Williamsville Community Unit School District 15 Board met April 24.
Here is the minutes provided by the Board
The meeting was called to order by President, Matt Seman. Roll call was taken by the Recording Secretary. Those in attendance stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
A motion was made by Teresa Benner and seconded by Kurt Ratliff that the agenda be approved as amended.
Discussion: Action item e - added Deb Larson - JH Art and Clint Thornton - Pre School for All
Motion Carried
Byron Painter - South County Publications Tip Reedy, Current High School Principal at Monticello High School and new Superintendent of WCUSD15 as of July 1, 2017 David and Jodi Daykin, Mike and Jody Senalik, Matt and Nena Mead, Chris and Lindsey Wherley and Jen Finley - members of the public Mallory Moffitt, Janet Mclay, Lanie Buttry and Betsy ingram - teachers at SES
A motion was made by Tom Ray and seconded by Teresa Benner to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of Under 5 ILCS 120/2c of the Open Meetings Act...student disciplinary C3SCS.
Discussion: None
o On roll call the following members answered aye!
Tom Ray Charles Waugh Matt Seman Teresa Benner Corey Conklin Kurt Ratliff
o On roll call the following members were absent:
Pam Kovacevich Motion Carried
The Board entered executive session at 6:02pm and returned to open session at 6:37pm.
A motion was made by Teresa Benner and seconded by Matt Seman to return to open session.
Discussion: None
Motion Carried.
The Board was treated to a very special presentation from graders on how they Chrome books in the classroom. Second grade teachers Lanie Buttry and Betsy Ingram were on hand as well to help.
Students Dax Buttry and Ryan Finley showed different websites and explained how they use them in class.
Cora Senalik, Claire Mead and Bailey Wherley explained how they learned about different types of graphs and demonstrated how they used this knowledge to complete information gathered from surveys.
Mrs. Buttry stated that many of the students had never used Chromebooks before this year and reiterated that they have learned a great deal.
A motion was made by Teresa Benner and seconded by Corey Conklin to approve the consent agenda containing items a, b, c, d, e, f and g: namely Approval of the following minutes as written and distributed: Approval of the Regular Meeting Minutes of March 20, 2017, Approval of the Executive Session Meeting Minutes of March 20, 2017, Approval of the Policy Committee Meeting Minutes of March 20, 2017, Approval of the Bills in the amount of $487,299.23, including reimbursement of the revolving fund in the amount of $398.90, Approval of the Treasurer's Report, Approval of the Lunch Report, and Approval of Superintendent's Acceptance of Resignation:
Courtney Beard-JH Volleyball Coach Danielle Duncan - HS Cheerleading Coach Adam Ibbotson - Assistant Football Coach
Chris Ray - JH Part-time Custodian
Becky Miller — SES Assistant Principal
o On roll call the following members answered aye!
Matt Seman Charles Waugh
Corey Conklin Teresa Benner
o On roll call the following members were absent: Tom Ray Kurt Ratliff Pann Kovacevich
Motion carried
Recommendation to Adjourn Sine Die.
President Seman stated that there is no further business to be conducted by our Board,
therefore a nomination and second is made to adjourn Sine Die.
A motion was made by Teresa Benner and seconded by Charlie Waugh to adjourn Sine Die.
Discussion: None
o On roll call the following members answered aye:
Matt Seman Charles Waugh Corey Conklin eresa Benner
o On roll call the following members were absent: Tom Ray Kurt Ratijff Pam KOWaCevich
Motion Carried
Selection of President Pro Tempore
Mr. Beard stated that "To launch a reorganization process, someone must be elected to serve as President Pro Tempore until the Board elects a permanent president. Traditionally, the Superintendent has served as President Pro Tempore. This takes a nomination, Second and a roll call vote.
A motion was made by Matt Seman and seconded by Charlie Waugh to appoint Superintendent Beard President Pro Tempore.
DiSCuSsion: None
o On roll call the following members answered aye!
Matt Seman Charles Waugh Corey Conklin Teresa Benner
o On roll call the following members were absent: Tom Ray Kurt Ratliff Pam KOWaCevich
Motion Carried
Board reorganization process
Mr. Beard opened the floor to nominations for the office of President.
A motion was made by Corey Conklin and seconded by Charlie Waugh to nominate Matt Seman for President. Mr. Beard asked if there were any other nominations. Hearing none, Mr. Beard called for a unanimous voice vote.
Mr. Beard declared Matt Seman Board President.
