District Shines in the Annual Financial Report
Maintains Financial Recognition
The Mt. Pulaski CUSD 23 Board of Education called their regular meeting, amended budget hearing and paving hearing on October 18, 2021 to order at 4:30 PM in the grade school learning center. President Cowan, Vice President Mott, Mr. Martin and Mr. Wilham were present.
The first item of business took the Board to Executive Session to conduct internal evaluation of the Board. The Board return from the Executive Session at 6:00 PM
Under recognition of guests, the Board took time to recognize the grade school softball and baseball teams for their historic seasons. The softball team amassed a school record in wins while advancing to the regional championship. The baseball team capped off their season with a 4th Place finish in the State Tournament. Other guests included 10 members in the audience with 7 requesting to address the Board. The Board allowed all requesting members time to address the Board and then thanked them for their input.
The first item of business was the Consent Agenda, which included the approval for the payment of bills, the sales tax report, meeting minutes from September 20, 2021. Superintendent Lamkey informed the Board that sales tax revenues reported for June were $28,328.02, which maintains the recent trend of increased sales in Logan County. The motion passed 4-0.
Under Reports, Tim Custis from Gorenz and Associates, gave the district an audit report which finds the district in the highest status, Financial Recognition. The district’s score dipped from 3.9 to 3.7 due to construction costs last year. Mr. Lamkey expects this score to improve this year as the district no longer has construction costs. Mr. Custis reported his findings which offered suggestions for improved systems. Mr. Custis also announced that this would be his last audit with our district, as he is planning to retire next spring.
Superintendent Lamkey then highlighted a social media post by an umpire praising Franklin Wade for his sportsmanship and leadership on the baseball team. It was good to hear such high praise for one of our students. Mr. Lamkey also had Mr. Wilham summarize the Abe Lincoln Division Meeting from last week.
Being that there was no Unfinished Business, the Board moved into New Business. Representatives from Invenergy were present to discuss the new wind farm project set to begin construction in spring of 2022. In all, 60 wind turbines will be installed east of Mt. Pulaski. While plans are still in development, it appears that approximately 45-50 turbines will be in our school district. Early projections indicate the added valuation of property could yield the district over $750,000 per year starting in the 2025-26 school year.
The first action item of New Business was the approval of the 2022 Annual Financial Report which passed 4-0. The Board then voted 4-0 to approve the amended calendar that accounted for lost days of school due to the state baseball tournament.
In the Personnel Report, the board accepted the resignation of Mitchell Beckers as high school custodian and Brian Erlenbush as the MPHS Science Olympiad Coach. Andrea Galvin was reassigned as District Library Clerk and Tammy McCormick transitioned to a paraprofessional. The Board also took action to hire Isabella Wade as MPHS Assistant Girls Basketball Coach, Michele Clark as MPHS Science Olympiad Coach, Sam VanRheeden as MPHS Night Custodian and Lindsey Maxheimer as a School Bus Driver. In a separate vote, Sam Brown was hired 4-0 to be the MPHS Cheer Coach.
Under Items of Discussion:
Superintendent Lamkey reminded the Building and Grounds Committee that a joint inspection with the park boards of Veterans and Frazier Park need to be scheduled in the upcoming weeks. Mr. Martin volunteered to schedule the meeting.
Superintendent Lamkey noted that the IASB 2021 Resolution Committee Report had been released and that the Board would offer communication to our delegate, Deanne Mott, on how the district would like to vote on the resolutions at the upcoming Joint Conference.
The Board adjourned the meeting at 7:28 PM. The next regular meeting will be Monday, November 15th in the MPGS Learning Center at 6:00 PM.