Galatia Community Unit School District No. 1 Board of Education met Oct. 18.
Here are 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 Annex. Roll call was taken, and those present were Tim Pribble, Joy Richey, Bryan McCabe, B.J. Pigg, and Holly Murphy. Aaron Allen and Elaine Jackson 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. Also present: Superintendent, Shain Crank, HS Principal, Ashley Launius, and Recording Secretary, Michele Hankins. This meeting was during the COVID-19 pandemic.
VISITORS:
There were no visitors.
ADDITIONS TO AGENDA:
Senior Trip
APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA:
1. A motion was made by McCabe and seconded by Richey to approve the budget hearing minutes and regular meeting minutes of September 23, 202 I. Murphy-aye, Pribble-aye, Richey-aye, Pigg-aye, and McCabe-aye. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.
2. A motion was made by McCabe and seconded by Murphy to approve the bills and payroll as presented. Pigg-aye, Murphy-aye, Pribble-aye, McCabe-aye, and Richey-aye. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.
3. A motion was made by Pribble and seconded by Richey to approve the treasurer's report and co-mingled account as presented. McCabe-aye, Murphy-aye, Pigg-aye, Pribble-aye, and Richey-aye. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.
OLD BUSINESS:
There was no old business.
NEW BUSINESS:
Senior Trip
The Senior class has been discussing possible destinations for their senior trip this year. The Administration recommended the senior sponsors pick some place within driving distance because air travel is not a great idea at the moment, due to possible vaccination mandates. A charter bus for a 10-hour destination of four days is $6,500 plus mileage. A charter bus for a 13-hour destination for four days is $8,400 plus mileage. The Senior class has $5,106 in their account, and the Senior parent group has $10,000. The sponsors wanted more direction in planning the trip. It was agreed that the sponsors would have the class pick out 3 locations. They would discuss the pros and cons of each trip, send out information for parents' input, and then let the students vote to decide.
Set Tax Levy Hearing Date
Mr. Crank presented a tax levy for the 2021 calendar year. There were no recommended increases in tort, IMRF, or other line items where we could ask for a particular amount of money.
4. A motion was made by McCabe and seconded by Pigg to set the tax levy hearing on November 18, 2021, at 7:00 p.m. Murphy-aye, McCabe-aye, Richey-aye, Pigg-aye, and Pribble-aye. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.
There needs to be an inter-fund transfer from the working cash fund to bonds and interest fund of$280,000 due to the collection of the 2020 real estate taxes payable FY21/22, not being received. The bonds and interest payment of $280,652.50 is due. There was also discussion on the settlement of the past taxes due from American Coal Co. Once we have received the real estate taxes, we will have to pay the past two years Working Cash Resolutions in full ($142,006). We will be short approximately $113,000. The only way to repay the working cash within the guidelines of school funding would be to transfer working cash interest or use evidence-based funding. It was agreed to use working cash interest. From FY06 to September 202 I the total interest would be $113,909. This transaction of funds will be done with a resolution and after receiving all real estate tax payments that we are going to get.
Approve Elementary Roof Repairs
5. A motion was made by Pribble and seconded by McCabe to approve Vaughn Roofing, Inc. to repair the roof on the upper west section of the elementary school at a cost of $1,140. McCabe-aye, Murphy-aye, Richey-aye, Pigg-aye, and Pribble-aye. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.
Working Cash/Bond & Interest Resolution
6. A motion was made by Pribble and seconded by McCabe to approve a resolution to transfer $280,000 from the working cash fund to bonds & interest fund. Funds are to be paid back with the collection ofreal estate taxes. Murphy-aye, Pigg-aye, McCabe-aye, Richey-aye, and Pribble-aye. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.
Middle School Model
Mrs. Launius and Mrs. Kelsi Love, school counselor, have worked on the Middle School Master Schedule. The schedule does work and there will be enough classrooms. Mr. Vinyard did agree to take his prep time to have a P.E. class. There was a meeting of teachers, and they were in agreement with the middle school model. The Board suggested making an announcement to inform the school parents so that if they have questions or comments they can talk with an administrator.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
TRANSPORTATION:
Activity Bus: The new activity bus is here. The new yellow bus is waiting on a microchip.
Bus #23: Bus #23 was traded in on the new activity bus.
Bus Drivers: A temp agency has been contacted and there are no bus drivers available. Robinson Transport has agreed to help us out for one week in November to cover a route when one of our bus drivers is off. Mr. Crank will check and see if there is a possibility that Robinson Transport can help out with an extra route and extracurricular events.
ESSER III- Last month the board approved ordering another activity bus when the funds were approved. We were denied the use of funds for an activity bus, we were able to use the funds to help fund some of our current expenditures in education. The Board agreed to purchase an activity bus with transportation funds.
