Board Selects Jason Spang as New Superintendent
Lamkey Set to Retire in June
The Mt. Pulaski CUSD 23 Board of Education called their regular meeting to order on November 20, 2023 at 6:00 PM in the MPGS Learning Center, all school board members were in attendance.
The first item on the agenda was to enter Executive Session to discuss employment, purchase of property and student discipline. The Board returned to open session at 7:00PM.
In Public Recognition, Mike Chandler addressed the Board about his global concerns.
The first action item was the approval of the Consent Agenda. Superintendent Lamkey reported that there were no questions to the district office concerning bills and that the sales tax revenues arrived just today totalling just over $33,000. The Board approved the Consent Agenda 7-0.
In Unfinished Business, the Board voted 7-0 to approve Mr. Jason Spang as the new Mt. Pulaski CUSD 23 Superintendent. Mr. Spang was interviewed in two different rounds by the Board of Education, administrators, district office staff, teachers and community members. Mr. Spang will replace outgoing Superintendent Fred Lamkey who will retire from education next June. Lamkey served as the district superintendent for the last five school years.
Mr. Spang grew up in the Maroa area, then attended Eureka College, where he played football. He received his administrator credentials through the University of St. Francis. Mr. Spang taught for nine years as a PE and Drivers Education instructor before serving as an administrator at Bureau Valley for four years. The last four years Jason served as the high school principal at Peotone High School. The Mt. Pulaski Board is planning to release an informational video about Mr. Spang after the holidays. He will begin working with Superintendent Lamkey through the second semester, preparing for his first day of work on July 1, 2024. Welcome Mr. Spang to the Hilltop when you get the opportunity.
Under Reports, Amanda Wells from Kerber Eck and Braeckel presented the 2023 Annual Financial Report. The district finances were reported to be in outstanding condition and were awarded a score of 3.9 on a 4 point scale. The tenth of a point deduction was due to outstanding debt in bonds for the high school. There were no major findings on the district, but recommendations were made on potential improvements.
Next, Principal Fricke introduced a new class to the Board that would replace a typical accounting class. The class would be called Entrepreneurship and feature accounting as well as other skills and practices necessary to run your own business. The Board encouraged Mrs. Fricke and agreed to consider the new class for next year's course catalog.
Mrs. Fricke then presented the MPHS Improvement Plan for the 2024 school year. She highlighted aspects of the plan and shared the work of the staff to improve instructional practices through peer observations and collaborative strategies. Next, Ashley Burgard and Carly Powell discussed the MPGS Improvement Plan and described a new language arts curriculum focused on phonics and was more engaging and student centered.
Under New Business, Superintendent Lamkey presented on the 2023 Tax Levy. He began by explaining the levy process and defined the key components. Next, he analyzed the district's revenues and Equalized Assessed Valuation (EAV) of property in the district. Mt. Pulaski’s EAV has risen dramatically over the past five years due to the two Wind Farms that lie within the school district. His projection indicates that the district tax rate should remain near static around 4.91. The rising EAV, tax abatement by the district and lowering district reserves in specific funds have driven the tax rate from 5.3 in 2020 to 4.91 in 2022 (9% decrease). In order to capture all new construction and the increased land value of the district, the district balloon levied at 20%. This balloon levy does not indicate an increase in tax rate, but it does allow the district to capture any new construction increases in the district up to 20 % of last year's extension. School tax rates are expected to remain below 4.95 or lower for the upcoming tax year. Because the district levied at a rate over 5% of last year's extension, a Truth In Taxation Hearing will be held at the December 18th meeting. In a tax abatement discussion, Mr. Martin, Mr. Wilham and Mrs. Combs encouraged the Finance Committee to maintain the $140,000 that was pledged in a previous board resolution. The Finance Committee will meet once again before the December regular meeting where the Tax Levy will be adopted.
After the Tax Levy Presentation, the Board approved the tentative levy with a 7-0 vote.
The Board had previously heard about the MPCUSD23 AFR during reports from the district auditor. The Board voted to approve the 2023 AFR 7-0.
The Board entered a discussion about how to manage the renovation project next summer at the high school. The Board considered a traditional route through the district architect, Graham and Hyde, a performance contract with ENGIE and a hybrid approach using Graham and Hyde as the architect and CORE having oversight of the project. CORE was the district's general contractor for the construction of the high school. While being intrigued with performance contracting, the board directed Mr. Lamkey to work with Graham and Hyde/CORE for the upcoming work. No motion was necessary as bids for the project will be considered later during the second semester.
This fall, there have been a few questions regarding volunteer assistant coaches in the district. The Policy Committee asked to have a conversation with the Board to see if they wished to consider any policy changes. The Board directed the Policy Committee to consider recommending a policy revision for the 2025 school year.
The next action items involved the approval of the MPGS and MPHS Improvement Plans. The Board approved the plans 7-0.
The Policy Committee conducted the second reading of PRESS Plus Policy taking through specific questions. Highlighted policies included a six week leave for employees who experience a family homicide, a commitment to not ban books and an agreement to notify parents for gun offenses or assaults of staff. The Board also adopted a policy that will allow children of staff members who do not live in the district to attend MPCUSD23 tuition free. The Board adopted the new policy recommendations 7-0.
Hires
Cullen Tyson as Volunteer MPHS Basketball Coach
Hannah Cameron as MPGS Assistant Volleyball Coach
Nate Dyer as MPHS Boys Basketball Volunteer Assistant Coach
Cullen Tyson as MPHS Boys Basketball Volunteer Assistant Coach
Resignations
Nathan Sowers as MPHS Soccer Coach
Gale Clark as MPGS Assistant Baseball Coach
Items of Information:
Athletics
The 7th Grade Girls Basketball Team won the Regional Championship and advanced to the Decatur Montessori Academy for Peace Sectional Championship on Wednesday, November 29th against Normal Metcalf.
The 8th Grade Basketball Regional begins next week.
The Bill Rucks Tournament begins this week.
High School
Scout Tschantz was selected the November Student of the Month
The meeting adjourned at 8:06PM.
The next regular meeting will be held on Monday, December 18, 2023 at 7:00 PM in the MPGS Learning Center.