The Fieldcrest CUSD 6 Board of Education held its regular Board meeting on March 21, 2018. Members present were Mykin Bernardi, Joe Kirkpatrick, Charles Lohr, Kimberly McKay, Tim McNamara and Beth Palm. Also present were Superintendent Dr. Daniel L. Oakley, Primary School Principal Jason Chaplin, 1st grade teacher Marion Kennel, and a few community members.
The Board begin the evening with closed session to discuss "the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of a specific employee or legal counsel for the public body; and pending or probable litigation against, affecting or on behalf of the public body" (5 ILCS 120/2c).
Upon return to regular session: Mrs. Kennel presented a thinking activity she uses with 1st graders called LockBoxes. The activity required use of non-linear thinking skills along with the use of academic skills. The Board was an active participant in the exercise.
Dr. Oakley reviewed Section 5 of the Board policy manual.
The Board entered a public hearing regarding the Waiver of Administrative Costs Per Pupil. The district is in the bottom quartile of administrative costs, and therefore is eligible to waive the otherwise statutory 5% maximum increase on administrative costs.
In Board action during regular session, the Board: approved the consent agenda; updated the district's Risk Management Plan; approved the annual senior class trip; adopted several resolutions in regard to reductions in force and reductions in time; adopted a resolution in regard to the waiver of administrative costs; approved the renewal of Fieldcrest High School in IHSA for the 2018-2019 school year; and waived the first reading of a Board policy update package.
In personnel action, the Board: named Lisa Lindstrom as HS girls golf coach; and thanked Randy May for his service to the district as a custodian.
Dr. Oakley provided Board members with a handout regarding district referendum items around the state. There was a brief conversation about the passage of the County Facilities Sales Tax in Woodford County. Dr. Oakley also noted the Board will need to think about whether to offer PK in the 2018-2019 school year if WCSEA does not get the Bright Beginnings grant from ISBE. The Board has a couple of months to think about what direction they would prefer to go.
The Board will meet next in regular session on April 25, 2018 at 6:00 pm, with open session starting at 6:30 pm in the high school band room