Lynnette Forth submitted this report.
The Board held a Closed Session at the beginning of the meeting, for the purpose of discussing collective bargaining and the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees.
Students in the Morrison School District, as well as those in Illinois, are working toward the completion of this year’s PARCC (Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College or Careers) testing for the first time. This testing method replaces the old Standards Achievement Test (ISAT), and is given through the computer to students in grades 3-12. At the Monday, March 23, 2015, regular meeting, Junior High Principal Joe Robbins informed Board of Education members that his students are finished with the testing. Robbins noted that while Morrison had few issues, other districts have had difficulties with so many students being on the same website. Students at the high school have also completed testing. Robbins informed the Board that Colten Linke and Ryan Kennedy wrestled at the IEMA State meet in DeKalb, IL, with Linke placing 4th.
Elementary Principal Jennifer Oetting thanked the Technical Department for their assistance with the recent PARCC testing. A Bi-County Facilitation meeting was held on Friday, February 27, with Special Education staff discussing updates or changes. Eight students showed items at the art show on Friday, March 13, at Woodlawn Arts Academy. Northside students raised $1700 for Lilah Buikema with $1000 coming from loose change and $600 from selling towels. Southside School held a blood drive on Tuesday, March 10.
High School Principal Kay Harwood noted the ACT test was administered on Tuesday, March 17, thanking Gwenn Rickertsen for coordinating the test. Harwood stated students had very few issues while completing the PARCC testing. They reported the math section was very difficult; Harwood expressed pride in the effort the kids put forth.
Jim Ridley reported on the Finance Committee meeting. They walked through fund balances; one State Aid payment will be put into the Operations and Maintenance Fund as planned. “We may have to put more into the O and M Fund by the end of the month. We had high expenses in February due to the cold weather. The Transportation Fund looks good,” he said. Ridley also reported that the Life Safety Fund audit was discussed and that work will need to begin soon. A brief discussion took place on the 1% sales tax, with the first payment being expected in the fall. It was also noted that the State has said they could short funding by two-to-five% by the end of the year.
Katie Kuehl stated she and Superintendent Scott Vance have started amending the budget, with it looking really good overall, being right on track as long as the State comes through. Life Safety projects include new boilers being the biggest issue. The Junior High boiler has been having problems, but the High School heating system is a top priority. Mike Vegter asked, “What is the payback on geothermal systems?” Vance answered, “The Oregon district is showing roughly $40,000 yearly. There were grants available, with Sterling, IL, just installing a geothermal system.”
Vance reported district enrollment has decreased by ten students in the last month, with numbers being at 17 less than this time one year ago. “There are a lot of different reasons for the decrease, some moved, and it just happened all at once. With a new round of hiring at the Prison on Friday, May 1, we are hoping to get more students.”
The job description for the High School Office Manager position will be getting an update; Vance reported the current one is very outdated. The new description will show the job as being an eleven-month position, instead of twelve, and also note an emphasis on technology. More position updates will most likely be seen in the future.
Following a second Closed Session for the purpose of appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of a specific employee, and negotiations, if necessary, Action Items were approved.
1. Board policy updates
2. Insurance renewal
3. ESP retirement incentive
4. Additional prearranged absence days
5. IHSA membership
6. Release of uniforms.