Murphysboro Community Unit School District 186 Board of Education met March 21.
Here is the minutes provided by the Board:
The regular meeting of the Board of Education was called to order by President Mike Cripps at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 21, 2017, in the Board Room at McElvain School, 593 Ava Road, Murphysboro, Illinois.
Board Members present: Mr. Beavers, Dr. Corley, Mr. Cripps, Mrs. Layne, Mr. McBride, Mrs. Miller, Mr. Runge.
Board Members absent: None
Administrators Present: Mr. Grode, Mrs. Bush, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Huppert, Mrs. Ehlers
Administrators Absent: Mr. Keener, Mrs. Gibbs, Mr. Ellermeyer
Others present: Steve Carrington, Georgia Marshall, John Keller, Len Novara, Dawn Taylor, Tracy Landewee, Liz Grandt, Sharon Fry, Stacie Tefft, Dawn Taylor, Matt Todd, Melinda Pierson, Katie Russell, Troy Griswold, Monica May, Lisa Huppert, Ashley James, Brian Tripp, Shannon and Jamie Green, Cara Doerr, Lisa Huppert, Brett Berger, Police Chief Chad Roberts, Jim Siefert, Grant Berger, Mason Parrone.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mrs. Miller.
Mr. McBride made the motion and Mrs. Layne gave the second to approve the agenda as presented.
A voiced vote was recorded as follows: Aye – All; Nay – None; Absent – None
The president declared the motion carried.
Mr. Beavers made the motion and Dr. Corley gave the second to approve the consent agenda consisting of the following items:
District #186 regular board meeting minutes dated February 21, 2017 Tri-County regular board minutes dated January 8, 2017 Tri-County Bills for March 2017 Applications Reports
A voiced vote was recorded as follows: Aye – All; Nay – None; Absent – None
The president declared the motion carried.
Mr. Beavers made the motion and Mr. Runge gave the second to approve the bills for March 2017 as presented.
A roll call vote was recorded as follows:
Mr. Beavers – Aye Mrs. Layne – Aye Mr. Cripps – Aye Mr. Runge – Aye Mr. McBride – Aye Dr. Corley – Aye Mrs. Miller – Aye
The president declared the motion carried.
Under Communications, Mr. McBride made the motion and Mrs. Miller gave the second to approve the resignation of Cornelius Taylor at the end of the 2016-2017 school year.
A voiced vote was recorded as follows: Aye – All; Nay – None; Absent – None
The president declared the motion carried.
Mr. Runge made the motion and Mrs. Layne gave the second to approve change in maternity leave for Bailey Hicks to begin March 24, 2017 using sick days through the end of the school year.
A voiced vote was recorded as follows: Aye – All; Nay – None; Absent – None
The president declared the motion carried.
Fish Bowl items were read.
No requests falling under the Freedom of Information Act were presented.
Below are summaries from public comments:
Jamie Green (parent/PTO mom/community member/volunteer): Very concerned with the exterior grounds and appearance of buildings; lack of pride in appearance and upkeep; what is the impression to new families looking to move to Murphysboro; parents willing to volunteer.
Heather Parr (parent): Would like to see district reinstate positions of valedictorian and salutatorian to high school.
Mason Parone and Grant Berger (former student and student): Independently spoke in regard to the importance of the Robotics class at the high school; life changing experiences have taken place for students; passionate about the comradery the class develops; success it provides to students.
Sharon Fry (parent/teacher): Supports Mrs. Parr and believes it is important to show excellence in school and the achievement is one of pride.
There were no employee concerns presented at this time.
Under Old Business, Mr. Grode discussed the financial status of the district. Still no solution to the state budget crisis. It has been difficult. General State Aide will be received – still do not anticipate categoricals – special education, transportation. The plan is to wait. The administration will continue to look at programs, etc. There may not be money for the next two years.
Bids were received for the demolition of the existing high school auditorium on March 14, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. There were five bids received. Mr. Runge made the motion and Mr. McBride gave the second to approve the low responsible bidder, Fager-McGee Construction Inc., in the amount of $57,800.00 for the demolition of high school auditorium.
