CEL board considers student incentives, open positions and board policies

[January 25, 2012]  Speaking on behalf of the PBIS teachers' committees at the Chester-East Lincoln school board meeting Tuesday night, art teacher Greg Hoffert explained recent success celebrations and other reward programs developed to encourage positive activity from the student body. PBIS is an acronym for the Positive Behavior Intervention and Support process. Hoffert's report included results from tracking problem behaviors throughout the day.

A spike in negative behavior most often occurs between noon and 12:30 p.m. It happens while students are lined up for lunch in the cafeteria, on the playground and back in the classroom after lunch. Superintendent Jennifer Hamm said there isn't a large space for students to line up for lunch, and the line winds around the cafeteria. Personal space is limited, and closeness causes conflicts that are almost inevitable.

Mr. Hoffert responded that teachers were implementing "Cool Tools" -- coping behaviors the students could use to consider personal space and respect others. He distributed data to board members and answered questions about the incentive programs under consideration or currently in place.

Karen Beverlin was introduced as the district's new compliance and business manager. She is correcting issues with the new Skyward system and will soon be involved with a routine general state aid audit for fiscal 2009. A full report will be available for the February board meeting.

Superintendent Hamm reported the district gained six new students after the beginning of school in the fall, but another student left, making an actual increase of five students. The equalized assessed value, or EAV, for the district continues to rise, and enrollment decreases or remains stable each year. That combination is the formula for state aid. Last year the district lost $86,000. Current EAV has not been established but is expected to be higher than last year -- leading to what she expects will be another decrease in state aid.

The board received the following for review: tentative calendar for the 2012-2013 school year; updates of Illinois school board policies; information on a summer enrichment program in science, technology, engineering and mathematics for interested CEL students. The superintendent offered options for subsidizing the $109 per child cost for students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunches. The board will consider the material and discuss the program next month. 

Approvals:

• Contract with Picture This, of Lincoln, to take school pictures and create a yearbook at a cost of $7, as opposed to the school's previous asking price of $10. The company will be responsible for the entire production process, eliminating the need for staff members to compile information and produce the yearbook.

• Acceptance of Rita Coleman's resignation from a part-time custodial position.

• Posting a part-time custodial position to hire.

• Posting two substitute bus driver positions.

• Facility usage by Brian Cook Elite Basketball program. In lieu of rental fee, the district will accept program sponsor Nike's offer of equipment. Coaches and staff will be asked to suggest items needed.

Thank-you cards were read from the Frye family, in response to consideration and support from staff, board members and students after the death of the father of a CEL student.

The superintendent asked the board to recognize the efforts of teacher Sue Barker, who sorts, counts and submits to the Box Tops for Education program in order for the school to receive the monetary reward. After the last submission of box tops, the district received a check for $964 in December.

The board adjourned to executive session. No action was taken.

[By MARLA BLAIR]