Summary of the Eastland Board of Education Meeting

The Eastland Board of Education held their regular monthly meeting on September 21. The Board approved the Treasurer’s Report and the payments of all bills and claims for the month. They also approved the minutes of the August 24th Public Budget Hearing and Regular Meeting, the August 31 Strategic Planning meeting, and the following personnel actions:

- The hire of [Michelle Jensen] as an English/Language Arts teacher for Eastland Middle and High Schools for 2011-12, the hire of [Tina Doubler] as Freshman Girls’ Basketball coach for 2011-12, the assignment of [Amy Ruch] as junior class sponsor to replace Sarah Rosenthal, approved posting a vacancy for sub custodians for 2011-12, and accepted and approved the request of [Robin Bookman] to be re-assigned from Special Route driver to substitute driver effective immediately.

The Board discussed possible dates for fall committee meetings, the IASB Fall Dinner Meeting in Stockton on October 13, and the November Board Convention. A parent of a high school student addressed the Board regarding the girls’ volleyball program.

In Communications, Superintendent Hansen shared thank you’s from the Freeport Aquin Schools for the donation of used computers. He thanked Elkay Manufacturing for a $500 donation to Eastland to use for an educational initiative. The donation was used to purchase an Apple iPAD for the Speech/Language Pathologist to use when providing individual and small group instruction. He also congratulated Kristy Pierce on her 800th career win as volleyball head coach.

Old Business

As a first item in Old Business, Superintendent Hansen presented a summary from a Meet the Press Roundtable discussion that aired on September 4, 2011. A link to the 21 minute discussion is posted HERE. The discussion focuses on the state of the U.S. economy, the future, and the role of education in securing a better future for the next generation.

Continuing, the superintendent presented a process and timeline for reaching a decision about future facility alignment – specifically, whether to reduce from three to two attendance centers. Jodi York also spoke to the Board about possibly using the Eastland Elementary building for a daycare center in the future if the space is vacated. The Board agreed on the following process and timeline for decision-making. Phase 1: Developing a Plan (complete by May, 2012); Develop a comprehensive administrative vision; Present the administrative vision to staff by building, and to the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC); Gather staff and CAC feedback (formally); Present administrative vision and feedback to Board for approval or modification; invite staff and CAC representatives to participate; Board approves a future facility vision to move to Phase II.

Phase 2: Costing the Plan (Complete by August, 2012); Superintendent develops detailed cost projections for the vision; Present options / plans for vacated facility; Superintendent presents costs to the Board; Board approves the costs to move to Phase III.

Phase 3: Community Forums (3), Complete by November, 2012; Administrative team presents Board approved vision and projected costs at community forums in Shannon, Lanark and Lake Carroll; Gather community input / feedback (formal); Present community feedback to the Board for consideration; Schedule a final action to approve.

Phase 4, Final Approval (Complete by December, 2012) is when the Board approves a future facility plan and date for implementation.

The Board briefly discussed self-evaluations completed at the August 31 Retreat, and approved several new and revised policies. They also approved a locally developed policy for private sponsorship of school events or activities. The policy requires employees who are soliciting private sponsorship of activities to seek prior administrative approval. Administrators will work within the policy to limit the amount of sponsorship request to what is projected as a need. Sponsorship requests greater than $5,000 will come before the Board of Education. The goal of the policy and procedure will be to allow for private sponsorship to assist with costs when necessary, but within a system for limiting the scope of those requests.

The Board approved Eastland’s participation in the National Student Clearinghouse and post-graduate student tracker system. For $450 per year, the District will be able to obtain data on students’ educational and workforce careers after they graduate from high school. The data will be an additional tool in evaluating how effectively Eastland is preparing students for the workforce, the military, technical school or college.

New Business

As a first item in New Business, the Board approved an inter-fund loan of $2,245 from the Education Fund to the IMRF/Social Security Fund. The loan is necessary to eliminate a negative cash-in-bank balance for the fiscal year. The $2,245 will be transferred back to the Education Fund after the District receives tax receipts for 2012-13.

Principals Feltmeyer and Burkholder reported on plans for the Carroll County Institute that will be hosted by Eastland on Friday, November 11th. The dual focus of the Institute will be on using technology to increase student engagement, and implementation of the Common Core Standards. The Board approved field trip requests to the FFA National Convention in October, and the Trills and Thrills band festival in May, 2012.

Continuing, the Board formally approved renewals with Delta Dental for dental and vision insurance effective October 1, 2011. They also discussed items to include in the Fall District Newsletter that will be published in October. Finally, they heard a 1st reading of a proposal from the Eastland Music Boosters. President Bonnie Freidag asked that the Music Boosters be allowed to host Market Days as a fundraiser. The initial purpose of the fundraiser would be to contribute 50% to the cost of new marching band uniforms, with the District paying the other 50%. The District has a similar arrangement with the Sports Boosters who currently pay for 50% of the costs for new athletic uniforms as they are needed. Action to approve Market Day as a fundraiser for the Music Boosters will be scheduled for the October meeting.

Principal Feltmeyer recognized three Eastland Middle School students who were chosen to participate in the Music Honors Festival at Vandercook School of Music on September 24. Congratulations to Karis Lehman—Band, Juli Waugh—Chorus, and Gentry Lessman—Chorus.

Principal Burkholder reported on AIMSWeb testing and Learning Lab assignments at Eastland High School, and commended the high school staff on their efforts above and beyond to make the new laptop initiative a success.

Superintendent Hansen spoke briefly about the Common Core Standards, and commended Eastland Elementary staff for their work to make the transition to a longer elementary school day.

The Board did not adjourn to closed session, and the meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.