C-EL ends year in good financial shape

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[June 19, 2015]  LINCOLN - On Tuesday, the Chester-East Lincoln Board of Education held their monthly meeting. This was Jennifer Hamm’s final meeting as principal. Hamm presented the year-end financial state and discussed possible hiring needs.

Board members present were Brandy Splitter, Randy Wolf, Jeff Brooks, Jason Toft, Dwane Morris, Tish Podujanec and Karen Martinez.

The agenda and minutes were approved and then Jennifer Hamm provided a year-end analysis. Hamm said CEL "ended the year well" and noted that it was better than anyone expected. As finances go, there is a surplus of $264,813.44 as the end of the 2015 fiscal year ends, something Hamm cited as "great in this financial climate." She showed the board and attendees a spreadsheet that broke down the finances. In the education fund, there is a surplus of $249,915.28; in operation and maintenance, $13,261.97; in road and interest, $3541.66; in IMRF-50, $2,401.23; and working cash, $13,137.40.

Two areas showed a deficit this year--transportation and total immunity. The transportation deficit, which was $19,879.89, occurred because the school had to purchase a new van and the state of Illinois withheld the last transportation payment. The total immunity fund had a deficit of $9,686.29 due to unanticipated legal fees and negotiations. Hamm noted that CEL is in pretty good shape with a nice little cushion [financially].

Among other business, Hamm stated that there was a 5.31% increase in the general state for fiscal year 2016. She also shared that there is a calendar discrepancy that had not been caught showing May 28th as an attendance day - even after emergency days are used. The school will be one day short of the 180 days of attendance required, which could result in a $2,000 penalty.
Hamm also reported that the school board passed a memo of agreement, but the CEL association has not yet passed it because they want to add an action item that if a teacher transfers to a different grade level, could they have one day of coaching/mentoring with another teacher.
Hamm also brought up scheduling issues stating that a new student's Individualized Education Plan (IEP) will add significant education time to staff and they may need to hire someone to assist. She presented three possible options.

  • Option one would be to leave it as is and hire a certified special education teacher to cover 50% of the day with the one student and the other 50% as a Title 1 or resource teacher.
     
  • Option two would be to combine eighth grade sections in groups of 21 and 15, which allows existing staff to cover the IEP (with the assistance from Lane Wright. Finally, option three would utilize a revised schedule using teachers already listed and hire a special education teacher to cover 50% and provide Response to Intervention (RTI) support the other 50%.
     
  • In option one and three, the school could get a $9,000 reimbursement through grants. The salary for the staff member would be $31,748.00. The options will be considered by the board.

Hamm also asserted that the school needs Title 1 support in reading, with at least a half-time person needed in this area. There is also a need to hire a special education aide for kindergarten. She also noted some lunch coverage issues due to aides being spread too thin with duties.

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Hamm reported that year end reports have been submitted to the Illinois State Board of Education and the school report card will be completed this week. The Fourth quarter Title 1 and Title 2 expense reports have been written.

Before moving on to new business, Splitter asked whether an aide would be needed for one specific student, and Hamm replied that the student needs support, but also needs to be in a general education classroom. Hamm explained that any person hired could be used for other supports.

Hamm reminded the board that the principal can only be on an activities account, and the superintendent will have to sign for other accounts. She noted that a superintendent, even as an interim, needs to be hired by July 1. Brooks said that they will meet in a special session next week to discuss this issue.

Among non-action items, Hamm said that with property and casualty insurance, the school saved money, but health insurance rates will increase at a 35% rate (retirees can be on plan for the rest of their lives). She shared that last year, there was $70,000 in premiums and $140,000 in claims. They have found plans with higher deductibles that will cost $457.00 a month. For teachers, the premium will be covered, while for support staff, it will be 80/20.

Finally, Hamm announced the resignations of basketball coach Whitney Kessinger and assistant volleyball coach Mindy Spears.

New business action items were the prevailing wage resolution, contract and compensation agreement for Laura Irwin, hiring of Mindy Spear as girl's basketball coach for 2015-2016, property and casualty insurance renewal, Health Alliance renewal, and a resolution to transfer working cash fund to operation and maintenance. The board approved all these items.

 



Before adjourning the meeting Brooks expressed gratitude to Hamm for all she had done and wished her well in her new position.

The next regularly scheduled board meeting will be Tuesday, July 21, 2015 at 6:00 p.m.

[Angela Reiners]

 

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