Chadwick-Milledgeville CUSD #399 Board of Education Meeting Synopsis

The Chadwick-Milledgeville School Board met Tuesday, January 22, 2013 at 7:00 pm in the Milledgeville High School Library.

Approval of Consent Agenda items included Minutes of the December 17, 2012, Regular Board Meeting and Closed Session, Bills for January, 2013, Treasurer’s Report for December, 2012, Hot Lunch Report for December, 2012, and Student Activity Fund Account Summary for December, 2012 (which was reviewed and approved by the District Treasurer Jerry Carter).

Budget Revenues & Expenditures: Superintendent Schurman noted that as of December 31, 2012, the District received 60.4% of our projected revenues and made 52.45% of our projected expenditures. The budget is in line with beginning of the fiscal year estimates.

Public Comments: Thank you notes were received from Administrators for the Christmas gift certificates, and a Thank you note from the family of Pauline Kness.

Old Business

Distributed and collected Economic Interest Statements to Board.

Discussed the Board Retreat to be held on Thursday, February 7, 2013. The following is a list of proposed retreat agenda items: Vision, mission, goals, and core values; Annual District Survey results; Future staffing needs; Strategic Plan for Facilities; Presentation on teacher evaluation changes and the impact of the new Common Core standards; and Creation of an Educational Foundation to support the district.

New Business

Approved the Annual 8th Grade Trip to Springfield, set for Friday and Saturday, May 17 & 18, 2013.

First look at 2013-14 School Calendar: Superintendent Schurman reported that school will start Monday, August 19, 2013 with a Teachers Institute. The first day of student attendance will be Tuesday, August 20, 2013. In addition, Christmas Break will be two weeks and Spring Break will be March 31-April 4, 2014. The last day of student attendance will be Thursday, May 29, 2014, barring any snow days which would be added to the end of the year. The proposed calendar is very similar to that of Eastland and Whiteside Area Career Center.

Approved 2013-14 Milledgeville High School Curriculum Guide with revisions. Principal Rademacher noted that the math department has proposed changes to the scope and sequence of the high school curriculum. The changes are in response to the increase in rigor required by the new Common Core Standards.

Authorized Superintendent Tim J. Schurman to begin work on the Fiscal 2014 budget.

Executive Session

Voted to go into closed session at: 8:12 P.M.; Came out of closed session at: 8:55 P.M.

Motions outside of closed session: Accepted Sue Williams’ Early Retirement at the end of this school year 2012-13; Hired Kyle Leech of Milledgeville as Freshman/Sophomore Baseball Coach; Hired Brad Grenoble of Chadwick as Varsity Softball Coach; and Upheld student suspensions for the past month.

Administrative Business

Report on School Improvement Day Held on Friday, January 18, 2013. Superintendent Schurman reported that the presentation was on Teacher Evaluation and the Charlotte Danielson Model which the District adopted this year. An administrative team from Sterling School District consisting of Mrs. Cheryl Robinson, Mr. Jason Austin, and Mr. Matt Birdsley did an outstanding job relating the material to the staff. The staff evaluations of the training were very positive.

Discussed IASA Northwest Division Salary Survey. Superintendent Schurman reported that this annual report is helpful in comparing our Districts tax rates, salaries, benefits, extracurricular stipends, etc… with other districts in the region. Mr. Schurman also complimented Superintendent Lowell Taylor of Forrestville Valley School District for his efforts in conducting and completion of the survey.

Superintendent Schurman congratulated District staff that submitted essays and were awarded the Pamela J. Farris Rural Library Award: Mrs. Shevawn Yochem, Fourth Grade, and Mrs. Katie Wilkinson, Junior High Language Arts, each will receive a library of books for their classrooms!

Annual Review of Textbook Lists.

Report on Educational and Legislative Issues. Superintendent Schurman reported that nothing was accomplished during the Lame Duck Session on pensions. Mr. Schurman also reported that General State Aid is expected to be prorated down to 80% which will cost the district $125,000 next fiscal year.

Principal’s Report: Principal Rademacher reported that she attended a School Violence Seminar and will use the information to improve existing emergency response plans. In addition, she reported that the high school 1:1 Computer Initiative Committee has been meeting on a weekly basis and that they are on track for commencement of the computer initiative next fall.

Superintendent’s Report: Quarterly Event was held January 4, 2013. Students enjoyed movies and popcorn as a reward for good grades and behavior during second quarter.

Staff Christmas Party was held at the Schurman home December 21, 2012.

JH Girls’ Basketball season is underway.

Superintendent Schurman noted that due to the fundraising efforts of Athletic Director Mr. Keith Mayne new uniforms for the girls were purchased.

The two snow days we incurred December 20 and 21, 2012 will be added to the end of the year. Due to the snow days the students’ last day of attendance will now be Friday, May 24, 2013 and the teachers’ last day will now be Tuesday, May 28, 2013.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 P.M.

Next Meeting will be the Board Retreat on Thursday February 7, 2013 from 4:30-8:00 P.M. at the Milledgeville High School library.

Next Regular Board Meeting is on Tuesday, February 19, 2013 at 7:00 pm in the MHS Library.