South Central Reporter

Bond County Community Unit School District 2 Board of Education met June 29.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Bond County Community Unit School District No. 2 Board of Education Budget Amendment Hearing and Regular Board Meeting Minutes

The Board of Education of Bond County Community Unity No. 2 held a budget amendment hearing and its regular meeting in the BCCU #2 High School Library, 1000 E. State Rte. 140, Greenville, IL.

Board President Randi Workman called the hearing to order at 6:46 p.m.

Those present were board members Frey, Gerl, Prater, Reavis, Simmonds, Workman, and Zeeb. Others present were Superintendent Wes Olson; Principal Kara Harris; Facilities Director Mike Wilhite; Board Secretary Emily Laesch; The Advocate Rebecca Sponsler; WGEL Jeff Leidel; Ernie Oakley, Susan Corbus, Mark Turok, Alan Gaffner, and AGE Representatives Jordan Haarmann and Terry Milt.

BUDGET AMENDMENT HEARING

Board President Workman read the Budget Amendment Hearing introduction and the acknowledgement of requirements. Dr. Olson reported that the amended budget ended up quite a bit different than the display from last month. This budget has a surplus of $1,666,450 in operational funds, which was more than the previously discussed surplus of around $300,000. The superintendent stated the reasons for the additional surplus were due to the following reasons: the district received $519,000 more in CPPRT funds than what was budgeted; the national school lunch program reimbursed the district more than $600,000 what had been estimated; more than the usual 98% of local property taxes were received, and additional ESSER funds that were not expected were received. There was also $200,000 of expenditures cut. He said this was a good place to be and it was better than the district had anticipated.

Board Member Frey asked if free lunches will continue next year. Dr. Olson replied that the free for all lunch programs will end on June 30" The federal government has come to a decision on next year, but no information has been presented by ISBE, so we don't know what to expect. He added that the reimbursement for lunches is expected to remain high.

Board Member Simmonds questioned the increase of revenues and if they were legit. The superintendent explained that the district receives a projected amount which is used in budget planning. The end numbers were way higher than what was projected. He added that we don't what on the state side in terms of revenues led to the increase.

Board Member Zeeb said it is wonderful that the district has a larger surplus this year, but agreed with Simmonds in asking why revenues were so much higher. He added that if that extra money goes away, it leaves the district with the small surplus that had originally been projected, so we still need to continue to watch our budget very closely.

There was no Public Comment regarding the budget amendment.

ADJOURN HEARING

Motion by Frey, second by Simmonds, that the budget amendment hearing be adjourned at 7:02 p.m. Roll call vote: Frey, yes; Gerl, yes; Prater, yes; Reavis, yes; Simmonds, yes; Workman, yes; and Zeeb, yes. Motion carried 7-0.

CALL TO ORDER OF REGULAR MEETING

The regular meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m. by President Randi Workman.

Those present were board members Frey, Gerl, Prater, Reavis, Simmonds, Workman, and Zeeb. Others present are listed above.

PUBLIC COMMENT

There was no Public Comment.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Motion by Zeeb, second by Reavis, that the board of education enter into executive meeting at 7:04 p.m. to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees, specific individuals who serve as independent contractors, or specific volunteers of the District or legal counsel for the District, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee, a specific individual who serves as an independent contractor, or a volunteer of the District or against legal counsel for the District to determine its validity; and collective negotiating matters between the District and its employees or their representatives, or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees. Roll call vote: Frey, yes; Gerl, yes; Prater, yes; Reavis, yes; Simmonds, yes; Workman, yes; Zeeb, yes. Motion carried 7-0.

Motion by Reavis, second by Frey, that the board of education return to open session at 8:00 p.m. Roll call vote: Frey, yes; Gerl, yes; Prater, yes; Reavis, yes; Simmonds, yes; Workman, yes; Zeeb, yes. Motion carried 7-0.

EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES

Motion by Frey, second by Simmonds, to approve the Executive Session Minutes from the May 18, 2022 regular school board meeting. Roll call vote: Frey, yes; Gerl, yes; Prater, yes; Reavis, yes; Simmonds, yes; Workman, yes; Zeeb, yes. Motion carried 7-0.

Motion by Zeeb, second by Reavis, to approve the Executive Session Minutes from the June 22, 2022 special school board meeting. Roll call vote: Frey, yes; Gerl, yes; Prater, yes; Reavis, yes; Simmonds, yes; Workman, yes; Zeeb, yes. Motion carried 7-0.

HIRE PARA-PROFESSIONALS

Motion by Simmonds, second by Gerl, to hire Jennifer Harlan as a Special Education Paraprofessional for the 2022-2023 school year for 7 hours per day, 176 days per year, at the entry level rate listed in the GESPA Contract. Roll call vote: Frey, yes; Gerl, yes; Prater, yes; Reavis, yes; Simmonds, yes; Workman, yes; Zeeb, yes. Motion carried 7-0.

