Capital Projects Priorities Set for FY23
The Mt. Pulaski CUSD 23 Board of Education called their regular meeting to order on August 15, 2022 at 5:00 PM in the grade school learning center. All members were present except for Deanne Mott who arrived at 6:22 PM.
After Roll Call, the Board entered into Executive Session to discuss items dealing with employment, compensation and the evaluation of staff. The Board returned to open session at 6:00 PM.
Superintendent Lamkey asked the Board to postpone the Budget Hearing due to an error in the original Board agenda issued on Friday, August 12th. The Budget Hearing will now take place at the September 19th regular meeting of the Board. The Board approved the postponement of the hearing with a 6-0 vote.
Under Recognition of Public, Jeff Beccue was present to discuss the Budget Hearing, Julie Wubben voiced concerns about the new Genius Elective Course Work at the junior high and Mike Chandler warned the Board of the NWO and potential misuse of ESSER funds.
The Consent Agenda included the approval for the payment of bills, the sales tax report from July and August, meeting minutes from July 18, 2022 and July 18, 2022 Executive Session minutes. Superintendent Lamkey also explained the purpose of the Transportation Hazard item. This is approved yearly to recognize that the railroad that passes through Mt. Pulaski and the Elkhart blacktop on the city's northern edge create a hazard for students walking to school. The recognition of this hazard allows the district to be reimbursed for providing transportation to those families affected by the hazard. The Consent Agenda passed 6-0.
Under Reports, Mr. Lamkey updated the Board on the progress of our summer projects. In addition, he spoke of the DeVore lawsuit which has been in the news this past week. A large majority of litigants were dismissed from the case this past week, but Mt. Pulaski was not in this group. The attorney representing the district indicates that he will push for Mt. Pulaski’s dismissal this week. We should know more by August 18th. Lastly, Mr. Lamkey responded to questions arising in the community concerning new sex education standards recently signed into law by the governor. The standards have stirred a controversy about the appropriateness of the curriculum. The news has reported many districts “opting out” of the curriculum as allowed by law. Superintendent Lamkey explained that Board policy passed this past winter excludes Mt. Pulaski from the new curriculum standards. In short, our health curriculum will remain unchanged.
Mr. Waterkotte’s FCCLA students reported on their experiences at this summer's national convention. Mikayla Harris and Lilly Hild reported on their activities and thanked the Board for allowing them the opportunity. Mr. Lamkey went on to tout the MPHS FCCLA program and Mr. Waterkotte’s work with students to perform at a high level.
Instructional Coaches Mendenhall and Smith along with MPGS teachers Mrs. Kloba, Ms. Powell, Ms. Awe and Mrs. Wahls and school psychologist Kelly McCraith reported on their attendance at the NWEA Fusion Conference from this past summer. NWEA provides MAP testing for the grade school which provides staff detailed data on student progress. The district has conducted MAP testing for over 6 years, but the staff has never been well trained on how to disaggregate or interpret data. This conference allowed the attending staff to become better versed with MAP testing and learn how to apply its information in daily instructional planning. Mt. Pulaski schools utilize the trainer model which makes teachers responsible for passing along their new knowledge to other staff members through school improvement training. MAP testing will be a focus of the grade school during professional development this year.
One year after implementation, Mt. Pulaski teachers (Mrs.Wahls, Mrs. Kloba, Mr. Waterkotte, Mr. Copley and Mrs. Selinger) presented the status of CKH to the Board. Teachers gave examples of how CKH affects their daily relationships with students and how it has improved classroom behavior. A common thread among teachers is the continued evolution of how they adjust their practices to meet the needs of students. CKH is not a curriculum or a specific program. As one instructor pointed out, it is a tool box to help teachers develop better working relationships with their students. The schools will collect data through the year and report back to the board with results next spring.
Vice President Mott attended a professional development activity titled “Trust Edge Experience” which focused on building strong working relationships among board members, administrators and other stakeholders. The activity was headlined by the publishing author, but it included training provided by the Illinois Association of School Boards. The Board found value in Mrs. Mott’s report and asked Mr. Lamkey to seek a December or January date for a workshop activity.
On the first day of teacher inservice, President Cowan and Sergeant Josh Pharis presented on school safety to the district staff. The staff got a refresher on the countywide approved plan, as well as detailed aspects of the plan for staff to consider. The law enforcement duo also provided first aid training, “stop the bleed”. Trooper Cowan offered the Board an overview of the training and its importance.
