Carrier Mills-Stonefort Unit #2 Board of Education met Nov. 21.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
I) Call to Order by: Mrs. Rhonda Felty at 6:49 p.m.
II) Roll Call by: Mr. Clay Nolen
Present: Charles Burnham, Rhonda Felty, Ryan Lewis, Clay Nolen, and Kassi Reeves.
Absent: Isaac Craig and Scott Figg.
III) Recognition of Visitors: None.
IV) Approve Consent Agenda: Motion by Mr. Lewis, 2nd by Mrs. Reeves.
Roll Call By: Mr. Nolen
Aye: Mr. Burnham, Mrs. Felty, Mr. Lewis, Mr. Nolen, and Mrs. Reeves.
Nay: None.
Absent: Mr. Craig and Mr. Figg.
V) Reports
A) High School Principal Report – Mr. Jerrell
Mr. Jerrell updated the Board on the change in our electric bill and our new electric provider from over the summer. We received our September bill from ENGIE and it was $3,925.37 and the October bill was $2,045.52. Hopefully, this is a sign that electric prices are beginning to level out.
In teacher news, Mr. Jerrell reported that the first round of teacher observations have now been completed and he will now begin the second round of formal observations.
In student news, the Cross Country season ended at the Regional Meet. The Volleyball season came to an end in the Regional Championship game. The Lady Wildcats finished the year with a 27-7 record (last year they were 23-6). Three of their losses came to the team that won 3rd Place in the IHSA State Volleyball Tournament last week.
In PBIS news, the third PBIS Event of the year was completed on October 28. Homeroom Challenge #3: The Cornhole Tournament took place in the morning. The Sophomore Class (Eisenhauer’s Giant Killers; Nate Shafer & Carson VanDyke) defeated the Senior Class (Robbie Hadley & Caleb Roski) to win the tournament. The Junior Class (Ethan Nielsen & Lane Boaz) defeated the Freshmen Class (Jaxon Layman & Jaelen Klepinger). The fourth Homeroom Challenge: The Paddleball Tournament, will take place on December 2 at 10:15 am.
Mr. Jerrell then reviewed the Annual Summative Designations that the Grade School and High School received from the Illinois State Board of Education. The federal Every Student Succeeds Act requires all states to implement an accountability system that annually meaningfully differentiates the performance of all public elementary and secondary schools. These annual summative designations recognize schools with strong overall performance across a range of academic and student success indicators and identify schools to be placed in school improvement status.
Illinois has four annual summative designations: Exemplary, Commendable, Targeted, and Comprehensive. Exemplary recognizes the highest performing 10 percent of schools. Comprehensive identifies the lowest performing 5 percent of schools. Targeted identifies schools whose performance is overall above the lowest performing 5 percent of schools, but that have one or more individual student groups whose performance is on par with the lowest performing 5 percent of schools. Commendable identifies all other schools that are above the lowest performing 5 percent of schools, have no individual student groups whose performance is on par with the lowest 5 percent of schools, and is below the highest performing 10 percent of schools. To make a long story short, you are either Exemplary, Commendable, Comprehensive, or Targeted. Both the Grade School and High School received an annual summative designation of Commendable.
B) Grade School Principals Report - Mrs. Kuhlmann
Mrs. Kuhlmann reported that Sonitrol has completed adding FOB entries to the interior front door, cafeteria and kitchen doors, Pre-K entry door, and the 3-4 hallway door. The door prop alarm system was also added to all doors. The window above the gym is leaking and needs to be replaced.
Mrs. Kuhlmann explained that the first round of formal teacher evaluations is completed, and the second round is beginning this week. These should be completed by Thanksgiving break. The building leadership team met on November 2. The team finalized the Veterans program plans and began planning Christmas events. The team also discussed attendance and star incentives. The attendance incentive will be the never been absent (NBA) table for each month. This will begin in January. The star testing incentive will be donuts in December. Any student who tests on Star Math and Reading on level or improves his or her score will get a donut on December 19.
In PBIS news, Mrs. Kuhlmann reported that the students enjoyed the annual PBIS Hayride on October 21. The weather was beautiful for the hayride around Sahara Lake. PBIS for the month of November for grades 6-8 was the Homecoming Dance on November 5. Grades PK-5 will have a scooter tag competition on November 17.
Also, Mrs. Kuhlmann reported that Parent Teacher Conferences were held on October 18 and 20. Approximately 280 students had a parent in attendance at the conferences. During this week, students also enjoyed the book fair in the library. Students had a class competition for the All for Books Campaign. Each class donated money to the library with over $500 collected to buy books for the library and each teacher’s classroom. The pep rally for the first home basketball game was held on October 18. Students were able to see the newly purchased wildcat costume at the pep rally. The costume was purchased by PTO, junior high student council, and the grade school concession fund. 8th grade students had tryouts, and a few were selected to wear the costume at all home games. October 21 was fire prevention day. Pre-K and kindergarten students took a walking field trip to the fire station and fire fighters spoke to students about fire prevention. This was also the day for the fire department led fire drill. Students had a Halloween costume contest and parade, as well as their classroom parties on October 28. The veteran’s day program was held on Thursday, November 10. Many veterans were in attendance to enjoy the students singing, as well as introductions from our junior high students and the national anthem sang by the junior high and high school choirs. Veterans and one guest were then treated to lunch at the First United Methodist Church. The barbeque lunch was catered by Jim Ellis and paid for by local churches.
VI) Action Items
A) To approve the Tax Levy 2022 Payable 2023.
