South Central Community Unit School District #401 Minutes Regular Board Meeting 6:00 P.M. Unit Office Roll Call: Present: Mike Vandeveer Ann Blomberg Dena Hoffmann Chris Blomberg Tom Turner Absent: Dan Hiestand Jason Markley The South Central Community Unit School District #401 Board of Education held a regular board meeting on in the conference room located at 810 East First Street in Kinmundy, IL. President Mike Vandeveer called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. President Mike Vandeveer recognized guests Marla Shirley, Dennis Rosenberger, Salem Times Commoner; and Kevin Wills, First Midstate Bank. Also present were Principals Sara Rose and Steve Phillips; Superintendent Kerry Herdes and Ginny Keen, Board Clerk. Ms. Marla Shirley asked to address the Board. She presented a verbal and written thank you for honoring her husband, Gary Shirley. She talked about Mr. Shirley s commitment and pride to South Central School District as a teacher and coach. The Board Members thanked Ms. Shirley. A motion was made by Chris Blomberg and seconded by Tom Turner to approve the minutes of the regular board meeting held on December 16, 2015 as presented. Roll call vote was as follows: Ann Blomberg Aye Jason Markley Absent Tom Turner Aye Dan Hiestand Absent Dena Hoffmann Aye
Motions Regular Board Meeting 2 A motion was made by Dena Hoffmann and seconded by Chris Blomberg to approve the payment of bills as submitted. Roll call vote was as follows: Dena Hoffmann Aye Ann Blomberg Aye Jason Markley Absent Tom Turner Aye Dan Hiestand Absent A motion was made by Tom Turner and seconded by Chris Blomberg to approve the Treasurer s Report for December 2015 as presented. Roll call vote was as follows: Tom Turner Aye Jason Markley Absent Dena Hoffmann Aye Dan Hiestand Absent Kevin Wills, Investment Banker, First Midstate Bank stated that state statute dictates total bond allowance for schools districts. The current limit for South Central is $1,020,000. In order to maximize the full amount allowed, the money in the working cash fund must be abated, up to the amount of this year s current levy monies. Superintendent Kerry Herdes stated the following: In view of the current financial condition of the District, consideration and action should be given to adopt Resolution abating South Central District s working cash fund to the education fund. The fund shall be abated by the amount necessary in order to leave a balance of $28,118.56 plus any taxes levied and not yet collected. The Treasurer is authorized to permanently transfer the abatement amount to the education fund. The total amount currently in the working cash fund is $479,118.56 less the amount to be held, making the amount of $451,000.00 to be abated to the education fund. A motion was made by Tom Turner and seconded by Chris Blomberg to approve Resolution to abate the working cash fund of South Central CUSD #401 to the education fund as presented. Roll call vote was as follows: Jason Markley Absent Tom Turner Aye Dan Hiestand Absent Ann Blomberg Aye Dena Hoffmann Aye
Motions Regular Board Meeting 3 Mr. Kevin Wills stated all bonds have been sold and were purchased by local banks; two of which were First National Bank of Kinmundy and the First National Bank of Vandalia. The average taxable rate is 1.81% with a three year re-payment plan. Mr. Wills will handle the filing of all the proper paperwork. Superintendent Kerry Herdes stated the following: The next item for consideration would be the issuance of the District s general obligation working cash fund bonds and to adopt Resolution to issue bonds and levy to pay principal and interest. The Resolution provides for the issue of Taxable General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2016, of South Central Community Unit School District #401, Marion, Fayette and Clay counties, for the purpose of increasing the Working Cash Fund of said School District, and providing for the levy of a direct annual tax sufficient to pay the principal and interest on said bonds, and authorizing the sale of said bonds to the purchaser thereof. A motion was made by Chris Blomberg and seconded by Dena Hoffmann to approve Resolution to issue $1,020,000 Taxable General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2016, of South Central CUSD #401, Marion, Fayette and Clay Counties, Illinois, for the purpose of increasing the Working Cash Fund as presented. Roll call vote was as follows: Ann Blomberg Aye Dan Hiestand Absent Dena Hoffmann Aye Tom Turner Aye Jason Markley Absent Due to the state Capital Development project funds still on hold, additional funds are needed in the Capital Projects Fund to cover the final bills for the CDB construction project at the Elementary School. The total amount needed to be transferred is $235,000.00. A motion was made by Ann Blomberg and seconded by Tom Turner to adopt the Resolution for an inter-fund loan from the Education Fund to the Capital Projects Fund for South Central CUSD #401 as presented. Roll call vote was as follows: Dan Hiestand Absent Jason Markley Absent Ann Blomberg Aye Tom Turner Aye Dena Hoffmann Aye The coverage for the working cash surety bond has decreased from $113,000 to $93,000. The policy is through Traveler s Insurance, handled by Nixon Insurance Agency, Inc. at a cost of $116.00. Renewal date is March 7, 2016.