BUILDING & GROUNDS REPORT:
Pre-K Parking Lot: The Pre-K parking lot has new lights installed.
TIM PRIBBLE, PRESIDENT
Playground: Our equipment is in Chicago; we should get it soon.
H.E. Mitchell: The high school electric and groundwork for the future bus barn will start after the beans are out of the field.
School Maintenance Program Grant (SMPG): The SMPG has been approved for $50,000 for the high school roof.
ATHLETICS:
Softball Field Lights: Mr. Bryan McCabe has been working on a grant and funding for the softball field lights.
The cost of the project is approximately $160,000, to be paid with fundraising.
Baseball Field Scoreboard: The cost of a new scoreboard is $4,380. It was suggested to fundraise for the baseball scoreboard.
NHFS: The network is set up and being used. For a subscription of $10.99 a month or $69.99 for the year, you can watch all of the Galatia school athletic games in both gyms. To subscribe go to https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/subscribe.
PRINCIPAL REPORT:
Homecoming Week: Homecoming and Red and White events will be next week. There will be a cakewalk, meal, Alumni game, and scrimmages. November 5th will be the Red & White night and November 6th is Homecoming.
There will be a tent sat up outside for the dance. The students took a survey and 61 % wanted the dance outside so they wouldn't have to wear masks.
SUPERINTENDENT REPORT:
There was clarification for the bookkeeper on which individuals the district should send flowers to for employee family deaths. It was agreed for the staffs direct family members: mom, dad, spouse, and children. It was decided to send a stepping stone or wind chimes in place of flowers with a cost up to $100.00.
Teacher Education Programs (TEP): Mr. Crank has signed up for the TEP program at SIU. Hopefully, this might help us to employ some graduates.
Wabash Ohio Valley Special Education Board (WOVSED): Mr. Crank will be on the WOVSED board.
Elementary & Secondary Relief-Digital Equity Grant: We have been approved for $40,066.
Covid: Our COVID-related absences have greatly reduced. This in part to a lower number of positive cases and the test to stay we implemented.
Therapy Dog: Therapy dogs have been shown to decrease anxiety and stress levels, help children learn social skills, and help young readers gain confidence. We have several students experiencing high-levels of anxiety. A therapy dog's average cost is $6,000 and takes 18 months to receive. Mr. Crank has a dog who has had training and is a potential candidate to become a therapy dog for the cost of$3,800. The training will take approximately two months to complete. SIT of Southern Illinois will train, and if they do not feel that the dog will make a good therapy dog, the training will stop. There is a good chance the cost can be put through an ESSER grant. Mr. Crank wanted to reassure the board that the training was for the benefit of students at Galatia, not simply getting his personal dog trained. He additionally stated if the board saw this as only self-serving, he would prefer they take a different direction. Mr. Crank will take full financial responsibility for the care of the dog. The board agreed to proceed in the process of training Mr. Crank's dog.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): Our district had 88% of our students fill out a FAFSA form.
That is the highest percentage in our area schools.
Fire Drill: We received an email from the Galatia Mayor, Steve Sloan, on behalf of the Village that stated he was very proud of our schools with regard to the fire drills and the appearance of the school.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
7. A motion was made by Pribble and seconded by Pigg to enter Executive Session at 8:20 p.m. McCabe-aye, Murphy-aye, Pribble-aye, Richey-aye, and Pigg-aye. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.
8. A motion was made by Pribble and seconded by McCabe to end Executive Session at.8:40 p.m. Pigg-aye,
Murphy-aye, Pribble-aye, Richey-aye, and McCabe-aye. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.
9. A motion was made by Pribble and seconded by Pigg to approve the Executive Session minutes. Murphy-aye, Pribble-aye, Pigg-aye, Richey-aye, and McCabe-aye. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.
Resignation
10. A motion was made by Murphy and seconded by McCabe to accept Angela Riddle's letter of resignation as the school nurse, effective December 31, 2021. Richey-aye, Pigg-aye, Pribble-aye, Murphy-aye, and McCabe-aye. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.
Resignation
11. A motion was made by Richey and seconded by Murphy to accept Merlina Pritchett's letter of resignation effective October I, 2021. Pribble-aye, Richey-aye, Murphy-aye, Pigg-aye, and McCabe-aye. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.
Nurse
12. A motion was made by Richey and seconded by McCabe to employ Angela Shires, RN, as a school nurse for $24.00/hr., based on 185 days, to start in December 2021, pending a background check. Murphy-aye, Pigg-aye, McCabe-aye, Richey-aye, and Pribble-aye. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.
ADJOURNMENT:
13. A motion was made by Richey and seconded by McCabe to adjourn at 8:56 p.m. Murphy-aye, Pribble-aye, Richey-aye, Pigg-aye, and McCabe-aye. Five (5) ayes, motion carried.
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