Fulton County Community Unit School District 3 Board of Education met Sept. 25.
Here is the minutes provided by the Board:
1. CALL TO ORDER:
The Board of Education of Community Unit School District #3, Fulton County, met in regular session on September 25, 2017, in the Cuba Elementary Library, 652 East Main Street, Cuba. President Sue McCance called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M.
2. ROLL CALL:
Roll call was taken with the following members present: Mr. Corsaw, Mrs. Deakin, Mr. Mance, Mrs. McCance, and Mrs. Wilson.
3. SWEARING IN OF NEW BOARD MEMBER:
Mrs. Connie Davis was sworn in by President McCance as the new Board Member to fill a recent vacancy. All Board members were encouraged to review the code of ethics.
4. PUBLIC COMMENT:
Discussion was prompted regarding the potential co-oping of Jr. High sports with Spoon River Valley. Spoon River Valley approved this at their most recent Board meeting. Those present, both Board members and guests, commented this was a good idea. Opinions in the past have been favorable. A vote will be taken at the conclusion of this Board meeting to decide on this issue. Also under public comment, Mr. Ron Kruzan discussed ways for the district to cut costs when purchasing supplies. He proposed the district use buying groups, instead of the current purchasing Co-op being used, to purchase district supplies. Mr. Kruzan also stated he will be reviewing the student transportation report and may have suggestions to help the district in that area as well. The Board commented they feel the purchasing Co-op is doing a good and it would be a very time consuming process to find the cheapest price possible on each item the district purchases. Mr. Falk addressed the Board, thanking those Board members who attended the presentation of his State Ag Teacher of the Year award. He also mentioned the Board should consider an immediate search for of an Ag teacher for the 2018-19 school year as there are very few available candidates for the job.
5. COMMUNICATIONS:
None
6. APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
MOTION by Mrs. Wilson, seconded by Mrs. Deakin to approve the agenda as proposed. All members voted “yea”. Motion carried.
7. MINUTES:
Approved under Consent Agenda.
8. PRINCIPALS’ REPORTS
Mr. Braun reported Senior of the Month for September is Lily Abernathy. Senior Class Officers are Lucas Plotts, President, and Alexis Clark, Vice-President. FCCLA Officers are as follows: Brynn Brooks, President; Austin White, Vice-President; Brianna Gorsuch, Secretary; Makayla Gilpin, Treasurer; and Committee Members Kaylann Beekman, Audrey Doubet, Elizabeth Markley, Sloan Miller, Tori Whitehouse, and Natalie Wright. Middle School Student Council Officers are Abbey Patterson, President; Jenna Gorsuch, Vice-President; Brooklynn Patterson and Madison Weaver, Co-Secretaries; Ashlee Clark, Treasurer; Cara Hudgins and Alex Moore, 8th Grade Reps; Jacob Yaste, 7th grade Rep; and Gavin Corsaw and Ella Bass, 6th Grade Reps. In volleyball, Brooke Utsinger from Spoon River Valley was selected to the All-tournament team for the North Fulton F/S Invitational Tournament on September 9. Carlee Quick was named to the All Fulton County Team at the Fulton County Volleyball Tournament on September 16. Our North Fulton Varsity football team is 4-1. There are 31 total girls out for Middle School basketball. In ICAC news, Mr. Braun discussed the future of the ICAC Conference. New at the High School is an incentive called 1st C.L.A.S.S. Competition (Cuba Loves Amazing School Spirit). This competition is a yearlong school pride contest between classes. Classes can earn points by meeting academic/behavior goals and through participation in activities and events throughout the school year. The competition begins September 25 (Homecoming week) and ends May 11.Quarterly awards will be given to the class that leads each quarter and to the class that has the highest point total at the end of the year. Mr. Braun also announced an upcoming Building Trades Career Day at Lewistown High School, October 6, which will be attended by some of our Juniors and Seniors.
