CAT Tracks Editor's Note:

Immediately below are the "minutes" (followed by the original post, except that the original agenda has been replaced by an amended one made available to the public at the meeting, the additions in bold print):

• All BOE members were present except Burris. McBride arrived 5 minutes late, prompting Harris to preside over the meeting.

• CJSHS Principal Zena Madison did the honors with "Examples of Excellence", commenting on activities in her building.

• CAT President De De O'Shea went to the podium during the "Public/Private Hearing or Petitions" section of the agenda. President O'Shea reported to the BOE on the bed bug problem at Cairo Elementary and the concerns being expressed to her by other faculty members. Despite the spraying of affected areas last Friday, the bed bugs are still present. Teachers have reported being bitten and carrying the insects home. President O'Shea acknowledged the scheduled spraying at the close of school the next day, but felt that school should be dismissed for the day to prevent further attacks or spreading. She noted that there was precedence for the dismissal of one building while having school in the rest of the District. Acting BOE President Gabriel Harris thanked President O'Shea for her comments (on behalf of the CE teachers) and indicated that the BOE would discuss her request during closed session. (Right before adjournment, Harris announced that the BOE had considered the request and had decided to go ahead with school on Friday.)

• The "Consent Agenda" was approved without discussion.

• Jennifer Huson next made a presentation to the BOE about the Summer Food Program (breakfast & lunch) to be conducted at Cairo Elementary (open to students of all ages.)

• Next up was the regional operations manager of the District's current bus service (Illinois Central). He "fell on his sword" accepting responsibility for the complaints voiced by Superintendent Andrea Evers at last month's BOE meeting. He indicated that he and Superintendent Evers had previously "spoken" by phone...something that he described as "a scolding", during which he primarily listened (and took notes, seven pages worth). The representative (Allen or Alan something) expressed his surprise that the Superintendent's call was the first that he had heard of the problem...that all the reports that he had been receiving indicated that all was well. Allen assured the BOE that the company had the resources and the desire to fulfill their contractual commitments. He asked for "time"...a chance to develop an "action plan" for resolving the issues recently brought to his attention...asking for yet another meeting with the superintendent before the BOE took action on the bids for future bus service. (Whether as a result of his plea or as a result of the unacceptability of all bus bids, the BOE in its action section following closed session did, in fact, reject all bus bids.) Stay tuned.

• Superintendent Evers then provided other information to the BOE (some of which are listed on the agenda below.)

• The BOE voted to enter closed session at 6:43 p.m. The BOE voted to exit closed session at 8:05 p.m.

• The "Action/Decisions" were approved as listed (with the aforementioned bus-bid rejection.) The name of the Guidance Counselor hired for next year (pending Illinois certification) is Zakara Nelson.

• The BOE voted to adjourn at 8:18 p.m.

The original post follows...

The Cairo Board of Education will hold its regular meeting on May 15th at 6 p.m.

The agenda is below...

...followed by the $4,615,219.13 Treasurer's Report...

...followed by the District enrollment figures as of May 9th...

...followed by an announcement for a "Block Party Give-A-Way"...

...followed by some catty commentary:

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CAT Tracks Editor's Note: