Delavan School Board Newsletter
December 2008
DELAVAN COMMUNITY UNIT SCHOOL DISTRICT #703
BOARD OF EDUCATION NEWSLETTER
December 15, 2008
The regular meeting of the Delavan Board of Education was held on Monday, December 15, 2008, 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 Allen, Gresham, Howard, Johnson, Klokkenga, and Shay. Kurtz was absent. Also in attendance was Nathan Webb and Reba Winkelman, Delavan faculty; Ryon Kramer, Athletic Director; Matt Gordon, Jr./Sr. High School Principal; Paul Lewis, Elementary Principal; Mary Parker, Superintendent; Linda Robinson, newspaper reporter; 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
Motion made and carried to approve the November 24, 2008, Regular Meeting minutes with a correction duly noted; November 24, 2008 Executive Sessions #1 and #2 Minutes; current bills (including imprest bills); and November 26, 2008; December 8, 2008; and December 12, 2008, payrolls.
HEARING OF DELEGATES/COMMITTEE REPORTS
Mr. Klokkenga reported on the Finance Committee meeting held on November 24, 2008. Non-certified staff salaries were discussed, along with the County School Facility Occupation Tax Resolution.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Christmas Break will be December 19, 2008 through January 2, 2009.
Mrs. Parker requested a Policy Committee meeting for January 12, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. to discuss the Special Education Rules and Regulations and to review the language from ISBE PRESS. She also requested a Communications (Public Relations) Committee meeting for February 23, 2009 at 6:30 p.m., to meet compliance with Article II, Association Rights, 2.2, page 2, of the DEA contract.
. PERSONNEL
A motion was made and carried to approve Keith Arrenholz as a volunteer for the Jr. High Basketball team for the 2008-2009 school year.
A motion was made and carried to accept the resignation of Allison Camp as the High School Assistant Cross County coach, effective immediately, with thanks for her service.
Motions were tabled for accepting retirement letters for Marcia Meeker (end of 2010-2011), Dennis Lowry (end of 2010-2011), and Rich Lessen (end of 2009-2010 school year), pending further information/review by Attorney Brunton.
Motions were made and carried to accept the retirement letters for Jill Diekhoff, effective at the end of the 2010-2011 school year, and Cindi Shepard, effective at the end of the 2009-2010 school year.
OLD BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
A motion was made and carried to approve the overnight stay for the Williamsville High School Boys’ Basketball tournament on December 29, 2008, if needed.
No motion was heard to approve Public Act 95-0675, County School Facility Occupation Tax Resolution, pending further information from other schools and Tazewell County.
PRINCIPALS’ AND ATHLETIC DIRECTOR REPORTS
Principal Lewis reported on an excellent elementary Holiday Concert thanks to Mrs. Gerrietts, and the K-4 students and teachers. The PTO-sponsored Santa Shop was also well received. He also offered thanks to the Delavan Rotary for providing third graders with personal Scholastic Children’s Dictionaries.
Mr. Lewis also reported on the Elementary School Improvement Committee meetings to involve parents in increasing students’ reading skills. He also reported on Response to Intervention plans to hold a Third Data Day on January 16, 2009, which will be used to discuss benchmark data, as well as interventions that could be used in general education classrooms.
Principal Gordon reported on School Improvement Plan progress in areas of parental contact; Jr. High ISAT scores for Math, Science, and Reading; and meeting Adequate Yearly Progress. Mr. Gordon thanked Mrs. Wonders for her extra efforts in establishing a Homework Club to be held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, beginning on January 13, 2009. He also thanked Mr. Skinner and Mrs. Gerrietts on their beautiful Holiday Music Concert.
Mr. Gordon also reported that the Junior High Computer Lab is up and running thanks to Greg Dirks and Bob Brown. He also reported on the Junior High Reward Trip and High School Finals Week schedules. Principal Gordon proudly welcomed the following students to the Panther Pride Club: Katie Hellrigel, Amelia Sloan, Kayleigh Carr, Evan Olson, Cody Galloway, and Erin Springer.
Athletic Director Ryon Kramer reported on numbers of winter sports’ participants in Junior High Volleyball, Co-op Girls Basketball, and Co-op wrestling. He also reported on the High School Boys’ Basketball Team winning the Athens tournament, and HOI News honoring Brady Zimmer as a nominee for Athlete of the Week. He also thanked Cathy Hartzler for her amazing contributions to the Districts’ sports programs, and specifically mentioned her aptness in coordinating the Junior High County Basketball Tournament.
COMMUNICATIONS / INFORMATION
Chairman Johnson read thank you notes from the Dorothy Manus family, Kathy Nelson, Vicki Stout, and Lona Sipka.
OTHER
A motion was made and carried to adjourn. The board meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
THE NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED DELAVAN BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING WILL BE HELD ON MONDAY, JANUARY 26, 2009, IN THE DISTRICT’S LIBRARY.
