SENECA GRADE SCHOOL

BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING

 

The Board of Education met for their regular scheduled meeting at 7:00 p.m. on October 15, 2008 at the Seneca Grade School North Campus Board Room.

 

President Blalock called for roll call.

 

Present:  Baker, Barla, Claggett, Roseland, Thompson and Blalock.

Absent:  Bedeker

 

Roseland moved to accept the minutes of the September 24, 2008 meeting; seconded by Barla.

 

Yeas:  Baker, Barla, Bedeker, Claggett, Roseland, Thompson and Blalock

Nays:  None

 

Hearing of Citizens:  None Present

 

Hearing of Teachers: Stan Crews, 7/8 Consumer Economics teacher, reported that students have spent the first part of the quarter working on their typing skills. The 8th graders will continue exploring career choices and will be using a spreadsheet to create a calendar.   The 7th graders will be creating a Christmas book and writing letters.  Kathleen Stadel, 5-8 Special Education teacher, explained her new program.  She works with 10 students during the day.  She works on a more individualized program with these students, teaching additional reading and lifeskills. Students feel more successful and not so overwhelmed in this smaller type of classroom setting.  Every week the students are usually treated to some type of cooking lab which they really enjoy. 

 

Thompson moved to accept the Treasurer’s Report as given by the Secretary and bring back from investments the following to cover payroll and monthly bills:  Education $450,479.30, Building $58,780.58, Transportation $17,230.06, IMRF $15,987.99, Tort $540.00, Life Safety 20,664.04, Totaling $563,681.97; seconded by Claggett.

 

Yeas:  Baker, Barla, Bedeker, Claggett, Roseland, Thompson and Blalock

Nays:  None

 

Barla moved to pay the following monthly bills:  Education $113,323.65, Building $21,731.55, Transportation $12,930.06, Tort $540.00, Life Safety $20,664.04, Totaling $169,189.30; seconded by Baker.

 

Yeas:  Baker, Barla, Bedeker, Claggett, Roseland, Thompson and Blalock 

Nays:  None

 

Board gave direction to amend the current life safety plan to include the replacement of the operable sash windows in the 1975 North Campus building. 

 

Supt. Misener reviewed the cost to install addition card readers to the back doors at the North Campus.  These doors are used to access the playground by staff and students and are normally on a timed schedule.

 

Principal Severson discussed the success he sees in the self-contained special education program.  He feels students are making wonderful progress.  October 3rd midterms went home and very few calls were received by the school which he contributes to parents tracking student grades online through Parent Viewer.  Principal Severson is going to continue to stress the importance of ASAP with students and parents.  Additional phone calls and letters are being sent to parents of students needing help to bring up failing grades.  Teachers support the extra push to help these students get homework done or to ask additional questions afterschool.  He also reviewed the ISAT test scores in reading and math with the board. 

 

Principal McGhee reported on the North Campus internal review summary.  North Campus positive attributes include overall performance on state assessments in mathematics and parent support of extra curricular activities.    Indentified goals for review included continued improvement in reading and increased parent education and communication between home and school.  Kindergarten students will have their annual field trip to Jones Pumpkin Farm on Friday.  Fourth and Fifth grades are participating in the poster contest from Exelon Nuclear Power plant.  First and Second grade classrooms traveled to the fire department to go through the smokehouse during Fire Safety Week.  P.S.O. will be sponsoring a family photo night on October 22nd and 23rd.  Parent Teachers Conferences are scheduled for November 5th and 6th. 

 

Barla moved to go into Executive Session at 7:45 p.m.; seconded by Thompson.

 

Yeas:  Baker, Barla, Bedeker, Claggett, Roseland, Thompson and Blalock 

Nays:  None

 

Thompson moved to return to Open Session at 8:38 p.m.; seconded by Claggett.

 

Yeas:  Baker, Barla, Bedeker, Claggett, Roseland, Thompson and Blalock 

Nays:  None

 

Thompson moved to accept the resignation of Sue Steinhour, school psychologist, as of September 30th, 2009, with regret; seconded by Claggett.   

 

Yeas:  Baker, Barla, Bedeker, Claggett, Roseland, Thompson and Blalock 

Nays:  None

 

Old Business:  Board discussed bridge construction and the rerouting of traffic scheduled for Friday.

 

Barla moved to adjourn at 8:38 p.m.; seconded by Thompson.

 

 

Yeas:  Baker, Barla, Bedeker, Claggett, Roseland, Thompson and Blalock 

Nays:  None

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Teachers Present:  Kathleen Stadel

                              Stan Crews

 

 

 

 

 

 

_______________________________________      ______________________________

Approved                             Date                                   Dianne Bushman, Board Secretary