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 After Roll Call, the Board entered into Executive
Session to discuss items dealing with Board self evaluation,
evaluation of staff, employment, purchase of property and collective
bargaining. The Board returned to open session at 6 p.m.
In the Recognition of Public, Mike Chandler voiced concerns for the
social emotional learning and the curriculum taking time from his
students study hall. No other visitors requested to address the
Board.
The Board approved the Consent Agenda which included the payment of
bills, the sales tax revenue report, Board Minutes from September
19, 2022 and Executive Session Minutes from September 19, 2022. The
motion passed 5-0.
Under Reports, both the grade school and high school building
leadership teams presented on the 2022-23 School Improvement Plans.
Each building creates a School Improvement Plan each school year
based on the District Improvement Plan that was derived from
Strategic Planning. Each plan has three goals, Student Growth and
Development, Curriculum and Instruction and Stakeholder
Collaboration.
Mount Pulaski Grade School is working on systems and activities that
allow our students to experience self growth and development inside
and outside the classroom. The grade school is using a multi-tiered
system of support (MTSS) to assess students' academic and social
emotional needs. The MTSS is then used to develop student
responsibility for their own learning as well as provide support for
their individual social emotional needs. Professional development
activities are provided for staff to offer support in these efforts.
A major focus under curriculum and instruction is the disaggregation
of data from MAP testing that allows teachers to identify student
academic deficiencies as well as their strengths. Teachers can then
build instructional plans that serve students as individuals and
groups. MPGS is also making efforts to improve collaboration with
all stakeholders by holding more family events, improving
communications and seeking activities that allow students to learn
about how they can serve their community.
Mount Pulaski High School is enhancing their students' growth
through career fairs, the development of life skills and focused
social emotional learning activities. The high school builds choice
into student development so our older students can explore their
preferences and opportunities as they prepare for their future. In
the past year, MPHS has added more dual credits courses to their
curriculum in the areas of Math, English-Language Arts and
Agriculture. A focus for upcoming years is to work with Lincoln Land
Community College to enhance current offerings in Career and
Technical Education to create dual credit course work. The goal is
to offer a wide variety of course work that not only benefits
students in high school, but also supports their post secondary
education. MPHS will build off last year's success in Stakeholder
Collaboration in the areas of their Parent Council, quarterly parent
meetings and conducting 4 stakeholder/
community events throughout the year. The MPHS Day of Service will
take place this next spring and the high school continues to
collaborate not only with MPGS, but also Zion Lutheran Grade School.
Superintendent Lamkey spoke very highly of the efforts being
conducted in both buildings and the successes that are to follow. He
was also very proud of the development of the building leadership
teams as they continue to grow, assess their own growth and create
more and more focused goals that will lead to school improvement.
In his Superintendent Report, Mr. Lamkey highlighted the
recommendations made by the Illinois Association of School Boards
and asked board members to review the recommendations and offer
input to Mrs. Mott that she can use at the upcoming delegate
meeting. Mr. Wilham expressed his displeasure in the IASB’s movement
to make all meetings virtual. Mr. Wilham and other members agree
that in person meetings were very beneficial and they would like to
see a change in meeting design. Mr. Wilham and Mrs. Mott agreed to
craft a letter to IASB expressing the Board’s perspective. Last
month, Mr. Lamkey was asked to reach out to neighboring districts
about the potential to collaborate band programs. As of the meeting
time, no area districts indicated strong interest in this option.
The final item of note was to report on district IT data. Mr. Lamkey
informed the Board that 75% of technology repairs were completed in
less than 24 hours and the 23% of repairs that take more than 48
hours are mostly due to the need to send equipment back to
manufacturers for repair. He added that these are very good numbers.
Stan Comperda then addressed the Board about the
potential of the Pine Creek Wind Farm which will be located in west
Logan County between Elkhart and Broadwell. Mr. Comperda gave a
description of the project and speculated that, if approved, the
project could yield revenues between $650,000 and $700,000 per year
for the school district. Mr. Comperda reported strong support from
landowners in this area.
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In the Athletic Director’s Report, Mr. McVickers reported on the
success of fall sports teams which included baseball, softball, golf and
volleyball. He also added that our Decatur Lutheran co-op football team is 8-0
and ranked #4 in the state for 8-Man Football. Mr. Wilham asked if there had
been any problems securing officials for activities and Mr. McVickers responded
that the increase in officials' pay has made it much easier.
In the discipline report, MPGS had two students suspended out of school for two
days or less and two students accumulated 5 days of in-school suspension.
Under Unfinished Business, the first item was an amendment to the language
Superintendent Contract as the word Medicaid was accidentally substituted for
Medicare. The motion carried 5-0.
During the September meeting, the Board gave the go ahead to MPHS Physical
Education Teacher, Mr. Deibert, to purchase additional equipment for the
training room. This month the Board made a motion and approved the expenditures
with a 5-0 vote.
The Board’s next task was to review and discuss the FY23-24 Capital Projects
List. Administrators and school architects toured the campus and developed a
list of renovations that topped $4 million dollars, including updating junior
high and high school science labs, renovating MPGS classrooms, corridors and
more. The Board discussed many of the items specifically and tentatively decided
the best course of action would be to break the list down into yearly projects
that could be done over time within budget constraints. Superintendent Lamkey is
asking each Board member to prioritize all 22 options so that the Capital
Projects list could be approved at the November Meeting.
Three more paving projects were identified on campus for the Board to consider.
One is to repair the deteriorating portion of Morgan Street on the MPGS campus,
another is resurfacing the west drive at MPHS and installing a concrete pad for
the new batting cage at Veterans Park. After discussion, the Board determined
that it was important to do these projects correctly and provide safe parking
and driving spaces on our campuses. The Board approved the change order 5-0.
The first item in New Business was to consider amending the MPHS Curriculum
Guide to stretch dual credit College Algebra to a full year course. Mrs. Fricke
explained to the Board that a semester class did not provide enough time to
develop students' skill sets to mastery. MPHS Math Teacher, Ms. Bowers, Lincoln
Land Community College consultants and Mrs. Fricke all believe the added
semester will better serve our students as they progress forward. The board
approved the amendment 5-0.
The Board then moved to approve both the MPGS and MPHS School Improvement Plans
5-0 in two separate votes.
The last item of business for the evening was the consideration of the Personnel
Report. The following items were approved with a 5-0 vote:
● Kellie Aikman as MPHS Night Custodian
● Sarah Steen as MPGS Paraprofessional
● Jacqueline Inselmann as MPGS Night Custodian
● Blane Olson as MPGS Boys Basketball Volunteer Coach
● Kate Beckers as MPHS Student Activity Aide
Under Items of Information, Mrs. Fricke noted that the high school banners were
being updated this week, Walker Allen was participating in the National FFA
Conference talent show and Ms. Hinson has held FAFSA meetings for parents and
students. Mrs. Lora said the MPGS Gym Banners were still on hold as the small
family company is experiencing a backlog due to the loss of a family member.
Mrs. Lora also added that the Pre-K and Kindergarten had a trip to the Pumpkin
Patch and the 5th Grade traveled to Chicago for the Logan County 5th Grade trip.
Both buildings celebrated successful SIP days last week.
With no more business on the agenda, the Board adjourned at 7:13 p.m. The next
meeting will be November 21, 2022 at 5 p.m. in the MPGS Learning Center.
[Sarah Farris
Administrative Assistant
Mount Pulaski CUSD 23]
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