Hansen Explains Issuance of Working Cash Bonds at Eastland School Board

As required by statute, the Eastland Board of Education held a Public Hearing prior to the regular meeting on January 16, 2013. President Randy Hasken opened the hearing and directed Superintendent Hansen to make a brief presentation on the Board’s rationale for issuance of $140,000 in Working Cash Bonds for the purpose of replacing the flat roof at Eastland High School.

He then asked for any written comments provided in advance of the meeting, or for comments from those in attendance. The plan is to pay for 50% of the costs of the project from reserves, and 50% from the sale of bonds. No members from the public addressed the Board.

After adjournment of the public hearing, the regular meeting was called to order. As a first item in Old Business, the Board approved a resolution declaring the intention to issue Working Cash Bonds.

Regular meeting

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 December 19, 2012 Regular meeting.

During Board Input, members agreed to schedule the Special Meeting for Reorganization of the Board after the April 9 election. That meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 1 at 6:00 p.m. The Board also authorized the superintendent to proceed with the process of requesting bids for equipment and flooring from the Eastland Middle School Fitness Center which is being remodeled into a pre-school classroom for the transition into two facilities in 2013-14.

In Communications, Dr. Hansen shared a resolution from the Sterling Public Schools expressing their intent to withdraw from the Bi-County Special Education Cooperative effective in 2014-15. He also shared communication received by Cory Walters, the District Social Worker, that Eastland has been awarded a $2,500 grant from Sinnissippi Centers, Inc. for the implementation of the benchmarking system for social emotional learning standards.

Old business

In other Old Business, High School teacher Mary Beth Landherr then made a presentation on the Indicators of Success for Business. She reported that 84% of Consumer Education students demonstrated improved understanding of personal financial management skills as measured in pre- and post- tests; the indicator goal was 80%. She also reported that 100% of all business students completed a team-based problem solving activity.

Continuing in Old Business, the Board approved the Eastland High School Curriculum Guide for 2013-14. Significant curriculum changes for 2013-14 will include a new sociology course for 11th and 12th graders and eight (8) new exploratory courses for 7th – 8th grade students including Visual Arts I and II, Computer Programming, Lego Robotics, Entrepreneurship/Marketing, Exploratory Agriculture, Business and Interpersonal Relationships, and Exploratory Vocational Education.

Superintendent Hansen presented a 2nd quarter budget update. At the half-way mark, the district has spent 50% of the funds budgeted for the year. The Education Fund is at 51% expenditures, Transportation at 53% and Operations and Maintenance at 55%, but some of those expenditures are attributable to large outlays at the beginning of the fiscal year. Hansen explained that there has been some delay of state payments for general state aid and transportation.

As a last item in Old Business, the Board approved a process and timeline for disposition of the Eastland Elementary Building in Lanark. Starting in March, 2013, the Board will advertise the building for sale to private entities. The window for accepting bids will be through September, 2013. If no private entities bid on purchase of the building, the Board will contact other governmental entities to determine if any are interested in executing a transfer of ownership. If no private or governmental entities are interested in the building as of March, 2014, the Board will solicit bids for the demolition and disposal of the building. Superintendent Hansen was directed to prepare an advertisement for private sale and to share it with the Board in February.

New business

In New Business, the Board heard a 1st Reading of the proposed school calendar for 2013-14. Hansen explained that the proposal is based on prior experience and coordinated with districts with which the district shares services. A copy of the proposal has been shared with the EEA Calendar Committee for feedback from staff.

Superintendent Hansen reported briefly on the results of winter benchmarks at Eastland Elementary and shared a copy of the feature in a local newspaper recognizing Carl Erbsen as Ag in the Classroom Teacher of the Year. Principal Burkholder commended the high school staff for their extra efforts to convert their curriculums to a digital format for the 1:1 initiative. Principal Feltmeyer shared news on two families moving into the district and a third family considering a move. She also spoke briefly about the upcoming Spelling Bee.

Closed session & action

The Board approved a motion to enter closed session at 7:23 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. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1).

The Board exited closed session at 8:39 p.m. and approved the closed session minutes. As a final item of business, they took the following personnel actions:

1. Approved a motion to continue posting a vacancy for a Technology Assistant for the 2013-14 school year.

2. Approved a motion to post vacancies for six (6) summer crew workers for spring and summer of 2013.

3. Approve a motion to internally post a position for a full time, 12-mos secretary at Eastland Elementary School (Shannon) effective July 1, 2013.

The meeting adjourned at 8:41 p.m.