The Board of Education of Hamilton County Community Unit District No. 10 met in regular session on the evening of December 21, 2004, at 5:00 p.m., in the Unit Office.

            The meeting was called to order by Board President James VanWinkle.  Roll Call was as follows: Present – Mike Bowman, John Ewald, Larry Launius, Tom Maulding, Jerry White and James VanWinkle.  Absent – Randy Sloan.

            Motion by Launius, second by Maulding to approve the minutes of the following board meeting as presented:  November 21, 2000.  Vote was taken by voice and motion carried.

            Motion by White, second by Bowman to approve the Treasurer’s Report.  Vote was taken by voice and motion carried.

            Motion by Bowman, second by Launius to approve the Budget Report.  Vote was taken by voice and motion carried.

Motion by Launius, second by White to approve the attached list of bills for Hamilton County Community Unit District No. 10 as presented.  Roll Call Vote – Voting Yes –  Launius, White, Bowman, Ewald, Maulding and VanWinkle.  Motion carried.

John Ewald voted to approve all bills with the exception of  bill 124 from Robbins, Schwartz, Nicholas, Taylor, LTD.

            Correspondence-  None.

Recognition of Visitors – Jeff Troutt, Attorney at Law was present to discuss a detachment request from the Larry Kelley family.  The Kelley family presently reside in the Hamilton County District, but their children have been attending school in Akin which is in Franklin County.  At the time the Kelleys built their house they were of the understanding that their children could attend the Akin School.  The State however, does not permit children to attend school in a district other than that in which their family resides.  The Kelleys’ have four children three of them are presently attending Akin School District and wish to continue there.

Mr. Troutt the attorney for the Kelleys’ asked the Board to consider granting the Kelleys’ the right to annex 80 acres of their property into Franklin County.  Mr. VanWinkle asked if the Kelleys’ would be willing to reduce the area to be annexed to a 40-60 acre corridor instead of 80.  Mr. Troutt said that they would certainly consider this if it would help gain the Board’s support.

Bobbie Boucher foreign exchange student from Australia was introduced to the Board by Kyle Lapington the host family.  The Board asked her a few questions about her stay in America.  They asked her about academic differences.  She stated that in Australia students do not mix grade levels in classes.  Also, Australia has a 6 period day and a 1 hour lunch period.

Mrs. Bobbye Sloan was in attendance to present C.R. Sloan and the District a check for $65,000 to aid in the construction of a greenhouse at the new school site.  Mrs. Sloan stated that giving the donation is a way she and husband Jerry can give back to the community and provide a good learning environment for future agriculture students.  Bobbye also praised C.R. Sloan on the job he is doing for the District’s agriculture department.

Motion by Ewald, second by Launius to accept the donation of $65,000 from Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Sloan towards the construction of a greenhouse at the new school site.  Roll Call Vote - Voting Yes - Ewald, Launius, Bowman, Maulding, White and VanWinkle.  Motion carried.  A Restricted Gift Agreement was signed by Board President James VanWinkle and Mrs. Sloan. 

Superintendent’s Report – Dr. Hughes gave the Board a copy of the Eldorado Holiday Tournament schedule. 

Dr.  Hughes addressed the issue of bad weather that has resulted in cancellation of school for the remainder of the week (December 20th and 21^st).  If the District uses all of its snow days it will have to submit approval from the State to use Act of God days.  It is also possible that Snow Routes will be considered in the future to allow students to attend school.  In order to be considered a school day 50% of the students have to be in attendance.

Dr. Hughes stated that Lewis Winemiller has discussed with him the possibility of having a special ceremony for the last basketball game in the old high school gym.  A committee will be formed in order to plan this event.

Curriculum - Mr. Vince Mitchell handed out and reviewed with the Board the Terra Nova Comprehensive testing program.  Also, he gave the Board information on the recent participation in Parent/Teachers Conference.  They were well attended.

Old Business - Don Schubert, Site Observer was present to update the Board on the construction of the new school facility.  Items of discussion were the Jr. High wing construction , including electricity, drywall and windows.  The weather has put a stop to some of the work that had been scheduled.  This is causing construction to be behind approximately 2-3 weeks.

Dr. Hughes gave the Board a letter from Peyronnin Construction covering safety issues at the construction site.  The Company has asked that people wishing to view the site take proper safety precautions and inform the construction Superintendent of their presence.

Motion by Ewald, second by White to approve two change orders.  The first was in the amount of $3,258 for duct work above the computer rooms.  The second was in the amount of $982 to install a drop ceiling to cover existing acoustical piping.

Dr. Hughes has determined to delay the Leasing of equipment and furniture for the new school.  He has spoken with a several banks that advised him not to enter into a lease agreement until closer to the time the equipment is needed.  Also, it is possible there could be a lower interest rate in the future.  He will provide more information at a later date.

Motion by Bowman, second by Maulding to authorize the advertisement of fuel bids for the 2001 school year.  Vote was taken by voice and motion carried.

Motion by Ewald, second by White to authorize the advertisement for two new school buses.  Vote was taken by voice and motion carried.

Motion by Launius, second by Bowman move the January and February Board meetings to a 5:00 p.m. starting time.  Vote was taken by voice and motion carried.

Dr. Hughes asked the Board to convene in executive session to discuss appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees.

Motion by Maulding, second by Ewald to convene into executive session at 7:10 p.m.  Vote was taken by voice and motion carried.

Motion by Bowman, second by Launius to come out of executive session at 8:00 p.m.  Vote was taken by voice and motion carried.

Motion by Ewald, second by White to convene in to regular session.  Vote was taken by voice and motion carried.

Motion by Launius, second by Maulding to approve the minutes of the executive session.  Vote was taken by voice and motion carried.

Motion by Launius, second by Maulding to accept a request from Stephanie Lemke for a maternity leave as per her letter of request.  Roll Call Vote - Voting Yes - Launius, Maulding, Bowman, Ewald, White and VanWinkle.  Motion carried.

Motion by Ewald, second by Bowman to employ Wesley VanZant as a Special Education, Rend Lake part-time tutor at East Side.  Roll Call Vote - Voting Yes - Ewald, Bowman, Launius, Maulding, White and VanWinkle.  Motion carried.

Motion by White, second by Launius to employ Debbie Johnson as a part-time tutor assigned to the East Side School and Angie McEwen as a part-time tutor assigned to the West Side School.  Roll Call Vote - Voting Yes - White, Launius, Bowman, Ewald, Maulding and VanWinkle.  Motion carried.

Motion by White, second by Ewald to employ Beverly Wiggins as a full-time bus driver.  Roll Call Vote - Voting Yes - White, Ewald, Bowman, Launius, Maulding and VanWinkle.  Motion carried.

Motion by Maulding, second by Launius to authorize the advertising of a part-time bus driver on an as needed basis.  Vote was taken by voice and motion carried.

Motion by Bowman, second by Ewald to approve the attached list of volunteer 5th and 6th grade basketball coaches.  Vote was taken by voice and motion carried.

Motion by Launius, second by Maulding to approve the public display of executive session minutes from January 1st to June 30, 2000.  Vote was taken by voice and motion carried.

 Motion by Ewald, second by White to authorize the approval of the detachment request by the Larry Kelley family into the Franklin County District provided there be limitation of the territory to be detached agreeable to both parties.  Vote was taken by voice and motion carried. 

            Motion by Ewald, second by Maulding to adjourn.  Vote was taken by voice, motion carried and the meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.

           

 

                                                                        _________________________

                                                                        Board President

 

                                                            __________________________

                                                                                    Board Secretary