REGULAR MEETING October 11, 2011 The Board of Education of Community Unit School District No. 7 Madison County, Edwardsville, Illinois met in regular session at 7:33 p.m. at Woodland Elementary, 59 S. State Rte. 157, Edwardsville, IL 62025, on October 11, 2011. President Greg Roosevelt presided over the meeting. The following members answered roll call: Bob Perica, Jill Bertels, Monica Laurent, Paul Pitts, and Greg Roosevelt. Also in attendance were: Ed Hightower, Superintendent; Lynda Andre, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction; Dave Courtney, Assistant Superintendent of Business Operations; Nancy Spina, Assistant Superintendent of Personnel; Becky Kolda, Director of Special Education; Bill Miener, Director of Technology; Julie Biggs, Reporter for the Edwardsville Intelligencer; Craig Bosomworth, Technology; Channel 10 Camera Technician; and Diane Walkenbach, Secretary to the Superintendent. Other administrators present were: Cindy Steele, Vince Schlueter, Andy Williams, Tara Fox, John Martin, Curt Schumacher, Tara Wells, Beth Renth, Dennis Cramsey, Hillary Stanifer, Cornelia Smith, Darnell Marshall, Ryan Ketchum, Tanya Patton, and Martha Richey. Absent: Hewitt, Hummel Welcome to Visitors President Greg Roosevelt welcomed staff and visitors. Student Recognition Dr. Hightower recognized Dionte Rodgers, fifth grade student. On September 30, Woodland Elementary School completed its Walk-A-Thon. Students collected pledges from friends and family to support their 45 minute walk/run around the Lincoln Middle School Track. While Dionte was running, it soon became apparent that he was going to come close to shattering the school record for distance. All of the students and parents began cheering him on, and noticed that another student, a fifth grade girl, was trailing close behind Dionte. As the race neared the end and the students were completing their final lap, it was clear that Dionte was much faster than the girl, and could have easily pulled away from her to finish well on top of the competition. Instead, he slowed down and said to her, "Let's finish together." Dr. Lynda Andre, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, introduced the students, and Dr. Hightower, Bob Perica, and Dionte Rodgers recognized the recipients for the October Do the Right Thing awards. 1
Recognition of Those Wishing to Make Brief Statements Minutes approved: Jill Bertels moved for approval of the minutes from the regular meeting held on September 26, 2011 and Bob Perica seconded the motion. Roll Call: Ayes Bertels, Perica, Pitts, Roosevelt Carried 4-0 Absent Hewitt, Hummel Abstained Laurent Reports of Board Members, Board Committees, Special Committees Bob Perica, Personnel Chair, reported that the Personnel Committee met earlier this evening as a Committee of the Full Board to review the action items on the agenda which will be recommended later to the full board for approval. ACTION CONSIDERATIONS: A.C. 11-29 - Approval of Personnel A motion was made by Monica Laurent and seconded by Bob Perica to approve the action items as presented in the personnel agenda. I. DISCUSSION ITEMS 1. Cursonia Wilkins has been subbing as a Monitor at Liberty Middle School since September 26, 2011. When she is hired in the same position this date will serve as the official date of employment by District 7 with respect to the above contractual legislative requirements. 2. Kimberly Green has been subbing as a Monitor at Goshen Elementary School since September 26, 2011. When she is hired in the same position this date will serve as the official date of employment by District 7 with respect to the above contractual legislative requirements. II. ACTION ITEMS A. It is recommended that the following classified employee s retirement date be approved: 1. Gary Snow; 8 hour Evening Custodian, Edwardsville High School; effective October 20, 2011. 2
