Peoria Standard

Brimfield Community Unified School District 309 Board of Education met March 21.

Here is the minutes as provided by the board:

The Brimfield Board of Education held its regular meeting on Wednesday, March 21,

2018 at 7:00 p.m. in the High School Library. Heinz called the meeting to order with the

following members present: Graham, Hoerr, Kenney, Updyke, Johnson, Thompson.

The board recognized several community members; see attached list.

Board President Heinz welcomed comments from the community members.

Buffie Stewart commented on how her concerns had been expressed in an email and

hopes to hear some of her other concerns brought forth as the meeting carries on.

Dan Kelch had a series of concerns. First, there is issue of safety. Is there an app

where an APB could be sent out, to parents only, when threats are made? Heinz

informed him that the threat, posted on social media, was handled by taking the

necessary measures. The police were contacted and school officials were instructed to

isolate the incident and to not divulge any more information. Dan asked why a majority

of the community still has no knowledge of this, and other school business. Thompson

informed him that no information is being kept private and all of the board members are

as concerned as anyone; informing parents as soon as an incident occurs could make

an incident much worse. Second, Dan asked, when will there be air conditioning in the

Grade School and has the Board figured out how to pay for it? Hoerr reflected on the

prior board meeting(s) where that issue had been addressed, and, again, it will be sales

tax money that will be used to fund the project. Dan insisted that there are other grants

out there that the Board should look into obtaining, such as the USDA grant; also, why

not get more fans in the building in the meantime? Heinz elaborated that there is a long

term plan; money is coming in that will be allocated to the air conditioning project.

Thompson added that, as there are other pressing concerns to address as well (safety

issues), we must be 150% sure that it is the priority above all else. Lastly, Dan

mentioned maintenance concerns throughout the District. Why is the shed not

winterized, why are the broken door stops and metal framework issues (in locker rooms)

not being addressed, and how often are the air filters supposed to be changed?

Superintendent Richardson informed him that the shed was winterized; there was a leak

followed by the water meter breaking. There is a protocol that maintenance follows to

change air filters. And, the locker room issue is currently being handled.

Willie Howe expressed some concerns. First off, should the HS Principal and

Superintendent jobs be segregated? Is this in the auditor’s report? Board President

Heinz commented that the segregation of duties is not a necessity and when the auditor

puts that in the report, it is flagged as a suggestion; it is not a requirement. Willie

mentioned this as his FOIA request. Willie inquired about the salary of Superintendent

(FOIA request). Will his salary remain the same for the remainder of his contract even

though he will not be working both positions? Also, some seem to be confused as to

whether or not the HS Principal position/salary are official-are they? Board President

Heinz mentioned that, yes, his salary will remain the same. Heinz referred to last

month’s minutes to point out that the HS position was voted on in open session and that

the Finance committee is working on establishing a salary for the HS Principal. Next,

Willie mentioned that he is aware that there is a student with a feeding tube and this is

(and has been) a concern because the District has only a part-time RN. Is there any

discussion on making the RN full time, and if not yet, can you please do so? Lastly, how

is the central kitchen idea being handled, and why can the Grade School Kitchen not be

used any longer; what is the estimated repair cost? Superintendent Richardson

mentioned that it will be discussed later in open session as it is an action item. There

are Health and Life Safety issues with the current state of the kitchen and the proposed

central kitchen is estimated to be cheaper than the cost to renovate the kitchen ($20-

30k). Phil Molleck commented and suggested the community could come together to

raise the money to repair the kitchen if need be. Willie then requested he receive a

board packet moving forward.

Ted Riggenbach inquired when the Superintendent’s contract is up. Superintendent

Richardson responded that it is June 30, 2019. Ted mentioned that he is not fulfilling his

contract as HS Principal/Superintendent, so should he not see a decrease in salary?

Board President Heinz says no; right now, he is making less than other Superintendents

and he is working two positions. Ted also asked if the HS Principal was a

recommendation and if it was for sure voted on. Board President Heinz mentioned that

it was a recommendation, and, again, the position was voted on in open session last

month; the salary is being discussed.

Tammy Ehnle and other community members mentioned how they are concerned for

their children while on field trips. A few of the Board members mentioned how child

safety is the top priority and they are doing everything to ensure the safety of all

involved. Someone else mentioned the ongoing concern with the Superintendent’s

salary. Phil Molleck mentioned how GS Principal Blane does more work, has more

building and children to oversee and gets paid less and he pushed to get the estimated

cost of the new HS Principal. Superintendent Richardson mentioned how the

approximate cost of the HS Principal (total package) would be about $100k. Phil

mentioned how the individuals who held his position in the past did more for less.

