At the April meeting of the Carmi White County school board, the board elected Tom Scates as president, Kelli Chapman as Vice President and Andy Accord as Secretary.
They approved the meeting dates and times for next year. Meetings still will be held on the third Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Jefferson Attendance Center new building unless otherwise noted. Meetings in January and February will be held on the third Tuesday of those months and on the fourth Monday in April of next year.
Paul Lunsford of Lunsford Architects addressed the Board to provide results of the Ten Year Health/Life Safety Survey of the district’s buildings. This survey is required by the state and must be reported every ten years by a licensed architect or engineer. Lunsford said the district has a few minor issues that need to be resolved. Total required repairs will cost about $66,000 with recommended repairs totaling $70,000. The board members will look over the recommendations and vote on whether to approve them at the May meeting.
In the Superintendent’s report, Brad Lee said he recently attended a forum on school funding reform, which was held at the Harrisburg High School Media Center. Various superintendents from across the state spoke along with state Senator Andy Manar of Bunker Hill. Manar is sponsoring a bill to restructure the formula on how general state aid is distributed. Governor Rauner is proposing funding state aid at 100% for the next year using the current formula. Lee said under this plan many school districts would receive less funding than in FY2016 and our district would be able to start the next school year but wouldn’t be able to make it for very long before revenue would run out. He will monitor the situation and keep board members updated on any changes.
They received two state aid payments last month totaling $377,260 and the state still owes $272,131.
An amended budget may be ready by the May 16th board meeting.
Dr. Amy Dixon updated the board on the results from the district-wide English language arts study. A recommendation will be provided to the board as soon as the study is complete.
They received a check of $1,042.91 from First Bank for the debit MasterCard that uses the school’s mascot and artwork design.
The 2015 high school yearbook, “We Bleed Maroon”, has been recognized as one of the golden dozen by the Southern Illinois Press Association. It was chosen from over 100 yearbooks. Allison Chitwood also won first place for her end sheet design. The editor was Alexa combs and Hillary gee is the yearbook sponsor.
People’s National Bank will be the district’s depository for school funds for the next two years.
The first draft of the new board manual is almost finished. The first reading might possibly take place at the May board meeting.
The board will retain student accident insurance coverage through First Agency and excess cost basic coverage for all high school athletes at a cost of $17,950 and will purchase lifetime catastrophic accident insurance for a total premium of $1,060.53.
They accepted the best bids on consumable supplies and on used vehicles and mowers.
Rachel Blazier was approved as school treasurer effective April 30th for the remainder of the school year.
Accepted the resignation of Jenny Howard as 8th grade girls basketball coach and Justin Simmons as freshman basketball coach, both effective immediately, the resignation of Abby Middleton as Junior/Senior High Attendance secretary effective May 13th and Laura Lowery as central office receptionist/transportation secretary/cafeteria director effective April 29th.
Unpaid medical leave was extended for Jeff King beginning April 4th through June 30th.
And a donation of $1,000 was approved to the Brownsville school.
The board went into closed session at 7:58 p.m.
In the closed session, the board unanimously approved the employment of Michael Pfister as a custodian at Lincoln and Brownsville Attendance Centers for the remainder of the school year to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Roger Smith and employed Jeff Cox as a bus driver to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Phyllis Wilson for the remainder of the school year.
