Carbondale Reporter

Murphysboro Community Unit School District 186 Board of Education met Tuesday, Nov. 21.

Here is the minutes provided by the Board:

The regular meeting of the Board of Education was called to order by President Rick Runge at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 21, 2017, in the Board Room at McElvain School, 593 Ava Road, Murphysboro, Illinois.

Board Members present: Mr. Beavers, Dr. Corley, Mrs. Doerr, Mr. Green, Mrs. Jaynes, Mrs. Miller, Mr. Runge.

Board Members absent: None

Administrators Present: Mr. Grode, Mrs. Bush, Mr. Keener, Mr. Huppert, Mrs. Ehlers.

Administrators Absent: Mr. Wilson

Others present: Steve Carrington, Georgia Marshall, John Keller, Stacie Tefft, Denise Brown, Heather Parr, Matt Todd, Melinda Pierson, Jim Siefert, Bruce Wallace, students attending for class.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mrs. Brown.

Mr. Beavers made the motion and Mrs. Jaynes 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. Green 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 October 17, 2017 Tri-County regular board minutes dated October 11, 2017 Tri-County Bills for November 2017 Applications Reports

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. Doerr gave the second to approve the bills for November 2017 as presented.

A roll call vote was recorded as follows:

Mrs. Miller – Aye Mr. Green – Aye Mr. Runge – Aye Mrs. Doerr – Aye Mrs. Jaynes – Aye Dr. Corley – Aye Mr. Beavers – Aye

The president declared the motion carried.

There were no items falling under Communications.

Fish Bowl items were read.

There were two requests falling under the Freedom of Information Act requests: 1) from Illinois Leaks (American Watchdogs) requesting information pertaining to debt of district, payment structures for debt, superintendent compensation, contract, and agenda/minutes showing approval of superintendent contract; 2) from Matt Johansson *IEA) requesting job description and salary schedule for head custodian. Information was submitted.

Under public comment, Jamie Huppert had concerns with the high school math department and curriculum. She wondered why so many students need tutoring and some have to repeat math class – is daily instruction not adequate? No textbooks is a concern and teachers grading differently.

Under employee comment, Denise Brown, representing 5th grade teachers, is concerned with class size in 5th grade. The board addressed the high numbers in 1st grade. The teachers are requesting at the very least, an aide in the classrooms but would prefer another section at 5th grade.

Melinda Pierson, social worker at Carruthers, invited the board to stop by the school and support Christmas giving for students and their families.

Under Old Business, Mr. Grode indicated that not a lot has changed with funding. Still anticipate funding to be calculated and distributed late December/early January.

Construction is moving along at the high school. The old office is being gutted. Asbestos abatement will be starting soon. Concrete work is continuing.

Mrs. Jaynes made a motion and Mrs. Miller gave the second to adopt a tax levy in the amount of $7,406,500 with the bond and interest assessed by the county clerk for a total levy in the amount of $7,890,472.

A voiced vote was recorded as follows: Aye – All; Nay – Beavers; Absent – None

The president declared the motion carried.

Mr. Green made a motion and Dr. Corley gave the second to approve the low bid from Brown Electric Inc. in the amount of $348,303 (base; alternate #1 and #2) for the switchgear replacement at Murphysboro High School.

A roll call vote was recorded as follows:

Mr. Green – Aye Mrs. Jaynes – Aye Mr. Runge – Aye Dr. Corley – Aye Mrs. Miller – Aye Mrs. Doerr – Aye Mr. Beavers – Aye

The president declared the motion carried.

Mr. Beavers made a motion and Mr. Green gave the second to approve a policy which provides for naming of district facilities as presented.

A voiced vote was recorded as follows: Aye – All; Nay – None; Absent – None

The president declared the motion carried.

Under New Business, Mrs. Miller made a motion and Mrs. Jaynes gave the second to authorize the administration to work with the architects to develop plans and specifications for the replacement of the elevator at Murphysboro Middle School.

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 Mrs. Doerr gave the second to approve a 2 year contract renewal (through January 2020) for electric supply with AGE (Affordable Gas & Electric) and to authorize the administration to sign the contract.

A roll call vote was recorded as follows:

Mr. Beavers – Aye Mrs. Jaynes – Aye Mr. Runge – Aye Mrs. Doerr – Aye Mrs. Miller – Aye Mr. Green – Aye Dr. Corley – Aye

The president declared the motion carried.

As an informational item, Mr. Grode indicated that it was determined to keep the district policy (PRESS) as is. The dress code language will be changed in the district Parent/Student handbook and each building will continue to have its individual building management plans. The handbooks require board approval sometime in the Spring.

Mr. Beavers made the motion and Mrs. Miller gave the second to approve renewing a cooperative agreement with Elverado School District for athletic purposes.

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. Green 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 including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee to determine its validity; 2. Student disciplinary case.

A roll call vote was recorded as follows:

Mr. Beavers – Aye Mrs. Miller – Aye Mr. Runge – Aye Mr. Green – Aye Dr. Corley – Aye Mrs. Jaynes – Aye Mrs. Doerr – Aye

The president declared the motion carried.

The board moved to closed session at 7:14 p.m. The board returned to open session at 8:43 p.m.

Mr. Beavers made a motion and Mr. Green gave the second to approve the closed session minutes from the regular meeting dated October 17, 2017.

A voiced vote was recorded as follows: Aye – All; Nay – None; Absent – None

The president declared the motion carried.

Dr. Corley made a motion and Mr. Beavers gave the second to employ Renee Rodewald as 10-month secretary (high school) and Katlynn Ellis as EOC aide (middle school).

A roll call vote was recorded as follows:

Dr. Corley – Aye Mr. Green – Aye Mr. Runge – Aye Mr. Beavers – Aye Mrs. Jaynes – Aye Mrs. Doerr – Aye Mrs. Miller – Aye

The president declared the motion carried.

Mrs. Miller made a motion and Mrs. Jaynes gave the second to uphold hearing officer’s Findings and Facts and the recommendation of Student Expulsion 17-18-01 as presented.

A roll call vote was recorded as follows:

Mrs. Miller – Aye Mrs. Doerr – Aye Mr. Runge – Aye Mrs. Jaynes – Aye Mr. Green – Aye Dr. Corley – Aye Mr. Beavers – Aye

The president declared the motion carried.

Mrs. Doerr made the motion and Dr. Corley gave the second to adjourn the meeting at 7:47 p.m.

A voiced vote was recorded as follows: Aye – All; Nay – None; Absent – None

The president declared the motion carried.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2XlVvX7kb98ZG9zY24ySmJfNEVmcFlMNmN6bzdXOXNXNmp3/preview