Bureau Valley Community Unified School District 340 Board met Dec. 16.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
President Yepsen called the truth in taxation hearing to order at 6:00 pm and directed the Secretary to call the roll.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Dye, Maynard, Olds, Spencer, Wiggim, Yepsen
ABSENT: Johnson
The 2019 Tentative Levy for the Bureau Valley School District was presented by Mr. Jason Stabler. Mr. Stabler explained that after the truth in taxation notice was placed in the newspaper, a revised EAV was received from the county assessor’s office. Therefore, the levy amount changed. A new notice will be published as required. The increase was published as a 13.57% increase from 2018, but will actually be 18.24%. Instead of a $10,027,646 levy, it will be $10,471,748. Farm land values increased and the wind turbines are now included in our EAV. Board member Chris Maynard asked if a second hearing was required. Mr. Stabler explained that no second hearing was required. Our EAV was approximately $151 million and has increased to approximately $189 million. The estimated tax rate is lower, but generates more money.
With no questions from the public, it was moved by Olds and seconded by Spencer to adjourn the hearing at 6:10pm.
VOICE VOTE MOTION CARRIED
Determining that a quorum was present, President Yepsen then called the regular meeting to order at 6:10 pm and directed the Secretary to call the roll.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Dye, Maynard, Olds, Spencer, Wiggim, Yepsen
ABSENT: Johnson
Justin Yepsen, Board President, recognized Lynn Olds for achieving a Master School Board Member from Illinois Association of School Boards.
There was no public comment.
It was moved by Olds and seconded by Maynard to enter into executive session at 6:15 p.m. for the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee of the public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity, or Student disciplinary cases and other matters related to individual students; and Discussion of minutes of meetings lawfully closed under the Open Meetings Act, whether for purposes of approval by the body of the minutes or semi-annual review of the minutes.
VOICE VOTE MOTION CARRIED
It was moved by Olds and seconded by Dye to close the executive session at 6:30 p.m. and return to open session.
VOICE VOTE MOTION CARRIED
ROLL CALL IN OPEN SESSION
PRESENT: Dye, Maynard, Olds, Spencer, Wiggim, Yepsen
ABSENT: Johnson
During Building Reports, Mr. Duane Price, BVHS Principal, informed the board that the Drama Club was recognized in a publication by Shaw Media. Mrs. Kristie Cady, BVN/BVWE Principal, reminded everyone of the final two Holiday Programs scheduled for December 17th and 19th. Mrs. Julie Decker-Platz announced that the BV JH Robotics team, Storm Structure, has qualified for the State competition. Sheri Litherland, Curriculum Director, thanked Mr. Dennis Thompson for his continued donations for STEM activities.
It was moved by Maynard and seconded by Spencer to approve the consent agenda items:
1. Regular Meeting Minutes of November 18,2019
2. Activity Account Reports
3. Monthly Financial and Treasurer’s Reports
4. Bureau Valley #340 Bills and Payroll
5. FFA Overnight Trip
6. Let Transportation Fuel Bids
7. Ag Booster Lease Agreement
ROLL CALL
AYES: Dye, Maynard, Olds, Spencer, Wiggim, Yepsen
NAYS: None
MOTION CARRIED 6-0-1 Absent
With no additional questions, it was moved by Wiggim and seconded by Spencer to accept the 2019 Levy as presented.
ROLL CALL
AYES: Dye, Maynard, Olds, Spencer, Wiggim, Yepsen
NAYS: None
MOTION CARRIED 6-0-1 Absent
Mr. Stabler mentioned that there were a large amount of policy updates/changes this time due to legislation changes. Justin Yepsen asked if the board could make changes to the options at a later time. Karen Sierens, District Secretary, answered that the Board could make changes where options were offered. Mr. Yepsen mentioned that at a later time, the board may want to opt for different choices in some of the policies. It was moved by Olds and seconded by Spencer to approve the Board Policy updates as presented.
VOICE VOTE MOTION CARRIED
Mr. Stabler explained that after a compliance audit by the Regional Office of Education, we discovered that our Integrated Pest Management Plan needed updating. It was moved by Olds and seconded by Wiggim to approve updates to the Integrated Pest Management Plan as presented.
VOICE VOTE MOTION CARRIED
Mr. Stabler explained that there is talk of possible tax cap legislation in Springfield. If this is passed, it will limit the district’s Debt Service Extension Base (DSEB). The DSEB is the annual levy extended for non-referendum issues (Working Cash, Funding and Life Safety Bonds) in the year the District becomes capped. Our current DSEB is $0. This is the number we will be able to borrow on future non-referendum issues going forward. With the estimated decreased tax rate and increased EAV, we will be able to put some of these savings into these working cash bonds and still provide our taxpayers with a decreased tax rate. It would be prudent for our district to establish a sufficient DSEB base to be adequately prepared and give us the ability to use the funds for capital projects and maintenance of our facilities that we currently do not have even with the additional monies generated from the wind turbines. Mr. Yepsen agreed that this money could be used for building projects that have been delayed. He feels we need to keep our buildings updated and looking nice. It was moved by Olds and seconded by Wiggim to approve the resolution declaring the intention to issue $1,850,000 Working Cash Fund Bonds for the purpose of increasing the Working Cash Fund of the District, and directing that notice of such intention be published in the manner provided by law.
ROLL CALL
AYES: Dye, Maynard, Olds, Spencer, Wiggim, Yepsen
NAYS: None
MOTION CARRIED 6-0-1 Absent
Mr. Stabler informed the Board that he has applied for the Property Tax Relief Grant. The State will replace a portion of the tax revenue with state funds to lessen the property tax burden on local taxpayers.
Justin Yepson reported that the construction project is wrapping up and that small issues are being resolved. Certain final projects, like basketball courts, will have to wait for spring weather.
It was moved by Maynard and seconded by Spencer to approve and retain the executive session meeting minutes of November 18, 2019.
VOICE VOTE MOTION CARRIED
It was moved by Wiggim and seconded by Spencer to accept the resignation of Tony Gripp as BV JH Teacher at the end of the 2019-2020 school year and resignation of Gerald Eshelman as BVHS Custodian.
VOICE VOTE MOTION CARRIED
It was moved by Maynard and seconded by Spencer to adjourn the meeting at 6:45 p.m.
VOICE VOTE MOTION CARRIED
https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/564451/Board_Minutes_121919.pdf
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