Motion by Reavis, second by Frey, to hire Denise Jurgena as a Special Education Paraprofessional for the 2022-2023 school year for 7 hours per day, 176 days per year, at the entry level rate listed in the GESPA Contract. Roll call vote: Frey, yes; Gerl, yes; Prater, yes; Reavis, yes; Simmonds, yes; Workman, yes; Zeeb, yes. Motion carried 7-0.

HIRE ATHLETIC COACHES

Motion by Zeeb, second by Simmonds, to hire Ben Harris as the Cross Country Coach at BCCU #2 High School for the Fall 2022 Season. Roll call vote: Frey, yes; Gerl, yes; Prater, yes; Reavis, yes; Simmonds, yes; Workman, yes; Zeeb, yes. Motion carried 7-0.

Motion by Frey, second by Simmonds, to hire Brock Kenny as the Assistant Boys Soccer Coach at BCCU #2 High School for the Fall 2022 Season. Roll call vote: Frey, yes; Gerl, yes; Prater, yes; Reavis, yes; Simmonds, yes; Workman, yes; Zeeb, yes. Motion carried 7-0.

ADJUSTMENT OF HOURLY RATYE OF CUSTODIAN

Motion by Simmonds, second by Reavis, to correct the hourly rate of Rex Lappe, Head Custodian at Greenville Jr. High School, to $18.27 per hour, due to his 1 year placement on the salary schedule. Roll call vote: Frey, yes; Gerl, yes; Prater, yes; Reavis, yes; Simmonds, yes; Workman, yes; Zeeb, yes. Motion carried 7-0.

AJUSTMENT OF PLACEMENT ON SALARY SCHEDULE

Motion by Gerl, second by Reavis, to correct the placement of Karen Clark, Special Education Teacher at BCCU #2 High School to M+0, year 19 on the salary schedule. Roll call vote: Frey, yes; Gerl, yes; Prater, yes; Reavis, yes; Simmonds, yes; Workman, yes; Zeeb, yes. Motion carried 7-0.

INCREASE IN HOURS FOR FOOD SERVICE * EMPLOYEES

Motion by Simmonds, second by Frey, to adjust the hours of the following Food Service Employees: Jolene Notter, increase by 0.5 hours per day; Susan Sperandio, increase by 0.5 hours per day; and Michelle Links, increase by 1 hour per day. Roll call vote: Frey, yes; Gerl, yes; Prater, yes; Reavis, yes; Simmonds, yes; Workman, yes; Zeeb, yes. Motion carried 7-0.

POLICY AND CURRICULUM COMMITTEE

Policy and Curriculum Committee items were presented to the board during a special meeting on June 22nd The First Reading of Press Plus 109 took place. Dr. Olson spoke about the topic of weighted grades and explained the benefit they could have for students.

FACILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

On June 22nd, Facilities and Transportation Committee items were reviewed by the Board at a special board meeting. Representatives from AGE Energy Management

were present to share current electric and natural gas rates. Facilities Director Mike Wilhite shared information regarding the turf installation and GES additions. Results from the auxiliary gym and café extension project were presented to the Board.

FINANCE COMMITTEE

Finance Committee items were shared with the board at a special meeting held on

June 22nd. The Board will review the items prior to the regular meeting.

SUPERINTENDENT REPORT

Superintendent Olson publicly shared the press release that went out the day before the board meeting from the Regional Superintendent stating that the annexation hearing was postponed. He read the press release out loud.

Dr. Olson also shared information regarding the new district website. Administrators have been working with Apptegy this spring building a new website. The website is now live and we will be continuing to work throughout the summer on the phone app. This new app will be replacing the Skylert system that the district had been using that had not been working 100% last year.

CONSENT AGENDA

Motion by Frey, second by Simmonds, that recommendations for consent agenda

items be approved as follows:

A. Open Meeting Minutes of the May 18, 2022, regular board meeting

B. Open Meeting Minutes of the June 22, 2022, special board meeting

C. June Expense Reimbursements

D. 2022-2023 School Calendar Change

E. School Activity Account Updates

1. Add Class of 2026 account at high school

2. Add Florida Trip account at high school

3. Close Class of 2022 account at high school

F. FY23 Copy Paper Bid

Roll call vote: Frey, yes; Gerl, yes; Prater, yes; Reavis, yes; Simmonds, yes; Workman, yes; Zeeb, yes. Motion carried 7-0.

BILLS

Motion by Zeeb, second by Frey, that the bills for the month of June, 2022, in the amount of $443,920.83 be approved as listed. Roll call vote: Frey, yes; Gerl, yes; Prater, yes; Reavis, yes; Simmonds, yes; Workman, yes; Zeeb, yes. Motion carried 7-0.

FINANCE REPORT

Motion by Zeeb, second by Gerl, that the financial report for the month of May, 2022 be approved as presented. Roll call vote: Frey, yes; Gerl, yes; Prater, yes; Reavis, yes; Simmonds, yes; Workman, yes; Zeeb, yes. Motion carried 7-0.

