Eastland Board of Education Approves Personnel Action

At their meeting on September 17, 2008, the Eastland Board of Education approved payment of all bills and claims, the Treasurer's report, the ISBE Application for Recognition of Schools, and several personnel actions.

The Board approved the retirement of Denise Krysiak, Middle School Reading/Lang. Arts teacher, effective August 29, 2008.

They accepted from Lynette Thomson, Middle School Family and Consumer Ed/Science/Math teacher, her notice of intent to retire Aug. 15, 2012. Thomson's resignation as Middle School Scholastic Bowl teacher was also accepted for the 2008-09 season.

In a switch of roles, Marsha Roberts, Full-time Library Aide, was re-assign to part-time Library Aide. Laurie Woessner, Part-time Library Aide, was re-assign to full-time Library aide. The transition will be effective Sept. 18.

The Board will continue to post a vacancy for the Spring Play Director, and has posted a vacancy for the Middle School Scholastic Bowl position.

During the input segment, the Board discussed a parents concern about the recent change in practice limiting the number of drop-off locations for students using the transportation system to only one location. The Board directed the Superintendent to meet with the Transportation Committee, secretaries, and a parent representative to review the procedures. They then discussed plans for the Board Convention in November.

In Old Business, the Board approved by a vote of 6-yes, 1-no the renewal of the group insurance plan effective October 1, 2008. During discussion, member Jason Walrath expressed his opinion that the District should accept more of the burden for the increase on behalf of the employees.

The approved health insurance provider will be Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Premiums would have increased by 31% in order to continue with the previous year's plan. Premiums for the approved plan will increase by 19%. Adjustments to the new plan include increasing the deductible from $1,000 to $1,500; increasing the prescription drug co-pays, and increasing the out-of-pocket maximum expenditures. Employees will pay the first $500 of their deductibles, with the District reimbursing the remaining $1,000. These increases were the result of a high claims year in 2007-08.

Delta Dental was approved as the dental insurance provider at a 7.5% increase in premiums, and the Board will purchase term life insurance from Lincoln Financial. Teachers will continue to be eligible to participate in a voluntary vision insurance program through Delta Dental. The district pays none of the costs for vision insurance.

The Board approved several policies that were first presented in August. Policies 7:240 AP1, and 7:240 E1 were placed on hold, and will be approved after input from the committee that is reviewing the Extra-Curricular Code of Conduct.

The Board also discussed a request from an employee that Board Policy 5:270 be revised to allow non-certified staff who take insurance to receive pay over 9 months, as well as over 12 months.

In New Business, Superintendent Hansen made a presentation on the 2008 state test scores for students grades 3-11. Eastland students made Adequate Yearly Progress as measured by the Illinois Standards Achievement Test (grades 3-8), and the Prairie State Achievement Exam (grade 11).

In grades 3 ­ 8, over 80% of students met or exceeded state standards in Reading, and over 90% met or exceeded in Math. Over 90% of students met or exceeded state standards in Science as measured at grades 4 and 7. At grade 11, 61% of students met or exceeded state standards in Reading, and 53% met or exceeded in Math. 61% of 11th graders met or exceeded in Science. A District School Improvement Plan will be presented at the Regular October Board meeting.

In the Curriculum Committee Report, the Board learned of initiatives under consideration for 2009-2010. The committee is researching summer credit recovery programs for students in grades 6-12. Such programs are often computer-based, and designed for students in danger of retention or not graduating, who need credits in specific core subjects.

The committee is also researching freshmen reading curriculum to determine if formal reading instruction can and should be continued into the 9th grade. The Board also discussed the need for the committee to evaluate the elementary Spanish program, and to consider how programming can be sustained into the middle school levels.

The Facilities Committee Report included the status of items included in the 2005 10-year health/life safety survey completed by Richard L. Johnson, architects. They also reviewed a first draft of possible facility improvement projects for 2009-10. Superintendent Hansen will work with Kurt Simpson to obtain quotes or bids for the various projects, and the committee will bring a formal recommendation and funding plan to the Board for approval in November.

The Board also heard an update on the negotiations between the Board and the Eastland Education Association regarding 403(b) benefit plans. A meeting is tentatively scheduled for September 25th.

Superintendent Hansen distributed to Board members copies of the current Risk Management Plan, and informed them that he will be meeting with a Risk Management Analyst from Trissel, Graham, and Toole to review the plan. Revisions will be shared at the October meeting.

The Board approved field trip requests for the high school band to go to Six Flags, the FFA to attend the National Convention, and a Civics trip to Washington, D.C. over spring break.

Principal Feltmeyer reported that the EMS Open House on September 9th was very well attended, and that sales from the Book Fair topped $3,000. She also reported on the number of student teachers who are observing in the middle school this year.

Principal Ritchie invited everyone to the EPC Theater production of "Bye, Bye Birdie" on October 16th (7:00 p.m.), 18th (7:00 p.m.), and 19th (2:00 p.m.). He also reported that Eastland will be hosting the IHSA Regional Volleyball Tournament on October 29, 30, and November 1, and the IHSA Regional Golf Meet on October 7th.

Ritchie also commended high school science teacher Lenny Friedhof on his participation in a Chemistry Literacy program through the University of Illinois. Eastland students will be using web cameras and interactive programs to interact with other students across the state.

Superintendent Hansen reported good attendance at Open House, and also on the great turnout for the 2nd grade Grandparents Patriotic Concert. He thanked Marla Nesmith, and second grade teachers Chris Urish, Deb Kaczmarski, and Beth Wilkinson for their work on the program.

At 8:25, the Board approved a motion to enter into closed session to discuss personnel, collective negotiation matters, and litigation. At 8:53, the Board exited closed session. With no further action taken, the meeting adjourned at 8:56 p.m.

The Board will meet next for its Fall Retreat on Wednesday, October 1, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Eastland Elementary.