The Fieldcrest CUSD 6 Board of Education held its regular Board meeting on Wednesday, July 29, 2015. Members present were Tom Barth, Tammi Coons, Scott Hillenburg, Greg Kroeschen, and Tim McNamara. Also present were Superintendent Dan Oakley, West Principal Molly Allen, and a number of staff and community members. Also present was John Bishop, district architect.
The Board held two public hearings. The first was a hearing on the sale of $1,500,000 of Working Cash bonds. The hearing set forth the reasons for the possible sale of bonds, and opened the floor for Board member and community comments and discussion, of which there were none. The Board now has authorization for 3 years to sell up to $1,500,000 in Working Cash bonds, if needed. The second hearing was regarding a waiver of state law, which would allow the district to continue the full-day SIP days that have been the standard in the district for the past five years. There was little discussion on this issue.
In Board action during regular session, the Board: approved the opening of several closed session minutes following a review; adopted a Board policy update; adopted the annual FOIA resolution; adopted the FY16 parent/student handbook; adopted the FY16 faculty handbook; approved the FY16 Administrative Compensation Report for posting; adopted the resolution approving the waiver of school code section 18-8.05(F)(S)(d)(2); approved a bid from North Central for milk products; approved a bid from Harold Tomlinson Disposal for refuse disposal; adopted a resolution of intergovernmental agreement with DeWitt/Livingston/Logan/McLean Regional Office of Education for the distribution of County Occupational Sales Tax Revenue from Livingston County; and approved a request for Technology Revolving Loan dollars from the Illinois State Board of Education.
In personnel action, the Board: recalled Shelly Barth, Mark McNamara, Lindsey Perry, and Dick Hahn as drivers; Kathy Jackson and Mary Moore as cooks; and Jeremy Hahn for the 1.5 month additional contract for FFA. The Board also hired Michelle Myszka as a teacher in the district, and Linda Seggerman as South yearbook sponsor. The Board recognized Hannah Wyss' resignation.
Mr. Oakley noted district finances, which ended the year much better than anticipated, due to the state paying some bills that they had originally said they would not be paying, and completing steps to meet federal IDEA MOE requirements that relieved the district of repaying nearly $300,000 to the federal government. The district ended the year slightly in the black in the operating funds as a result. The district still faces an additional $500,000 permanent reduction in GSA funds in the FY16 school year, but it is hoped that this will be the bottom and that the slope will be upward following the FY16 school year.
Mrs. Allen spoke to the Board regarding summer activities at West.
The next regular Board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, August 26, at 6:30 pm at Fieldcrest High School band room, with closed session starting at 6:00 pm.