Mr. Jerrell went through the tax levy process with the Board. He explained that school districts receiving funding from three sources: 1) Local Property Taxes, 2) State Funding, and 3) Federal Funding. The most reliable source of funding every year for any school district is property tax money. Mr. Jerrell gave a list of the actual tax rates over the past several years and explained that we have typically tried to keep the rate between 4.6-4.9. Last year, although our tax rate was set at 4.7926, the EAV went up, so our actual rate went down to 4.6276. This year, the rate will be set at 4.8156.
Motion: To approve the Tax Levy 2022 Payable 2023.
Motion by Mr. Lewis, 2nd by Mrs. Reeves.
Roll Call By: Mr. Nolen
Aye: Mr. Burnham, Mrs. Felty, Mr. Lewis, Mr. Nolen, and Mrs. Reeves.
Nay: None.
Absent: Mr. Craig and Mr. Figg.
B) Approve 2022 Pay 2023 Certificate of Tax Levy and Required Resolution.
Mr. Jerrell explained that once we have approved the Levy, we have to approve the Certificate of Tax Levy and the Required Resolution.
Motion: To approve the 2022 Pay 2023 Certificate of Tax Levy and Required Resolution.
Motion by Mr. Nolen, 2nd by Mr. Lewis.
Roll Call By: Mr. Nolen
Aye: Mr. Burnham, Mrs. Felty, Mr. Lewis, Mr. Nolen, and Mrs. Reeves.
Nay: None.
Absent: Mr. Craig and Mr. Figg.
C) Approve 2022-2023 Seniority List.
Mr. Jerrell explained that we do this each year in November. The teachers are given a seniority list which includes their name, the year they were hired, the year the achieved tenure, the number of years they have been tenured, a list of what they can teach, and their current teaching assignment. The teachers have all examined the list and initialed that the information is correct.
Motion: To approve the 2022-2023 Seniority List.
Motion by Mr. Lewis, 2nd by Mrs. Felty.
Roll Call By: Mr. Nolen
Aye: Mr. Burnham, Mrs. Felty, Mr. Lewis, Mr. Nolen, and Mrs. Reeves.
Nay: None.
Absent: Mr. Craig and Mr. Figg.
D) Approve Updated CMSF High School & Grade School Extra-Curricular Handbooks.
Mr. Jerrell explained that he updated the High School Extra-Curricular Handbook and Mr. Vinyard updated the Grade School Extra-Curricular Handbook.
Motion: To approve the updated CMSF High School & Grade School Extra-Curricular Handbooks.
Motion by Mrs. Reeves, 2nd by Mr. Lewis.
Roll Call By: Mr. Nolen
Aye: Mr. Burnham, Mrs. Felty, Mr. Lewis, Mr. Nolen, and Mrs. Reeves.
Nay: None.
Absent: Mr. Craig and Mr. Figg.
VII) Non Action Items
A) Upcoming Retirements/Positions Available within the District.
Mr. Jerrell reviewed the upcoming retirements within the district. We have no one retiring at the end of the 2022-2023 school year. At the end of the 2023-2024 school year, Mrs. Tami Stone, Mrs. Tami Hancock, Mrs. Kathy Mathews, and Mrs. Lori Nolen will all retire. This means we will need a 2nd Grade teacher, a 5th Grade teacher, a Special Education teacher, and a Full Time Cook for the start of the 2024-2025 school year. Looking ahead, we have no one retiring at the end of the 2024-2025 school year, but Mrs. Cindy Simmons and Mr. Gary Ryan will retire at the end of the 2025-2026 school year, and Mrs. Julie Emery will retire at the end of the 2026-2027 school year.
B) Next Board Meeting: Monday, December 19, 2022 at 7:00 pm.
Mr. Jerrell reminded the Board that the next School Board meeting will be held on the third Monday in December. We will have our Board Christmas Dinner from 5:30-7:00 at the Grade School and then the Board Meeting will follow at 7:00 pm.
VIII) Closed Session
Closed Session
Motion to move to closed session at 7:01 pm for #1, 2, 9, 10, and 14 from the closed meetings act (see attached) by Mr. Lewis, 2nd by Mrs. Reeves.
Roll Call By: Mr. Nolen
Aye: Mr. Burnham, Mrs. Felty, Mr. Lewis, Mr. Nolen, and Mrs. Reeves.
Nay: None.
Absent: Mr. Craig and Mr. Figg.
Move to Closed Session Minutes
Motion to return to open session at 7:41 pm by Mrs. Reeves, 2nd by Mr. Burnham.
Roll Call By: Mr. Nolen
Aye: Mr. Burnham, Mrs. Felty, Mr. Lewis, Mr. Nolen, and Mrs. Reeves.
Nay: None.
Absent: Mr. Craig and Mr. Figg.
Motion to approve the closed meeting minutes as read by Mr. Lewis, 2nd by Mrs. Reeves.
Roll Call By: Mr. Nolen
Aye: Mr. Burnham, Mrs. Felty, Mr. Lewis, Mr. Nolen, and Mrs. Reeves.
Nay: None.
Absent: Mr. Craig and Mr. Figg.
IX) Action on Closed Session Items
A) Motion: Tabled the Motion to accept a resignation since no one resigned this month.
B) Motion: To hire Mr. Cliff Dombrow as the 5th & 6th Grade Basketball Coach.
Motion by Mr. Nolen, 2nd by Mr. Lewis.
Roll Call By: Mr. Nolen
Aye: Mr. Burnham, Mrs. Felty, Mr. Lewis, Mr. Nolen, and Mrs. Reeves.
Nay: None.
Absent: Mr. Craig and Mr. Figg.
X) Adjourn
Motion: To Adjourn at 7:44 p.m. by Mrs. Reeves, 2nd by Mr. Lewis.
Voice Vote: All approved Motion Passed
https://www.cmsfcats.org/documents/board-documents/board-minutes/minutes-2022-2023/364804
Alerts Sign-up