Galesburg Reporter

Mercer County School District 404 Board of Education Regular met Nov. 16.

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 Junior High School Music Room, on Wednesday, November 16, 2022 at 6:32 PM. 

Prior to Roll Call, Mike Bowns opened with a brief prayer followed by the pledge of allegiance.

RECORD OF MOTIONS & VOTES 

	No. 01	No. 02	No. 03	No. 04	No. 05	No. 06	No. 07	No. 08	No. 09
Balmer	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE	V O I C E
Bieri	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE
Bowns	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE
Monson	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE
Smock	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE
Wagner	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE
Yates	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE

ATTENDANCE 

Board members present upon roll call: Balmer, Bieri, Bowns, Monson, Smock, Wagner, and Yates. Absent: none

Administrators present: Superintendent Scott Petrie, Principals McPeek, Bush and Fleuette. Also in Attendance: Andrew Hofer, Natalie Nelson, Kris Chausse, Staci Tharp, Jill Brokaw and Secretary Angie Dillie.

Reporters: John Hoscheidt

CONSENT AGENDA 

1. There was a motion by Monson, seconded by Yates, to approve the following items on the consent agenda as presented.

1.1 Meeting Minutes – October 17, 2022

1.2 Bill List

1.3 Treasurer’s Report

1.4 Financial Report

1.5 BCBS Health Insurance Account Statement

1.6 Maternity Leave Apollo Elementary Teacher Kristi Robertson

1.7 Resignation of High School Head Volleyball Coach Erica Biddle

Roll Call: 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried.

2022 WELLNESS POLICY 

2. There was a motion by Smock, seconded by Bieri, to approve the 2022 Wellness Policy as presented.

Roll Call: 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried.

SUBSTITUTE SALARIES 

3. There was a motion by Bieri, seconded by Smock, to approve the Substitute Salaries as presented with an amendment increasing the Teacher Substitute (after 15 consecutive days) to $175 a day.

Roll Call: 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried.

CLOSED SESSION 

4. There was a motion by Balmer, seconded by Bieri, to go into Closed Session for Personnel discussion at 7:22PM.

4.1 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) 

Roll Call: 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried.

OPEN SESSION 

5. There was a motion by Monson, seconded by Yates, to return to open session at 8:17PM.

Roll Call: 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried.

HIRE APOLLO PARAPROFESSIONAL

6. There was a motion by Smock, seconded by Bowns, to hire Jaime Kernan as Apollo Elementary Paraprofessional.

Roll Call: 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried.

HIRE JUNIOR HIGH PARAPROFESSIONAL

7. There was a motion by Smock, seconded by Bowns, to hire Stephanie McEvoy as Junior High Paraprofessional.

Roll Call: 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried.

HIRE FRESHMAN BOYS BASKETBALL COACH

8. There was a motion by Smock, seconded by Bowns, to hire Brain Fearman as Freshman Boys Basketball Coach.

Roll Call: 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried.

ADJOURN 9. There was a motion by Smock, seconded by Bieri, to adjourn the meeting at 8:20 PM.

Majority of Ayes by Voice Vote. Motion carried.

OTHER REPORTS AND DISCUSSIONS: 

ADDITIONS/ DELETIONS 

1. Addition:

7.7 Resignation of High School Head Volleyball Coach Erica Biddle

PUBLIC COMMENT 

2. Natalie Nelson and Jill Brokaw invited the board members to the Life Skills Classroom prior to the board meeting. They were able to meet several of the students that participate in that program, have dinner, and purchase snacks from their snack cart. During the meeting, Mrs. Nelson discussed what the day looks like in her classroom. She, along with her Para, have 6 students that participate in many activities in the junior high building throughout the day. These include: cleaning cafeteria tables, recycling, mail delivery, copying, vacuuming, organizing, doing laundry, etc. The students have also learned important hygiene skills that they utilize every day after lunch. The group has gone to several local businesses and most recently made 70 placemats to be given to Brookstone residents for Thanksgiving Dinner.

Mrs. Brokaw thanked the board for supporting the classroom and always making her, as a parent, feel like her son belongs at Mercer County School District. She discussed many factors that have helped her son progress and stay in the district. The classroom has their own Facebook page.

BOARD COMMENTS 

3. Smock and Bieri thanked

Mrs. Nelson and Mrs. Brokaw for the information they provided and the time before the meeting to join them in the classroom. Must appreciation to the staff for making this classroom possible.

Wagner added that IASB is providing a PRESS policy webinar if anyone would like more detailed explanations on the changes in the policies to be approved next month 

CORRESPONDENCE 

4. A thank you card was received from the family of Jil Petrie.

COMMITTEE REPORTS 

5. Nothing additional

SUBSTITUTE SALARIES 

6. Due to the minimum wage increase, substitute secretaries, cooks, custodians, paras, and summer workers were increased to $13/hr. effective January 1, 2023. Substitute teacher rates were also increased.

FOIA REQUESTS 

7. None

SCHOOL REPORT CARD 

8. Mr. Petrie reviewed our districts school report card. This information is compiled from the 21-22 school year. All four of our schools are rated as commendable, showing great gain over last year. He discussed the school district finances portion of the report, pointing out the Evidence Based Funding showing 71% adequacy. A link to review the School Report card is provided on our district website under the district tab.

LEVY DISCUSSION 

9. The tentative 2022 levy reflects an increase due to the TIF and increases in farm ground. Estimates were received from all three counties showing an estimated 11% increase in EAV. Final levy amount of $9.3 million, 9.4% increase from last year with the rate down 2 cents from last year at 4.84. A Truth and Taxation Hearing will be required and held next month.

OTHER FACILITY 

10. Mr. Petrie provided an updated timeline for the new construction at Apollo and NBE, as well as other items to consider in the near future. The Apollo and New Boston additions will go out for bids in late January, early February. Planning to break ground Spring 2023 on these projects. Apollo is expected to be completed for the 24-25 school year. New Boston is a much larger project including a partial demolition, expected to be completed for the 25-26 school year.

Other facility issues include HS gym backboards, rims, and shot clock implementation. There are some concerns from staff and parents regarding the JH gym capacity. Football field turf at the JH needs some improvements.

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS 

11. In addition to their written reports, the following was mentioned: Mr. Fleuette mentioned Veterans Day at Apollo. Several care packages were delivered to veterans at the nursing homes in Aledo. A school wide picture was taken as students waived and thanked the Veterans.

Mr. Bush discussed Veterans Day with the NBE students. The City of New Boston purchased shirts for all students and staff. They attended a memorial at the Veterans Park in New Boston. He also discussed the need for a Life Skills Class at the Elementary level.

Mr. Hofer announced the 2023 Hall of Fame Inductees. Taylor Lane, Dan Lawson, Tanner Matlick, Dennis Henderson, and Gary Heard.

They will be honored at the Jan. 13th Boys Basketball game.

https://www.mercerschools.org/_files/ugd/6b636f_121ae3f1c45d4f36934cdcf9ffdbdc93.pdf