SENECA GRADE SCHOOL

BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING

 

The Board of Education met for their regular scheduled meeting at 7:00 p.m. on October 21, 2009 at the Seneca Grade School North Campus Board Room.

 

Vice-President Thompson called for roll call.

 

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

Absent:  Bedeker and Roseland

 

Quigley moved to accept the minutes from the September 23rd, 2009; seconded by Barla. 

 

Yeas:  Baker, Barla, Quigley, Sangston, and Thompson 

Nays:  None

 

Hearing of Citizens:  None Present

 

Hearing of Teachers:  Kelly Mitchell and Kristine Einhaus, 1st grade teachers reviewed students first quarter progress.  They are busy getting ready for Parent Teachers Conferences held on Wednesday, October 28th and Thursday, October 29th.  They are excited to share with the parents the improvements their classes have seen especially in reading.  They also commented on the County Institute workshop they attended which focused on developing a better writing program for students. 

 

Baker moved to accept the Treasurer’s Report and investments as given by secretary:  Education $437,129.73; Building $72,734.57; Transportation $19,703.61, IMRF $17,371.95; Tort $1,894.90; Totaling $548,834.76; seconded by Sangton.

 

Yeas:  Baker, Barla, Quigley, Sangston, and Thompson 

Nays:  None

 

Sangston moved to pay the following monthly bills:  Education $86,398.17; Building $32,719.55; Transportation $15,310.13; Tort $1,894.90; Total $136,322.75; seconded by Barla.

 

Yeas:  Baker, Barla, Quigley, Sangston, and Thompson 

Nays:  None

 

Mike Vezzetti, Vezzetti Capital Management, gave the annual fiscal year end presentation.  He discussed the current markets and future performance benchmarks.  

 

Barla moved to renew the three year inspection agreement with Ideal Environmental Engineering, Inc. in the amount of $950.00; seconded by Baker. 

 

 

Yeas:  Baker, Barla, Quigley, Sangston, and Thompson 

Nays:  None

 

Supt. Misener reviewed the 3 year district compliance review with the Regional Office of Education.   They completed walk through of both buildings and a policy checklist.  The State Fire Marshall also went through both buildings as part of the process as well. 

 

Supt. Misener reviewed the importance and effectiveness of the building assessment and audit at the North Campus.  Barla moved to approve the needs assessment and energy audit with Wright & Associates and Midwest Engineering Professionals Inc; seconded by Sangston.

 

Yeas:  Baker, Barla, Quigley, Sangston, and Thompson 

Nays:  None

 

Supt. Misener reviewed the School Report Card and will continue to focus on refining the math and reading scores.  The AYP scores of students meeting or exceeding rose 4.8% from last year and was 13.7% percent better than the state comparisons.  Quigley moved to approve the 2009 School Report Card; seconded by Barla.

 

Yeas:  Baker, Barla, Quigley, Sangston, and Thompson 

Nays:  None

 

Principal McGhee reviewed the North Campus school internal review plan with the board.  The school improvement committee is adding many of the new innovations to bring the current curriculum up to date.  RTI is using a new reading series to help refine the program.  Mrs. McGhee is looking forward to working with faculty in utilization of the Renaissance AR reading and STAR programs. It has endless possibilities for students and teachers.  Recent activities included the kindergarten field trip to the pumpkin farm, 4th grade to Shabbona Nature Center.  Students have been busy purchasing books at the P.S.O. Book Fair that was held this week. 

 

Principal Severson reviewed the honor roll numbers with the board.  He was very pleased with the high numbers and the low ASAP percentage.  Honor Roll assembly will be on November 3rd to honor those students.  Other recent activities include the 6th grade traveling to Dollinger Farm for a civil war re-enactment and 8th graders traveling to Morris for the GAVC trade fair.  Students in 7th and 8th grade will also be attending the Seneca High school musical on November 3rd.  North Central Behavior Services have been teaching classes to 5th and 6th grade students all week on drug, alcohol and bullying awareness and prevention.  Principal Severson also highlighted some of the school committee discussions from peer mentor training to implementing a vocabulary program for students. 

 

Barla moved to go into Executive Session at 8:05 p.m. for personnel and legal; seconded by Quigley.

 

Yeas:  Baker, Barla, Quigley, Sangston, and Thompson 

Nays:  None

 

Baker moved to return to Open Session at 8:33 p.m.; seconded by Barla.

 

Yeas:  Baker, Barla, Quigley, Sangston, and Thompson 

Nays:  None

 

Baker moved to hire Sue Steinhour and Tiffany Wheeler, as the new after school program coordinators for the 2009-2010 school year; seconded by Sangston. 

 

Yeas:  Baker, Barla, Quigley, Sangston, and Thompson 

Nays:  None

 

Baker moved to hire a 6th grade assistant boy’s basketball coach; seconded by Quigley. 

 

Yeas:  Baker, Barla, Quigley, Sangston, and Thompson 

Nays:  None

 

Barla moved to adjourn at 8:35 p.m.; seconded by Quigley

 

Yeas:  Baker, Barla, Quigley, Sangston, and Thompson 

Nays:  None

 

Teachers Present:  Kelly Mitchell

                              Kristine Einhaus

                             

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

________________________________________    ______________________________

Approved                             Date                                       Dianne Bushman, Secretary