Delavan School Board Newsletter
January 2009
DELAVAN COMMUNITY UNIT SCHOOL DISTRICT #703
BOARD OF EDUCATION NEWSLETTER
January 26, 2009
The regular meeting of the Delavan Board of Education was held
on January 26, 2009, in the District’s library. The meeting was
called to order by Vice-Chairman Allen at 7:00 p.m. Members present
at roll call were Allen, Gresham, Howard, Klokkenga, and Shay.
Johnson and Kurtz were absent. Also in attendance were Amy Albers
and Lindsay Diekhoff, Delavan faculty; Matt Gordon, Jr./Sr. High
School Principal; Paul Lewis, Elementary Principal; Joyce Vaughn,
Special Education Coordinator; Mary Parker, Superintendent; and
Lori Smith, Board Secretary.
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was recited by the Board and
visitors.
(Kent Kurtz entered the meeting at 7:02 p.m.)
RECEPTION OF VISITORS
None.
CONSENT AGENDA
A motion was made and carried to approve the December 15, 2008,
Regular Meeting minutes; current bills (including imprest bills);
and December 24, 2008; and January 9, 2009; and January 23, 2009,
payrolls.
HEARING OF DELEGATES/COMMITTEE REPORTS
Mr. Allen reported on the Finance Committee meeting held on January
12, 2009. Replacement of the intercom system was discussed, as well
as tuck-pointing the exterior of the high school building, and
gymnasium roof coating. Life Safety Funds will be utilized for
these improvements. The 403(b) Plan – Employee Compensation
Deferred Plan was also discussed.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Dr. Parker requested a Policy Committee meeting for February 9,
2009 at 6:30 p.m. to review the language from ISBE PRESS, as well
as relevant District policies.
PERSONNEL
A motion was made and carried to accept the resignation letter of
Richard Lessen, effective at the end of the 2010 school year, with
regrets.
A motion was made and carried to accept the resignation letter of
Dennis Lowry, effective at the end of the 2011 school year, with
regrets.
A motion was made and carried to accept the resignation letter of
Marcia Meeker, effective at the end of the 2011 school year, with
regrets.
OLD BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
A motion was made and carried to approve the audit engagement
letter for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009, from Gorenz and
Associates, Ltd.
After Board discussion with Joyce Vaughn, a motion was made and
carried to approve the Special Education Rules and Regulations per
ISBE state guidelines.
A motion was made and carried to approve the Certification of Need
for Fire Prevention and Safety Funds.
A motion was made and carried to approve Resolution 2009-01,
Resolution for Adopting a Section 403(b) Plan (Employee
Compensation Deferral Plan); a motion was made and carried to
approve the 403(b) Plan for District employees. (Five employees are
enrolled.)
A motion was made and carried to approve the annual PTO Easter Egg
Hunt on Saturday, March 28, 2009.
PRINCIPALS’ REPORTS
Principal Gordon reported on a new Disciplinary Action Report for
last semester, and stated discipline is administered in a fair and
consistent manner. The Safe Driving Program activity sponsored by
the High School Student Council, Pirate Club, Ford, IDOT, and
others, was explained. Mary Hudson and Julie Faires are
coordinating the program. He also shared plans for this week’s
Homecoming festivities, and thanked student Chantelle Homerin for
her assistance. A combination honors and pep assembly will be held
on Friday, January 30 at 1:45 p.m.
New Panther Pride club members for the month are Morgan Tarter,
Micah Diekhoff, Madalynn Carr, Maddison Zimmer, and Misty
Greathouse.
Principal Lewis reported on an excellent assembly presented by the
Kindergarten classes, which demonstrated the benefits of full-day
attendance. He also reported on elementary enrollment, a new
Read-a-Thon program which would purchase books for both the
students and the classrooms, the Young Author’s contest headed by
Jill Diekhoff, and the upcoming Spelling Bee.
Mr. Lewis also reported on the Response to Intervention Curriculum
Committee (or Response to Instruction) and plans to evaluate the
general education reading curriculum.
COMMUNICATIONS / INFORMATION
Lori Smith reported on petitions received for the April 7, 2009
School Board election, in which four seats will be filled.
Applications have been received from Julie Vaughn, Jeff Klokkenga,
Shari Teal, Wendy Schweigert, Mark Vannaken, and Matt Shipton. A
“Meet the Candidates” night will be scheduled for March, 2009.
Board member Gresham stated there have been many favorable comments
about the District’s band program, under Steve Skinner’s
direction.
Vice-Chairman Allen read thank you notes from Becky Meyer, Kathy
Nelson, Lona Sipka, Paul Lewis, Cathy Hartzler,
Carolee/Charsa/Donna/Vern/Cheri, Jill McCoy/Michelle Mandrell/Vicki
Stout, and Mary Hartzler.
Mary Parker graciously thanked the Board members for the flowers
received in honor of her doctorate degree.
OTHER
A motion was made and carried to enter Executive Session to discuss
the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance,
or dismissal of specific employees (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1).
The Board returned to open session, followed by adjournment at 8:30
p.m.
THE NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED DELAVAN BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING WILL BE HELD ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2009, IN THE DISTRICT’S LIBRARY.
