Mercer County School District #404 Board of Education met July 15.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
The Board of Education of Mercer County School District #404, Mercer, Henderson, & Rock Island Counties, Illinois, convened at a regular meeting at the Mercer County Intermediate School Music Room, 1002 SW 6th Street, Aledo, IL on Wednesday, July 15, 2020 at 6:00 PM.
Prior to Roll Call, Pastor Dietmeier opened with a brief prayer followed by the pledge of allegiance led by President Julie Wagner.
ATTENDANCE
Board members present upon roll call: Dillavou, Wagner and Yates. Balmer, Bowns, and Smock via Zoom. A quorum was present. Smock left meeting 6:08PM – returned 7:10PM.
Absent: none
Administrators present: Superintendent Scott Petrie, Principals Day, Sedam, Koresko, Bush, Fleuette, Athletic Director Andrew Hofer
Also in Attendance: Pastor Dietmeier, School Resource Office Troy Brock, Megan Bull, Jacob Marlow, and Secretary Angie Baker. Erin Headley, Amber Roberts, Andrea Long, Lindsey Bieghle, Carolyn McCrory, Holly Staker, Kylee Robins, Megan Icenogle, Marissa Boruff, Chrissy Busard, Beth Whitenack, Michelle Mellgren, Tonia Zimmerman, Lisa Finch, Dawn Noble, and Dustin Murry via zoom.
Reporters: Cathy Decker via zoom, and Jim Taylor
RECORD OF MOTIONS & VOTES
| No. 01 | No. 02 | No. 03 | No. 04 | No. 05 | No. 06 | No. 07 | No. 08 | No. 09 | No. 10 | |
| Balmer | AYE | AYE | AYE | AYE | AYE | AYE | AYE | AYE | AYE | AYE |
| Bowns | AYE | AYE | AYE | AYE | AYE | AYE | AYE | AYE | AYE | AYE |
| Dillavou | AYE | AYE | AYE | AYE | AYE | AYE | AYE | AYE | AYE | AYE |
| Smock | - | - | - | - | - | - | AYE | AYE | AYE | AYE |
| Wagner | AYE | AYE | AYE | AYE | AYE | AYE | AYE | AYE | AYE | AYE |
| Yates | AYE | AYE | AYE | AYE | AYE | AYE | AYE | AYE | AYE | AYE |
1. There was a motion by Dillavou, seconded by Bowns, to approve the following items on the consent agenda as presented.
1.1 Meeting Minutes
a. Regular Meeting Minutes – June 17, 2020
1.2 Bill List
1.3 Treasurer’s Report
1.4 Financial Report
1.5 BCBS Health Insurance Account Statement
1.6 Resignation of High School PE/Junior High & High School Health Teacher Amy Degelman
1.7 Resignation of Apollo 3rd Grade Teacher Jodi Lindell
Roll Call: 5 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried.
TREASURER BOND RENEWAL
2. There was a motion by Dillavou, seconded by Balmer, to approve the renewals for Treasurer Bonds from Nixon Insurance for Stefanie Carey, Shelly Snyder, Sherie Sackville, Sherie Thorndike and Angie DeBlock for $6,914 as presented.
Roll Call: 5 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried.
AMENDED 20-21 PUBLIC SCHOOL CALENDAR
3. There was a motion by Dillavou, seconded by Yates, to approve the amended 2020-2021 Public School Calendar as presented.
Roll Call: 5 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried.
MIDWEST BANK AUTHORIZATION
4. There was a motion by Balmer, seconded by Bowns, to approve the authorization of Bookkeeper, Stef Carey, as a second signer on the Connie Sue Smith Scholarship Fund at Midwest Bank.
Roll Call: 5 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried.
2020-2021 BOARD MEETING DATES
5. There was a motion by Bowns, seconded by Balmer, to approve the 2020-2021 Board Meeting dates as presented.
Roll Call: 5 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried.
RETURN TO LEARN DRAFT PLAN
6. There was a motion by Balmer, seconded by Dillavou, to approve the Return to Learn Draft Plan as presented.
Roll Call: 5 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried.
CLOSED SESSION
7. There was a motion by Yates, seconded by Dillavou, to go into Closed
Session after a short recess for Personnel and Negotiations discussion at
7:13PM.
