord and Superintendent Lee explained the process that the Facilities Committee followed during the original process.
PUBLIC COMMUNICATION WITH THE BOARD
Board President Fulkerson instructed all attendees that would be addressing the board tonight to give their name and that comments would be limited to five minutes per person. He also reminded the audience that public comments concerning personnel of the district should be made in closed session of the board.
Minerva Lovell asked the board what was the difference between wearing face masks and the desk shields that were at some of the buildings, why the desk shields were not at all of the school buildings, and how much was spent on the desk shields. Ms. Lovell asked if COVID dollars were being spent of cleaning measures in the buildings. She addressed students being required to wear face masks during P.E. classes during extreme workouts and with certain amounts of distancing. During recess, students are not wearing masks and there is no distancing.
She would like parents to be allowed the option for their students to use a desk shield. She would like the board to compromise on some of these issues.
Mr. Evans told Board President Fulkerson that he had read his recent article on the treatment that he had received. He said that he appreciates his service and the service from the rest of the board members. He then asked for a moment of silence for Colin Powell who passed away today.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT TO THE BOARD
Superintendent Lee reported the following items to the board:
1. RED RIBBON WEEK
Red Ribbon Week activities will begin October 25 and run through October 29, 2021 in the Carmi-White County Schools. The 2021 theme is “Stronger Together Against Bullying and Drugs”. This special time raises awareness concerning drugs and is coordinated by District Social Workers Leanett Lovell and Ashley Walls.
2. PRINCIPAL APPRECIATION DAY
Principal Appreciation Day will be celebrated this year on Friday, October 29, 2021. This state-endorsed occasion honors the work and commitment of principals, assistant principals, and deans in schools throughout Illinois.
Superintendent Lee thanked district administrators for their dedication to their jobs and the work they do for the district.
3. RECOGNITION
Jerry Williams has been a fixture in Bulldog athletics for many years. He began keeping score for the Lady Bulldog basketball team back in 1992-93 and has been behind the scorer’s table ever since. He has run the clock and kept the scorebook for both the girls’ and boys’ basketball teams and the football team. He and his wife, Virlee, have been devoted fans and have provided invaluable help with the district’s athletic programs over the past thirty plus years. For his dedication, Jerry was nominated for and inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame, as a Friend of Basketball. He was honored at the IBCA’s induction banquet on August 28, 2021 in Bloomington, IL.
Superintendent Lee congratulated and thanked both Jerry and Virlee for their many years of service.
Mr. Williams told the board that it was an honor for him to be inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame as a Friend of Basketball. He thanked the high school for the advertisement with his picture that was included in the directory and asked to display his plaque this year in the basketball display case.
4. BULLDOG BOOSTER CLUB UPDATE
The Carmi-White County High School Booster Club began serving the high school athletic teams during the 1989-90 school year. The Booster Club currently has four officers and five board of directors. They play a huge role in helping support our high school teams, and the district very much appreciates all that they do. This evening Stacy Simon, a representative from the Booster Club, provided the board with an update.
Mrs. Simon thanked Mr. Williams for not only his service to the high school athletics department but his service to the school in general. She reported on the seasonal activities of the Booster Club. During the fall, the Booster Club conducts tailgates at the football games. During basketball season, the Booster Club organizes the CIT, has 50/50 drawings during basketball games, etc. The Booster Club is in the process of organizing a Bulldog Day at Busch Stadium for the spring. The Booster Club has helped the athletic department by hosting banquets, purchasing video programs that coaches use in reviewing games, purchase uniforms, equipment, and supplies and are in the process of paying off the snack bar.