Superintendent Lamkey updated the Board on park districts efforts to perform an appraisal of Veterans Park. The park district has communicated and the appraisal is being finalized. Once the process is completed the park district and school district will begin discussion of the future of Veterans Park.
There was one FOIA request in the last month that was requested by the International Union of Operating Engineers. They requested payroll information from a subcontractor involved in the construction of the high school. As the district made no direct payments to subcontractors, there was no information to relay.
The Board postponed adoption of a budget for the FY23 school year until September with a 7-0 vote. Unanimously, the Board approved an MoU with the MPEA that allowed for a “Zero Hour” Calculus Class.
After much discussion, the Board approved a Capital Project list that will focus on renovations in the grade school and the 1963 high school addition. This project is estimated to come in around $1 million. Mr. Lamkey will work with the district architect to devise more detailed plans and more precise calculation of cost. Other items on the list include looking at potential construction at the grade school to provide extended classroom space as the grade school experiences a jump in enrollment and growing special education needs. Another item on the near future radar is an expansion of the outdoor athletic facilities with an emphasis on track and soccer field improvements. It should be noted that the Capital Projects list merely prioritizes large scale projects for the district to consider for future planning. District revenues, reserves and ever changing needs are constantly in play before final decisions are made to move forward with any project. Mr. Lamkey will begin conversations with Graham and Hyde, the district architects, on how planning moves forward.
This past summer, the Lincoln YMCA provided a summer daycare program in cooperation with the school district to provide for community needs. The YMCA had hoped to offer an after school program this fall, but staffing considerations prohibited this opportunity. MPGS Kindergarten teacher, Megan Jones, approached the Board with a plan for her to provide the services herself. She expects between 6-12 participants and would conduct the program in a similar fashion to the summer program. The Board provided Mrs. Jones with a thumbs up to pursue the program.
TRS has recognized a growing need for their members to find additional savings opportunities in light of the reduction of benefits that has occurred in the last decade. The Board passed a resolution stating the district would participate in a supplementary savings program that would allow members to invest an additional 3% of their income with TRS. The Board passed the resolution 7-0.
Mt. Pulaski Schools parted ways with their auditor, Gorenz and Associates, this spring. The Board approved KEB as the new district auditor with a 7-0 vote.
In the Personnel Report, Mr. Brown asked to have item D7, the Library Clerk, pulled from the report because the position was not appropriately listed as a vacancy. The remaining items were approved with a 7-0 vote:
Henry Wuethitch as MPHS Night Custodian
Darius Slosser as MPGS Nigh Custodian
Jonathon Tribler as MPGS 5/6 Basketball Coach
Kristi Olson as MPGS Volunteer Cheer Coach
Cullen Tyson as MPHS Volunteer Soccer Assistant Coach
Resignation of Lex Ford (Lex) as MPGS JH Speech Sponsor
Resignation of Colton Hagan as MPHS Night Custodian
Resignation of Tammy Nelson as District Library Clerk
Alisha Wah sas MPGS JH Speech Sponsor
A separate motion to hire Brooke Charron as the District Library Clerk died for lack of a second.
The final action of the evening approved the amended superintendent's contract for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years. The motion passed unanimously.
Under items of information, Mr. Lamkey informed the Board that he would retire from his position as superintendent at the completion of the 2023-24 school year. Superintendent Lamkey indicated that there was no driving force behind his decision other than he would have met all requirements for retirement and it was “his time to go”. Mr. Lamkey’s announcement was made to allow time for planning and recruitment of a new superintendent. The search is scheduled to begin in the summer of 2023 and the Board has indicated they will once again use the services of the Illinois Association of School Boards.
Mrs. Lora finished the evening with a discussion with the Board concerning electives at the junior high and the Genius Curriculum. The hurdles for Mrs. Lora included being understaffed, larger than average grade levels and limited academic choices. Mrs. Lora explained that the Genius Curriculum not only provides a unique educational experience, but allows students to sample a variety of elective subjects in manageable classroom settings. The Board asked questions about staffing and why the program was introduced so late in the summer. Mrs. Lora had been searching for an additional teacher to ease the class load, but she was unable to find a single applicant due to the teacher shortage.
Administration and Board alike recognize the timing of planning could be better, but circumstances did not allow for plans to be set in place at an earlier date. Mrs. Lora is confident that now the circumstances are clear that she can keep the Board informed this year and have a plan in place by early summer.
With no more business on the agenda, the Board adjourned at 8:55 PM. The next meeting will be September 19, 2022 at 5:00 PM.