|
 This new
practice allows for more efficient, effective and safe communication
for meetings and confidential district information. While the
meeting did not go off without a few quirks, it was a positive step
in the right direction of technology, board development and
eco-friendly practices.
The Mount Pulaski CUSD 23 Board of Education called their regular
meeting and amended budget hearing on June 21, 2021 to order at 6:00
PM in the grade school learning center. All Board members were
present with the exception of Mrs. Combs.
The first item of business was the FY2021 Amended Budget Hearing.
Superintendent Lamkey informed the Board that all funds finished
within the budget constraints except for the Operations and
Maintenance Fund. Due to construction costs, this fund fell into
negative numbers requiring a transfer of $100,000 from the Education
Fund to the Operations and Maintenance Fund. Other items of change
were done in individual accounts within funds which allows the
district to provide a more accurate portrayal of district spending.
Being that there were no additional questions, the budget hearing
adjourned at 6:06 PM.
The Board then completed Roll Call for the regular meeting at 6:07
PM. There were two observers in attendance for the meeting, neither
requesting to address the Board.
The first item of business was the Consent Agenda, which included
the approval for the payment of bills, the sales tax report, meeting
minutes from May 17, 2021 and executive session minutes from May 17,
2021. Superintendent Lamkey informed the Board that sales tax
revenues reported for June were $29,298.80 which was the highest one
month total to date.
This is another good sign the economy is recovering from the effects
of the pandemic. The motion passed 6-0.
Under Reports, Mr. Lamkey recognized three outstanding
accomplishments by students at the end of the year. The Mount
Pulaski Trap and Skeet teams finished 1st in Skeet and 3rd in Trap
at the State Meet at the end of May. Freshman Alec Martin
highlighted the tournament with a perfect 100/100 round in trap!
Secondly, junior Cassidy Clark finished 4th in the discus and 11th
in the shot put at the Girls 1A State Track Meet in Charleston. The
final accomplishment was rounded out by the boys baseball team
finishing 4th Place in the State Baseball Tournament in Normal this
past week. Mr. Lamkey noted that while this was a difficult year for
all of our students, it was great to see them achieve at such high
levels to finish the school year!
In Unfinished Business, Mr. Lamkey updated the Board on changes in
pandemic restrictions being implemented by ISBE and IDPH. ISBE is
still requiring all students and teachers to wear masks while in the
classroom during the summer regardless of their vaccination status.
IDPH announced that students in outdoor sports are not required to
wear masks when participating in activities, but indoor sport
contestants must wear masks unless they are vaccinated.
Superintendent Lamkey said it was too early for the district to
react to these requirements, as he believes much will change over
the next two months. Mr. Martin and Smith expressed concern with the
continued mask mandate in the classroom and on the court. This topic
will be addressed once again in July.
The board then addressed the postponed action item on the sidewalk
renovation on Spring Street. The Building and Grounds Committee met
with Mount Pulaski Mayor Matt Bobell to discuss the expense of the
$54,000 project. The committee’s stance is that it is a city
sidewalk and costs should be absorbed by the city. Mayor Bobell said
he understands the committee’s perspective, but the Mount Pulaski
City Council currently believes the school district should cover
costs of the sidewalk, while the city pays for the crumbling
retaining wall. Mayor Bobell will be addressing this topic at the
June 22nd Mount Pulaski City Council meeting. President Cowan said
he would attend the meeting to address the Mount Pulaski School
Board’s concern that the cost should be covered by the city. The
Board postponed the vote once again and did not authorize
Superintendent Lamkey to use any further district resources on the
project.
The first action item of New Business was the approval of the
transfer of $100,000 from the Education Fund to the Operations and
Maintenance Fund. Motion passed 6-0.
The Board then approved the Capital Projects list that was
previously presented by the Building and Grounds Committee in March.
It includes installation of a marquee sign at the high school,
installation of lighting along Spring Street, interior design work
at the high school, replacement of the 1963 high school roof,
district Health Life Safety upgrades and sidewalk renovations at the
high school. This motion passed 6-0.
The Board approved RD Lawrence as the contractor to conduct work in
renovating doors at the grade school that were previously identified
in the 10 Year Health Life Safety Review. This motion passed 6-0.
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Next, the district approved a three-year contract with Quality
Network Systems to provide technology services for the district. This motion
passed 6-0.
The Board then entered discussion concerning the expenditure of
ESSER money which has been provided to the district during the pandemic by the
federal government. Mrs. Lora was requesting new Smartboards for all but two
classrooms in the elementary school in order to upgrade technology and better
serve students. It was determined that 11 of the requested Smartboards were in
need of replacement, while the remaining were still functional, but in their
last years of use. The Board decided to replace the failing Smartboards and wait
on the others while the district has time to prioritize ESSER spending. This
motion passed 6-0.
The next two action items involved insurance, including health, property
casualty and workman’s compensation. Mr. Lamkey previously met with Mount
Pulaski Education Association’s Insurance Committee to discuss health insurance
options. Being that premiums on the current plan dropped by 3.5% with no
reduction in coverage, it was recommended to approve the renewal.
The Board approved the Blue Cross Blue Shield as the district health provider
with a 6-0 vote.
Three companies submitted bids on Property Casualty and Workman’s Compensation
Insurance, American Central, Prairie State Insurance Cooperative and Arthur
Gallagher. PSIC and Authur Gallagher presented the most competitive pricing on
both insurances with PSIC offering a better benefit package. The Board voted 6-0
to select PSIC as the vendor for both categories.
It was announced that the Joint Annual Board Conference will be held this
November in Chicago after a one year hiatus. All seven Board members indicated
they planned to attend the conference. The estimated costs for this professional
development event was approved by the Board 6-0.
The Board then approved a 3% raise for all district Educational Support
Personnel for the 2022 school year. The exception to this raise were the
employees who would not reach minimum wage of $12. Those employees' compensation
were raised between 6-9% to meet the state mandated wage. This motion passed 5-0
with one abstention.
Last month, the Board approved professional development, Capturing Kids Hearts,
for the district staff that will address social and emotional well being of
students and staff alike. This training will require the use of both teacher
in-service days to start the year, leaving no opportunity for traditional
beginning of the year work. The Board approved the payment of a $120 stipend for
all teachers who voluntarily attend the district's non-contractual opening day
on August 18th. The motion passed 6-0.
The Board also approved a two year co-op agreement with Zion Lutheran School in
grade school girls softball and co-ed track. This motion passed 6-0.
The last item of business for the evening was the approval of the Personnel
Report. The following actions were approved:
Accepted Resignations
● Ryan Deibert, High School Track Coach
● Jan Braden, High School Girls Basketball Assistant Coach
Contract Renewal and New Hires
● Donna Koehler, High School Yearbook Sponsor
● Brian Erlenbush, High School Science Olympiad Sponsor
● Whitney Nichols, District Paraprofessional, High School Varsity Volleyball
Coach and Grade School Volleyball Coach
● Nicole Reinhart, District Paraprofessional
● Ryan Deibert, High School Golf Coach
● Nathan Sowers, High School Soccer Coach and Bus Driver
● Joel Washko, High School Varsity Baseball Coach
● Troy Burgard, High School Assistant Baseball Coach
● Jamie Anderson, Grade School Boys Track Coach
● Mindy Switzer, Grade School Girls Track Coach
The Board then entered Executive Session to discuss employment issues and
returned at 8:30PM to adjourn. The next regular meeting will be Monday, July
19th in the MPGS Learning Center at 6:00 PM.
[Sarah Farris
Administrative Assistant
Mount Pulaski CUSD 23] |