A roll call vote was recorded as follows:
Mr. Runge – Aye Mrs. Miller – Aye Mr. Cripps – Aye Mr. McBride – Aye Mr. Beavers – Aye Mrs. Layne – Aye Dr. Corley – Aye
The president declared the motion carried.
The proposed new construction of the high school Center for Performing Arts (auditorium) project was discussed. Architect, Jim Siefert, explained the new plan, which is basically removing one room and reducing the number of seats. Mrs. Bush further provided different scenarios on how to pay for the estimated costs of the Center. After questions and concerns were addressed, Mr. Beavers made the motion and Mr. McBride gave the second to authorize the administration to move forward with the plan for the construction of the Center for Performing Arts and solicit bids.
A roll call vote was recorded as follows:
Mr. Beavers – Aye Mr. Runge – Aye Mr. Cripps – Aye Mr. McBride – Aye Dr. Corley – Aye Mrs. Miller – Aye Mrs. Layne – Aye
The president declared the motion carried.
Mrs. Bush requested that the board enter into an agreement with Stifel, Nicolaus and Company Inc. relating to the issuance of Alternate Revenue Bonds in 2017 or 2018, not to exceed $10,000,000. Mr. Runge made the motion and Dr. Corley gave the second to authorize the administration to enter into said agreement.
A roll call vote was recorded as follows:
Mr. Runge – Aye Mr. Beavers – Aye Mr. Cripps – Aye Dr. Corley – Aye Mrs. Layne – Aye Mrs. Miller – Aye Mr. McBride – Aye
The president declared the motion carried.
Mrs. Miller made the motion and Mr. McBride gave the second to authorize the purchase up to $100,000 in computer/technology equipment and upgrades.
A roll call vote was recorded as follows:
Mrs. Miller – Aye Mr. Beavers – Aye Mr. Cripps – Aye Mr. McBride – Aye Dr. Corley – Aye Mr. Runge – Aye Mrs. Layne – Aye
The president declared the motion carried.
Mrs. Layne made the motion and Mr. Beavers gave the second to obtain quotes from local banks and further enter into a lease/purchase agreement for the purchase of computer/technology equipment and upgrades.
A roll call vote was recorded as follows:
Mrs. Layne – Aye Mr. McBride – Aye Mr. Cripps – Aye Mr. Beavers – Aye Mrs. Miller – Aye Dr. Corley – Aye Mr. Runge – Aye
The president declared the motion carried.
Mrs. Miller made the motion and Mr. Runge gave the second to approve the renewal of IHSA membership for 2017-2018 school year.
A voiced vote was recorded as follows: Aye – All; Nay – None; Absent – None
The president declared the motion carried.
Mr. McBride made the motion and Mrs. Layne gave the second to approve employing summer workers primarily for technology and HVAC.
A voiced vote was recorded as follows: Aye – All; Nay – None; Absent – None
The president declared the motion carried.
Mrs. Miller made the motion and Mrs. Layne gave the second to approve conducting a summer food program this year for approximately 5 weeks with particulars to be determined.
A voiced vote was recorded as follows: Aye – All; Nay – None; Absent – None
The president declared the motion carried.
Mrs. Miller made the motion and Mr. McBride gave the second to move into closed session pursuant to Section 2 of the Open Meetings Act, 5 Illinois Compiled Statutes 120/2(c), to review:
1. The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees of the district;
2. Pending or threatened litigation.
A roll call vote was recorded as follows:
Mrs. Miller – Aye Mrs. Layne – Aye Mr. Cripps – Aye Mr. McBride – Aye Mr. Runge – Aye Dr. Corley – Aye Mr. Beavers – Aye
The president declared the motion carried.
The board moved to closed session at 8:13 p.m.
The board returned to open session at 11:20 p.m.
Mr. Beavers made the motion and Mr. McBride gave the second to approve the closed session minutes from the regular meeting dated February 21, 2017.
A voiced vote was recorded as follows: Aye – All; Nay – None; Absent – None
The president declared the motion carried.
Mrs. Layne made the motion and Dr. Corley gave the second to employ the following.
