|
 Following Roll Call, the Board entered Executive Session at 4:07PM
to discuss litigation against the school district. The Board
reemerged from executive session at 4:57 PM.
Recognition of Public included 5 members in the audience with 2
requesting to address the Board and two communications that were
requested to be read. The Board allowed all requesting members time
to address the Board and then thanked them for their input.
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 October 18, 2021 & October 27, 2021 special board
meeting. Superintendent Lamkey informed the Board that sales tax
revenues reported for September were $29,036.75. The 12 month total
exceeds $273,000 which already surpassed the previous 12 month high
with still one month to record revenues. Mr. Lamkey was informed
that this increase is due to the inclusion of internet sales in
Logan County. The motion passed 7-0.
Under Reports, the Building and Grounds Committee informed the Board
that we are on target with this year's Capital Projects List and
considering moving forward with items on the FY23 Capital Projects
List. Mr. Martin and Mr. Cowan recommend that the district replace
the blacktop parking lot at the high school and playground at the
grade school. Both locations are badly in need of repair and were
reported on the FY21 Health Life Safety Survey. The projects will be
presented to the Finance Committee for consideration.
In addition, Mrs. Fricke presented the Building and Grounds
Committee with a budget and plan for replacing the banners in the
high school gym. After painting the gym this summer, it became
apparent that some of the banners were in poor condition and the
different types of banners created a lack of continuity in the gym.
The Building and Grounds Committee recommended replacing all banners
in the gym, to be presented in a uniform size and shape and to be
displayed in chronological order. Athletes who have garnered
individual places in state athletic events will also have banners to
recognize their accomplishments. The committee hopes to have banners
in place by January.
Next, Mrs. Mott presented to the Board on the Illinois Association
of School Boards (IASB) list of resolutions that will be considered
at the upcoming Delegate Assembly at the Joint Annual Conference
later this week. Mrs. Mott participated in a webinar discussing all
23 resolutions, followed by a meeting with Mr. Lamkey to make
recommendations to the Board. The resolutions guide the IASB
lobbyist and the items they seek to get approved in the General
Assembly. The Delegate Committee shared the resolutions with the
entire Board and then recommended 16 of the 23 resolutions to be
approved. Mrs. Mott did reserve her decision on resolution #2,
Student Safety and Protection Plan, which could allow specific staff
personnel to conceal and carry a weapon. The purpose of this
resolution is to offer safety and protection to
rural districts that may be hindered by up to 45 minute police
response times. While this is not a concern for Mt. Pulaski, it is
for many other rural districts. The Board offered guidance to Mrs.
Mott to support the resolution. Two other items that were discussed
included partially funding schools through cannabis sales and the
consideration of compensating school board members. The Board
approved the resolution seeking approval for funding through
cannabis sales, but denied the resolution to compensate board
members. Mrs. Mott will represent Mt. Pulaski CUSD 23 at the
upcoming Delegate Convention at the Joint Conference.
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Superintendent Lamkey highlighted the professional development
activities being conducted at the grade school and high school from this past
week. Both buildings are working to improve instructional strategies as the
grade school has a focus on technology integration, while the high school
focuses on peer collaboration and the development of universal instructional
strategies. The grade school and high school building leadership teams designed
the professional development through data gathered in the 5 Essentials survey
taken last winter. Mrs. Fricke offered additional details of the process.
In Unfinished Business, the Board gave the go ahead to order and replace the
banners in the 1963 high school gym. No action was necessary.
The first item of New Business was a presentation on the tax levy.
Superintendent Lamkey described the levy process and offered historical data on
EAV and tax rates. Currently, MPCUSD23’s tax rate is 5.2 which ranks the
district as the 6th lowest out of 29 districts in our region. MPCUSD23’s tax
rate ranks as the 4th lowest out of 7 Logan County School districts. The
upcoming year's tax rate is dependent on a number of factors that will not be
apparent until later this school year. Mr. Lamkey believes there will be a
decrease in the current tax rate of 5.2 as a result of increases in EAV and
district needs. The levy will be adopted at the December 19th meeting of the
MPCUSD23 school board. The Board approved the tentative tax levy 7-0.
Board members requested that the Hilltop Return to School Plan 3.0 be placed
under new business to renew discussion on its implementation and consider
revision. President Cowan stated that it was requested to revisit the HRSP 3.0
to see if changes were necessary as perceptions and scenarios have changed since
July. It was decided that the most equitable manner to review the document would
be through the Policy Committee. Superintendent Lamkey was directed to convene
the Policy Committee in early December to conduct the review.
In the Personnel Report, hired the following individuals:
● Tanya Mason as School Bus Driver
● Ryan Davis as MPHS Boys Basketball JV coach
● Jeff Clements as MPHS Boys Basketball Volunteer Coach
● Tanker Wade as MPHS Boys Basketball Volunteer Coach
● Chris Brown as MPGS Girls Basketball Volunteer Coach
All actions on the Personnel Report passed 7-0 except for Chris Brown which
passed 6-0 with one present vote.
Under Items of Discussion
● Mr. Lamkey reminded Board members attending the Joint Conference to review the
conference overview and schedule for later this week.
The Board adjourned the meeting at 6:17 PM. The next regular meeting will be
Monday, December 19th in the MPGS Learning Center at 6:00 PM.
[Submitted by Sarah Farris
Administrative Assistant
Mount Pulaski CUSD 23] |
