SENECA GRADE SCHOOL

BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING

 

The Board of Education met for their regular scheduled meeting at 7:00 p.m. on April 16, 2008 at the Seneca Grade School North Campus Board Room.

 

President Blalock called for roll call.

 

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

Absent:  Roseland

 

Claggett moved to accept the minutes of the March 19, 2008 meeting; seconded by Thompson.

 

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

Nays:  None

 

Hearing of Citizens:  None Present

 

Hearing of Teachers:  None Present

 

Bedeker 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 $396,469.77, Building $47,394.13, Transportation $12,023.86, IMRF $15,386.55, Tort $446.90 Totaling $471,721.21; seconded by Barla.

 

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

Nays:  None

 

Claggett moved to pay the following monthly bills:  Education $86,902.62, Building $19,410.72, Transportation $9378.62, Tort $446.90, Totaling $116,138.87; seconded by Baker.

 

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

Nays:  None

 

Mike Vezzetti, Centrue Bank, reviewed investment strategies and concerns during volatile market. 

 

Barla moved to approve policy revisions; seconded by Thompson. 

 

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

Nays:  None

 

Claggett moved to amend the 2007-2008 school calendar because February 1st, was used as a snow day.  Report card day for students and last day for teachers will be Monday, June 2nd.  Graduation will be held Friday, May 30th; seconded by Baker.  

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

Nays:  None

 

Claggett moved to purchase new STI Financial Accounting Software package; seconded by Barla.

 

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

Nays:  None

 

Supt. Misener outlined goals for the 2008 technology summer projects. 

Bedeker moved to purchase 151 Dell Optiplex computers at a cost of $109,475;seconded by Baker. 

 

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

Nays:  None

 

Barla moved to renew the annual membership with the IESA; seconded by Thompson. 

 

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

Nays:  None

 

Principal Severson outlined guideline for the mandatory summer school and retention plan for the South Campus students. 

Thompson approved the changes to the 2008-2009 Parent/Student Handbook; seconded by Barla.

 

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

Nays:  None

 

Claggett moved to accept the low bid for security upgrades for the North Campus from Dynamic Controls Inc., Peoria, IL for $5,374.00; seconded by Barla. 

 

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

Nays:  None

 

Thompson moved to award the low firm milk bid to Prairie Farms Dairy, Streator for the 2008-2009 school year; seconded by Barla. 

 

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

Nays:  None

 

Thompson moved to accept the lone bread bid to Interstate Brands Corp. for the 2008-2009 school year; seconded by Barla.  

 

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

Nays:  None

 

Registration packets will again be sent home the last week of school with students and parents will have the opportunity to bring in or mail back registration material early for returning students.   Barla moved to raise registration fee to $45.00 with a $5.00 discount if paid by July 23rd; seconded by Thompson. 

 

Yeas:  Barla, Bedeker, Claggett, Thompson and Blalock

Nays:  Baker

 

Motion Carried

 

Principal Severson reported that midterm ends Friday.  Midterm grades will be mailed home next week.  He is really emphasizing the phrase “Exiting with Excellence” Fourth quarter is a building block for the next year. Students have had really good behavior and attitude the last 2 ½ weeks and he wants to see that continue to the end of the school year.  Congratulations to the Math Team who placed 4th at the conference meet held on April 9th.  The Raider Track Invitational will be held this Saturday, April 19th.  The senior citizen luncheon will be April 23rd and members from our band and chorus will be performing.  The walkathon will also be held that afternoon and teachers will be attending RTI meetings during their SIP day.

 

Principal McGhee reported that students are concentrating on become good stewards to the environment.  Seneca Grade School and Wal-mart teamed up to help student get started in recycling.  The district has received nice new containers and students have been collecting aluminum and plastic.  Profits from an aluminum can drive will be donated to the Children’s Miracle Network.  On Monday students had an assembly and met Gus Macker who taught them some valuable lessons on sportsmanship.  Then on Tuesday, April 15, 4th grade students participated in the Opera for the Young, “Magic Flute”.  Special thanks to P.S.O for helping to provide this opportunity to the students and to Mrs. Graham for organizing this assembly.  Principal McGhee will be meeting with teachers on April 23rd during the ½ day SIP to introduce new schedules for upcoming year.  Harcourt will be doing an in-service intervention with teachers on the new reading series.  North Campus Talent Show will be May 7th. 

 

Barla moved to go into Executive Session at 8:45 p.m. for legal and personnel; seconded by Claggett. 

 

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

Nays:  None

 

Thompson moved to return to Open Session at 9:25 p.m.; seconded by Claggett

 

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

Nays:  None

 

No Formal Action

 

Thank you from Cheryl Johnson was read thanking board for gas card. 

 

Barla motioned to adjourned at 9:30 p.m.; seconded by Claggett. 

 

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

Nays:  None

 

 

 

 

Teachers Present:  None

                       

 

Ottawa Newspaper:  Kate Reynolds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

_______________________________________      ______________________________

Approved                             Date                                   Dianne Bushman, Board Secretary