A pending Project Labor Agreement (PLA) for the building of the new Elementary School took center stage at the CUSD #7 School Board Meeting held Monday night in Gillespie. Presenting the PLA to the board last month, Southwestern Illinois Building Trades and Construction Trades Council Executive Secretary and Treasurer Dale Stewart was on hand at the latest meeting to try to clarify some concerns the board had expressed last month concerning areas of negotiation.

When asked last month whether the board would be able to negotiate any part of the PLA, Stewart replied that the contract was non-negotiable, which raised concerns for several members of the board. He returned to Monday night’s meeting to further press his case for adopting the PLA for the upcoming $22 million dollar project.

“The concern that board has had was the fact that we asked the question in the last meeting was the contract able to be negotiated and talked about and the answer was no,” said board President Rusty Bilbruck. “That was a stumbling point for us.”

“As far as our PLA, the reason why we do our PLA the way it is, we don’t negotiate it, is because it’s a sound agreement, a positive way to do things. Because everyone we do business with says, ‘we all want the same deal” is all we’re asking is for the same deal,” explained Stewart.

Board member Bill Carter asked if, as an example, the horticulture class wanted to do some of the landscaping as a class project, would that be allowed. “We’re not asking, I don’t think anybody was ever asking, to have our shop class go and be the carpenters,” continued Carter. “Or have Mr. Goldasich go in there and have his class wire the whole school. That was not the point. But I think the point would be, going out on a limb here for cUSD 7, it would be nice if our horticulture class go out there and partake in the landscaping process, as an example. Whether or not they would do that, I don’t know, I’m not going to speak for that teacher, but we felt our hands were tied and we wouldn’t be able to do that.”

After Stewart indicated that some items, like landscaping, could be worked out, the discussion turned to passing the PLA.

“I don’t think there’s anybody at this table who doesn’t want to see as many local personnel, everybody to be local, if we could hire every person out of the hall and put them to work on this project, that would be great, that’s what we’d all love to see. They’re all local taxpayers, or in the region, anyway,” stated Board Member Dave Griffel. “An older lawyer, who I respect very much out of Carlinville…I asked him ‘What do you think about the contract?’ and his response was, ‘A contract written by that person usually tends to favor that person.’ And without proof of negotiation…you’re bringing us the contract and saying ‘No negotiation. You sign this, period.’ This is not solely your contract, you’ve come to agreements, but that concerns me.”

“This is what really confuses me with you folks. You’re really putting more into this than should be. You’re not signing it. You’re not signing the agreement,” said Stewart. “The contractors who will be working here, I’m sure, if you go to a big contractor, they’ve worked under this agreement. So it’s nothing new to them. But you’re not going to be responsible, you’re just signing a resolution to saying we’re going to enter that and you’re letting the contractors know…..They’ll like it. It’s leveling out the field for them. They know exactly what they’re all bidding against,” Stewart went on. “If there’s no PLA there, then where is the fairness and honesty going to be? ….That’s all we do, we go out and chase the fair contract, we chase contractors that don’t pay wages and benefits, people that come from out of state, out of the area. Is that what you want? We want to try to get as many people from this area working on this project.”

“We want to put everyone to work, number one thing,” Griffel responded. “My concern is, a non-negotiable contract. Here it is, sign it, or else. That’s a struggle for me.”

“I support unions, and I want local people to work,” added board member Mark Hayes, “but I have problems with what you just said, that if we sign it, we’re not responsible. We’re taxpayers in this community, we were elected by the taxpayers, so we are responsible.”

“What I was meaning, Mark, was these people have worked under it, they know what’s in that agreement,” said Stewart. “Because, you know what, there’s nothing in that agreement that could cause trouble. All that’s in my agreement spells out this wages…with the wages already there…You’re not going to have any strikes on this job, everything’s going to go and get done, and there’s not going to be any hold up. You would think that’s what you would want, the best bang for your buck, as stewards for this money, you would want that protection, to make sure you get this job done, and done on time.”

After more discussion, Hayes indicated that consulting an attorney would be the best course. “I think that would be fair,” said Griffel. “I mean, this is a document that you’ve had several lawyers look at, several lawyers negotiate, then for us to sign it without having legal representation would be….I think we need to have it reviewed for our purposes.”

“There’s nothing than CDB (Capital Development Board) what you’re getting your money from,” countered Stewart. “If the CDB was overseeing this, there would be a PLA on this, on this project, and it’s the same one through the whole state of Illinois. They don’t negotiate every area they go to. It’s one agreement for the whole state. Check with the CDB, they’ll tell you. That’s where you’re getting your money from, ask them. And it’s just like the other PLAs they have for the state highway work, which you’re involved with, Mark [Hayes]. It’s one agreement, I don’t care if you’re in Cairo or Chicago. It’s the same agreement. The reason why is, that way everybody is dealing on the same page….We have a standardized agreement.”