5. GOOD NEWS!
Mr. Newell said that Mr. Williams is an example of what a “fixture” is. In most places, it takes two people to run a basketball scoreboard like the high school has. Mr. Williams does it all. Mr. Newell said that Mrs. Simon has been with the Booster Club for a long time and appreciates all that she does. Mr. Bob Lamp and the FFA donated $8,000.00 to the senior class this year, since this class was not able to hold its fundraiser last year due to COVID. He thanked everyone in the community, the students, and staff for the high school’s wonderful homecoming week. The kids had a great time. He recognized Kaeli Burchfield and Liberty Smith for qualifying for the girls’ state tennis tournament.
Mr. King said that he pulled last year’s end of year reports and due to quarantine and remote learning, 24% of the students had a failing grade. Most of them had multiple failing grades. This year, this number has dropped to 6% and almost all have just one failing grade.
Mrs. Atteberry said that she is happy that her building was able to finish the first nine weeks so successfully and is back to some normalcy. She thanked the White County Historical Society for hosting the recent Pioneer Days. The Pre
Kindergarten class will be going to the pumpkin patch on Friday. She thanked Mr. Williams for being a “Friend of Carmi”.
Mrs. Price reported that the staff and students at Brownsville enjoyed some normalcy working on the school’s float for the Corn Day parade. This week, the school is having a COVID style chili supper with a drive thru Thursday evening. Lots of new activities are planned for Red Ribbon Week.
Mrs. Moore said that Jefferson Attendance Center just had its Family Fun Festival. She said that it was nice to getting back to doing those activities that everyone enjoys. She said that Emily Williams spearheaded this event.
Dr. Dixon congratulated and thanked Mr. Williams. Lincoln will be celebrating Unity Day on Wednesday by wearing orange. Lincoln’s Halloween Parade is 8:30 a.m. on October 29 and Jefferson’s is at 1:30 p.m. Their Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held on October 21 and 26.
TRANSPORTATION UPDATE
District Transportation Director, Mr. Bart King, gave an update of the district vehicles and the district’s current bus lease agreements. In his 2021-2022 Transportation Report, he recommended:
1. The Board of Education seek bids in 2021-2022 for the purchase of:
1 – White Activity Bus
1 – Multi-Passenger Van (equipped with wheelchair lift) for Brownsville
2. The Board of Education seek bids for the following surplus vehicles in 2021-2022: Bus 24, Bus 30, Mini Bus 17, Mini Bus 19, Suburban 6, Suburban 7, and Van 1
3. The Board of Education approve setting up a bus lease purchase schedule to begin 2022-2023:
2022-2023 – 5 Bus Lease Purchases
2024-2025 – 5 Bus Lease Purchases
2026-2027 – 5 Bus Lease Purchases
The Board of Education approved seeking bids for the purchase of a white activity bus and a multi-passenger van and for the sale of the above listed surplus vehicles.
STATE AND FEDERAL GRANTS
Below is a summary of FY22 state and federal curriculum-related program applications that have been submitted to the state office by the deadline date of June 30, 2021. This agenda item was merely to provide the board with information regarding the district’s state and federal program grants.
Listed beside or below each state or federal program grant is the contact person. The contact person is the administrator/staff responsible for preparing the program applications and submitting various expenditure and evaluation reports during the year in regard to these programs. The efforts of the various program administrators/staff are appreciated.
These grants totaling approximately $2,279,549 provide for significant student opportunities and programs in our district and represents a substantial portion of our district’s total projected education fund revenue. District administrative/staff personnel will work to obtain additional competitive grant funds as there are opportunities available.