President Seman opened the floor to nominations for the office of Vice-President.
A motion was made by Corey Conklin and seconded by Matt Seman to nominate Charles Waugh for Vice-President. President Seman asked if there were any other nominations. Hearing none, President Seman called for a unanimous voice vote. President Seman declared Charles Waugh Board Vice-President.
President Seman opened the floor to nominations for the office of Secretary.
A motion was made by Charlie Waugh and seconded by Corey Conklin to nominate Teresa Benner for Secretary. President Seman asked if there were any other nominations. Hearing none, President Seman called for a unanimous voice vote. President Seman declared Teresa Benner Board Secretary.
In summary, Board officers for the current year are: President -- Matt Seman m Vice-President-Charles Waugh
Secretary - Teresa Benner
1. Financial Update Mr. Beard noted that the mandated categorical payments still have not been received, and that the District is currently $307,000 short in the education fund. He noted this is primarily from a lack of payments for special education. The District is to receive four payments each fiscal year and has received none. He went on to state that we are $185,000 short in the transportation fund, missing our mandated payments there as well.
Mr. Beard stated that the PreK 5 program has also been impacted. He explained that the primary factor in having the program has been enrollment and informed the Board we did not have enough students based on screenings, parent surveys, input from teachers, and the like.
Twelve has been the minimum number set to have the program. He also explained that based on our budget situation, combined with not meeting the minimum enrollment number, that the program will not be renewed for the 2017-18 school year. He noted that this is the first such look into how the lack of funding has started to impact our programs. If funding and numbers improve, we will look at renewing the program.
Mr. Beard informed the Board that the health insurance notice has gone out and we will have a bid opening on June 20" at 10:00am. We have opened it up more than we have in the past as We are taking all options: trust, pools, Co-ops, etc in order to try and get our costs down while maintaining adequate coverage. Once the information is received, the insurance committee will Convene and then make a recommendation to the Board.
Mr. Beard stated that the amended budget for first reading in May for FY17 will more accurately reflect where we are currently in the budget cycle. Our projected deficit has grown too slightly over $1M for all funds. This is the second year in a row for this and cannot continue.
He noted that we will be approving an abatement of $600,000 from the working cash fund to the education fund, but this will still leave a $75,000 hole. He went on to say that 5 of the last 6 years has been a deficit budget and this is a trend we have to reverse. We will have to tap into early tax money to get through the rest of this year. This is obviously not a recommended practice and not one we want to continue. Mr. Beard also went through the building fund and told about expenditures exceeding revenues in that fund. He reminded the Board that $175,000 comes off the top each year for our debt certificate until 2024. He concluded that we cannot continue any deficit spending and that we have no choice but to use our early tax money.
Mr. Beard noted emphatically that State has got to stop playing games with our students and their education and provide the funding to which we are entitled.
Mr. Beard presented a 2005-2017 cash flow analysis and reiterated where we are at the end of March with a balance in all funds of $1,854,693 and a balance in the Operating Funds of $1,816,899. By comparison, at the end of March 2016, our balance in all funds was $2,734,940 and in the Operating Funds was $2,691,033.
2. Facilities Update Mr. Beard stated that all work has been completed by Tremco and has also been paid for. We are hopeful this work will last us for some time, and the most serious issues have been addressed.
He also noted that lead testing has been completed. While all water fountains are fine, we did have to replace faucets in 14 locations to bring levels down.
3. Legislative Update Mr. Beard updated the Board on the Grand Bargain, including the property tax freeze and reminded them that it is absolutely terrible for schools. He noted that we are in the bottom 10 in the nation for tax rates, but are in the highest percentage for reliance on property tax. Illinois ranks 50" in school funding. Not $1 of property taxes goes to pay the State anything - it goes for all municipalities, schools, fire protection districts, etc. The fewer dollars at the local levels cause more need from the State, and that money is not there.
Mr. Beard is encouraging the Board to have some committee of the whole meetings where budget items and options are discussed in more detail.
4. Pass Illinois Budget Mr. Beard informed the Board that this is a Superintendent initiative at the grass roots level called "Pass Illinois Budget'. It is an effort by which several Superintendents have joined together to try and get Illinois' budget passed.
5. Other
O Data from the election in April was presented to the Board. Mr. Beard noted 4 of 6 referendums districts passed in the State were to increase money in the education fund.
o He noted that the proposed federal budget for education has a 13% decrease which will negatively impact our Title and I monies used for at risk students.
o There is currently no new information regarding the bill proposals mandating seats belts on School buses.
