CAT Tracks for July 19, 2012
REGULAR BOE MEETING...MINUTES

The Cairo Board of Education held its regular meeting on Thursday, July 19, 2012, at 6:00 p.m. Below is an annotated agenda to serve as "minutes"...

Cairo School District No. One
"MAKING A SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE!"
2403 Dr. M. L. King Jr. Avenue
Cairo, Illinois 62914
Telephone 1-618-734-4102
Fax 1-618-734-4047

CAIRO BOARD OF EDUCATION
CAIRO SCHOOL DISTRICT NUMBER ONE
REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
THURSDAY, JULY 19, 2012
6:00 P.M.

AGENDA

I. Call to Order - 6:00 p.m.

II. Roll Call - All present except Mary Coleman.

III. Examples of Excellence - Groups from 21st Century were in attendance and brought students to perform activities done during the summer session just completed. Two students performed a mime dance. Four other students did a "positive rap" number (supported by members of the audience.) A good time was had by all.

IV. Recognition of Guests/Comments From Public and Employees - Superintendent Andrea Evers used this point in the agenda to introduce representatives of Hope International (to explain their plans for Bennett Elementary and the CCEC in the event that the BOE approved donating the buildings to the organization.) Tim Russell took the floor for the presentation...describing the organization as an outreach/inreach program. Tim first established his "Cairo creds" by indicating that he had spent much time in Cairo during his younger years...the details of which he left to the imagination. He indicated that the organization stood ready to provide assistance (furniture, appliances, food, etc.) for people affected by disasters. He also mentioned a "Jeremiah's House" that they operate in Dexter, Missouri as an example of their efforts. This "house" supports mothers who have lost their children through DFS...providing rehabilitation. Tim indicated that the organization tries to support local organizations already working in the community (such as churches.) Often, Hope International provides a plan of direction to those overwhelmed by local conditions...enlisting volunteers from without to provide additional assistance. (CAT Tracks Editor's Note: I will provide further information about Hope International in a separate post tomorrow.)

V. Approval of Previous Minutes - BOE President Artie McBride indicated a few needed changes in the minutes of the meeting when they hired coaches (mostly matters pertaining to motions and abstentions, not the person actually hired for the position.) A motion was made, seconded, and passed to approve the various minutes as amended.

  1. Special Minutes of June 19, 2012
  2. Closed Minutes of June 19, 2012
  3. Public Hearing Minutes of June 21, 2012
  4. Regular Minutes of June 21, 2012
  5. Closed Minutes of June 21, 2012
  6. Special Minutes of July 2, 2012
  7. Closed Minutes of July 2, 2012
  8. Special Work Session Minutes of July 9, 2012
  9. Closed Work Session Minutes of July 9, 2012

VI. Approval of Agendas - A motion was made, seconded, and passed.

  1. Regular Meeting
  2. Closed Meeting

VII. Approval of Treasurer's Report - Superintendent Evers provided some highlights (e.g. paying off the emergency loan, an inter-fund loan, and total balance.) She also indicated that no state aid payments would be received this month. Superintendent Evers did inform the BOE that she had received notification Early Childhood Block Grant had been approved (albeit at a reduced level.) A motion was made, seconded, and passed.

VIII. Approval of Payment of Bills/Payroll - A motion was made, seconded, and passed (with no questions or discussion.)

IX. Informational

  1. Information Regarding Illinois Central Bus Service and 21st Century Grant - Superintendent Evers informed the BOE that she had met with representatives of the Illinois Central Bus Service and they had assured her that this year would start off much better than last year (when they replaced Student First on short notice.) They promised to have two additional buses on stand-by in Cairo in case of mechanical failures on other buses (with an additional bus stationed at Meridian.) They also indicated that all their buses had GPS which would track not only their location, but the stops made during the school day. (CAT Tracks Editor's Note: In short, "big brother is watching" in the event someone alleges missed stops or any other improprieties.)

    As for the 21st Century grant...