FEDERALLY ALLOCATED GRANTS SUBMITTED
Title I (Improving the Academic Achievement of the Disadvantaged) (Huggins)…………………………………………………………...….. $375,000
Title I BCH (Huggins) ........................................................................$45,000
Title II (Teacher Quality) (Huggins) ...................................................$40,000
Administrative Outreach—Medicare (Lee) ........................................$35,000
TAMES—Support Personnel Medicare (Lee) .................................$170,000
Rural & Low Income (Huggins) .........................................................$20,000
Perkins Equipment (Newell) ..............................................................$13,975
CTEI High School Program Improvement (Newell) ...........................$32,000
Ag Supplemental Grant (Newell) .........................................................$1,000
Program of Study Grant (Newell) ........................................................$4,260
Elementary Career Development (Newell) ............................................$950
Emergency Relief Grant II (Lee) ..................................................$1,256,143
STATE REQUEST FOR PROPROSAL (RFP) COMPETITIVE
GRANTS SUBMITTED
Early Childhood Block Grant (Atteberry) ........................................$286,221
CLOSED SESSION
Motion by Scates, second by Acord, that the board meet in closed session at 8:58 p.m. for purposes of discussing appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of an employee or officer and the purchase or lease of real property. Roll call vote: Scates, yes; Westfall, yes; Ackerman, yes; Acord, yes; Hammell, yes; Mitchell, yes; Fulkerson, yes. Motion carried.
Motion by Scates, second by Acord, that the board return to open session at 9:30 p.m. Roll call vote: Ackerman, yes; Acord, yes; Hammell, yes; Mitchell, yes; Scates, yes; Westfall, yes; Fulkerson, yes. Motion carried.
CLOSED SESSION MINUTES APPROVED
Motion by Acord, second by Mitchell, that the board approve closed session minutes of the September 20, 2021 regular meeting of the board of education. Roll call vote: Ackerman, yes; Acord, yes; Hammell, yes; Mitchell, yes; Scates, yes; Westfall, yes; Fulkerson, yes. Motion carried.
JENNY DUNN EMPLOYED AS A FULL-TIME BUILDING CUSTODIAN (PART-TIME AT LINCOLN ATTENDANCE CENTER AND PART-TIME AT JEFFERSON ATTENDANCE CENTER)
Motion by Fulkerson, second by Hammell, that Jenny Dunn be employed as a Full-Time Building Custodian (part-time at Lincoln Attendance Center and part-time at Jefferson Attendance Center) for the 2021-2022 school year to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Charles “Mike” Jordan. Roll call vote: Acord, yes; Hammell, yes; Mitchell, yes; Scates, yes; Westfall, yes; Ackerman, yes; Fulkerson, yes. Motion carried.
ROGER BOLERJACK APPROVED AS A BUILDING VOLUNTEER AT JEFFERSON ATTENDANCE CENTER
Motion by Mitchell, second by Westfall, that Roger Bolerjack be approved as a Building Volunteer at Jefferson Attendance Center for the 2021-2022 school year. Roll call vote: Hammell, yes; Mitchell, yes; Scates, yes; Westfall, yes; Ackerman, yes; Acord, yes; Fulkerson, yes. Motion carried.
BRANDON SMITH, JEREMY BELFORD, AND BRIAN ANDERSON APPROVED AS HIGH SCHOOL VOLUNTEER ASSISTANT WRESTLING COACHES
Motion by Acord, second by Fulkerson, that Brandon Smith, Jeremy Belford, and Brian Anderson, be approved as High School Volunteer Assistant Wrestling Coaches for the 2021- 2022 school year. Roll call vote: Mitchell, yes; Scates, yes; Westfall, yes; Ackerman, yes; Acord, yes; Hammell, yes; Fulkerson, yes. Motion carried.
KAYLA SUTTON AND CARLIN SMOCK APPROVED AS HIGH SCHOOL VOLUNTEER ASSISTANT GIRLS’ BASKETBALL COACHES
Motion by Westfall, second by Mitchell, that Kayla Sutton and Carlin Smock be approved as High School Volunteer Assistant Girls’ Basketball Coaches for the 2021-2022 school year. Roll call vote: Scates, yes; Westfall, yes; Ackerman, yes; Acord, yes; Hammell, yes; Mitchell, yes; Fulkerson, yes. Motion carried.
ADJOURN
Motion by Scates, second by Acord, that the meeting be adjourned at 9:36 p.m. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1631719/October_18__2021_-_Regular.pdf
Alerts Sign-up