Mt. Pulaski CUSD 23 Board of Education approves MPHS renovation project to go to bid

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[January 19, 2024]     The Mt. Pulaski CUSD 23 Board of Education called their regular meeting to order on January 17, 2023, at 6 p.m. in the MPGS Learning Center, all school board members were in attendance except for Aaron Wilham.

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 7:04 p.m.

In Public Recognition, Mike Chandler discussed the subjects of religion, book banning, desperate times, ESSER money and illegal immigrants.

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 $30,547. The Board approved the Consent Agenda 6-0.

Under Reports, Mr. Lamkey discussed the survey conducted by the teaching staff concerning the 2024-25 school year calendar. Teachers indicated they would like a later start to the year, but Superintendent Lamkey contends that this would imbalance the schedule, making a 10-day difference in semesters. Other items considered were the timing of spring break and the release time on the final day of semester exams.

Next, Mrs. Mott and Mrs. Combs reported on the Personnel Committee meeting. The committee is reviewing the job description and evaluation template of the Building and Grounds Supervisor in reference to creating a job description for the newly created Assistant Building and Grounds Supervisor position. The Personnel Committee will make a recommendation to the Board after further review by their committee, as well as the Building and Grounds Committee. The Personnel Committee is also beginning to gather data on salaries for Educational Support Personnel. They hope to have a recommendation on salaries by late spring.

Kevin Handy from Graham and Hyde presented on the MPHS Building Renovations scheduled to take place this summer. The renovations include a new roof over the 2006 high school addition, new windows for the west side of the 1963 building and classroom renovations for science, art, shop and ag classrooms. The estimated costs of the project is right at $2.5 million. Once the bid process is completed, the Board will consider the cost and scope of the project the district wishes to undertake. Bids will be revealed at the April meeting.

Superintendent Lamkey next presented the Mid-year Financial Report. He first reviewed the district finances over the last six years before informing the Board on the district's current financial status. The district remains on budget in all funds and has enough surplus to carry out the proposed high school renovations. Mr. Lamkey also commented that he has been working with Mr. Spang, to make him knowledgeable about the district's financial data.

In a 6-0 vote, the Board approved the project scope for the MPHS renovations that will go to bid. The district architect, Graham and Hyde, will deliver the bids to the Board for approval in April.

Next, Mrs. Fricke presented the finishing touches to the MPHS Curriculum Guide. While this month's changes did not affect curriculum specifically, it did clear up language concerning prerequisites and the school counselor’s authority to place students in certain classes. The Curriculum Guide was approved 6-0.

In New Business, the Board failed to act on a measure that would open Executive Session Minutes to the public and approved the lawful destruction of Executive Session Minutes more than 18 months old. This was approved 6-0.

The next two items concerned the school calendar with the first being the 6-0 approval of the Amended Calendar for FY2024. The district had to add two days to the end of the district calendar to account for the two lost days of school due to the City of Mt. Pulaski losing water pressure this fall. The second was the approval of the 2024-25 district calendar which passed 5-1.

Each year the district office works with the Mt. Pulaski Education Association (MPEA) to approve the reduction in force (RIF) list. The RIF List is mandated by school code for the district to utilize in the situation licensed jobs are eliminated. The district office composes the list and the MPEA verifies the data on the list. The list was approved 6-0.

Lastly, the district announced that 8th Grade Promotion will take place Friday, May 17, 2024 at 3:00 PM in the MPGS Gym and the High School Graduation will be held Sunday, May 19, 2024 in the MPHS Gym at 3:00 PM.

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The Personnel Report was approved 6-0 containing five hires, four resignations and two reassignments.

● Hires

  • Allie Olson as Long Term Substitute Teacher

  • Jordan Murphy-Leach as MPGS Paraprofessional

  • Peyton Wyss as MPGS Paraprofessional

  • Krissy Mercer as MPGS Scholastic Bowl Coach

  • Shaun Tyson as MPHS Volunteer Assistant Track Coach

  • Kellie Kendall reassigned as MPHS Head Custodian

  • Jim Bishop reassigned as Assistant Building and Grounds Supervisor

  • Kristen Przykopanski Maternity Leave

● Resignations

  • Alora Sheley as MPGS Paraprofessional

  • Alvin Gilbert as MPHS Head Custodian

  • Travis Dodson as MPGS Scholastic Bowl Coach

  • Jamie Selinger as MPHS Assistant Soccer Coach

Items of Information:

● Athletics - Mr. Kavelman

  • MPGS Boys Basketball Finished 3rd in the 7th Grade Logan County Tournament with a very impressive win over Hartem.

  • 7th Grade Regionals begin 1/20 at MPGS
    ○ 8th Grade Regionals begin 1/27 at MPGS

  • Girls Volleyball finished 2nd in the Logan County 7th Grade Tournament. They defeated Hartem in 3 sets during pool play but fell to WLB in the championships.

  • Girls 8th Grade Tournament 1/27

  • MPHS Girls Basketball Current Record: 17-6 Placed 2nd in their Holiday Tournament

  • Senior Night will be Thursday, January 25th against Sangamon Valley

  • Boys Basketball Current Record: 8-11 Placed 2nd in the Holiday Tournament

  • Senior Night will be Friday, February 2nd against Springfield Lutheran

  • Scholastic Bowl Started off their season with wins against Hartem and Illini Central High School

● MPHS - Mrs. Fricke

  • Senior-of-the-Month for January: Kamrie Charron

  • Students are beginning to meet with the counselor to sign up for classes. Selections will be concluded mid-February.

  • Student Council is hosting Topper Week the week of January 22 through 26 which will include dress up days and a Friday assembly with games.

● MPGS - Mrs. Lora

  • We need a board member interested in serving on our Student Handbook Committee along with 2 students, 2 parents, and a teacher. Grade School - Mrs. Lora

  • Book Blast Book Drive has been amazing. We have raised as a school over
    $18,000 for our students to receive books!

  • Ayleigh Urish was the winner of an iPad. We will draw for 4 treasure chest winners as well to receive cash!

  • Great first week back!

[Sarah Farris]

 

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