“We’re as comfortable with having as many local people as possible work. I can’t say that enough, that we want local unions do the job,” said Griffel. “Our concern is signing a contract that’s been reviewed by several lawyers that our lawyers haven’t reviewed, affecting the largest building project in the history of our district. I think we’d be fools to sign it tonight, and endorse it tonight, without any legal counsel look at it. He may very well say, there’s no worries, do this, but without that blessing, I struggle, that we’re doing something that affects that project. I’m just not comfortable doing it without that. I wouldn’t do it in my own personal business without having a lawyer look at it.”

In the end, the board instructed Supt. Skeans to take the PLA to a labor attorney for review to determine that the contract would not hurt the district, and he also indicated that he would contact to the CDB as well. The board also confirmed that they would resolve the PLA issue at the April 18 board meeting, before any bids for grouting work would be awarded.

Also on hand was school board candidate Peyton Bernot, who addressed the board concerning several district consolidation measures currently before the state legislature. Although he did not express a position on the issue himself, Bernot was interested where the board stood on consolidating with nearby districts. Board member Dave Griffel stated the board had not taken a formal position, either in support of or against such a measure. “Personally,” Griffel went on to say, “I have a problem with anything top-down. I think if anything should be done it should be from the bottom up [districts taking action on their own as opposed to state-mandated action]….Eventually it will probably have to come, it has throughout the years, but I don’t necessarily welcome it. There’s other options, as I’ve stated before, but as a board we’ve taken no formal stance on that.” The board went on to decline to formalize a position.

During the Superintendent’s Report, Supt. Paul Skeans took the opportunity to address public concerns over the possibility of adding an Assistant Superintendent position, a process set to be formally addressed after July 1. Under the plan, current High School Principal Joe Tieman would become Assistant Superintendent, current Dean of Students Dennis Tiburzi would become High School Principal, and current Middle School Language Arts teacher Mike Bertagnolli would become Dean of Students. Skeans stressed the shifting of positions would not increase administrator’s salaries. Salaries for Tieman and Bertagnolli would not increase, while Tiburzi’s salary would only reflect additional months of work not required by his current position. In fact, the only increase in spending would be the hiring of a new Middle School Language Arts teacher, but only if the district could not adjust a currently-employed teacher’s schedule to cover the class.

He went on to explain that due to the collective bargaining agreement in place with the educator’s union, positions must be posted internally first. If, and only if, no acceptable candidate is found internally can the district post the position to external candidates. Skeans expressed his opinion that those candidates chosen were some of the best he had worked with and he was confident that they were the best candidates in southern Illinois. Skeans went on to clarify that he would still be carrying out all his current duties as Superintendent, as well as acting as a mentor to Tieman and as Owner’s Representative for the construction of the new elementary school. Tieman’s focus as Assistant Superintendent would include curriculum and student services, duties Skeans considers “sorely needed.”

A member of the public attending the meeting expressed concern that some administrator’s salaries would begin to be drawn from the Building Fund. Skeans explained that had yet to be determined, but even if the board did decide to do that, there would be no net loss of money, as that money spent from the Building Fund would be preserved in the Education Fund. He went on to say that if the construction and outfitting of the new school would be hurt by that action, he would oppose it, but at this time, the building budget had not been set for the new school’s construction. If possible, the district plans to use the Capital Building fund to pay the salary of the Owner’s Representative, but again, no budget had been formally set for the school’s construction.

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As part of the new school’s construction, Skeans announced the drilling of the last six bore holes to be complete. Investigators determined the mines beneath the site of the new school to be 372 feet deep and dry, which the proper stabilizers in place. The old hand-drawn maps proved to be mostly accurate, only off by no more than 10 feet in some places. Certain areas will need to be grouted, but crosshole radar work is slated to be completed by Friday, April 1. The results must then be analyzed, a process that could take four to six weeks. At that point, architects will be able to determine the final footprint of the school that will minimize areas of the mine that will need to be grouted, which is an expensive process.

Supt. Skeans also went on to advise the board and the attending public that after consulting with County Clerk Pete Duncan, the board will not learn the official results of the upcoming school board elections until after Tuesday, April 19 in order to ensure that all absentee ballots have been received and counted. The deadline to finish canvassing and certify the results is Tuesday, April 26. Due to spring break, the board will move up their April meeting to Monday, April 18. As a result, the board will either have to wait until the regularly scheduled May meeting to recertify and reorganize the board, but may be forced to convene a special meeting earlier. Skeans informed the board that as of Monday night’s meeting, he did not know if that meeting would be necessary but would inform the board as soon as that information was available.

