Carmi-White County Community Unit District No. 5 Board of Education met Nov. 15.
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 7:01 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
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, Jefferson and Lincoln Attendance Centers principal; Bart King, junior high school principal; Jarrod Newell, high school principal; Kathy Price, Brownsville Attendance Center Principal; Lacey Moore, Elementary Dean of Students; Todd Haley, Junior/Senior High School Dean of Students; Corey Ackerman, CWCEA President; Tim Buss, Executive Search Consultant with IASB; Rachel Blazier, unit administrative assistant; Scott Mareing (WROY); and Len Wells (The Carmi Chronicle).
Others present were Jeff Given, Minerva Lovell, Carla Smith and Donald Smith.
CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS APPROVED
Consent agenda items were presented to the board for its approval as follows:
1. Minutes of the October 18, 2021 regular board meeting.
2. Resignations
Wesley Tyner has submitted a letter of resignation as a Building Custodian at the Washington Attendance Center effective October 29, 2021.
Shannon Webb has submitted a letter of resignation as the Carmi-White County Junior High School Assistant Volleyball Coach effective immediately.
Amanda Buttry has submitted a letter of resignation as the Building Secretary at Lincoln Attendance Center effective November 29, 2021.
It was recommended that the board of education accept the letter of resignation of Wesley Tyner as a Building Custodian at Washington Attendance Center effective October 29, 2021, accept the letter of resignation of Shannon Webb as the Carmi-White County Junior High School Assistant Volleyball Coach effective immediately, and accept the letter of resignation of Amanda Buttry as the Building Secretary at Lincoln Attendance Center effective November 29, 2021.
3. Donations
Brownsville Attendance Center has been the recipient of the following donation in support of its program:
Hawthorne HCE
c/o Joy Hoffman ..............................................$25.00
Joe and Kay Kimmell ....................................$200.00
Lelan C. Jr. and Rhonda Russell ...............$2,500.00
Janice Gates .................................................$300.00
Ross or Alice Hering .......................................$50.00
Brett and Tricia Hering ................................. $100.00
Carmi-White County High School FFA ....... .$690.00
Janet Woolsey ................................................$50.00
TOTAL DONATIONS .................................$3,915.00
In line with board policy, it was recommended that the board of education accept the donations noted above.
Motion by Acord, second by Hammell, that recommendations for consent agenda items as follows:
1. Minutes of October 18, 2021 regular board meeting
2. Resignations
3. 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 of education for its consideration and approval.
Motion by Mitchell, second by Scates, that the bills for the month of October 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 October 2021 was read as follows: Education Fund, $7,674,934; Operations/Maintenance Fund, $735,415; Bond & Interest Fund, $549,679;
Transportation Fund, $548,797; IMRF/SS Fund, $315,175; Capital Projects Fund, $2,333,844; Working Cash Fund, $612,884; Tort Fund, $387,912; and Health Life Safety Fund, $169,145.
Superintendent Lee provided board members a breakdown of revenue for October 2021 by fund account. In October 2021, the Education Fund received $887,093, Corporate Replacement Tax received $168,830, and 1% Sales Tax received $85,698. Total revenue for October 2021 was $1,141,620.
Motion by Hammell, second by Acord, that the treasurer’s report for the month of October 2021 be approved as read. Roll call vote: Mitchell, yes; Scates, yes; Westfall, yes; Ackerman, yes; Acord, yes; Hammell, yes; Fulkerson, yes. Motion carried.
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 addressed the board regarding her daughter receiving unexcused absences because the student would not wear a mask at school. Superintendent Lee reiterated that if the student was not going to wear a mask, the student could not come into the school building. He again explained that the district is following the guidelines it has received due to the governor’s mandate regarding mask requirement.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT TO THE BOARD
Superintendent Lee reported the following items to the board:
1. PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES
Once again this year, parent/teacher conferences were held during October. We appreciate the extra efforts by our staff to conduct the conferences this year and give parents and guardians the opportunity to talk with their child’s teacher(s).
2. FALL ATHLETICS
This fall our student athletes were able to compete in boys’/girls’ cross country, football, boys’/girls’ golf, girls’ tennis and volleyball. The fall school sports seasons are officially completed. Congratulations to all of the fall athletic teams and coaches for their efforts and positive representation of the district. Congratulations to the girls’ volleyball team for winning the regional. This is the first time they have advanced to sectionals in forty-four years. Also congratulations to the football team for advancing to the playoffs with a 6-3 record. This is the first time they have qualified for the playoffs since 2017.
