Mt. Pulaski School Board discusses SRO position and improvement of sidewalks at the grade school

 

[April 04, 2023] 

The Mt. Pulaski CUSD 23 Board of Education called their regular meeting to order on March 20, 2023, at 7 p.m. in the grade school learning center. All members were present, less Aaron Wilham.

The Board then moved into executive session at 7:01 p.m. to discuss employment and collective bargaining. The Board returned to regular session at 7:37 p.m.

Under Recognition of Public, Mike Chandler was present to discuss his concerns about the district's acceptance of ESSER funds.

The Board approved the Consent Agenda which included the payment of bills, the sales tax revenue report, board minutes from the regular meeting on February 22, 2023, special meetings, March 8 and 15, 2023, executive session minutes from February 22, March 8 and
March 15, 2023. The motion passed 6-0.

Under Reports, Superintendent Lamkey presented his report to the Board and commented many of the items would be discussed as action and discussion items on the agenda. Mrs. Lora then presented the need for an additional special education teacher for next school year.

Currently the district is looking to fill a special education position from last summer that received no applicants. After good discussion, the Board gave Mrs. Lora permission to search for both special education positions. The new position would be in addition to the unfilled position from last year. Mrs. Lora is optimistic in her search, as she has two interviews already scheduled.

The discipline report revealed that the high school has had one in school suspension and two out of school suspensions. The grade school had one student suspended out of school.

Under Unfinished Business, the Board approved the Reduction in Force List (RIF). School Code requires that each district create RIF each year in collaboration with the bargaining unit to be prepared for the circumstances that may require a district to reduce their workforce. The two parties easily came to agreement, but no reduction in force will be necessary.

The upcoming election has three candidates running for 3 open positions on the MPCUSD23 Board of Education. Incumbents Ashley Combs and Chris Brown have chosen to seek reelection while Rob Smith declined to run for another term. New candidate Blane Olson is the third candidate on the ballot. The newly elected members must be seated 40 days after the April 4, 2023, election. This date falls between regular Board meetings requiring the Board to set a special meeting date to seat the newly elected members. The Board chose the May 13, 2023, Data Retreat Meeting as the date to seat the new members. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. at Mt. Pulaski High School.

In New Business, the Board discussed moving Logan County Sheriff Sergeant Josh Pharis from a part-time Student Resource Officer to a full-time position. This would require an approximate $35,000 increase in the district's current contract with Logan County. While all six Board members were in favor of moving the position to full-time, they asked Superintendent Lamkey to negotiate with the Sheriff’s Office for a lower contract. No action was taken.

District architect, Graham and Hyde, conducted a bid opening last week for the MPGS basement classroom renovation. Winning the bid and alternate bid combination was RD Lawrence as the general contractor and DEM Services was awarded the bid for asbestos abatement. The renovation project is designed to build four enclosed classrooms, flooring, ceilings and electric services. Work is scheduled to begin immediately after school ends and be completed prior to the beginning of school.

President Cowan then summarized his discussion with the Mt. Pulaski City Council about the disrepair of the Garden Street sidewalk, trees and drainage in front of the Mt. Pulaski Grade School. Mr. Cowan noted that the sidewalks in front of the grade school have some of the highest foot traffic in the city and are currently in very poor shape. The two groups agreed to collaboratively investigate the costs of repair which would include tree removal, sidewalk replacement, improved drainage, lighting, parking extension and landscaping. The Board instructed Superintendent Lamkey to work with the district architect to develop a plan and explore costs.

Next on the docket was the Personnel Report which was approved 6-0 containing three hires two teachers awarded tenure and one retirement.

● Hires
○ Rebecca Clarke as MPHS Paraprofessional with CNA Licensure
○ Emily Whitham as Homebound Instructor
○ Mark Graue as MPHS Scholastic Bowl Coach

● Retirement
○ F. Ray Morrow as MPGS Head Custodian

Under Items of Information, President Cowan reported that there were no new conversations concerning the potential sale of Veterans Park.

Mrs. Fricke informed the Board that Evan Cooper was the MPHS Senior of the month!

The meeting was adjourned. The next meeting will be held on Monday, April 17, 2023, at 7 p.m. in the MPGS Learning Center.

[Text from Sarah Farris
Administrative Professional
Mount Pulaski CUSD 23]