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The first item on the agenda was to enter Executive
Session to discuss employment, purchase of property and student
discipline. The Board returned to open session at 7:00PM.
In Public Recognition, Mike Chandler addressed the Board about his
global concerns.
The first action item was the approval of the Consent Agenda.
Superintendent Lamkey reported that there were no questions to the
district office concerning bills and that the sales tax revenues
arrived just today totaling just over $33,000. The Board approved
the Consent Agenda 7-0.
In Unfinished Business, the Board voted 7-0 to approve Mr. Jason
Spang as the new Mt. Pulaski CUSD 23 Superintendent. Mr. Spang was
interviewed in two different rounds by the Board of Education,
administrators, district office staff, teachers and community
members. Mr. Spang will replace outgoing Superintendent Fred Lamkey
who will retire from education next June. Lamkey served as the
district superintendent for the last five school years.
Mr. Spang grew up in the Maroa area, then attended Eureka College,
where he played football. He received his administrator credentials
through the University of St. Francis. Mr. Spang taught for nine
years as a PE and Drivers Education instructor before serving as an
administrator at Bureau Valley for four years. The last four years
Jason served as the high school principal at Peotone High School.
The Mt. Pulaski Board is planning to release an informational video
about Mr. Spang after the holidays. He will begin working with
Superintendent Lamkey through the second semester, preparing for his
first day of work on July 1, 2024. Welcome Mr. Spang to the Hilltop
when you get the opportunity.
Under Reports, Amanda Wells from Kerber Eck and Braeckel presented
the 2023 Annual Financial Report. The district finances were
reported to be in outstanding condition and were awarded a score of
3.9 on a 4 point scale. The tenth of a point deduction was due to
outstanding debt in bonds for the high school. There were no major
findings on the district, but recommendations were made on potential
improvements.
Next, Principal Fricke introduced a new class to the Board that
would replace a typical accounting class. The class would be called
Entrepreneurship and feature accounting as well as other skills and
practices necessary to run your own business. The Board encouraged
Mrs. Fricke and agreed to consider the new class for next year's
course catalog.
Mrs. Fricke then presented the MPHS Improvement Plan for the 2024
school year. She highlighted aspects of the plan and shared the work
of the staff to improve instructional practices through peer
observations and collaborative strategies. Next, Ashley Burgard and
Carly Powell discussed the MPGS Improvement Plan and described a new
language arts curriculum focused on phonics and was more engaging
and student centered.
Under New Business, Superintendent Lamkey presented on the 2023 Tax
Levy. He began by explaining the levy process and defined the key
components. Next, he analyzed the district's revenues and Equalized
Assessed Valuation (EAV) of property in the district. Mt. Pulaski’s
EAV has risen dramatically over the past five years due to the two
Wind Farms that lie within the school district. His projection
indicates that the district tax rate should remain near static
around 4.91. The rising EAV, tax abatement by the district and
lowering district reserves in specific funds have driven the tax
rate from 5.3 in 2020 to 4.91 in 2022 (9% decrease). In order to
capture all new construction and the increased land value of the
district, the district balloon levied at 20%. This balloon levy does
not indicate an increase in tax rate, but it does allow the district
to capture any new construction increases in the district up to 20 %
of last year's extension. School tax rates are expected to remain
below 4.95 or lower for the upcoming tax year. Because the district
levied at a rate over 5% of last year's extension, a Truth In
Taxation Hearing will be held at the December 18th meeting. In a tax
abatement discussion, Mr. Martin, Mr. Wilham and Mrs. Combs
encouraged the Finance Committee to maintain the $140,000 that was
pledged in a previous board resolution. The Finance Committee will
meet once again before the December regular meeting where the Tax
Levy will be adopted.
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After the Tax Levy Presentation,
the Board approved the tentative levy with a 7-0 vote.
The Board had previously heard about the MPCUSD23 AFR
during reports from the district auditor. The Board voted to approve
the 2023 AFR 7-0.
The Board entered a discussion about how to manage the renovation
project next summer at the high school. The Board considered a
traditional route through the district architect, Graham and Hyde, a
performance contract with ENGIE and a hybrid approach using Graham
and Hyde as the architect and CORE having oversight of the project.
CORE was the district's general contractor for the construction of
the high school. While being intrigued with performance contracting,
the board directed Mr. Lamkey to work with Graham and Hyde/CORE for
the upcoming work. No motion was necessary as bids for the project
will be considered later during the second semester.
This fall, there have been a few questions regarding volunteer
assistant coaches in the district. The Policy Committee asked to
have a conversation with the Board to see if they wished to consider
any policy changes. The Board directed the Policy Committee to
consider recommending a policy revision for the 2025 school year.
The next action items involved the approval of the MPGS and MPHS
Improvement Plans. The Board approved the plans 7-0.
The Policy Committee conducted the second reading of PRESS Plus
Policy taking through specific questions. Highlighted policies
included a six week leave for employees who experience a family
homicide, a commitment to not ban books and an agreement to notify
parents for gun offenses or assaults of staff. The Board also
adopted a policy that will allow children of staff members who do
not live in the district to attend MPCUSD23 tuition free. The Board
adopted the new policy recommendations 7-0.
Next on the docket was the Personnel Report, which was approved 7-0
containing 2 hires and 2 resignations.
Hires
○ Cullen Tyson as Volunteer MPHS Basketball Coach
○ Hannah Cameron as MPGS Assistant Volleyball Coach
○ Nate Dyer as MPHS Boys Basketball Volunteer Assistant Coach
○ Cullen Tyson as MPHS Boys Basketball Volunteer Assistant Coach
Resignations
○ Nathan Sowers as MPHS Soccer Coach
○ Gale Clark as MPGS Assistant Baseball Coach
Items of Information:
Athletics
● The 7th Grade Girls Basketball Team won the Regional Championship
and advanced to the Decatur Montessori Academy for Peace Sectional
Championship on Wednesday, November 29th against Normal Metcalf.
● The 8th Grade Basketball Regional begins next week.
● The Bill Rucks Tournament begins this week.
High School
● Scout Tschantz was selected the November Student of the Month The
meeting adjourned at 8:06PM
The next regular meeting will be held on Monday, December 18, 2023
at 7:00 PM in the MPGS Learning Center.
[Sarah Farris] |