Johnson and Updyke shared the same sentiment: you cannot reasonably compare now

to 5, 10, even 15 years ago. Times are changing with additional requirements that have

to be met, increasing safety concerns, and, mostly, we need to think about the

betterment of students and their education. Dave Hicke asked when is it going to be

necessary to inform the community of future safety issues? Various Board members

agreed that they, too, have children that attend this district, and everything is being

handled the best way possible and protocols are being followed.

Former Board President Dave Harmon inquired about when the hiring of certified

personnel will be taking place (usually a March action item)? Superintendent

Richardson said that it will be on the April Agenda. Dave mentioned that he is aware

that there seems to be an increased administration workload and Springfield seems to

always be reinventing the wheel. To help with this and the HS Principal funding

concerns, could you look into other options for the HS Principal position? Dave

suggested having a retired individual fill the void- maybe 2 days a week could suffice?

Updyke moved and Hoerr seconded to approve the February 21, 2018 regular and

closed session minutes. Motion carried

Mr. Richardson reported on his board report. He mentioned Governor Rauner set aside

$35m for education. Administration is currently being educated on the Evidence-Based

Funding model to assist with the understanding of how the funds will be allocated to

various districts.

Mrs. Blane reported on her Grade School board report. She expressed that safety is our

greatest concern above all else. Please understand we are doing everything necessary

to keep the children safe. She knows the police; some (or all) have kids here too. One

call, they all come. The building is consistently walked one, two, sometimes three times

to ensure safety. We would all put our lives on the line for the kids. Please trust us.

Applause ensued.

Hoerr moved and Johnson seconded to approve the IHSA renewal. Roll Call: Grahamyes,

Hoerr-yes, Kenney-yes, Updyke-yes, Johnson-yes, Thompson-yes, Heinz-yes.

Motion carried

Mr. Richardson elaborated on the Central Kitchen proposal. He mentioned the

equipment needed and there will not be additional staff needed; they have also been

educated on how it would be handled. Many community members and a few board

members still remain concerned and skeptical with the concept.

Johnson moved and Graham seconded to approve tabling the Central Kitchen. Motion

carried

Mr. Richardson elaborated on the Summer Driver’s Education program. The hope is to

eventually eliminate the Summer School Program but, right now, we can get a sign-up

sheet out to have eventual sophomores sign up. We need 8 or more for the program to

take place this summer. He mentioned kids would not get permits until 15 years of age.

Kenney asked if information could be sent home regarding when and where to sign up

and the dates of the program as well as implementation of Driver’s Ed only while school

is in session. Graham mentioned how it would be cost-efficient to eventually eliminate

the Driver’s Ed Summer course, not only to the District, but to the students as well.

Kenney moved and Updyke seconded to approve the Summer School Driver’s

Education Program. Roll Call: Graham-yes, Hoerr- yes, Kenney- yes, Updyke- yes,

Johnson- yes, Thompson- yes, Heinz- yes. Motion carried

Thompson moved and Updyke seconded to approve Consent Calendar items. Roll Call:

Graham-yes, Hoerr- yes, Kenney- yes, Updyke - yes, Johnson- yes, Thompson-yes,

Heinz - yes. Motion carried

At 8:10pm, Updyke moved and Thompson seconded to leave open session and enter

closed session to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline,

performance or dismissal of an employee Open Meetings Act, 5 ILCS 120, being Sec. 2

(c) Roll Call: Graham-yes, Hoerr- yes, Kenney-yes, Updyke - yes, Johnson- yes,

Thompson- yes, Heinz - yes. Motion carried

The board members returned from closed session at 9:06pm.

Hoerr moved and Graham seconded to approve the hiring of Kristin Spears, HS Special

Education. Roll Call: Graham-yes, Hoerr-yes, Kenney-yes, Updyke-yes, Johnson-yes,

Thompson-yes, Heinz-yes. Motion carried

Board President Heinz reiterated that they do not take threats lightly and the Board and

the District will do everything they can to ensure the children will always be safe.

At 9:08 p.m. Updyke moved and Johnson seconded to adjourn the March 21, 2018

regular board meeting of the Brimfield CUSD #309 Board of Education. Motion carried

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