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 The first item of business was a brief presentation
by Ace Sign Company and Firewatch in regard to the potential
purchase of a digital marquee sign at the high school entrance. The
Board then moved the meeting to the high school entrance to see a
model sign and the different options available. Later in the meeting
under new business the Board directed Superintendent Lamkey to move
forward with formal sign quotes for the consideration of the
Building and Grounds Committee. The Building and Grounds Committee
will then make a recommendation to the Board as soon as the April
regular meeting on April 21st. Partial funding for this project was
made available by a private donor.
There were three observers in attendance for the meeting
representing the student council and instructional staff, but none
of the guests chose to speak.
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 February 17, 2021 and executive session minutes from
February 17, 2021. Superintendent Lamkey informed the Board that
sales tax revenues reported for March were $22,021.53 which topped
the month's previous high of $21,693.72 in 2019. He felt this was a
good sign of an improving economy in the pandemic. The motion passed
unanimously.
Under Reports, Mr. Lamkey summarized changes in athletic attendance
mitigations, the districts’ quarantine status and progress on
equipping the MPHS Training Room. Superintendent Lamkey then focused
on the outstanding turnout for the 5 Essentials Survey. Both the
grade school and high school reported a 98% response rate for
students and a 100% response rate for staff. The high school boasted
a 54% return from parents while the grade school tallied 41%. All of
these responses doubled the return rates needed to provide validity
to the survey results. Mr. Lamkey attributed this success to the
strong relationships among Board members, administration, staff,
students and our community. The data from the 5 Essentials survey
will be used to inform the 2021-22 School Improvement Plans at the
grade school and high school.
Next President Cowan and Superintendent Lamkey presented a draft of
the Capital Projects List which is set to be approved later this
spring. Items on the list include completing work on high school
construction, which includes a joint venture with the City of Mount
Pulaski to replace sidewalks, continued interior design work and the
addition of a distance learning lab made available through a grant.
The 10 Year Health Life Safety Audit also revealed the need to
replace the gym roof in the near future. These items and future
projects will be prioritized by the Building and Grounds Committee,
who will make recommendations to the Board.
In Unfinished Business, the Board continued their monthly discussion
on the pandemic which included an update on mitigation measures,
quarantine numbers, graduation plans and the potential for moving to
a full day of instruction.
In the last week, the district has had one student
and one teacher test positive for COVID-19, but no other staff
members or students have been required to quarantine. The high
school administration continues to consider a wide variety of plans
for graduation, with a focus on in-person options. They will return
with an announcement of plans for the April 21, 2021 regular meeting
of the Board.
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Lastly, the Board offered input to the administration in
consideration to extending to a full school day during the 4th quarter. The
Board and administration discussed pros and cons of the proposed move. School
district administration will announce a decision later this week.
The first action item of New Business was the approval of the Distance Learning
Lab at the high school. The district will pay the upfront cost of $74,640 and
then be reimbursed $63,640 upon completion of the project by a grant provided by
the Illinois Department of Agriculture. This classroom will allow opportunities
of seeking remote instruction around the country, and even the world, to provide
more opportunities for students. The district hopes to have the lab up and
running prior to summer break. Motion passed 6-0.
The Board then approved a Wrestling Cooperative Agreement with
Warrensburg-Latham High School starting this spring. Mount Pulaski will provide
transportation and pay a proportional cost of the program in relation to the
number of Mount Pulaski students who participate. The agreements last two years
and will then be reconsidered. This motion passed 6-0.
The Board then conducted a discussion on whether remote students should be
allowed to participate in extracurricular activities when they do not attend
in-person classes. After discussion, the Board directed Mr. Lamkey to meet with
the Policy Committee to consider a policy that could potentially require
in-person attendance to participate. The Policy Committee will consider the
change in policy and make a recommendation at a future Board meeting.
The district administration then entered into a lengthy discussion with the
Board on the recommendation to add Instructional Coaches to the district staff.
Administrators explained the research and their experiences that fueled the
recommendation to add these positions. The Board expressed some hesitation, but
approved the job descriptions that the administration will use to seek new
staff. The Board approved the job description 6-0.
In separate motions, the Board also approved the three year contracts for Mount
Pulaski Grade School Principal, Danielle Lora and District Superintendent Fred
Lamkey. Both motions passed 6-0.
The Personnel Committee also presented Superintendent Goals for 2021-22, which
were derived from the evaluation process. Upon review of the goals, the Board
approved them 6-0.
The last item of business for the evening was the approval of the Personnel
Report. One item, Ms. Tarrant’s retirement agreement was removed from the report
and postponed to conduct a review of the language. This agreement is expected to
be reintroduced at the April regular meeting. The Board then approved the
Personnel Report which included the granting of tenure to Jamie Selinger and
Krissy Mercer, Mindy Switzer as junior track coach, maternity leave for
Kayleigh Parker and the resignation of Melinda Gross as Science Olympiad coach
and Brady Thomas as high school golf coach.
The meeting adjourned at 8:00 PM and the next regular meeting will be Wednesday,
April 21st. Please note the change in the date which was required to seat newly
elected Board members.
[Report submitted by Sarah Farris
Administrative Assistant
Mount Pulaski CUSD 23]
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