3. ANNUAL AUDIT
Dartt & Company LLC will be at the December 13 board meeting to review the 2020- 2021 audit.
4. SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS DAY
Each year November 15 is recognized as “School Board Members Day” in Illinois. This day was to recognize these public servants for their commitment and contributions. I would like to thank Unit #5 board members for your service and dedication to our schools and community.
5. THANKSGIVING BREAK
Students and staff will not be in attendance on November 24-26 for Thanksgiving Break.
6. FALL PLAY
The fall play, “Aladdin”, will be performed by the CWCHS Fine Arts Department on Friday, November 19 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, November 20 at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
7. GOOD NEWS!
Dr. Dixon reported that the kindergarten staff is preparing for the kindergarten feast at Lincoln Attendance Center. The cafeteria is transformed into a traditional feast for the students. At Jefferson Attendance Center, Mr. Will Knight was awarded the regional 2021 McDonald’s Educator of the Year. Staff at Jefferson received a free breakfast from McDonald’s for a week. She said that she appreciates McDonald’s support of the district. Dr. Dixon said that she appreciates the board for allowing them to continue the growth of its support team in recent years by adding a Special Education Coordinator, two interventionists, and an additional social worker.
Mrs. Price said that Brownsville Attendance Center celebrated Veteran’s Day last week with a virtual guest speaker, a retired marine, who shared some of his experiences. She said that the students at Brownsville are a blessing to the people that come into the building. She said that the school is getting ready for a Thanksgiving feast on Wednesday. They will be taking two classes at a time into the gym for a Thanksgiving feast.
Mrs. Atteberry said that Washington Attendance Center finished up its Sweats for Vets last week and received 1,279 items to be delivered to the VA Hospital. She thanked Amy Whitley for spear heading this program each year along with the Carmi Elks. She said that Rachel McGarrh donated her time last week and spoke to the students for Veteran’s Day. She joined the armed forces looking for a better life. She is an asset to the community.
Mr. King said that the junior high school is almost back to normal with its daily attendance average. On November 23 of each year, the student council goes to a homeless center in Evansville and works in a soup kitchen. He wanted to thank Leanett Lovell and Beth Conner for the work that they do with the PAWS program, which helps to provide Christmas items to students in need.
Mr. Newell said that the high school is at the half way point of the second quarter, and they have seen a great improvement of students with passing grades. The students have been involved in a “Change War” to bring awareness to breast cancer. Proceeds will be donated to the Lueke family.
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ABATEMENT OF BOND LEVY
To date, the district has received sixty 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 $635,951 was received from the 1% tax for the past twelve months, therefore, Mr. Lee requested that the board pass a resolution abating $214,120 of the General Obligation School Refunding Bonds Series 2011.
Motion by Acord, second by Scates, that the board pass a Resolution Authorizing Abatement of Bond Levy for bond issue in levy year 2021 by the total amount of Two Hundred Fourteen Thousand One Hundred Twenty Dollars ($214,120.00). Roll call vote: Scates, yes; Westfall, yes; Ackerman, yes; Acord, yes; Hammell, yes; Mitchell, yes; Fulkerson, yes. Motion carried.
PRELIMINARY REVIEW OF NEXT YEAR’S TAX LEVY
Attached is a prospective levy for 2021. This levy is against the property values of 2021. It will be extended in the summer of 2022, and the district will spend the money during the 2022- 2023 school year beginning July 1, 2022.
A number of our 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 we set as a levy, we 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, Superintendent Lee recommend that the board base its levy on a projected EAV of $175,239,755. The final projected total tax rate of 3.754 is lower than the 2020 tax rate of 3.822. 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 | $3,522,319 |
| Building Fund | $876,199 |
| Transportation Fund | $350,480 |
| Working Cash Fund | $87,620 |
| IMRF | $280,000 |
| Social Security | $280,000 |
| Fire/Life Safety | $87,620 |
| Tort Immunity | $700,000 |
| Special Education | $70,096 |
| Debt Service | $325,568 |
| TOTAL | $6,579,902 |
It was recommended that the board review the prospective levy and set the official levy hearing for the December board meeting.
Motion by Mitchell, second by Scates, that a levy be set for the regular December meeting of the Board of Education. Roll call vote: Westfall, yes; Ackerman, yes; Acord, yes; Hammell, yes; Mitchell, yes; Scates, yes; Fulkerson, yes. Motion carried.