B. It is recommended that the following classified employee s resignation be accepted: 1. Libby Sheeley; 3 hour Monitor, Glen Carbon Elementary School; effective November 4, 2011. C. It is recommended that the following classified employee s transfer be approved: 1. D Mario Anderson; from 3.5 hour Monitor, Woodland Elementary School; to 7 hour Monitor, Lincoln Middle School; Step 1, $8.65 per hour; effective September 28, 2011. D. It is recommended that the following classified candidate be employed: 1. Cursonia Wilkins; 7 hour Monitor, Liberty Middle School; Step 3, $8.95 per hour; effective October 12, 2011. 2. Kimberly Green; 2 hour Monitor, Goshen Elementary School, Step 2, $8.75 per hour; effective October 12, 2011. E. It is recommended that the following certified employee s leave be approved: 1. Amy Noascono; RTI Teacher, Worden Elementary School; paid and unpaid Maternity/Child Care Leave beginning approximately April 4, 2012; and returning approximately May 14, 2012. F. It is recommended that the following certified employee s resignation be accepted: 1. Michael Hitt, English Teacher, Edwardsville High School; effective October 14, 2011. G. It is recommended that the following certified employee s retirement date be approved: 1. Teresa Oakley; Social Worker, Lincoln Middle School; effective at the end of her contract period of the 2015-16 school year. H. It is recommended that the following persons be approved as substitute teachers for the 2011-12 school year: Kelle Hanson Andrew Harshbarger, Jr. Mary Vick Lisa Woodard Roll Call: Ayes Laurent, Perica, Bertels, Roosevelt Carried 4-0 Absent Hewitt, Hummel Abstained - Pitts 3
A.C. 11-30 - Approval of October Bills A motion was made by Bob Perica and seconded by Jill Bertels to approve the October bills in the amount of $489,251.13. Roll Call: Ayes Perica, Bertels, Laurent, Pitts, Roosevelt Carried 5 0 Absent Hewitt, Hummel Discussion Superintendent s Comments On Tuesday, October 18, 2011, District 7 parents and citizens are invited to attend a public meeting at 7:00 p.m. in the Edwardsville High School Auditorium to introduce District 7 s Project DrugSmart, a comprehensive initiative designed to maintain a safe and drug-free environment in our schools. This program includes drug education, awareness, and prevention activities, as well as the implementation of deterrents. This program was designed to address growing concerns over teenage drug abuse, whether it is marijuana, prescription drugs, or heroin, which has been responsible for 20 deaths in Madison County this year. The meeting will include: distribution of Project DrugSmart literature the showing of both a parent and student drug campaign video a panel discussion with local law enforcement and health officials The videos include the personal story of a Madison County family who lost their son to a heroin overdose. Members of the panel will include the following individuals who have volunteered many hours in developing the Project DrugSmart campaign: US Attorney Steve Wigginton; Steve Nonn, Madison County Coroner; Tom Gibbons, Madison County State s Attorney; Chief James Bedell, Edwardsville Police Department; Chief John Lakin, Glen Carbon Police Department; Sheriff Bob Hertz, Madison County Sheriff s Department; Sgt. Charlie Kohlberg, Edwardsville Police Department; and Donna Nahlik, Chestnut Health Systems. The Project Drug Smart campaign was presented to the Citizens Advisory Committee, a group of twenty-five parents and citizens from across the District who meet monthly to review District 7 initiatives and a focus group of approximately 60 parents representing students in grades 3-12 from across the school district. These individuals have expressed appreciation for the District s proactive stance on this issue and have overwhelmingly endorsed the District s plan to show the student video to all 6 th -12 th grade students. The videos will also be available on the District 7 website so that parents of elementary students may show it to their children if they choose to do so. 4
We encourage our parents, students and citizens to take this opportunity to learn more about this growing problem. None of us can afford to ignore the easy availability of illicit drugs in our community. It is our hope that you will lend your support to these efforts. If we all work together students, parents, staff, and community members we can make a difference in reducing drug and alcohol abuse among teens. Information Dr. Hightower presented both a parent and student drug campaign video that will also be presented at a public meeting on Tuesday, October 18, 2011 in the Edwardsville High School Auditorium. John Meinzen, High School Math Department Chair, gave a PowerPoint presentation overviewing the EHS Math Department. Other Business: Brief Questions from the Public: Questions and Announcements from the Board: NOTICE: The next regular meeting will be held on Monday, October 24, 2011 at Woodland Elementary. Adjournment: At 8:50 p.m. a motion was made by Bob Perica and seconded by Monica Laurent to adjourn the meeting. All members present (5) were in favor and the motion carried. President Secretary 5
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