Mount Pulaski School Board approves budget for new FY24 school year

 

[July 18, 2023] 

The Mt. Pulaski CUSD 23 Board of Education called their regular meeting to order on July 17, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. in the MPGS Learning Center. Mrs. Combs & Mr. Wilham were absent.

In the first order of business, the Board went into executive session to discuss the purchase of property and employment of staff. The Board returned to the regular session at 7:07 p.m.

The Board reentered public session and conducted Recognition of the Public recognizing the successes of the FCCLA Parliamentary Procedures Team 4th place finish at the FCCLA National Conference last month. In addition, the team participated in the conference breakout sessions and general sessions. Mr. Waterkotte returns many of the ParliPro Team with high hopes for next year! Coaches Mott and Pharis brought in their Second Place Skeet Team for recognition for their success. The team also finished 20th at the National Tournament! All of our students' successes were heralded and there is great anticipation for next year!

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 once again topped $31,000 for March. The Board approved the Consent Agenda 5-0.

Under Reports, Mr. Vic Zimmerman from the Illinois Association of School Boards reported the Superintendent Search Survey Results. These results and the Board’s feedback will inform the vacancy notice which is set to be released this month.

In Mr. Lamkey’s report, he spoke of the classroom renovation progress in the junior high, summer maintenance and the potential for the hiring of a Health/PE Teacher. Earlier this year, Mrs. Fricke had interviewed for this position, but she did not find what the district was looking for. Just a few weeks ago, a qualified candidate presented themself which raised the question of whether the district was still looking to fill this position. After a good discussion by the Board, they agreed to have Mrs. Fricke and Mrs. Lora interview the candidate and make a recommendation.

In addition, MPGS Instructional Coach, Jenny Mendenhall, resigned her position this summer to become an administrator. Superintendent Lamkey & Mrs. Lora admit that it will be a difficult position to fill this late in the summer, but we are still advertising to see what candidates are available. If the right fit cannot be found, Mrs. Lora would like to continue the search into the school year rather than settling on a candidate. Mr. Lamkey will keep the Board apprised of the administration progress.

Finally under reports, Prairie State Wire requested contact information for members of the Board. The information was provided as it is public information.

In Unfinished Business, Mr. Lamkey informed the Board that he failed to bring an additional school breakfast/lunch item to their attention last month when they were considering raising lunch prices. The district currently charges its students 30 cents per carton of milk while they are paying 50 cents per carton. Mr. Lamkey recommended raising milk costs no higher than 50 cents, but the Board chose to leave prices at the same level and will reconsider costs next spring.

The last item of Unfinished Business was the approval of the three-year contract with Logan County to retain Sergeant Josh Pharis as MPCUSD23 School Resource Officer. The motion passed 5-0.

Under New Business, Sharon Uslan from ENGIE updated her presentation and spoke to the Board about future capital project upgrades. After listening to the presentation, the Board agreed to consider ENGIE for projects after the Capital Projects LIst is completed next month.

Superintendent Lamkey started a conversation about the high school’s recent invitation to join the Central Illinois Conference, which is an athletic conference composed of eastern Illinois schools ranging from Tuscola to Clinton and Shelbyville. The Board gave new district Athletic Director, Trent Kavelman, the go ahead to investigate the opportunity and report back to the Board next month.

Next, Mr. Lamkey introduced the Tentative FY2024 Budget to the Board. While still being a work in progress, the tentative budget indicates the district will once again be working with a fund surplus despite rising costs and more district needs. Mr. Lamkey and Mrs. Tschantz will keep working on the numbers and present the board a budget to consider for adoption in August.

Each year, the Board must consider approving the District Consolidated Plan, which provides the state and federal governments with the district's basic information necessary for applying for grants and other opportunities. The Board approved the plan 5-0.

The final Personnel work of the year was renewing the contract of MPHS Instructional Coach, Mrs. Linda Smith. Mrs. Smith is in her third year working as an instructional coach for the district. Her contract was approved 5-0.

Next on the docket was the Personnel Report, which was approved 5-0 containing 20 hires and 1 resignation.

Hires

MPHS Mentors: Wyatt Waterkotte and Ryan Diebert

MPGS Mentors: Jenna Kloba, Barbra Lindley, Rob Siebert, Jessica Awe and Jeanie Beccue

MPHS BLT Members: Ryan Deibert, Melanie Hinson, Linda Smith, and Wyatt Waterkotte

MPGS BLT Members: Ashley Burgard, Lindsey Ford, Carly Powell, and Mindy Switzer

The following sponsors/coaches were also hired: Rachel Grunder (Spanish Club & Spirit Squad), Sarah Lambert (Art Club) and Travis Dodson (MPGS Speech & Scholastic Bowl).

Resignations
Jenny Mendenhall as MPGS Instructional Coach

In two separate motions, Sabrina Bender was hired as the MPGS Science teacher with a 4-0 vote, with Board Member Chris Brown voting present and hiring Regan Goodey (MPGS and MPHS Volunteer Assistant Coach) was tabled (5-0).

The next regular meeting will be held on Monday, August 21, 2023, at 7 p.m. in the MPGS Learning Center.

[Sarah Pharis]