School Board Minutes
March 2009
DELAVAN COMMUNITY UNIT SCHOOL
DISTRICT 703
BOARD OF EDUCATION
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
March 16, 2009
The regular meeting of the Delavan Board of Education was held
on Monday, March 16, 2009, in the District’s library. The meeting
was called to order by Chairman Johnson at 7:00 p.m. Members
present at roll call were Mark Allen, Mike Gresham, Sue Howard,
Jeff Johnson, and Carla Shay. Jeff Klokkenga and Kent Kurtz were
absent. Also in attendance was Julie Vaughn and Shari Teal,
Candidates for 2009 School Board Election; Angie Bontemps, PTO
President; Aaron Wheeler and Staci Harper, Delavan Faculty; Joyce
Vaughn, Special Education Coordinator; Matt Gordon, Jr./Sr. High
School Principal; Paul Lewis, Elementary Principal; Mary Parker,
Superintendent; and Lori Smith, Board Secretary.
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was recited by the Board and
visitors.
RECEPTION OF VISITORS
None.
CONSENT AGENDA
A request was made to remove the February 23, 2009, Regular Meeting
minutes from the Consent Agenda for a correction in the “New
Business” section. The baccalaureate motion was amended to add “to
be held in the Poppenga Gymnasium” and “as requested by the Senior
Class of 2009.”
Motion by Shay, seconded by Howard to approve the February 23, 2009, Regular Meeting minutes as corrected. By Roll Call Vote: Allen, yea; Gresham, yea; Howard, yea; Shay, yea; and Johnson, yea. Klokkenga and Kurtz were absent. Motion carried.
Motion by Howard, seconded by Johnson to approve the February 23, 2009, Executive (Closed) Meeting minutes (Sessions 1 and 2); current bills; and March 6, 2009 payroll. By Roll Call Vote: Allen, yea; Gresham, yea; Howard, yea; Shay, yea; and Johnson, yea. Klokkenga and Kurtz were absent. Motion carried.
HEARING OF DELEGATES/COMMITTEE REPORTS
Mike Gresham reported on the Public Relations Committee meeting
held on February 23, 2009, to review and discuss the Community
Survey to be placed on the Delavan Schools’ website.
Carla Shay reported on the Public Relations Committee meeting held on February 9, 2009, with DEA representatives. Items discussed included completed administrative surveys, faculty and staff choosing Calendar “B” for 2009-2010, elementary in-school suspensions’ concerns, lunch scheduling for 2009-2010, and a request for an elementary computer lab teacher.
Mark Allen reported on the Policy Committee meeting held on March 9, 2009, which discussed a new “school ban policy” and updated other district policies as needed.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Dr. Parker reported on “Meet the Candidate” night scheduled for
6:30 p.m. on Monday, March 23, 2009, in the school cafeteria. The
school board candidates’ biographies will be read, followed by a
question and answer session for community members to be conducted
by FFA members. Refreshments and babysitting will be provided by
FCCLA members.
Superintendent Parker also reported on a Library Program Grant
being received in the amount of $354.54. She also reported on the
Health Services Survey and the Community Survey currently on the
Delavan School’s website (delavanschools.com) and encouraged all to
participate.
PERSONNEL
Motion by to accept the resignation of Linda VanHoorn as High
School Cheerleading coach, effective immediately, with regrets and
many thanks.
Motion by to approve the posting for a High School Cheerleading coach for the 2009-2010 school year.
Motion by to approve Cheryl Carter as the Assistant Jr. High Track Coach for the 2009-2010 school year.
Discussion was held regarding school board members accepting a
paid position for the District. In order to do so, their pay must
not exceed $1,000 per year; their position must be publicly
disclosed, and they must abstain from voting on the award of the
contract.
(Jeff Klokkenga entered the meeting, at which time he read a public
statement meeting the above requirements.)
Motion was made and carried to approve Jeff Klokkenga as
Assistant High School Softball Coach for the 2009-2010 school
year.
(Jeff Klokkenga left the meeting.)
Motion by to approve Resolution 2009-02, which honorably dismisses Becky Meyer (Library Clerk Aide), at the end of the current school year.
OLD BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
Motion by to approve the PTO’s Family Fitness Night scheduled for
March 19, 2009 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. in the Poppenga Gym. An
adequate Certificate of Insurance has been received.
Motion by to approve Skatetime, a P.E. program to be conducted April 20 – 24, 2009, for K-8 at a cost of $7.00 per student. PTO is paying $4.00 per student, with the remaining $3.00 due from each student. (No student will be denied because of inability to pay.) The Certificate of Insurance has been received.
Motion by to approve an Occupancy Permit for the school’s new greenhouse. Architect/Engineer VanDusen has approved the facility for occupancy in accordance with the “Life/Safety Code for Public Schools.”
Motion by to approve various updated policies pursuant to the Illinois State Board of Education guidance. Two additional policies will be discussed and/or updated in the April meeting once advice is received from the Attorney Scott Brunton.
Motion by to approve a new policy under Community Relations: “Ban from School Facilities and Grounds.”
PRINCIPALS’ REPORTS
Principal Lewis reported on a growing elementary enrollment; 32
students expected for next year’s Kindergarten class; the
completion of ISAT testing and breakfasts provided by Aramark; Mrs.
Meeker presented the elementary school improvement plan to teachers
at a faculty meeting; and suggestions for the 2009-2010 elementary
handbook should be turned in to the Parent/Teachers’ Advisory
Committee by March 19 (Lesa Eeten, Corbin Kentner, or Heather
King).
Mr. Lewis also reported on an elementary scheduling meeting, which was limited to scheduling subjects for next year (other scheduling to follow); and provided results from the teacher’s Administrator Feedback Survey for himself.
Principal Gordon reported on the Science Club Fundraiser Dinner to be held Friday, March 20 in the school cafeteria with carry-outs available; a Junior High dance to also be held Friday, March 20; the High School Play/Musical to be presented at 7:30 p.m. on March 27 and March 28 under the direction of Debbie Tomm-Woiwode; the Winter Sports Banquet to be held Thursday, April 2; and PSAE/ACT testing to be held April 22 and 23 at the Methodist Church under his direction.
Mr. Gordon also reported on a successful Scholastic Bowl season with 18 members participating, finishing with 3rd place. Two students were named to the All-Conference team: David Morris and Thomas Marck (first time in nine years to have students reach this level). The group was sponsored by Jody VanOrder.
Principal Gordon also reported on ISAT completion, and subsequently rewarding Junior High students with two dress-up days. Seventy-two percent of the staff voted in favor of implementing Channel 1 (news channel) for use by the students; this will be presented for Board approval in April. Congratulations to the 8th grade Volleyball team for their Class 2 Regional victory; a stirring pep rally sent them off to Sectionals. New Panther Pride members were also announced: Tony Watts, Natalie Lessen, Ethan Leskovisek, Taylor Long, and Karmen Toney.
COMMUNICATIONS / INFORMATION
Board member Shay reported on behalf of the Delavan Education
Foundation reminding all of the Community Auction/Sale to be held
Saturday, March 28, 2009.
OTHER
Motion by to enter executive session to discuss the appointment,
employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of
specific employees of the public body (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1)).
The board reconvened in open session followed by adjournment at 8:46 p.m.