Krystal Cross – EOC aide (Carruthers) Christina Arbeiter – full-time cook at MMS George Mucher – assistant baseball coach
A roll call vote was recorded as follows:
Mrs. Layne – Aye Mr. Runge – Aye Mr. Cripps – Aye Dr. Corley – Aye Mr. Beavers – Aye Mrs. Miller – Aye Mr. McBride – Aye
The president declared the motion carried.
Mr. Runge made the motion and Mr. McBride gave the second to approve the transfer of Derick Aken from cook to head cook at middle school and Fred Beck from night custodian at high school to day shift custodian at Carruthers.
A roll call vote was recorded as follows:
Mr. Runge – Aye Mr. Beavers – Aye Mr. Cripps – Aye Mr. McBride – Aye Dr. Corley – Aye Mrs. Miller – Aye Mrs. Layne – Aye
The president declared the motion carried.
As administrative district for Tri-County Special Education Joint Agreement, Mr. McBride made the motion and Mr. Beavers gave the second to approve a resolution authorizing non- reemployment of full-time first year non-tenured teachers (Connet, Cox, Hamilton, Snell).
A roll call vote was recorded as follows:
Mr. McBride – Aye Dr. Corley – Aye Mr. Cripps – Aye Mr. Beavers –Aye Mrs. Layne – Aye Mr. Runge – Aye Mrs. Miller – Aye
The president declared the motion carried.
Mrs. Miller made the motion and Dr. Corley gave the second to approve the Resolution Authorizing Non-reemployment of Second Year Probationary Teacher, John Nichols.
A roll call vote was recorded as follows:
Mrs. Miller – Aye Mr. McBride – Aye Mr. Cripps – Aye Dr. Corley – Aye Mrs. Layne – Aye Mr. Beavers – Aye Mr. Runge – Aye
The president declared the motion carried.
Mr. McBride made the motion and Mr. Beavers gave the second to approve the Resolution Authorizing Non-reemployment of Fourth Year Probationary Teacher, Brandon Martin.
A roll call vote was recorded as follows:
Mr. McBride – Aye Mrs. Layne – Aye Mr. Cripps – Aye Mr. Beavers – Aye Mrs. Miller – Aye Dr. Corley – Aye Mr. Runge – Aye
The president declared the motion carried.
Mr. Beavers made the motion and Mrs. Layne gave the second to approve a Resolution to Adopt Order of Reinstatement and Assignment of Teacher on Contractual Continued Service, Lynne Beggs.
A roll call vote was recorded as follows:
Mr. Beavers – Aye Mrs. Miller – Aye Mr. Cripps – Aye Mrs. Layne – Aye Mr. Runge – Aye Mr. McBride – Aye Dr. Corley – Aye
The president declared the motion carried.
Mr. Runge made the motion and Mrs. Miller gave the second to post for the following positions:
Maintenance Night Custodian MMS Student Advocate 2 – HS Special Education HS Social Studies HS Robotics
A roll call vote was recorded as follows:
Mr. Runge – Aye Mr. Beavers – Aye Mr. Cripps – Aye Mrs. Miller – Aye Dr. Corley – Aye Mr. McBride – Aye Mrs. Layne – Aye
The president declared the motion carried.
Mr. Runge made the motion and Mr. McBride gave the second to approve paying the middle school athletic director stipend to Len Novara for the first half of the current school year.
A roll call vote was recorded as follows:
Mr. Runge – Aye Mr. Beavers – Aye Mr. Cripps – Aye Mr. McBride – Aye Dr. Corley – Aye Mrs. Miller – Aye Mrs. Layne – Aye
The president declared the motion carried.
Mr. Grode recognized the following teachers who will receive their contractual continued service (tenure) at the end of the 2016-2017 school year: Katie Hickam, George Mucher, Jennifer Ellermeyer, Keith Jones, Tom Lunz, Shannon Gardner.
Mr. Beavers made the motion and Dr. Corley gave the second to adjourn the meeting at 11:25 p.m.
A voiced vote was recorded as follows: Aye – All; Nay – None; Absent – None
The president declared the motion carried.
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