SENECA GRADE SCHOOL

BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING

 

The board of Education met for scheduled meeting at 7:00 p.m. on March 18th, 2010 at the Seneca Grade School North Campus Board Room.

 

President Bedeker called for roll call.

 

Present:  Baker, Barla, Quigley, Roseland, Sangston, Thompson and Bedeker

Absent:  None

 

Quigley moved to accept the minutes from the February 17th, 2010; seconded by Thompson. 

 

Yeas:   Baker, Barla, Quigley, Roseland, Sangston, Thompson and Bedeker.

Nays:  None

 

Hearing of Citizens:  Principal Severson introduced the January student of the month Jonah Barla.  He is the son of Brian and Erica Barla.  He also announced the February student of the month Mickey Juricic.  She is the daughter of Ken and Julie Juricic. 

 

Hearing of Teachers:  Dawn Stuedemann, 2nd grade teacher, talked about the upcoming field trip to a musical show called Bodyology on April 23rd.  The presenter Slim Goodbody explores the inner workings of the human body along with the health practices required to care for it.  She also explained about the ELL certification classes that five teachers from Seneca Grade School are taking thru Northern Illinois University. 

Sherilyn Yerly, PK-3 Physical Education teacher, currently have Kindergarten students working on large motor skills including overhand throwing which will be used in many summertime activities.  Third grade just finished learning to dance the Virginia Reel.  

 

Baker moved to accept the Treasurer’s Report and investments as given by secretary:  Education $423,883.20; Building $65,206.52, Transportation $18,166.42, IMRF $18,091.97; Tort $650.00 Totaling $525,998.11; seconded by Barla.

 

Yeas:   Baker, Barla, Quigley, Roseland, Sangston, Thompson and Bedeker.

Nays:  None

 

Barla moved to pay the following monthly bills:  Education $58,722.00; Building $30,536.51; Transportation $14,096.63; Tort $650.00; Total $103,978.30; seconded by Sangston.

 

Yeas:   Baker, Barla, Quigley, Roseland, Sangston, Thompson and Bedeker.

Nays:  None

 

 

 

Thompson moved to amend the following board policy revisions; 4:30, 4:60, 4:60-AP1, 4:90, 4:110, 4:170, 4:170-AP6E1, 4:170-AP6E2, 5:20, 6:120-AP2, 6:120AP-2E1, 7:50, 8:20E, 8:30; seconded by Quigley.

 

Yeas:   Baker, Barla, Quigley, Roseland, Sangston, Thompson and Bedeker.

Nays:  None

 

Baker moved to approve the 2010-2011 Seneca Community Grade School calendar as presented by Supt. Misener; seconded by Barla.  The calendar coincides closely with Seneca High School and other neighboring schools.  The first day of school for students being a ˝ day on Thursday, August 19th.  Parent-Teacher Conference will be October 27th and 28th.  Spring Break will be March 21st thru March 25th.

 

Yeas:   Baker, Barla, Quigley, Roseland, Sangston, Thompson and Bedeker.

Nays:  None

 

Supt. Misener announced the employees that are the recipients of the LaSalle County Excellence in Education Award for this year.  Certified personnel receiving recognition will be Julie Hamilton, Tiffany Wheeler and Kathleen Stadel.  Non-certified employee is Rhonda McCormick.  The banquet will be held Thursday, May 6th, 6:00 p.m. at Pitstick’s.   Direction was given to make necessary reservations. 

 

Barla moved to accepted quote for $2, 104.27 from Future Communication, Peru, IL to set up three school buses with 2-way radios; seconded by Sangston.  The amount will also include the cost of the FCC license and antenna to complete the work. 

 

Yeas:   Baker, Barla, Quigley, Roseland, Sangston, Thompson and Bedeker.

Nays:  None

 

Roseland moved to accepted the low bid for auditing services from Gorenz and Associates, Peoria, IL for $6,800.00; seconded by Quigley. 

 

Yeas:   Baker, Barla, Quigley, Roseland, Sangston, Thompson and Bedeker.

