MINUTES - REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION

 

April 28, 2004                    6:30 P.M.         Educational Services Center

 

The Board of Education of the Bloomington Public Schools, School District 87, McLean County, Illinois, met in Regular Session.

 

Ms. Marianne Clancy, Board Secretary, established a quorum and the following Members were present: Mr. John Dirks, Mr. John Hanson, Mrs. Janet Smith, Mr. Uvaldo Herrera, Mr. Keith Davis, and Mrs. Cheryl Jackson, Board President.  Mrs. Millicent Roth was absent.

 

Present from the administrative staff were Dr. Roger Kilpatrick, Mr. Barry Reilly and Mrs. Sally Tucker.

 

      Ms. Linda Aschenbrener, Public Relations Facilitator, was also in attendance.

 

Present from the news media was Ms. Janka Albert, TV-10 News.

 

Mrs. Millicent Roth entered the meeting at 6:33 P.M.

     

Mrs. Jackson presented the Minutes for approval. Mr. Davis noted that the last sentence of the Regular Minutes stated “Mrs Smith adjourned the meeting” and it should have stated “Mrs. Jackson adjourned the meeting”.  Mrs. Jackson also noted that in the third to the last paragraph of the Regular Minutes there are two “consider to” and there should only be one. 

 

It was moved by Mrs. Smith, seconded by Mr. Davis that the Minutes of the Regular Meeting held on April 14, 2004, and the Minutes of the Closed Meeting held on April 14, 2004 be approved.  Upon a roll call vote, all Members present voted “Aye”.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

 

      Mrs. Cindy Helmers, Bloomington High School (BHS) Principal and Mr. John Szabo, Athletic Director, introduced two coaches and three students who recently placed at State Competition and were each named All-State.

      Coach Mark Gardner introduced junior wrestler, Brett Robbins. Brett recently placed 2nd at State in the 130lb. weight class and finished the season with a 45-1 record.

Mrs. Smith congratulated Brett, and asked him, his parents and Coach Gardner to come forward and receive congratulations from the Board.

      Coach Bob Loy introduced senior Matt Hug and sophomore Chase Fillingham. Matt placed 7th at State in the 500 freestyle and broke two school records this year. Chase placed 9th in the 200 IM, placed 8th in the 100 backstroke at State and broke two school records this year.

Mrs. Smith congratulated both athletes, and asked them, their parents and Coach Loy to come forward and receive congratulations from the Board.

Mrs. Smith congratulated Brett and asked him, his parents and Coach Gardner to come forward and receive congratulations from the Board.

    

 

 

 Mr. Hanson attended a Regional Planning Commission meeting where it was announced that Zilka Renewable Energy Corp. will be developing the largest wind energy project in the nation just east of the Bloomington/Normal. This $400 million project will likely begin construction in 2005-06 and may produce up to 400 megawatts of power - the size of a medium size community.

      Mrs. Jackson attended a recent Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB) Leadership Conference in
Chicago on February 27 and 28th. Mrs. Jackson also attended a Board of Directors meeting, where conference registration fees were increased. She reported that the IASB is looking to change their dues structure.

Board Meeting

March 10, 2004

Page 2

Mrs. Smith reported that she and Mr. Hanson attended a recent Judge John M. Scott Vocational Education Trust Investment meeting on March 2. She stated that there was an increase in investment income this year and that the group has decided to allocate up to $50,000 of the surplus towards the District 87 Summer School Scholarship Fund.

     

 



     
     Mrs. Jackson presented the Consent Agenda for consideration.  Mr. Davis asked that the Bills be pulled and moved to Board Action B.  It was moved by Mr. Davis, seconded by Mr. Dirks that the Consent Agenda (Personnel Report, Bills, Treasurer’s Report, Financial Summary, Letter of Understanding-Decision and Bargaining on Reduction in Force, BHS Graduation Requirements, Student Parent Handbooks, Amended 2003-04 School Calendar, District Suspended Ceilings Bid Results Recommendation, District Painting Bid Results Recommendation, BHS South Gym Floor Bid Results Recommendation, District Light Fixtures Bid Results Recommendation, BHS South Gym HVAC Recommendation, District Lighting Installation Bid Results Recommendation, BHS Stage Curtains Recommendation and the Athletic Field Track Repair Bid Results Recommendation) be approved. Upon a roll call vote, all Members present, voted “Aye”.  Motion carried. (See with Original Minutes, Attachment 04-28-04/1)

Supts Report

 

Mr. Kevin Heid from First Midstate, Inc. presented the results of the sale of $20,000,000 of  school fire prevention and safety bonds and the refunding of $3,075,000 of existing general obligation bonds.  Mr. Heid mentioned that bond yields have been rising in the last few weeks.  However, the results of the sale for this issue were very good given the current situation. The average cost for the bonds including all issuance costs was 4.18% over the 14 year life of the bonds.  The District was able to maintain an AA2 rating from Moody’s Investor Services which is good for a school district under the current financial problems in Illinois.  This rating is a reflection of the Superintendent and the Board of Education’s attention to dealing with the District’s financial issues and maintaining a solid financial condition.  This rating coupled with the bond insurance helped the District achieve a good market rate and keep the future interest costs down for the taxpayers.  The final closing on the bond sale should take place approximately May 5.

 

It was moved by Mrs. Smith, seconded by Mr. Dirks that the Board approve the the Sale of Life/Safety Bonds.  Upon a roll call vote, all Members present voted “Aye”.  Motion carried. (See with Original Minutes, Attachment 04-28-04/2)

It was moved by Mrs. Smith, seconded by Mr. Dirks that the Board approve the Bills.  Keiths comments                                     Upon a roll call vote, all Members present voted “Aye”.  Motion carried. (See with Original Minutes, Attachment 04-28-04/3)

It was moved by Mrs. Smith, seconded by Mr. Davis that the Board go into Closed Session to consider the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of District 87, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee to determine its validity; and to consider a student disciplinary case; to consider an action against, affecting or on behalf of the District that has been filed and is pending before a court or administrative tribunal, or when the District finds that an action is probable or imminent, in which case the basis for the finding shall be recorded and entered into the minutes of the closed meeting; and to consider the purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public body, including meetings held for the purpose of discussing whether a particular parcel should be acquired.  Upon a roll call vote, all Members present voted “Aye”.  Motion carried. 

 

It was moved by Mr. Hanson, seconded by Mr. Dirks that the Board return to the Regular Meeting.  Upon a roll call vote all members present voted “Aye”. Motion carried.

      There being no further business to come before the Board, Mrs. Jackson adjourned the meeting.

                                          APPROVED:

ATTEST:

                                          _________________________________

                                          President

 

Secretary