    Superintendent Evers indicated that 21st Century had purchased several mathematics programs for District use. However, her excitement kicked up a notch when she reported that 21st Century had purchased a reading program called "System 44"...a program that she had wanted in her two previous school districts, but proved too expensive. The program takes into consideration "age appropriateness" so as not to turn off older students reading well below grade level. Superintendent Evers indicated that in conjunction with the current District reading program, "Read 180" (?) that students should definitely benefit. (She hopes that the number of student licenses purchased will allow the program to be used not only in the regular curriculum, but in after-school tutoring also.)

  2. Local 773 Employers Health & Welfare Fund - Premium Changes - Superintendent Evers gave some details on new premiums (increases of course), but I didn't catch the details.

  3. Checks Deposited - District Account

    $30,000.00 - Early Childhood Block Grant
    7,500.00 - Early Childhood Block Grant
    1,313.80 - State Breakfast/Lunch
    17,719.82 - Federal School Lunch
    9,558.78 - Federal School Breakfast
    2,015.51 - Driver Education
    36,885.75 - Special Ed. Personnel
    9,856.55 - Special Ed. Transportation
    21,793.05 - Special Ed. Extraordinary
    8,130.23 - Special Ed. Orphanage
    32,673.41 - Transportation, Reg. & Voc.
    29,000.00 - Early Childhood Block Grant
    7,500.00 - Early Childhood Block Grant

X. Closed Session - The BOE voted to enter closed session at 6:55 p.m. The BOE voted to exit closed session at 7:56 p.m.

    a. Personnel Issues

XI. Requiring Action/Decisions By Board of Education

  1. Personnel employment, resignation, release, discipline, or compensation

      a. Recall Teacher to Full-Time Status - Cairo Jr/Sr High School - Motion made, seconded, and passed.

      b. Discuss/Approve Consideration Regarding Employment of Secretary for Guidance Department - Motion made, seconded, and passed to post a secretarial position for the Guidance Department...4 hours per day up through December.

      c. Accept Resignation of Cara Smith, Social Worker, Cairo Elementary School - Motion made, seconded, and passed.

      d. Approve Employment - JoAnn Rogers - Art Teacher (3/7) - Motion made, seconded, and passed.

  2. Approve Section 125 Resolution - This is a supplemental insurance program (like Aflac) which will be offered to all employees...and is voluntary. Motion made, seconded, and passed.

  3. Approve Parent/Student Handbook - Motion made, seconded, and passed.

  4. Update District Food Expense Policy - The original recommendation was to increase the student and adult per-meal allowance for away extra-curricular activities by $2 each...to $5 for students and $8 for adults. However, after some discussion, a motion was made, seconded, and passed to raise the per-meal food allowance to $8 for both students and adults.

  5. Approve the Donation of Bennett and Cairo Community Education Center to Hope International - Motion made, seconded, and passed.

  6. Adopt New District Mission Statement - Motion made, seconded, and passed.

  7. Approve IASB Policy Update Recommendations - (JAMP) - Motion made, seconded, and passed.

  8. Approve Board Policy Manual Updates - Motion made, seconded, and passed.

  9. Identify/Select JAMP Governing Board Member - Mary Coleman - Motion made, seconded, and passed.

  10. Other - None

XII. Old Business - None

XIII. Adjourn...Motion made, seconded, and passed to adjourn at 8:09 p.m.


CLOSED SESSION IS FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONSIDERING INFORMATION RELATIVE TO THE APPOINTMENT, EMPLOYMENT, PERFORMANCE OR DISMISSAL OF INDIVIDUAL EMPLOYEES WHICH MAY BE OF A TEMPORARY CONFIDENTIAL NATURE, STUDENT DISCIPLINE, PLACEMENT OF SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS, DISCUSSION OF LITIGATION PROBABLE, IMMINENT, FILED OR PENDING AND COLLECTIVE BARGAINING OR RELATED ISSUES.