Student Awards Recognized at Eastland School Board

At their regular meeting of March 17, 2010 the Eastland Board of Education heard performances by the Eastland Middle School Brass Trio and an Eastland High School Vocal Ensemble that received “Best of Day” at the IHSA Solo and Ensemble Contest on Saturday, March 6th. The Brass Trio included Kori Freidag, Jacob Gilman, and Kaylin Kuberski. Vocal ensemble members included Katelyn Reynolds, Connie Hammer, Jenna Matthew, Cherub Philip, Mike Shores, and Eddie Johnson.

During Board Input, Superintendent Hansen shared information on the budget for the Whiteside Area Career Center. Because of unrealized state funding in the current year, and possible reductions in funding in 2010-11, personnel and programs at the Center are in danger of being eliminated. Hansen reported that he is supporting a change to the funding formula for WACC. The change would cost Eastland an estimated $10,000 to $15,000 per year, but would strengthen the Consortium’s revenue stream so that programs could be maintained. At the same time, Hansen said he will vote to make reductions in force for WACC, as some schools are proposing to reduce the number of students they are sending by 50%. If the funding formula change is approved by the WACC Board members, and by three-fourths of the individual district Boards of Education, then the teachers and programs could potentially be brought back for the 2010-11 school year because there would no longer be a financial advantage to sending fewer students. Programs would still be evaluated annually for viability, but decisions would be the result of the collective will of the schools in the consortium, rather than subject to the actions of a single district.

Also in Board input, the members agreed to support a $350 Board of Education scholarship to a graduating senior. Finally, Hansen suggested that the day of school missed due to the Boys’ State Basketball Tournament be made up at the end of the school year. He will consult with the EEA Calendar Committee and amend the calendar accordingly. A communication will be made to parents, students, and employees as soon as possible.

During Communications, the Board learned that Illinois is one of the 16 states selected as finalists for the “Race to the Top” federal funding program. They also heard that nine (9) Eastland students had juried work in the 69th Young Artist Show in Rockford. These students included Karoline Kniss, Ashley Larak, Stephanie Lee, Jenna Mathew, Morgan Moll, Scott Olson, Heather Strong, Emily VandeBurgh, and Jordan Weaver. Hansen congratulated the boys’ basketball team and coaches on their 4th place finish in the state tournament, and shared a letter from Scholastic Bowl Coach Brian Archer recognizing Justin Santacruz, Greta Augsburger, and Francesca Huggins on their selections to the All-Conference team. He shared also a letter from the 2nd grade teachers regarding the Board’s Deficit Reduction Plan and class sizes. Finally, he informed the Board members of the passing of Bill Flickinger, the Lanark and Eastland District Treasurer since 1967.

In Old Business, Diann Cassens gave an annual report on the District’s library services. Technology upgrades are planned, and there was discussion of ways to increase the recreational reading of middle and high school students.

Continuing, the Board discussed various District / Building Improvement reports. There was discussion as to why specific grade levels showed significant gains in reading rate and comprehension, and whether the District was learning from its successes. The Board also discussed the issue of bullying and the trend data on students’ perceptions of bullying at Eastland. Finally, there was discussion about the practice of some districts to weight specific courses for the purpose of calculating grade point averages. Superintendent Hansen shared information on a formula that would consider grade point average and student performance on standardized tests equally in determining class rank. The Board asked for more information at the April meeting.

A 1st Reading of proposed changes to the 3-year Strategic Plan was tabled until the April Board meeting. Changes will be made to reflect the impact of the State budget crisis on Eastland’s short and long-term plans.

Deficit Reduction Plan

Continuing, the Board approved a Deficit Reduction Plan for 2010-11. The Ed Fund is projected to be in deficit in 2010-11 due to reductions in State funding. In order to reduce $205,000 in expenditures, the Board approved a plan to:

- Absorb (do not replace) the retirement of Phyllis Getz (4th grade teacher).

- Absorb (do not replace) .5 of the retirement of Rick Weber (HS Science teacher).

- Absorb (do not replace) the retirement of Ramona Koning (building aide).

- Absorb (do not replace) the retirement of Marsha Roberts (Elementary Library Aide). The District Librarian will assume responsibility for the high school and elementary libraries.

- Support the Early Step Pre-School programs to the level that they are funded by the Early Childhood Block Grants.

The District will continue to provide rooms, utilities, cafeteria, and custodial services to the Carroll County Early Childhood Consortium for operation of its Pre-School and Early Childhood programs. The District will not otherwise subsidize the costs for these programs.

- Purchase no new uniforms for 2010-11. The District will freeze the uniform replacement cycle, requiring teams to wear uniforms for one (1) more year than previously before purchasing new ones.

- Hold to a 0% increase in purchased services.

- Hold to a 0% increase in supplies..

- Discontinue payment of the Superintendent’s tuition costs. The District will no longer pay the Supt’s tuition costs. Superintendent Hansen is planning to complete his coursework in May, 2010.

- Discontinue payment of School Board Convention expenses. The District will not pay for the expenses of Board members or Superintendent Hansen to attend the State Convention in Chicago.

- Reduce H.S. Early Bird/Advanced P.E. A section of Physical Education will no longer be offered before the start of the school day at EHS.