B. Principal’s Report
Janis Lindsey- full report Submitted to the Board
o ABC countdown to the end of the year is on o Elementary Activities
o April 24 3rd grade music performance at Fine Arts Center o April 25 PTO Chick-fi-A fundraiser
o April 27-28 Preschool For All screenings at Williamsville Christian Church o April 27 Kindergarten music performance at Fine Arts Center o May 1-May 12 STAR benchmark screening
o May 4 SES Art Night/Book Fair
O May 9 PTO meeting (last one of the year)
o Congratulations to Charlie Ibbotson for being selected to represent SES at the IPA Abe Lincoln Region Student breakfast which will be held on April 28 at the Crowne Plaza
Clay Shoufler
End of year items are in full swing
3" quarter honor breakfast was recently held Carissa Carter will be going to the IPA student breakfast
Spring concert coming up
Graduation May 26", 6:30pm Beta Club will be having annual celebration on May 22". Students had to qualify with 10 hours of Community or School service, and participate in two Beta Club events
Adam IbbotSOn -
o State testing is all wrapped up for the year O Working on next year schedules and Teacher Institute days
Doug Furlow - full report Submitted to the Board
o Congratulations to our March Student of the Month - Caroline McCormick o The WHS Jazz Band competed at the State of Illinois Jazz Band Invitational held on the campus of Illinois State University April 7-8. Our students performed at a very high level and earned first place honors in the Big Bands Class A. Our students competed against bands from all over the state including the Chicago suburbs, schools big and small, urban and Suburban. o Please let me know if you plan to attend graduation and have a seat on stage. o Upcoming Dates:
O Friday - 4/14 IHSA Music Organizational O Saturday - 4/29 Jazz Dinner (WJHS) o May 1 - 5 Teacher Appreciation Week
O Saturday 5/6 Vocal Jazz - Cabaret Night (7:00 G. WJHS) o Tuesday - 5/9 Fine Arts Night
o Thursday - 5/11 Honors Night
o Saturday - 5/13 Prom - Illinois Building
o Sunday - 5/21 Baccalaureate
o Sunday - May 28 Graduation — UIS — 5:30 pm
Adam Eucker full report Submitted to the Board
o Sports boosters made over $5,000 at their latest event and have recently purchased a new set of hurdles for the JH and HS. They will be taking over the purchasing of uniforms for the District for the next few years. Spring sports going strong, softball is currently ranked #1 in the State Coach Nick Beard recently received the BCA Coach of the Year award
A motion was made by Charlie Waugh and seconded by Tom Ray to approve the Working Cash Abatenment Resolution
Discussion: Will be effective immediately and will not be paid back to the WC fund
o On roll call the following members answered aye!
Tom Ray Charles Waugh Matt Seman eresa Benner Corey Conklin Kurt Ratliff
o On roll call the following members were absent
Pam Kovacevich Motion Carried
A motion was made by Kurt Ratliff and seconded by Matt Seman to approve the Board Calendar for the 2017-18 school year
Discussion: None
Motion Carried
A motion was made by Teresa Benner and seconded by Corey Conklin to re-employee noncertified staff with compensation to be determined at a later date
Discussion: None
o On roll call the following members answered aye:
Tom Ray Charles Waugh Matt Seman Teresa Benner Corey Conklin Kurt Ratliff
o On roll call the following members were absent:
Pam KOWaCevich
Motion carried
A motion was made by Tom Ray and seconded by Kurt Ratliff to approve policies from the March 20, 2017 policy committee meeting:
Discussion: None
Motion carried
A motion was made by Kurt Ratliff and seconded by Matt Seman to employee staff:
o Derek Smith-8" Grade Social Studies
Mike McCormick - Assistant Football Coach Kelly Banister - Summer Maintenance John Chamblin – Summer MaintenanCe Megan Kircher - Summer Maintenance Stephanie Sanderbeck - Summer Maintenance Debbie Larson - JH Art Clint Thornton - PFA
Discussion: Credentials of the new teachers were discussed
o On roll call the following members answered aye!
Tom Ray Charles Waugh Matt Seman Teresa Benner Corey Conklin Kurt Ratliff
O On roll call the following members were absent:
Pam Kovacevich
Motion carried
motion was made by Corey Con y Teresa Benner to adjourn the meeting.
Discussion: None
Motion Carried.
Meeting adjourned at 7:38 p.m.
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