Ms. Simmons reported the beginning of the year has been extremely busy. The first day of school went well. The annual “Muffins with Mom/Donuts with Dad” was held the first day of school, hosted by PTO. It was well attended and Ms. Simmons took advantage of the large crowd to talk about Title I programming. Building procedures are being taught in all settings and all students attended the first incentive. Ms. Simmons is looking forward to a positive year. Meet the Teacher/Back to School Night on August 22 was very well attended. The fundraiser representative served food, the building looked nice, and students were very proud to bring their families to the building. Mrs. McCombs’ third grade class hosted Grandparents’ Day September 8. It was very successful. The Bag Buddy Fund received a donation of $1,100 from the Flemings and more private donations have been received. The account’s current balance is $6,413 and the district is feeding 111 students weekly. New this year is Class Dojo which teachers are using to communicate with parents and guardians. This is an immediate method of communication and has eliminated the need for building newsletters. Professional development occurred throughout the first two weeks during early dismissals, with many topics being covered. Beginning of the year student assessments were given to all students. A team of teachers, a paraprofessional, and a parent attended a workshop in Canton to better educate our ELL student.
9. FINANCIAL REPORTS:
Approved under Consent Agenda.
10. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT:
Under her superintendent’s report, Ms. Simmons announced she would be attending the IASA Superintendent’s Conference September 27-29, but would return early on Friday for the Homecoming parade. She stated she had received FOIA requests from Mr. Ron Kruzan which were included in the Board packets. Ms. Simmons presented new ESSA guidelines which include continuous school improvement; educating the whole child, not just in Reading and Math; and a funding model based on adequacy. This will be a site-based model, which means school-based instead of district-based. The schools will receive a grade next spring based on growth and based on academic level of improvement. We are a Tier 2 school as are most western area schools. More information will follow as Ms. Simmons learns more. Next topic was discussion of the old district office building. The options included moving it to the High School to be used for athletics, selling it by private bids, or giving it away. The Board directed Ms. Simmons to advertise the building in the local newspaper and invite the public to submit closed bids. Ms. Simmons presented two design options from Mr. Roger Cox, Art teacher, for outside district signage. There was also discussion of condolence procedures regarding current and former District staff. The Board agreed to send a plant for each current student and staff member and to send a card for each retired staff member. A letter was received from ISBE regarding our Pre-K for all program. A Circle Quality gold status was given which means we met state expectations. Also received from the ISBE was a letter regarding an age range deviation application which must be submitted on a yearly basis when there is more than a five year age range in any classroom. Lastly, the Class of ’77 would like to donate a bench in honor of Mrs. Brenda Ford, who recently passed away.
11. REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES:
None
12. EXECUTIVE SESSION:
MOTION by Mrs. Davis, seconded by Mr. Corsaw to enter closed session at 8:27 P.M., to consider evaluation, resignation or employment of personnel, collective bargaining and pending litigation. Roll call: "Yeas”: Mrs. Davis, Mrs. Wilson, Mrs. Deakin, Mrs. McCance, Mr. Mance, and Mr. Corsaw. Motion carried.
MOTION by Mr. Corsaw, seconded by Mrs. Davis to go out of closed session at 10:18 P.M. Roll call: "Yeas": Mrs. Wilson, Mrs. Deakin, Mrs. McCance, Mr. Mance, Mr. Corsaw, and Mrs. Davis. Motion carried.
ACTION TAKEN AFTER CLOSED SESSION:
13. CONSENT AGENDA:
MOTION by Mrs. Wilson, seconded by Mrs. Deakin to approve the consent agenda as presented. Items approved were: minutes of the August 14, 2017 regular meeting and closed session minutes as presented; minutes of the August 28, 2017 special meeting and closed session minutes as presented; District Cash Balance Report, $432,201.21 (August); High School Activity Account, $85,701.54 (August) and C.D. Account, $23,423.64 (August); Cuba Elementary Activity Account, $7,474.34 (August), and Tom Wat Account, $22,322.78 (August); Payroll for August, $258,767.17; September vendor bills, $215,093.37; adoption of Board policies (second reading) 2:100, 4:15, 5:120, and 7:100; donation of $2,500 from Dr. Well to the District wellness program; Mid-America National Bank signature changes to remove Cindy Essex and Angela Thomas and add Kathleen Beaty to all Elementary accounts; District membership in the AIRSS (Association of Illinois Rural and Small Schools); and the IGA with ROE 26 to deliver the online curriculum. Roll call: "Yeas": Mrs. Deakin, Mrs. McCance, Mr. Mance, Mr. Corsaw, Mrs. Davis, and Mrs. Wilson. Motion carried.