Nays:  None

 

Supt. Misener informed the board of the letter he wrote in support of the LaSalle County Broadband Initiative.  This is the first step in the process and if LaSalle County actually does receive funding the installation is probably between three to five years away.

 

Principal Severson highlighted the end of ISAT and the excitement students have for the upcoming Spring Break and anticipation to move on or stepping up to the next grade.  He also reviewed the outcome of the “You Be the Chemist” contest held February 27th.  Students competed against 14 other school districts.  Seneca Grade School students, Daniel Niswonger finished 4th and Aaron Victor finished in 5th place.  Congratulations to those two bright young men.  Upcoming events include a visit from Illinois Supreme Court Justice Thomas Kilbride.  He will meet with 7th and 8th grade students answering questions students have prepared and explaining his job and the powers of the constitution.  The 6th grade science fair will be held on March 25th.  This is the first year for the event and Ms. Morris has done a great job getting this event organized.  Mrs. Brudnak and several other South Campus faculty members are busy planning the Spring Break Lock-in to be held on March 26th.  This event awards students that have achieved academic success. 

 

Principal McGhee reported on the Preschool and Kindergarten screening that was held last week.  A total of 76 students were screened by L.E.A.S.E.  Out of that number a total of 42 students will be entering the preschool program so far for next year.  Several classes were visited on St. Patrick’s Day by the Leprechauns.  Parents are encouraged to check out the website for pictures.  Last week the 4th grade had a speaker from the railroad present a program on railroad safety.  The Talent Show will be held on Wednesday, March 24th, sponsored by the P.S.O.  The Easter Bunny will again be visiting students in PK-2 grades. 

 

Barla moved to go into Executive Session at 7:35 p.m. for personnel and legal; seconded by Thompson.

 

Yeas:   Baker, Barla, Quigley, Roseland, Sangston, Thompson and Bedeker.

Nays:  None

 

Thompson moved to return to Open Session at 8:55 p.m. seconded by Quigley.

 

Yeas:   Baker, Barla, Quigley, Roseland, Sangston, Thompson and Bedeker.

Nays:  None

 

Thompson moved to tenure the following teachers Sarah Schaefer, Kelly Mitchell and Michelle Hall; seconded by Quigley.

 

Yeas:   Baker, Barla, Quigley, Roseland, Sangston, Thompson and Bedeker.

Nays:  None

 

Thompson moved to re-employ the following non-tenured staff for the 2010-2011 school year; Sherilyn Yerly, Jen Zelko, Pam Gillis, Michael Richards, Jycee Feiner, Julie Morris, Terry Maxwell, Liz Brudnak, Heather Meszaros; seconded by Sangston.

 

Yeas:   Baker, Barla, Quigley, Roseland, Sangston, Thompson and Bedeker.

Nays:  None

 

Thompson moved to honor Heather Jenkins’ request to be assigned to the Reading Specialist position for the 2010-2011 school year; seconded by Quigley.

 

Yeas:   Baker, Barla, Quigley, Roseland, Sangston, Thompson and Bedeker.

Nays:  None

 

Thompson moved to accept the resignation of Sue Steinhour, school psychologist, effective September 30, 2010, with regret; seconded by Barla. 

 

Yeas:   Baker, Barla, Quigley, Roseland, Sangston, Thompson and Bedeker.

Nays:  None

 

Committee Report:  No Report

 

Communications:  Thank you was read from Carol Witte and family.  The Coal City Community Unit District #1 and the Stuedemann family thanked the SGS girls’ volleyball players, students and faculty for their generous contributions during the American Heart Association fundraiser. 

 

Old Business:  Supt. Misener updated the board on the progress of the summer projects

 

New Business:  None

 

Barla moved to adjourn at 9:08 p.m.; seconded by Sangston.

 

Yeas:   Baker, Barla, Quigley, Roseland, Sangston, Thompson and Bedeker.

Nays:  None

 

 

 

 

Teachers Present:  Dawn Stuedemann

                              Sherilyn Yerly

                       

 

 

Newspaper Ottawa Times:  Kate Reynolds                     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

________________________________________    ______________________________

Approved                             Date                                       Dianne Bushman, Secretary