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 The
first item on the agenda was to enter Executive Session to discuss
employment and the purchase of property. The Board returned to open
session at 7:00PM.
Superintendent Lamkey conducted the Truth in Taxation Hearing to
inform the public that he was projecting an increase in the
district's Equalized Assessed Valuation to exceed 5% for the
upcoming fiscal year. Each year, the school district must levy taxes
for the upcoming fiscal year without knowing the value of district
property. In order to not lose tax revenues, the district conducts a
balloon levy which prescribes a high estimate for the value of
district properties. If the district underestimates the levy, there
would be lost revenues for the district. No matter how high the
district levies for taxes, they will only receive the amount the
county clerk allows in accordance with rate limits and bond
payments. In short, the school district is not raising the tax for
their residents. There were no attendees or questions at the hearing
which adjourned at 7:02 PM.
In Public Recognition, the 7th Grade Honeybears
Basketball team was recognized for their 3rd place finish in the
State Tournament. Both the 7th and 8th Grade girls basketball teams
finished the season with 20 plus victories. This marked the 7th time
in 10 years that the girls basketball team advanced to the state
tournament. The team will celebrate their season with a team dinner
at the Pizza Man.
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
totaled $32,163. The Board approved the Consent Agenda 7-0.
Under Reports, Mr. Lamkey informed the Board about a FOIA request
inquiring about the district air quality testing. After reviewing
records and speaking with district staff, Mr. Lamkey determined that
there has been no air quality testing in the current district
buildings.
In Unfinished Business, the Board voted 7-0 to adopt the proposed
tax levy for the 2024-25 school year. Rising EAV and reserve
reductions will allow the district to maintain current tax rates and
potentially lower them for next year.
Under New Business, the Board approved abatement of
the General Obligation School Building Bonds and the General
Obligation Alternate Revenue Bonds. The Building Bond abatement was
for $140,000 as prescribed by the 2018 Board resolution. This
abatement reduces tax payer obligations toward the high school
construction project of 2020-2021. The Alternate Revenue Bond
abatement is for $195,000 and paid through county sales tax
revenues. The Alternate Bond also reduces the cost of the high
school construction. The two items passed
7-0.
Mrs. Fricke then recommended three changes to the
MPHS Course Catalog for the 2025 school year. All changes were in
the Business Department:
● Depending on the number of students interested, Accounting classes
may be taught in person or online.
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● The Accounting Class was
changed to Entrepreneurship.
● The Consumer Science Class will now be eligible for dual
credit. The Board approved
these changes 7-0. In other conversation, Mr. Wilham asked what
changes could be made to increase our band numbers in high school.
Mr. Pluhm will work with Mrs. Fricke to brainstorm ideas for the
program.
The Board offered tentative approval at the November meeting for the
boys basketball team and cheerleaders to stay overnight in Savoy
during the Christmas Tournament. The tournament schedule on back to
back days creates a hardship in timing and travel making the request
appropriate. The Board approved the request 7-0.
Next, the Board approved an addendum (7-0) to Superintendent
Lamkey’s contract to pay for 10 unused sick days after his
retirement.
The administration then made staffing recommendations for 2nd
semester and next school year. The district will once again seek to
hire an Instructional Coach at the grade school, an additional
special education teacher for the high school and an Instructional
Interventionist for the 2nd semester at the grade school. The Board
agreed to have the administration seek candidates for all of the
positions.
The Personnel Report was approved 7-0 containing 4 hires, 2
resignations and one postponement.
Hires
○ Hannah Cameron as MPGS Volleyball Coach
○ Lisa Leonard as the MPGS Volunteer Assistant Volleyball Coach and
5th and 6th Grade Volleyball Coach
○ Jamie Anderson and Mindy Switzer as Co-5th and 6th Grade Boys
Basketball Coaches.
○ Mackenzy Payne as the MPGS Assistant Softball Coach for 2024-25.
Resignations
○ Jim Bishop as MPGS Head Custodian - postponed
○ Alora Sheley as MPGS and MPHS Volleyball Coach
○ Hannah Cameron as MPGS Assistant Volleyball Coach
In a separate motion, Emma Aper was hired as the MPGS Assistant
Volleyball Coach with a 6-0 vote, Blane Olson voted present.
Items of Information:
High School
● Grace Davis was selected the December Student of the Month The
meeting adjourned at 8:07 PM
The next regular meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 17, 2024
at 7:00 PM in the MPGS Learning Center.
[Sarah Farris]
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