14. OLD BUSINESS:
14.1 MOTION by Mrs. Wilson, seconded by Mrs. Davis to approve the FY 17-18 budget. Roll call: “Yeas”: Mrs. McCance, Mr. Mance, Mr. Corsaw, Mrs. Davis, Mrs. Wilson, and Mrs. Deakin.
15. NEW BUSINESS:
15.1a Resignations –
15.1a1 MOTION by Mrs. Wilson, seconded by Mr. Mance to accept the resignation of Misty Ford (Elementary cook). All members voted “yea”. Motion carried.
15.1a2 MOTION by Mrs. Deakin, seconded by Mrs. Davis to accept the requests for retirement of Elizabeth Martindale and June Russell upon the completion of the 2020-21 school year. All members voted “yea”. Motion carried.
15.1b Employment –
15.1b1 Junior High Coach. MOTION by Mrs. Wilson, seconded by Mr. Corsaw to employ Matt Freehill as Junior High (5th and 7th grades) girls’ basketball coach for the 2017-18 school year. Roll call: “Yeas”: Mrs. Davis, Mrs. Wilson, Mrs. Deakin, Mrs. McCance, Mr. Mance, and Mr. Corsaw. Motion carried.
15.lb2 Technology Specialist. MOTION by Mrs. Deakin, seconded by Mrs. Davis to employ Jacki Scharping as Technology Specialist for the 2017-18 school year. Roll call: “Yeas”: Mrs. Davis, Mrs. Wilson, Mrs. Deakin, Mrs. McCance, Mr. Mance, and Mr. Corsaw. Motion carried.
15.1b3 Non-Certified Staff. MOTION by Mr. Mance, seconded by Mrs. Davis to employ Bruce Nell as the 2nd shift custodian at the MS/HS for the 2017-2018 school year. Roll call: “Yeas”: Mrs. Wilson, Mrs. Deakin, Mrs, McCance, Mr. Mance, Mr. Corsaw, and Mrs. Davis. Motion carried.
15.1b4 Non-Certified Staff. MOTION by Mrs. Davis, seconded by Mr. Corsaw to employ Barbie Markley as a cook at Cuba Elementary for the 2017-18 school year. Roll call: “Yeas”: Mrs. Deakin, Mrs. McCance, Mr. Mance, Mr. Corsaw, Mrs. Davis, and Mrs. Wilson. Motion carried.
15.1b5 Non-Certified Staff. MOTION BY Mrs. Wilson, seconded by Mrs. Davis, to employ Jolene Keener as the District sub caller for the 2017-18 school year. Roll call: “Yeas”: Mrs. Davis, Mrs. Wilson, Mrs. Deakin, Mrs. McCance, Mr. Mance, and Mr. Corsaw. Motion carried.
15.2 Collective Bargaining Agreement. MOTION by Mrs. Deakin, seconded by Mrs. Davis to approve the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Cuba Federation of Teachers and CUSD #3, Fulton County School District. Roll call: “Yeas”: Mrs. Wilson, Mrs. Deakin, Mrs. McCance, Mr. Mance, Mr. Corsaw, and Mrs. Davis. Motion carried.
15.3 Co-op of Junior High Sports. MOTION by Mr. Corsaw and seconded by Mrs. Wilson to approve the Co-op agreement with Spoon River Valley to combine the Junior High sports’ programs. Roll call: “Yeas”: Mrs. Deakin, Mrs. McCance, Mr. Mance, Mr. Corsaw, Mrs. Davis, and Mrs. Wilson.
16. ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Ms. Simmons announced the Western Division meeting would be
held October 24 in LaHarpe, Illinois. She encouraged Board members to attend. There was also a reminder of the Homecoming pep rally Friday morning and parade at 2:00 Friday.
17. ADJOURNMENT:
MOTION by Mrs. Davis, seconded by Mr. Corsaw to adjourn the meeting at 10:48 P.M. All members voted “yea”. Motion carried.
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