Earlville Community Unit School District 9 Board met November 20.
Here is the minutes provided by the Board:
The regular meeting of the Board of Education of Earlville Community Unit School District 9, DeKalb, LaSalle and Lee Counties, Illinois, held at the Earlville School on the 20th day of November, 2017 was called to order by School Board President Barbara Meloy at 7:06 p.m.
Roll Call:
The following members answered roll call: Mr. John Eager, Mrs. Lisa Harness, Ms. Jennie Smith, Mr. Carl Zimmerman, Mrs. Angie Koontz, Mr. Jeff Maly and Mrs. Barbara Meloy.
Administrators: Mr. Rich Faivre and Mrs. Jenette Fruit were present.
Visitors Present:
Mr. Brock Zinke and Mr. Stu Bloom from The Earlville Post were present.
Motions Arising Out Of Closed Session:
A motion to accept the resignation of Jacqueline Whitmore, effective immediately, as Junior High ELA teacher was made by Mr. Zimmerman. Mrs. Koontz seconded the motion. Upon roll call vote, the following members voted aye: Mr. Eager, Mrs. Harness, Mrs. Koontz, Mr. Maly, Mr. Zimmerman, Ms Smith, and Mrs. Meloy. The motion carried.
Audience To Visitors:
Ms Mary Estell was not able to attend the meeting so Mrs. Fruit presented the Board with an itinerary and schedule of the proposed trip to Orlando, Florida for the Earlville High School Band members along with requesting permission for the 8th grade band students to join the trip. This trip will take place over spring break and will be chaperoned. Ms Estell has sent in a recording of the band’s performance and should hear soon if they qualify to perform at Disney World. A motion was made by Mrs. Koontz to approve the trip for the band and seconded by Ms Smith. All members voted aye by voice and the motion carried.
Consent Agenda:
A motion was made by Mr. Eager to approve the Consent Agenda which consists of Minutes, Bills, and Payroll. Mr. Maly seconded the motion. Upon roll call vote, the following members voted aye: Mr. Eager, Mrs. Harness, Mrs. Koontz, Mr. Maly, Mr. Zimmerman, Ms Smith, and Mrs. Meloy. The motion carried.
Financial Reports:
A motion was made by Mr. Eager to approve the Financial Reports. Mrs. Harness seconded the motion. Upon roll call vote, the following members voted aye: Mr. Eager, Mrs. Harness, Mrs. Koontz, Mr. Maly, Mr. Zimmerman, Ms Smith, and Mrs. Meloy. The motion carried.
Committee Reports:
Building & Grounds- The City of Earlville would like to purchase an acre of land from the school from the surrounding acreage to the west of the buildings to erect a new water tower. This project is in the beginning stages and there is work to be done before anything more can be completed. The proposed project of the City of Earlville would provide easier access to the city water lines.
School Leadership Team - Mrs. Fruit reported that the team met and discussed coming up with textbook rotation to stay on top of goals to enhance curriculum for Junior High and High School, including science, biology, and Physics curriculum. The team agreed the current math curriculum needs some updating, with focus on grades 6-12. Discussion of adding Technology courses next year as Mrs. Knauf will retire at the end of the 2018 school year. Mrs. Fruit also told the Board that the All-School Eligibility has worked well. Attendance has been much better.
Administrative Reports:
Paw Paw – Mrs. Fruit and Mrs. Marks have been in discussion with Paw Paw School regarding sharing resources. Some of the proposals include music appreciation, Ag, and offering chorus in Earlville with a Paw Paw teacher traveling here to be the instructor, with possibly 12-15 students from Paw Paw. Mrs. Koontz would like to see the schedule changing for next year so that band is not “hurt due to scheduling.”
Student Recognition – Brennan Sweeney was chosen as Student of the Month, Meghann Harness received The Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) Award, and Emily Cook was chosen for the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Award.
Board Goals – Mr. Faivre would like to, each month, look at each of the Board goals and what steps are being taken to meet the goals; ground work has been developed and what is the Board as a whole doing to get closer to reaching the set goals.
2017 Triple I Conference – The Board members and administration attended the annual convention in Chicago and were pleased with the sessions and what was able to be taken from the speakers.
Legislative Action - Mr. Faivre reported during the veto session, the legislature approved a mandate for schools to teach cursive writing. Earlville schools are in compliance because cursive is taught in second grade. Mr. Faivre expressed concern regarding this piece of legislation, SB 651, for LaSalle County Schools because it increases the Senior Exemption from $5000 to $8000 and the Owner Occupied Exemption from $6000 to $12000. Mr. Faivre provided the Board with an analysis showing what it will do to the taxable Equalized Assess Value (EAV).
Old Business:
Sports Co-op – Superintendents met with Earlville, Leland, and Paw Paw. Mr. Faivre reported there was nothing new to update, but the administrators are working towards a common goal for the athletes and coaches.
New Business:
Tentative Tax Levy – Mr. Faivre provided the Board members with the previously discussed tax levy. The Board will be required to have a truth in taxation hearing because the proposed levy reflects an increase of over 5%. Mr. Eager made a motion to hold a hearing on Monday, December 18 at 7:00 p.m. to adopt the tentative tax levy. Mr. Maly seconded the motion. All members voted aye by voice and the motion carried.
Snow Removal Bid – Ms Smith made a motion to accept a bid from Adam Telfer from Sandwich for snow removal for the 2017-2018 winter at $75 per hour and $125 per push for salt. Mrs. Koontz seconded the motion. Upon roll call vote, the following members voted aye: Mr. Eager, Mrs. Harness, Mrs. Koontz, Mr. Maly, Mr. Zimmerman, Ms Smith, and Mrs. Meloy. The motion carried.
Adjourn:
Mrs. Harness made a motion to return to Closed Session at 8:14 p.m. with a second by Mr. Zimmerman. All members voted aye by voice and the motion carried.
http://www.earlvillecusd9.org/vimages/shared/vnews/stories/53b9780b22dad/November%2020%202017.pdf
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