South Central Reporter

Mt. Olive Community Unit School District 5 Board of Education met Oct. 18.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Board of Education met in regular session on October 18, 2023 in the library. The meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m. by President Brunnworth. Present at roll call were Brunnworth, Knes, Osmoe, Remer, Rimar, and Skertich. Also present were Superintendent Kelly, Principal Klein, Principal Scheller, Secretary Butler, Nikki Garrels, John Hanafin, and Teresa Swenson.

Motion by Remer, seconded by Knes to adopt the agenda, approve the minutes of the special board meeting on September 19, 2023, approve the minutes of the public hearing for the 2023- 2024 budget on September 20, 2023, and approve the minutes of the regular board meeting of September 20, 2023. All ayes. Motion carried.

Recognition, comments, and correspondence from employees and public:

A. Board Norms: Follow chain of command, assume positive intent, and mutual respect.

B. Board Values: Integrity, mutual respect, and excellence.

C. Board Priorities: Culture, academic performance, facilities (with a focus on safety), and finances.

D. The district received a thank you letter from the Kratochvil family. The district sent flowers in memory of their son.

Motion by Skertich, seconded by Osmoe to approve the bills and activity accounts as presented. Roll call: 6 ayes. Motion carried.

Financial Report for September 2023:

Mrs. Kelly reported the Education Fund is sitting at $1,292,298.68. The Building Fund is at $585,510.76. The Bond and Interest Fund is at $42,323.80. The Transportation Fund balance is $359,449.21. The IMRF Fund is at $164,802.20. Site and Construction is at $197,388.84. The Working Cash Fund is at $193,666.94. Tort Immunity Fund is $289,868. Life Safety balance is $140,852.31. The total of all funds is $3,266,210.74 and the Operating Fund balance is at $2,430,925.59.

Budget Report: Revenues vs. Expenditures for September 2023:

Education Fund: 27% vs. 24%

Building Fund: 39% vs. 44%

Bond & Interest: 21% & 2%

Transportation Fund: 29% vs. 36%

IMRF: 42% vs. 17%

Site & Construction: 30% & 35%

Working Cash: 48% & 0%

Tort Immunity: 43% vs. 24%

Life Safety: 47% & 3%

Motion by Remer, seconded by Rimar to approve the financial report and the budget report for September 2023. All ayes. Motion carried.

New Business:

Motion by Brunnworth, seconded by Skertich to ratify SMASE’s amended joining articles of agreement. All ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Skertich, seconded by Knes to approve the School Maintenance Grant application. Roll call: 6 ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Brunnworth, seconded by Remer to establish snow routes for South Panther Creek Road, Redwood Road, Hoefker, and Eilert Trail. All ayes. Motion carried.

Dr. Kelly and the school board members discussed the possibilities of creating an intergovernmental agreement between the Mt. Olive School District and the City of Mt. Olive for hosting games at the City Park. They also discussed a plan regarding purchasing athletic uniforms.

Principals’ Reports:

Mrs. Scheller reported the following:

•  It’s hard to believe that we have completed the first quarter already. Report cards were sent home today.

•  Our Pre-K program has received the gold star rating again for this school year. Congrats to Mrs. Schulte and all whom have helped us reach that designation.

•  I want to thank FOCUS5 for decorating our hallways for Halloween. They will also be providing a snack and activity for our students on Halloween.

•  Jr. High Boys Basketball has started their season with their first practice scheduled for Monday.

•  Red Ribbon week starts October 30th. Students will be dressing up to a daily theme.

◦ Monday: Team up against bullies! Wear your favorite team apparel.

◦ Tuesday: Say boo to drugs! Wear a Halloween costume.

◦ Wednesday: Dress for success! Dress for your future.

◦ Thursday: Teach me to be drug free! Teachers dress like students and students dress like teachers.

◦ Friday: Stay drug free through the decades! Dress your favorite decade.

Mr. Klein reported the following:

•  End of the first quarter report cards were sent home today.

•  Volleyball has their final game of the season this week. The team has tripled their win total this year.

•  We have had many field trips so far this year. Students have gone to the Art Museum, a Manufacturing/Career Day, and UIS for a play.

•  Homecoming week was fully successful last week.

•  National Merit Testing is coming up.

•  Parent/Teacher Conferences are next week on October 25th and 26th.

Superintendent’s Report:

Mrs. Kelly reported the following:

A. Informational Items

o Mr. Martin created and shared a schedule for the extracurricular camps.

o The Illinois School Report Cards will be posted to the public on October 30th. ISBE informed us that these scores may be at an all-time low.

o Mt. Olive CUSD #5 will be highlighted in the report since we are one of the few schools that obtained the CPG grant and are utilizing the funds to establish social-emotional systems to accelerate student learning.

o New guidelines were released for a new minimum teacher salary. In the 2024- 2025 school year, the minimum teacher salary will increase by 2.97%.

o Administration and I have been working with our strategic planning committee. We are drafting goals and objectives and will share them with staff members on our next SIP day.

o The principals have been working with our building committee to establish building level school improvement plans.

o Tentatively, prom will be on May 4, 2024 and graduation will be on May 11, 2024.

Motion by Remer, seconded by Knes to enter into closed session at 7:34 p.m. for the following purposes as allowed under the Illinois Open Meetings Act (5 ILCS 120/1 et seq.): Discussion of the appointment, employment and dismissal of employees of the public body and collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives. Roll call: 6 ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Skertich, seconded by Rimar to return to open session at 7:48 p.m. Roll call: 6 ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Rimar, seconded by Knes to keep the closed session minutes from the following meetings closed for the reasons listed. Roll call: 6 ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Skertich, seconded by Brunnworth to approve the resignation of Rebecca Leitschuh Birdsell as full time regular route bus driver effective immediately. All ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Osmoe, seconded by Rimar to approve the retirement of Lori Roddick effective December 31, 2023. All ayes. Motion carried.

The next board meeting will be held on Wednesday November 15, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. in the school library at 804 West Main St., Mt. Olive, IL.

Motion by Skertich, seconded by Osmoe to adjourn at 7:50 p.m. All ayes. Motion carried.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/14OTTjdzVAZd_oqW7Z_9_GpdCB7qFMQLG/view