The Cairo Board of Education held its Regular Meeting on Thursday, October 16th at 6 p.m.

The agenda is below...

...followed by the "minutes":

1. Coleman, Harris, Moore, Nelson, Gooden, and McBride were in attendance.

2. Principal Pickett of Cairo Elementary had the honors. She reported that the Promethean Boards were installed and finally in operation despite some electrical overload problems. Representatives of Apple computers are going to be in the District tomorrow as part of the grant application process. (CSD is a national semi-finalist. If successful, all students would receive an iMac and all teachers an iPad.) CE has also been given six Magic Bullet (Nutribullet) machines that can make smoothies. This will be an on-going activity during coming months.

3. Former CSD teacher Heather Carney (now serving as a community organizer) addressed the BOE (along with Julian Howard II and Steven Tarver) on her organization's effort to secure a community-wide grant. If obtained, the money would be used to establish a mentoring program, a self-sustaining program in which trainers would train subsequent trainers. Ms. Carney stress that the grant would be community-wide, but that the school district would be the recipient. Mr. Tarver indicated that they were hoping to get the 25 churches in Cairo involved in the project. There will be a meeting open to the public next Tuesday at 5:15 p.m.

4. The Consent Agenda was approved without question or comment.

5 & 6. Report of the Superintendent/Informational:

• Repeated the aforementioned news that CSD is a national semi-finalist for an Apple grant.

• There have been some discussions about last summer's food program, which fed an average of 125 students for breakfast and as many as 300 for lunch. There is consideration of modifying the program for next year, possibly offering lunch and dinner.

• State Farm Insurance Company has provided the District with used office furniture. They have also notified the District that they have computers and keyboards ready to be picked up.

• Mentioned the Beta Club receiving a Teen Driving Grant of $2,000.

• CSD has been selected by the Illinois Association of School Boards to participate in a free pilot program of professional development for school board members. Superintendent Andrea Evers asked the BOE if they were interested in participating and received an affirmative response.

• The next BOE meeting will by on Monday, November 17th.

7. The BOE voted to enter closed session at 6:30 p.m. The BOE voted to exit closed session at 8:37 p.m.

8. Requiring Action/Decisions By Board of Education:

• Accepted Joe Jangjirawat's resignation as Girls JH Assistant Basketball Coach

• Hired Laresha Reed as CJSHS Security Monitor

• Hired JoAnn Nelson Wiggins as CJSHS Special Education Teacher Assistant

• Hired Rochelle Jackson as CE Part-Time Parent Educator

• Hired Laresha Reed as Girls JH Head Basketball Coach

• Hired Nick Davis as Girls JH Assistant Basketball Coach

• Approved IASB Board Policy Updates

• Accepted Oris B. Hastings Donation of $3,300.00 (Girls HS Basketball)

• Accepted Oris B. Hastings Donation of $506.50 (Scholar Bowl Polo Shirts)

9. Old Business - None

10. The BOE voted to adjourn at 8:43 p.m.