South Central Reporter

Mt. Olive Community Unit School District 5 Board of Education met June 19.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Board of Education met in regular session on June 19, 2024 in the library. The meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m. by Vice President Skertich. Present at roll call were Essington, Knes, Osmoe, Remer, Rimar, and Skertich. Also present were Superintendent Kelly, Secretary Butler, Terry Swenson, Nikki Garrels, Jennifer Stockstill, Denise Rademacher, and Stacie Merano.

Motion by Remer, seconded by Rimar to adopt the agenda. All ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Essington, seconded by Osmoe to approve the minutes of the regular board meeting of May 15, 2024. 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. FOIA request from Hartnett Reyes-Jones, LLC dated 5/29/24

E. FOIA request from Hartnett Reyes-Jones, LLC dated 5/30/24

F. FOIA request from Hartnett Reyes-Jones, LLC dated 6/14/24

Motion by Osmoe, seconded by Remer to enter into closed session at 7:05 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 Osmoe, seconded by Remer to return to open session at 7:26 p.m. Roll call: 6 ayes. Motion carried.

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

Financial Report for May 2024:

Mrs. Kelly reported the Education Fund is sitting at $1,708,917.68. The Building Fund is at $539,276.36. The Bond and Interest Fund is at $78,647.24. The Transportation Fund balance is $392,133.46. The IMRF Fund is at $172,148.59. Site and Construction is at $301,814.87. The Working Cash Fund is at $209,801.26. Tort Immunity Fund is $222,632.52. Life Safety balance is $134,295.79. The total of all funds is $3,759,667.77.

Budget Report: Revenues vs. Expenditures for May 2024:

Education Fund: 99% vs. 88%

Building Fund: 105% vs. 86%

Bond & Interest: 94% & 6%

Transportation Fund: 106% vs. 93%

IMRF: 103% vs. 81%

Site & Construction: 112% & 70%

Working Cash: 114% & 0%

Tort Immunity: 103% vs. 98%

Life Safety: 111% & 86%

Motion by Knes, seconded by Essington to approve the financial report and the budget report for May 2024. All ayes. Motion carried.

Superintendent’s Report:

Dr. Kelly reported the following:

1. Title I, Part A, Section 1003 of ESSA Grant Allocations

Next school year we should be receiving $82,880 from the Title I, Part A, Section 1003 grant. These funds will be utilized towards improvements on leadership, curriculum, and instruction.

2. SVPP Grant Submitted

The COPS grant has been submitted. We will find out in the fall if we are awarded this grant.

3. Bonds Kings Financial

The public offering was priced on June 11th. Our district received an A rating standard. We will receive $2,570,000 in the fire prevention and safety fund by July 2nd. We will have a 4.49% all-inclusive interest rate. There will not be a tax rate increase. The total repayment term is 13 full years and 2 partial years.

4. Board Retreat

I am planning to schedule a day in July or August with board members to review and discuss our strategic plan.

5. Triple I Conference

The Triple I Conference in Chicago is November 22-24 this year. I am planning on attending and invite any board members to attend as well.

Unfinished Business:

Motion by Rimar, seconded by Essington to approve the 2023-2024 amended budget. Roll call: 6 ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Remer, seconded by Knes to approve the new MOHS courses for the 2024-2025 school year. Roll call: 6 ayes. Motion carried.

New Business:

Motion by Osmoe, seconded by Remer to approve the workman’s compensation and liability insurance. Roll call: 6 ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Knes, seconded by Rimar to approve the milk bid for Prairie Farms for the 2024-2025 school year. Roll call: 6 ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Essington, seconded by Rimar to approve the bread bid for Kohls Wholesale for the 2024-2025 school year. Roll call: 6 ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Remer, seconded by Knes to approve the food bid for Kohls Wholesale for the 2024- 2025 school year. Roll call: 6 ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Rimar, seconded by Skertich to award the HVAC automation base bid and alternate bids #1 and #2 to ENTEC. Roll call: 6 ayes. Motion carried.

Dr. Kelly explained that we received no bids for painting the multipurpose room. We will be posting the position to hire a temporary worker to paint the multipurpose room this summer.

Motion by Skertich, seconded by Osmoe to accept the resignation of Merle Harmon as music/band instructor for MOCUSD #5. All ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Rimar, seconded by Knes to accept the resignation of Vicki Rowe as dishwasher for MOCUSD #5. All ayes. Motion carried.

Discussion on the first reading of board policies occurred.

Motion by Remer, seconded by Knes to enter into closed session at 7:52 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. Discussion of pending and probable litigation against, affecting, or on behalf of the Board of Education and the District. Roll call: 6 ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Osmoe, seconded by Rimar to return to open session at 8:55 p.m. Roll call: 6 ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Rimar, seconded by Remer to approve Jade Butler’s contract for the 2024-2025 school year. Roll call: 6 ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Osmoe, seconded by Knes to approve the agreement between the MOCUSD #5 Board of Education and the Mt. Olive Educational Support Personnel Association. Roll call: 6 ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Remer, seconded by Rimar to recall 6 full time teacher’s aides and 1 part time teacher’s assistant for the 2024-2025 school year based on seniority. Roll call: 6 ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Remer, seconded by Osmoe to approve the MOU between the MOCUSD #5 Board of Education and the Mt. Olive Educational Association. Roll call: 6 ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Rimar, seconded by Knes to accept the resignation of Paul Smith. Roll call: 6 ayes. Motion carried.

The next regular board meeting will be at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, July 17, 2024 in the school library at 804 West Main St., Mt. Olive, IL.

Motion by Skertich, seconded by Osmoe to adjourn at 9:02 p.m. All ayes. Motion carried.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LL_j440RW2tg6OazOyOqMWAVoLOjSmWt/view