Motions Regular Board Meeting 4 A motion was made by Tom Turner and seconded by Chris Blomberg to approve the renewal of the Treasurers Bond to cover additional funds for the Working Cash General Obligation Bond. Roll call vote was as follows: Tom Turner Aye Dena Hoffmann Aye Jason Markley Absent Dan Hiestand Absent Ann Blomberg Aye Seniority lists for South Central district certified staff and support staff were presented for the annual review and approval. A motion was made by Ann Blomberg and seconded by Chris Blomberg approve the seniority rosters for the South Central CUSD #401 Certified Personnel and Support Staff as presented. Roll call vote was as follows: Tom Turner Aye Jason Markley Absent Ann Blomberg Aye Superintendent Kerry Herdes discussed revenues and expenses on the current budget. December represents half of the fiscal year and so far we are on target. There are some concerns about how general state aid payments will be handled for May and June. Board Members are welcome to request a copy of the full Financial Report. There were no field trip requests. Principal Sara Rose discussed dates and events at South Central Elementary School. The third quarter of the year has begun, Valentine parties are being planned and the ROE institute is coming up in February. The 3 rd Parent Café meeting has been held. These meetings are held to help bridge the gap between parents, community and teachers. 105 students met their AR goals. Principal Steve Phillips discussed events at South Central High School. The South Central Sports Booster Club members were pleased with the gym renaming ceremony, which was well attended. The booster club purchased a memorial plaque to be displayed in the gym. A highs school band student has been selected to participate in the all-state band. The girls basketball tournament is this week and the boys basketball tournament is next week. South Central will host the girls regionals in February. A report on the South Central Middle School was not available.
Motions Regular Board Meeting 5 Superintendent Kerry Herdes stated South Central boys basketball team has been invited to the Mulberry Grove Thanksgiving Tournament. He discussed an article written by Dr. Tony Smith, State Superintendent of Education, supporting more equal funding to schools and is proposing budget changes to help schools. Still unsure at this time when the state budget will be passed, therefore CDB funds will remain on hold. Steve Downen, EWR Architect, is working on Health Life Safety amendments. Effingham school district has used school buses for sale for $30,000 and would like to purchase one at this time. A motion was made by Tom Turner and seconded by Ann Blomberg to approve the purchase of a used school bus for pupil transportation as presented. Roll call vote was as follows: Jason Markley Absent Tom Turner Aye A motion was made by Chris Blomberg and seconded by Ann Blomberg to go into closed session to discuss appointments, employment, compensation, discipline, negotiations, performance, or dismissal of personnel and to conduct a six month review of closed session minutes at 7:11 p.m. Roll call vote was as follows: Dan Hiestand Absent Jason Markley Absent Tom Turner Aye Dena Hoffmann Aye A motion was made Chris Blomberg and seconded by Ann Blomberg to go back into open session at 7:58 p.m. Roll call vote was as follows: Jason Markley Absent Dan Hiestand Absent Dena Hoffmann Aye Ann Blomberg Aye Tom Turner Aye A motion was made by Ann Blomberg and seconded by Tom Turner to approve the closed session minutes for South Central CUSD #401 Board of Education from July 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015 and that these minutes remain closed to the public. Roll call vote was as follows:
Motions Regular Board Meeting 6 Tom Turner Aye Jason Markley Absent Dena Hoffmann Aye Dan Hiestand Absent Ann Blomberg Aye A motion was made by Chris Blomberg and seconded by Dena Hoffmann to approve FMLA leave of absence for Jessica Lother as presented. Roll call vote was as follows: Ann Blomberg Aye Jason Markley Absent Tom Turner Aye Motion Carried. A motion was made by Chris Blomberg and seconded by Ann Blomberg to approve FMLA leave of absence for Kara Short as presented. Roll call vote was as follows: Dena Hoffmann Aye Tom Turner Aye Ann Blomberg Aye Jason Markley Absent Dan Hiestand Absent Motion Carried. A motion was made by Tom Turner and seconded by Ann Blomberg to approve FMLA leave of absence for Lonnie Tipsword as presented. Roll call vote was as follows: Dena Hoffmann Aye Jason Markley Absent Dan Hiestand Absent Tom Turner Aye A motion was made by Ann Blomberg and seconded by Dena Hoffmann to approve FMLA Leave of Absence for Misty Ford as presented. Roll call vote was as follows: Tom Turner Aye Jason Markley Absent
Motions Regular Board Meeting 7 A motion was made by Tom Turner and seconded by Chris Blomberg to release Glenda Krutsinger, Support Staff, for South Central CUSD #401 effective immediately. Roll call vote was as follows: Ann Blomberg Aye Jason Markley Absent Tom Turner Aye Dena Hoffmann Aye Dan Hiestand Absent A motion was made by Ann Blomberg and seconded by Chris Blomberg to approve Reed Garrett as a volunteer 5 th & 6 th Grade Basketball Coach for South Central Middle School for the 2015-2016 school year. Roll call was as follows: Tom Turner Aye Dan Hiestand Absent Jason Markley Absent Dena Hoffmann Aye Ann Blomberg Aye A motion was made by Tom Turner and seconded by Ann Blomberg to adjourn at 8:14 p.m. Motion carried by voice vote. President, Board of Education Secretary, Board of Education