7.1 Personnel
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. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1)
7.5 Negotiations
Collective negotiating matters between the District and its employees or their representatives or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2).
Roll Call: 6 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried.
The Board returned to Open Session at 8:14PM.
The hire of Junior High Head Softball Coach and Junior High Assistant Softball Coach was tabled.
HIRE APOLLO CUSTODIAN
8. There was a motion by Dillavou, seconded by Yates, to hire Barb McNichols as Apollo Custodian.
Roll Call: 6 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried.
HIRE FULL TIME SUB TEACHER
9. There was a motion by Dillavou, seconded by Yates, to hire Breanna McManus as a Full Time Substitute Teacher for the 2020-2021 school year.
Roll Call: 6 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried.
ADJOURN
10. There was a motion by Dillavou, seconded by Smock, to adjourn the meeting at 8:26PM.
Roll Call: 6 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried.
OTHER REPORTS AND DISCUSSIONS:
ADDITIONS/ DELETIONS
1. 6.6 Resignation of HS PE/Jr. High and HS Health Teacher Amy Degelman 6.7 Resignation of Apollo 3rd Grade Teacher Jodi Lindell
PUBLIC COMMENT
2. None
CORRESPONDENCE
3. None
BOARD COMMENTS
4. None
COMMITTEE REPORTS
5. Julie Wagner went over the Finance Committee report noting the additional purchases made due to the COVID Pandemic. She stated as of July 2, the fund balance is $10,653,946.76. We received $50,000 for the Maintenance Grant which was used for the JH Cafeteria Roof project and the JH Asbestos Abatement project. The Finance Committee also discussed some concerns with the Return to Learn staffing issues we may face.
Tyson Dillavou reviewed the Transportation Committee report explaining the 3dEZRouting software that will be implemented this school year. The program can plan bus routes, reroute buses, contact parents on bus times, etc. The committee also discussed capacity limits and screenings on buses that will be required under the Return to Learn Draft Plan.
Mr. Petrie reviewed the Building and Grounds report that was provided by Bray Architects as well as showing a graphical representation of where our students live as part of the facility study.
FOIA REQUESTS
6. We responded to a FOIA request from SmartProcure for PO/Vendor Information.
AMENDED SCHOOL CALENDAR 20-21
7. Mr. Petrie discussed the changes that were made to the projected 2020- 2021 public school calendar. Dates were adjusted due to the Return to Learn Draft Plan, as well as adding Election Day as a nonattendance day. Students will now be in attendance on Veteran’s Day.
RETURN TO LEARN DRAFT PLAN
8. Mr. Petrie discussed the Return to Learn Draft Plan due to the COVID19 Pandemic. Teams made up of faculty, staff, and parents have met at each building level discussing the three options presented by ISBE. Parents and staff were surveyed as well. The Draft Plan presented to the board included blended remote learning days. Students choosing to attend in person will attend 5 days per week with a 12:30 dismissal through Labor Day. All students will participate in some degree of remote learning. Masks are required. Registration will open July 17th. Parents will need to choose either remote learning or in person learning for their child at that time.
FOOD SERVICE REPORT
9. Mr. Petrie summarized the Food Service Annual Report that was included in the board packet, comparing FY19 and FY20. The difference in revenue over the two years is due to the COVID shutdown and lack of paid meals from a normal school year.
LOOSER FLAKE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION GRANT
10. Based on our application for Anytime Anyplace Learning Next Steps, the district was awarded a $75,456 grant from the Looser Flake Charitable Foundation for education technology. In addition, we were approved for a $12,000 grant for the support of data costs from internet services while working from home.
2020-2021 DISTRICT GOALS
11. Due to the COVID Pandemic, we were unable to hold the Community Forum this spring. Julie Wagner asked the board for input on writing goals for this school year and how we can get the district involved. Providing a survey related to district goals and focusing on chromebook usage due to remote learning were suggested.
SCHOOL BOARD CONFERENCE
12. The annual School Board Conference is tentatively scheduled for November 2020. Registration has been postponed due to the COVID pandemic.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
13. In addition to the Admin Reports, the principals wanted to recognize the building return to learn teams and thank the staff and parents that are involved. Mrs. Day reported that the AP test scores are back, Troy Brock will be the full time SRO at the high school, and graduation is set for July 26th with 20% capacity on the football field.
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