Continuing, the Board approved a bond parameters resolution authorizing Superintendent Hansen, President Randy Hasken, and the District Treasurer to affect the sale of bonds as a result of the February referendum. They also approved an escrow resolution to appoint UMB Bank as the agent of the escrow account for the outstanding Series 1998 bonds, as well as the Build America Bonds. Hansen reported good news from bond manager Jamie Rachlin: due to favorable interest rates and returns on the Build America Bonds, the District will need to generate only .5% of growth in equalized assessed value annually to support the payment of the bonds at no increase to the bond/interest tax rate. Previously, they had projected that it would take 1.5% growth in EAV to sustain a level tax rate. If EAV increases by more than .5% in any given year, the bond/interest tax rate will go down from its current level.

In New Business, the Board heard from the High School Scheduling Committee on a plan to implement a Learning Lab in 2010-11. A 30-minute block will be scheduled at the end of each day. During that block, all students with C’s or lower will be assigned to specific teachers based on their academic needs. Structured tutoring will be provided. Students with A’s and B’s will be allowed to attend an Honors Study Hall. The time will be more structured, expectations will be higher, and hall monitors will ensure that students are not roaming the building. Teachers will monitor student grades weekly. The plan is based on research of other schools that have implemented similar programs. The Committee will present their recommendation to the high school staff, and the Board will vote to approve the program in April.

Continuing, the Board heard reports on the EHS Facility Project, and the Hanover Insurance Risk Management Audit. They approved revisions to the District 403(b) plan as recommended by the committee of staff and advisors. The Board also granted approval to seek quotes, estimates, or bids for technology purchases, insurance, and milk, bread, and fuel for 2010-11.

Finally, the Board approved a request for the annual 8th grade field trip to a Chicago Cubs baseball game on Friday, May 14, 2010. They also approved the conceptual design for a new outdoor concessions stand at Eastland High School, but requested that the bid specs include an alternate bid for the cost to move the existing stand to the new location.

Principal Feltmeyer reported on the ISAT Week activities at Eastland Middle School. She also reported that 37 students received 1st place ratings, 17 2nd place ratings, and 1 3rd place rating at the Solo/Ensemble Contest. Principal Ritchie was not in attendance due to illness.

Executive Session

The Board adjourned to closed session at 8:54 p.m. “to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the District or legal counsel for the District, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee or against legal counsel for the District to determine its validity.” They exited closed session at 9:20 and took the following personnel actions:

- Approved the reduction in force of part-time certified staff, [Linda Ludwig], for the 2010-11 school year.

- Approved re-employment of First Year, Full-time, Non-Tenured Certified Staff - Susanne Foley, Sarah Rosenthal, Ayn Brendel, Kevin O’Keefe - for the 2010-11 school year.

- Approved re-employment of Second Year, Full-time, Non-Tenured Certified Staff - Anne Pilgrim, Cory Walters, Erin Cox, and Tonya Heldt - for the 2010-11 school year.

- Approved re-employment of Third Year, Full-time, Non-Tenured Certified Staff - Shelley Stoner - for the 2010-11 school year.

- Approved re-employment of Fourth Year, Full-time, Non-Tenured Certified Staff - Jacob Crase - for the 2010-11 school year. This re-employment will place him on tenure.

- Approved a resolution authorizing renewal of all other certified teachers (not previously listed) for 2010-11.

- Approved the re-assignment of the following teachers as specified for 2010-2011: Beth Wilson as a 1st grade teacher; Alicia Payette, 2/3 as K-2 P.E., and 1/3 as Intervention Specialist; Colleen Schroeder, 1/2 as Computers teacher, 1/2 as 4th grade reading/math; Jane Lowe, 1/2 as 8th grade math, 1/2 as H.S. math teacher; Sarah Rosenthal, 1/2 a M.S, reading/english teacher, 1/2 as H.S. english; LouAnn Wilkens, H.S. math teacher.

- Approved and accepted the irrevocable notice of intent to retire of Jay Ritchie, H.S. Principal, at the end of the 2010-11 school year; and Sue Lamoreaux, 3rd grade teacher, at the conclusion of the 2013-14 school year.

- Approved the maternity leave request of Anne Pilgrim.

- Approved the retirements of Ramona Koning and Marsha Roberts as Eastland Elementary Building Aide and Part-time EES Library Aide effective at the conclusion of the 2009-10 school year.

- Approved the reductions in force of Robin Bookman and Judy Weber as bus drivers for the 2010-11 school year due to uncertainty about state grant funding levels for Early Childhood Education.

- Approved the reductions in force of Courtney Ruter and Melinda Bagley as pre-school bus aides for the 2010-11 school year due to uncertainty about state grant funding levels for Early Childhood Education.

- Approved the resignations of Jen Sturtevant and Austin Walker as 8th grade Girls’ Basketball Coach and High School Assistant Football Coach for the 2010-11 year.

- Approved a resolution authorizing renewal of all non-certified employees (not previously listed) for 2010-11.

- Approved posting vacancies for the following positions: Part-time Driver Education Teacher for 2010-11; Part-time Summer Driver Education Teacher for 2010; 8th gr. Football Coach for E-PC Junior High Co-op; 8th gr. Girls’ Basketball Coach.

- Approved the employment of Karoline Kniss and Kendall Law as summer crew workers for the summer of 2010:

- Approved the re-employment of Ed Nelson to maintain the District lawns and grounds from Spring – Fall, 2010.

- Approved the appointment and employment of Norm Brinkmeier as the Eastland District Treasurer, effective immediately.

The meeting adjourned at: 9:30 p.m.