ADOPT FY22 AMENDED BUDGET

Motion by Simmonds, second by Frey, to adopt the FY22 Amended Budget as presented to the Board. Roll call vote: Frey, yes; Gerl, yes; Prater, yes; Reavis, yes; Simmonds, yes; Workman, yes; Zeeb, yes. Motion carried 7-0.

COMMERCIAL INSURANCE RENEWAL

Motion by Reavis, second by Zeeb, to approve the PSIC Commercial Insurance renewal for the 2022-2023 school year as presented, effective July 1, 2022. Board Member Frey asked why there was nothing listed under terrorism insurance or cafeteria workers and why the district recommended keeping the payroll amount the same. Dr. Olson said he would contact the insurance rep and get answers to those questions, Roll call vote: Frey, yes; Gerl, yes; Prater, yes; Reavis, yes; Simmonds, yes; Workman, yes; Zeeb, yes. Motion carried 7-0.

WORKER'S COMPENSATION RENEWAL

Motion by Gerl, second by Simmonds, to approve the PSIC Worker's Compensation Insurance renewal for the 2022-2023 school year as presented, effective July 1, 2022. Roll call vote: Frey, yes; Gerl, yes; Prater, yes; Reavis, yes; Simmonds, yes; Workman, yes; Zeeb, yes. Motion carried 7-0.

NATURAL GAS CONTRACT

Motion by Reavis, second by Zeeb, to approve a 24 month $0.65000/therm rate natural gas contract with Constellation. Roll call vote: Frey, yes; Gerl, yes; Prater, yes; Reavis, yes; Simmonds, yes; Workman, yes; Zeeb, yes. Motion carried 7-0.

ELECTRIC CONTRACT

Motion by Simmonds, second by Frey, to approve a 24 month $0.109120/kwh rate contract with Homefield Energy. Roll call vote: Frey, yes; Gerl, yes; Prater, yes; Reavis, yes; Simmonds, yes; Workman, yes; Zeeb, yes, Motion carried 7-0.

IASB POLICY UPDATES

Motion by Simmonds, second by Frey, that the Board of Education approve the First Reading of Press Plus Issue 109 Updates as listed. Roll call vote: Frey, yes; Gerl, yes; Prater, yes; Reavis, yes; Simmonds, yes; Workman, yes; Zeeb, yes. Motion carried 7-0.

ACCEPT BIDS FOR HS AUX GYM AND CAFÉ EXPANSION PROJECT

Motion by Frey, second by Reavis, to accept the low bids for the high school auxiliary

gym and café addition as presented, with a total cost not to exceed $3,798,876.40. Roll call vote: Frey, yes; Gerl, yes; Prater, yes; Reavis, yes; Simmonds, yes; Workman, yes; Zeeb, yes. Motion carried 7-0.

PAYMENT FOR TURF PROJECT

Discussion on the Athletic projects took place.

Board Member Frey shared a proposal with the Board. The projected total cost of the turf is $1,166,630. If the Athletic Fundraising Account puts forth the money raised of $716,034, the district will cover $450,596 to complete the project. Considering the Aux Gym/Café project, the complete total cost including concept/design and the bids will total $4,337,576. The gift of $4,000,000 will leave the district paying $337,576 to complete the project. The total cost the district will be paying for those two projects will equal $788,173. There has been discussion of matching funds for this fundraising effort. In these two projects alone, the district will be more than matching funds with the fundraising program ($788,173 district vs, $716,034 athletic fundraising). She proposes that the board be done with the fund raising effort from this point forward, but continue to set aside a percentage of facilities sales tax money every year to continually help provide for future athletics projects. These projects were not expected to be completed all at one time. This will give the district a plan moving forward.

Board Member Simmonds said he like the plan because it provided structure and a plan for moving forward.

Board President Workman said she would agree to this plan, but does not want to designate a percentage until the Board knows how much will need to be bonded against in the facilities sales tax fund.

It was recommended to pay the outstanding turf bills from the Fund 60 Account and have the Athletics Fundraising Account pay back the district the full $716,033.53 that is currently in that account.

Motion by Frey, second by Gerl, to approve payment of the open invoices for the turf project come from the following fund: Fund 60 Account. The Fund 60 Account will be reimbursed $716,033.53 from the Athletic Fundraising Account. Roll call vote: Frey, yes; Gerl, yes; Prater, yes; Reavis, yes; Simmonds, yes; Workman, yes; Zeeb, yes. Motion carried 7-0.

COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD

Board Member Frey wanted to go on record that the district is going to pick up the remaining cost of the multi-use field turf project.

Board Member Zeeb added that the Board is only covering the bills we currently have.

ADJOURN

Motion by Reavis, second by Simmonds, that the meeting be adjourned at 9:30 p.m. Roll call vote: Frey, yes; Gerl, yes; Prater, yes; Reavis, yes; Simmonds, yes; Workman, yes; Zeeb, yes. Motion carried 7-0.

https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/3089/BCCU2/2295391/June_29__2022__Regular_Meeting_Minutes...Official.pdf