VEHICLE BIDS
At the district’s October 18, 2021 board of education meeting, the board authorized the administration to seek bids for the sale of one (1) 65 passenger school bus, one (1) 71 passenger school bus, one (1) 13 passenger mini school bus w/lift, one (1) 23 passenger mini school bus, two (2) 9 passenger suburbans, and one (1) 6 passenger van. One company submitted an overall bid for all vehicles at $4,656.00. After review of the bid, it was recommended that the board accept the overall bid of Johnson Truck Sales in the amount of $4,656.00. The recap of the bus bid was included for the board’s review and is attached to these minutes.
Motion by Hammell, second by Fulkerson, that the board of education accept the overall bid of Johnson Truck Sales in the amount of $4,656.00 for the sale of one (1) 65 passenger school bus, one (1) 71 passenger school bus, one (1) 13 passenger mini school bus w/lift, one (1) 23 passenger mini school bus, two (2) 9 passenger suburbans, and one (1) 6 passenger van. Roll call vote: Ackerman, yes; Acord, yes; Hammell, yes; Mitchell, yes; Scates, yes; Westfall, yes; Fulkerson, yes. Motion carried.
CLOSED SESSION
Motion by Acord, second by Scates, that the board meet in closed session at 7:36 p.m. for purposes of discussing the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of an employee or officer and the purchase or lease of real property. Roll call vote: Acord, yes; Hammell, yes; Mitchell, yes; Scates, yes; Westfall, yes; Ackerman, yes; Fulkerson, yes. Motion carried.
Motion by Scates, second by Acord, that the board return to open session at 10:34 p.m. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
CLOSED SESSION MINUTES APPROVED
Motion by Scates, second by Acord, that the board approve closed session minutes of the October 18, 2021 regular meeting of the board of education. Roll call vote: Mitchell, yes; Scates, yes; Westfall, yes; Ackerman, yes; Acord, yes; Hammell, yes; Fulkerson, yes. Motion carried.
KELSEY SLAY EMPLOYED AS 5TH GRADE GIRLS’ BASKETBALL COACH
Motion by Mitchell, second by Westfall, that Kelsey Slay be employed as the 5th Grade Girls’ Basketball Coach for the 2021-2022 school year to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Andy Acord. Roll call vote: Scates, yes; Westfall, yes; Ackerman, yes; Acord, yes; Hammell, yes; Mitchell, yes; Fulkerson, yes. Motion carried.
BARBARA USSERY-GREENE EMPLOYED AS DISTRICT SCHOOL BUS DRIVER
Motion by Fulkerson, second by Hammell, that Barbara Ussery-Greene be employed as a District School Bus Driver for the 2021-2022 school year to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Lori Taylor. Roll call vote: Westfall, yes; Ackerman, yes; Acord, yes; Hammell, yes; Mitchell, yes; Scates, yes; Fulkerson, yes. Motion carried.
BARBARA USSERY-GREEN EMPLOYED AS NOON STUDENT SUPERVISOR AT JUNIOR/SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Motion by Acord, second by Fulkerson, that Barbara Ussery-Green be employed as a Noon Student Supervisor at Carmi-White County Junior/Senior High School for the 2021-2022 school year to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Jonathan Goemaat. Roll call vote:
Ackerman, yes; Acord, yes; Hammell, yes; Mitchell, yes; Scates, yes; Westfall, yes; Fulkerson, yes. Motion carried.
DISTRICT ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT, UNIT OFFICE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSITANT AND DIRECTOR OF MAINTENANCE RECEIVE INCREASE IN SALARIES FOR THE 2021-2022 SCHOOL YEAR
Motion by Mitchell, second by Scates, to increase the salaries of the District Administrative Assistant, Unit Office Administrative Assistant and the Director of Maintenance. Roll call vote: Acord, yes; Hammell, yes; Mitchell, yes; Scates, yes; Westfall, yes; Ackerman, yes; Fulkerson, yes. Motion carried.
ADMINISTRATORS RECEIVE THREE PERCENT (3%) INCREASE IN SALARIES FOR THE 2021-2022 SCHOOL YEAR
Motion by Scates, second by Westfall, 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 three percent (3%) increase in their salaries 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.
ADJOURN
Motion by Acord, second by Scates, that the meeting be adjourned at 10:38 p.m. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1687755/November_15__2021_-_Regular.pdf
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