Mount Pulaski CUSD 23 Board of Education votes to replace 1963 high school roof

 

[April 29, 2022] 

The Mt. Pulaski CUSD 23 Board of Education called their regular meeting to order on April 27, 2022 at 5:03 PM in the grade school learning center. All members were present.

After Roll Call, the Board entered into Executive Session to discuss items dealing with employment and compensation. The Board returned to open session at 6:01 PM.

Under Recognition of Public, two people addressed the Board with one requiring the Board to return to Executive Session due to employee confidentiality. The Board returned to regular session at 6:19 PM.

The Consent Agenda included the approval for the payment of bills, the sales tax report, IESA and IHSA renewal, meeting minutes from March 21, 2022 and March 21, 2022 Executive Session minutes. Superintendent Lamkey informed the Board that sales tax revenues reported for December dipped to $25,401 for Logan County. There were no additional questions on the consent agenda, which passed 7-0.

Under Reports, Mr. Lamkey informed the Board that the FY24 Logan County Extension was received and the tax rate has dropped from 5.20 to 4.987. This is more than a 30 cent decrease in the tax rate in the last two years. The Superintendent went on to inform the Board that the Mt. Pulaski Business Association was asking the schools to participate in a penny drive to help fund the “Cast Iron Tombstone Case” statue. The Board was happy to allow the schools to participate.

Mrs. Fricke reported to the Board about the process of selection of 8th grade students for the Algebra I course work. This year 19 students will participate in the class that allows 8th grade students to gain high school credit.

The discipline report reflected two in-school suspensions at the high school, three in-school suspensions at the grade school and one out of school suspension at the grade school. None of the suspensions exceeded 1 day. The Board asked if the Discipline Report could include the infractions that led to the consequences. Mr. Lamkey said it would be added for future reports.

In New Business, the district food provider OPAA! presented to the Board and provided snacks for the meeting. The district coordinator, Adam Betz, spoke to the Board about the food program and shared that in the month of March alone, the district fed 1751 breakfasts to students and 6496 lunches. The number of students eating in the program has drastically improved in the past year with the food program operating in the black. Superintendent Lamkey gave a glowing review of the district relationship with OPAA! and commented on the amount of time that has been freed up for administrators to focus on educational issues. The Board voted 7-0 to renew the contract.

Superintendent Lamkey then asked the Board what they would like to do with high school banners, miscellaneous uniforms and the high school Abe Lincoln statue. The Board directed administrators to auction or sell off the uniforms and banners next year to raise money for the athletic programs.  Mr. Lamkey was also directed to speak with the Mt. Pulaski Historical Society and the Courthouse to see if they were interested in having the statue donated to their organization.

After a brief discussion of Board member participation in high school graduation and junior high promotion, the Board approved the meeting calendar for next school year with a 7-0 vote.
Meetings will be held on the third Monday of each month at 6:00 PM with the exception of January and February, when the meetings will be held on the third Wednesday of the month to avoid conflicts with holidays.

The Board then discussed committee assignments for the upcoming school year. The committee members will remain the same with the exception of the elimination of the Personnel and Building & Grounds Committees. The Board has decided to handle the work of these two committees as an entire board.

Mr. Lamkey then presented the Board with the low bid for the 1963 High School Roofing project. Kreiling Roofing out of Peoria was the low bid at $509,613. Work will begin this summer and be completed prior to the start of school.

Mr. Waterkotte was then asked to speak to the Board about the Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) national conference. In past years, the Board has provided funding for students who qualify to attend the conference. The Board complimented Mr. Waterkotte on having one of the state’s top programs and agreed to fund two students and Mr. Waterkotte to attend in June.

Mrs. Fricke presented the Personalized Learning Initiative Handbook which provides guidance for student use of school devices. The primary changes to the handbook this year involved the district's switch from exclusively using iPads to also include Chromebooks. The handbook passed 7-0.

The last item on the agenda was the Personnel Report. The Board approved the following hires and resignations with a 7-0 vote:

● The following resignations were approved:

○ Whitney Nichols as MPHS and MPGS Volleyball Coach

○ Abby Fletcher as MPGS Paraprofessional

● The following hires were also approved:

○ Tammy Nelson as District Library Clerk

○ Ryan McVickers as MPHS Girls Basketball Coach

○ Bella Wade as MPHS Assistant Girls Basketball Coach

○ Jonathon Tribbler as National Honor Society Sponsor

● In a separate vote, the Board accepted the resignation of Tammy McCormick as MPGS Paraprofessional in a 6-0 vote with one member voting present.

The Board adjourned at 7:38 PM. The next meeting will be May 16, 2022 at 5:00 PM.

[Sarah Farris
Administrative Assistant
Mount Pulaski CUSD 23]