Peoria Standard

Brimfield Community Unified School District 309 Board of Education met April 18.

Here is the minutes provided by the Board:

The Brimfield Board of Education held its regular meeting on Wednesday, April 18, 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, and Thompson.

The board recognized several community members. It was a packed house!

Buffie Stewart mentioned that an email was sent to Mr. Richardson and the Board Members regarding a retirement bonus for non-certified staff. A conversation had taken place between her and Mr. Richardson about forming a committee to address this.

Hoerr moved and Updyke seconded to approve the March 21, 2018 committee, regular and closed session minutes as well as the April 4th and 11th special session minutes. Motion carried

Mr. Heinz reported about possibly utilizing social media outlets in addition to a robocall in emergent situations. He commented on policy updates. PressPlus has been adopted and there will be a “tweeking” of the current policies so they align with PressPlus. There has been discussion about the inclusion of air conditioning and modernization at the Grade School. There was recently a safety forum that was recently held. Sheriff Asbell was present at the forum and additional safety measures have been discussed will be taken.

Mr. Richardson reported on his board report. He mentioned that the District plans on sending out a survey to community members inquiring about the best method of communication regarding emergencies. Sales tax of $16k+ was given to the District from January. Total is now $130k+.

Mrs. Blane reported on her Grade School board report.

Updyke moved and Johnson seconded to approve the agreement with IESA. Roll Call: Kenney-yes, Johnson-yes, Thompson-yes, Graham-yes, Updyke-yes, Hoerr-yes, Heinz- yes. Motion carried

Graham moved and Johnson seconded to approve to Co-op Football and Track&Field with Elmwood. Roll Call: Kenney-yes, Johnson-yes, Thompson- yes, Graham- yes, Updyke- yes, Hoerr- yes, Heinz- yes. Motion carried

Graham moved and Updyke seconded to approve participation in the Peoria County Purchasing Program. Roll Call: Kenney-yes, Johnson-yes, Thompson-yes, Graham-yes, Updyke-yes, Hoerr-yes, Heinz-yes. Motion carried

Updyke moved and Thompson seconded to approve Consent Calendar items. Roll Call: Kenney-yes, Johnson-yes, Thompson- yes, Graham - yes, Updyke - yes, Hoerr - yes, Heinz - yes. Motion carried

Tammy Ehnle inquired about the position statement and lack of a Treasurer’s Report. The position statement is from January- is it a typo? Mr. Heinz asked Board Clerk Petty to verify her inquiry. It is not a typo. We are behind. Mrs. Ehnle then questioned if the Books have not been balanced since January. Board Clerk Petty confirmed.

At 7:16pm, Hoerr moved and Johnson 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: Kenney-yes, Johnson-yes, Graham - yes, Thompson - yes, Updyke - yes, Hoerr - yes, Heinz - yes. Motion carried

The board members returned from closed session at 8:12pm.

Updyke moved and Johnson seconded to approve the dismissal of Tara Binder, TA pending the Bright Futures grant. Roll Call: Kenney-yes, Johnson-yes, Thompson-yes, Graham-yes, Updyke-yes, Hoerr-yes, Heinz-yes. Motion carried

Graham moved and Kenney seconded the hire of Anthony Shinall as the High School Principal. Roll Call: Kenney-yes, Johnson-yes, Thompson-yes, Graham-yes, Updyke- yes, Hoerr-yes, Heinz-yes. Motion carried

Updyke moved and Kenney seconded to approve the employment of the non-certified staff for the 2018-2019 School Year. Roll Call: Kenney-yes, Johnson-yes, Thompson- yes, Graham-yes, Updyke-yes, Hoerr-yes, Heinz-yes. Motion carried

Kenney motioned and Updyke seconded to table the employment of coaches for the 2018-2019 School Year. Motion carried

Thompson moved and Johnson seconded to approve the extra-curricular sponsors for the 2018-2019 School Year. Roll Call: Kenney-yes, Johnson-yes, Thompson-yes, Graham-yes, Updyke-yes, Hoerr-yes, Heinz-yes. Motion carried.

Thompson moved and Kenney seconded to approve the resignation of Jordan Rahn, Asst. Cheerleading / Pom Pon Coach. Roll Call: Kenney-yes, Johnson-yes, Thompson- yes, Graham-yes, Updyke-yes, Hoerr-yes, Heinz-yes. Motion carried

Board President Heinz welcomed comments from the community members.

Amy Johnson shared her son’s bullying situation with the board. The situation is still not completely resolved but she wanted the Board and community members to pay attention to not only their own children’s concerns, but the students’ concerns as well.

Marilyn Everly was angered by her belief that the Board had lied to her and other community members at the Safety Summit the previous evening. She believes that they are not doing enough to handle situations (like Amy Johnson’s) and are not keeping the community appropriately informed. She wants the Board to meet more than once a month so that more community members can be involved and more issues addressed and taken care of.

Ted Riggenbach inquired if Thompson is no longer confused about the High School Principal position. Hoerr informed Ted he (Ted) was the only one confused. Thompson apologized for being wrong about being confused in the first place; he was never confused.

Sonya Beecher requested that the Board and Mr. Richardson implement a Resource Officer / Specialist in the District per the recommendation of Sheriff Asbell. The High School and Grade School students partake in drills, but it is not often enough. The students are taught an acronym during emergent situations, but there needs to be repetition. A communication plan needs to be entertained sooner than later. Parents really need a “heads up” when threats are made. Updyke mentioned how the public relations committee has been meeting to figure out the best mode of communication and Mr. Richardson reminded her of the survey that will be sent out. Also, how is the community going to be better informed? Until the last Board meeting, she knew nothing about the possibility of employing a High School Principal.

Phil Molleck and Marilyn Everly shared their dissatisfaction of the Board and that Mr. Richardson will not be taking a pay cut.

At 8:38 p.m. Updyke moved and Thompson seconded to adjourn the April 18, 2018 regular board meeting of the Brimfield CUSD #309 Board of Education. Motion carried

http://www.brimfield309.com/vimages/shared/vnews/stories/48fdd39c7b670/Minutes%2004-18-18.pdf