School District Purchases Veterans Park
The Mt. Pulaski CUSD 23 Board of Education called their regular meeting to order on October 18, 2023 at 6:30 PM in the MPGS Learning Center, all school board members were in attendance less Mrs. Combs.
The first item on the agenda was to enter the Executive Session to discuss employment, purchase of property and discussion of Executive Session Minutes. The Board returned to open session at 7:09PM. The first item of business was the approval of the consent agenda which passed 6-0.
Under Recognition of Public, Mike Chandler played a sound bite from a podcast concerning Artificial Intelligence (AI) and microchipping of citizens.
Under Reports, Kevin Heid from the financial company Stifel, reported on the schools bonded debt which includes the $9,680,000 bonds from the referendum to build the high school and the $2,500,000 alternative bonds, also for high school construction. Mr. Heid said our bonds are callable in the next two years, but he said we will not find a better interest rate than what we currently have. The bond on the referendum sunsets in 2033 and the alternative bond sunsets 2036.
Mr. Lamkey reported that the district’s auditor would present the Annual Financial Report at the November meeting and also announced that Mrs. Burgard secured a $140,000 grant through the State Board of Education for the Early Childhood program. Lastly, Superintendent Lamkey shared remarks he encountered with a parent/teacher from a neighboring school district. The parent has a senior student who has participated in athletics against Mt. Pulaski for the past seven years, giving her numerous opportunities to see our coaches and students in action. She commented that our student athletes were always hard workers, displayed good sportsmanship and carried themselves in a manner that we could be proud of. Because we often hear only the negative words from people in the public, Mr. Lamkey took this opportunity to share the positive.
Mrs. Fricke commented on the discipline report which had one high school student suspended out of school one day for being disrespectful to staff and another student suspended two periods for missed detentions. No grade school students were suspended.
Unfinished Business began with the approval to purchase Veterans Park from the Park District for $250,000. This purchase will allow the school district to own the property where baseball and track takes place. It also gives the district incentive to make improvements to the property as the official owners. Both the Board and Park District anticipate this sale will lead to park improvements that will benefit the entire community. The measure passed 6-0.
The Board then voted 6-0 to pass a new Estimated Expense Report for the upcoming Joint Annual Conference. By law, Board members are allotted to have expenses paid for the conference which include housing, travel, registration, food stipends and other necessities which are all calculated by standards and rates set by the State of Illinois.
Mr. Wilham and Mr. Brown, of the Policy Committee, then led a discussion on the potential for non-certified district employees receiving the benefit of having their out of district students attend school in Mt. Pulaski tuition free. The current collective bargaining agreement with the teachers allows for this practice to take place, but non-certified staff are not included in this agreement. The Policy Committee will meet next month to discuss this topic next month along with other new policies and policy changes. Mr. Brown and Mr. Wilham both agreed that they felt this would be a good policy addition. The Board will consider this change at the November meeting.
New Business began with two action items concerning Executive Session Minutes. The first item posed to the Board was to consider opening minutes from the last six months for public viewing. This measure died for the lack of a motion. The second action item involved the Illinois Statute which allows Boards to destroy Executive Session Minutes older than 18 months old. The Board approved this motion 6-0.
Each year the district must work with the Mt. Pulaski Educators Association to discuss the prioritized list for the event of needing to conduct Honorary Dismissal of certified staff. This list is prioritized by considering teachers certification, teacher evaluations and years of service to the district. This action is required by law which also requires the Board to select a committee to represent the district. The Board voted 6-0 to have Superintendent Lamkey and Kathy Tschantz as the district representatives. The list, created by the Joint Committee for Honorary Dismissals, will be considered for approval by the Board in December.
The Board next considered the renewal contract with Health Alliance, the district’s health insurance carrier. Premiums with Health Alliance were set to increase 29% over last year's contract. After considering several options, the teachers union and Mr. Lamkey both recommended changing vendors to United Health Care which offered considerably lower premiums and comparable benefits. The Board approved United Health Care as the district's health insurance vendor with a 6-0 vote.
Next on the docket was the Personnel Report, which was approved 6-0 containing 11 hires and 1 resignation.
Hires
Ryan Davis as MPHS Boys JV Basketball Coach
Jeff Clements as MPHS Boys Volunteer Assistant Basketball Coach
Tanker Wade as MPHS Boys Volunteer Assistant Basketball Coach
Bella Wade as MPHS Girls Assistant Basketball Coach
Heidi Zenor as MPHS Girls Volunteer Assistant Basketball Coach
Tiffany Kretzinger as MPHS Cheerleading Individual Aide
Amanda Scattergood as MPHS Special Event Individual Aide
Joel Washko as MPHS Baseball Coach
Troy Burgard as MPHS Assistant Baseball Coach
Jared Washko as MPHS Volunteer Assistant Baseball Coach
Gale Clark as MPHS Track Coach
Resignations
Troy Burgard as MPGS Baseball Coach
Items of Information:
Athletics - Mr. Kavelman
Honeybears Basketball is having a strong season in both 7th and 8th Grade.
7th Grade sits at 10 wins and 3 losses; with 2 of those losses being by only a few points.
8th Grade is 12-1. Their only loss is to WLB.
8th Grade Night for the Honeybears is Tuesday, October 24th.
Bruins Basketball conditioning practices began this week.
Currently, 29 boys from 5th through 8th grade have shown up for the first 3 days.
8th Grade Night for the Bruins is Monday, November 20th.
Lady Toppers Volleyball will play their first round regional game on Monday, October 23rd against Delavan @ 7:00 in Greenview.
Lady Toppers Basketball begins practice on October 30th.
Hilltoppers Basketball begins practice on November 6th.
Mirrors, dry erase boards, wall decals, and perforated window decals have been installed in the High School Weight Room.
The new fan in the Grade School gym is installed and working very well.
High School - Mrs. Fricke
Senior-of-the-Month for September: Chloe Stone
Senior-of-the-Month for October: Jayden Cherry
Enjoyed a spirit filled Homecoming week which ended in a tie between the Seniors and Freshmen.
The marketing students enjoyed a field trip to Malibu Jack’s to better understand what it takes to open a new business.
Friday, November 3 - Three students are participating in Senator Turner’s Youth Advisory Council.
Old Banner Auction will occur online and end before the Draw Down dinner starts on Saturday, November 4.
Saturday, November 4 - Boosters Draw Down Dinner
Friday, November 10 - Our Veterans Day assembly will be at 9 a.m. The public is invited to attend. Grades 6-8 from MPGS and Zion will also be in attendance.
Saturday, November 11- DC Fundraiser dinner @ 5 p.m. in the cafeteria. Meet the Toppers @ 6 p.m. in the main gym. The Alumni game is @ 7:30 pm.
Wednesday, November 15 - Junior High Band Concert @ 6 p.m. in the HS Multipurpose Gym. High School Band Concert @ 7:30 p.m. in the HS Multipurpose Gym.
Grade School - Mrs. Lora
PASE Donuts with Grownups was a success, with over $2,500 in book fair sales.
Parent Teacher Conferences Thursday and Friday
8th graders will be going on a field trip to Chicago since they missed it during the 5th grade year due to Covid, thanks to PASE!
Hosted Logan County Choir Fest last night at the high school gym and it was awesome!!! Kids were great and respectful and put on a good performance.
Old Banner Auction will occur online and end before the Draw Down dinner starts on Saturday, November 4.
Wednesday, November 15 - Junior High Band Concert @ 6 p.m. in the HS Multipurpose Gym.
The meeting adjourned at 8:06 PM
The next regular meeting will be held on Monday, November 20, 2023 at 7:00 PM in the MPGS Learning Center.