MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF SENECA TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, DISTRICT 160, SENECA, IL A regular meeting of the Seneca Township High School Board of Education was held on November 17, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. President Robert Lee called the meeting to order with roll call. 1. ROLL CALL: Present: Applebee, Johnson, Lee, Hovious, Maierhofer,, Hamilton Absent: Others present: Superintendent Mark Thurwanger, Recording Secretary Carolyn Lockridge, Treasurer Bill Steep, Dave Geekie, Kent Weber, Jeff Maierhofer, Steve Nelson, John Eallonardo, Dave Brockman, Pam Brockman, Pat Knapp, Viv Maierhofer, Sara Olson, Sylvan Olson, Ron Frye, Van Jackson, Dian White, Patricia Neuendorf, David Blome, Art Havenhill, Betty Noel, Jean Robinson, Margaret Grober, Ernie McGeorge, Jim Johnson, Representative from The Daily Times, student award winners and guests. 2. RECOGNITION OF GUESTS AND VISITORS Student of the Month Winners were recognized. 3. INVESTMENT REPORT Mr. Thurwanger gave the Investment Report. President Lee stated that the Investment Report would stand approved as presented, subject to audit. 4. TREASURER S REPORT Bill Steep gave the Treasurer s Report. President Lee stated that the Treasurer s report would stand approved subject to audit. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Minutes Mr. Thurwanger stated additional minutes from the Building, Grounds & Transportation Committee Meeting were distributed. No corrections or additions to the minutes were received. President Lee stated the minutes would stand approved as presented. 6. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE Mr. Thurwanger indicated the questions he received were listed on the Accounts Payable Questions handout. The BMO Breakdown and an additional check was
also included. President Lee asked for a motion to approve the accounts payable as presented. A motion was made by Joe Johnson and seconded by Ron to approve the Accounts Payable as presented. 7. PUBLIC COMMENT Public Comments were received from Sara Olson, Jean Robinson, Art Havenhill and David Blome concerning the proposed Building Project and Bond Sale. 8. EDUCATIONAL ITEM There was no Educational Item. 9. SUPERINTENDENT S REPORT A. Finance Report 1. 2010 Levy Mr. Thurwanger stated preliminary information has been received from the County Assessors. The levy request will not be greater than 5% of last year s request, therefore a levy hearing will not be necessary. 2. 2010-11 Budget Mr. Thurwanger indicated a budget has been prepared in conjunction with the levy. The budget has been on file for public viewing since November 15, 2010. A budget hearing will be held at 8:30 a.m. prior to the December Regular Meeting. He indicated a Finance Committee will be held to review both the budget and the levy. 3. Resolution Authorizing the Issuance of Funding Bonds Mr. Thurwanger stated that as Mr. Bergland of Hutchinson, Shockey, Early reviewed last month, the conversion of the Debt Certificates to funding bonds is the second step in securing financing for the proposed facility. The BINA
Hearing will be held during the regular meeting to be held December 15, 2010 at 8:45 a.m. The hearing will allow for public comment concerning the bond sale. A motion was made by Jim Hovious and seconded by Rich Applebee to adopt the resolution authorizing the issuance of funding bonds as presented. ROLL CALL: Ayes: Applebee, Hovious, Lee, Hamilton, Johnson, Maierhofer B. Personnel Report Mr. Thurwanger stated he did not have a Personnel Report this month. C. Building, Grounds & Transportation 1. Construction Update Steve Nelson of Studio GC and John Eallonardo of FQC updated the Board on the progress of the Softball Field and Transportation Building. 2. Vehicle and Equipment Purchases Mr. Thurwanger indicated the Building, Grounds and Transportation met to review the specifications of the Activity Bus, skid steer and gator from the State Contracts. The Committee is recommending purchasing the Activity Bus from Southern Bus. Mr. Thurwanger will coordinate with the Building Services Department to review the options on the gator and skid steer prior to finalizing the purchase of the gator and skid steer from Hogan Walker. A motion was made by Joe Johnson and seconded by Rich Applebee to purchase through state contracts an activity bus, gator and skid steer as recommended by the Building, Grounds & Transportation committee as presented. D. Policy 1. PRESS Policy 3rd Reading
Mr. Thurwanger state this would represent the third and final reading of the PRESS Policies distributed in October. A motion was made by Rob Maierhofer and seconded by Jim Hovious to approve the PRESS Policies as presented. 2. PRESS Policy 1st Reading Mr. Thurwanger referred to the PRESS Policies included in the Board Packet. This will represent the first reading of those policies. E. District Goals Mr. Thurwanger reviewed the goals and action plans adopted by the Board of Education and the progress of meeting the goals to date. He indicated the Board will meet in the near future to update the short term and long term goals. F. Executive Session Mr. Thurwanger stated there would be no Executive Session. 10. PRINCIPAL/ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL REPORT A. 9 Weeks Summary Mr. Thurwanger referred to the 9 week summaries prepared by Mr. Evans and Mr. Manullang that were included in the Board Packet. B. Parent Teacher Conferences Mr. Thurwanger stated the attendance at the Parent Teacher Conferences has continued to decline. With the access to student information on the website and continued efforts by the teacher to contact parents when needed, the District is experience less participation in the conferences. C. Good News
Mr. Thurwanger reviewed information concerning student participation in the Seneca Police Department s efforts to fingerprint Grade School students. Students volunteered their time to prepare care packages for troops through Operation Care Package. A Cross Country runner competed at the State meet. The Band was invited to play at the Volleyball State Finals. 11. ADMINISTRATIVE COMMUNICATIONS Mr. Thurwanger reviewed thank you notes received by the District. FOIA requests received were included in the Board Packet. The response to the Park Board memo was discussed. The District received a refund from the Workers Compensation Carrier. CF Industries presented classroom grants to Andrew Jackson, Fran Ogden, Moira Marshall, Kent Weber and Jeff Maierhofer. He thanked them for their contribution to the students. The school law firm indicated the rate freeze on their legal fees would be extended for six more months. Minutes from Department Meetings and Administrator/Counselor Meetings were distributed for Board review. Mr. Thurwanger indicated that according to news sources, Exelon had filed a tax objection. He had not received the objection from the county as of the meeting. Articles from the Chicago Tribune concerning NCLB were distributed to the Board along with information from the State Superintendent. 12. ACTION ITEMS AFTER EXECUTIVE SESSION There were no action items. 13. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m. President, Board of Education Date Secretary, Board of Education