In addition, Supt. Skeans informed the board Mark Tebbe had confirmed a donation of approximately $13,000 to The Partnership for Educational Excellence to be used to create an IPad mobile lab at the Elementary School. According to Skeans, the lab would be used to enrich students’ education and provide teaching resources for staff. As part of the agreement for the donation, the school will match funds up to $5,000 to hold an inservice for staff to learn how to use the equipment. Skeans went on to explain he would write a formal letter of thanks to Tebbe for the donation, on behalf of the school district and the board.

During his Principal’s Report, High School Principal Joe Tieman asked the board to consider investigating creating a 30-minute 8th period by shaving four minutes from the other periods and one minute from pass times. This 8th period, which would not extend the school day, would be used to give targeted, intensive tutoring to struggling students. All teachers would be available to tutor students in math, english, and other areas. Sophomore, junior and senior students with a strong grade point average would be able to leave early if they chose, or high-achieving students who carry a full classload could use the time to do homework or study. All freshmen would be required to attend and would not be allowed an early dismissal. The time could be used to address several areas of concern, explained Tieman. For example, the High School has a “huge issue” with students completing homework assignments, said Tieman, going on to explain that once students leave the school, they have no control over the students and their work. In addition, students recovering from extended absences due to illness or other concerns will be able to use the time to catch up on schoolwork and make up exams.

Tieman stressed that he was not asking the board to approve the change, but to allow for the possibility and allow him and his staff to explore the idea further and begin hammering out details and procedures. The Hillsboro and Morrisonville school districts currently have similar programs in place, according to Tieman.

In addition, Tieman highlighted several academic and extracurricular achievements made by GHS students over the last month. These include: a 2nd place finish for the Scholastic Bown at their regional tournament; WYSE students Dallas DeMartini’s 2nd place finish in Math and 3rd in Chemistry while Connor Whitley finished in 2nd in English, qualifying them both for state competition; Makenzie Buckner was named Illinois Principal Association Student of the Year; Brianna Bednar was named winner of the Sons of the American Revolution Outstanding Citizen Award; Future Farmers of America saw six students place at a public speaking competition, including Junior Varsity members Kyle Reid (2nd), Erinn Karlak (2nd), Shelby Heyen (3rd) and Stephanie Hartke (5th) and Varsity seniors Jonathan Griffel (2nd) and Scott Schardan (2nd); three sold out performances out of four of “Guys And Dolls” by the GHS Chorus; three students, Samantha Wasylenko, Loni Manalia, and Jonathan Griffel, named All-Conference Basketball, and 20 students whose artwork is currently on display at the Coffee Xpress cafe in Litchfield.

During her Principal’s Report, Elementary Principal Angela Turcol informed the board the staff would be welcoming Nancy Stewart, author of “One Pelican at a Time” which educates children about the recent Gulf oil spill. In addition to reading the book for the Kindergarten and 1st Grade students, she will also conducting activities for the remaining elementary school students, including a Powerpoint presentation for 4th and 5th Grade students. Turcol went on to announce the Elementary School teachers would be reading “What Great Teachers Do Differently” by Todd Whitaker and would host a book study during their next monthly staff meeting.

In other action, the board voted to rehire the following tenured High School teachers for the 2011-2012 school year: Holley McFarland, High School Physical Education and Health; Mary Kirk, Secondary Campus Media Specialist; Rick Spencer, Welding and Agriculture; Beth Zehr, Business and Computers; Jack Burns, Social Studies and Drafting; Trudy Giaudrone, English; Dennis Tiburzi, Dean of Students; Margaret Fisher, English; Robert Macias, Physical Education and Driver Education; Casey Sholtis, Social Studies; Jennifer Brown, Social Studies and Driver Education; Jeff Nehls, Science; Connie Whitehead, Mathematics and Science; Mark Goldasich, Construction Trades; Mike Sauerhage, Band; Jerry Rosentreter, Art and Communications; Troy Barker, Mathematics and English; Joni Paine, Guidance Counselor; and Michelle Smith, Science.

Also rehired for the 2011-12 school year and given tenure in the High School were: Nicole Stoecker, English; Angela Brink, Secondary Vocal Music; Kadie Benz, High School Mathematics; and Katie Dierkes, Spanish.

Rehired for High School 2011-12 positions were: Don Borgini, Physical Education; Amy Goldasich, English; Kelly Bulla, Resource; and Andy Easton, High School and Middle School Business and Computers.

In the Middle School, the board voted to rehire the following tenured staff for 2011-12: Deb Olsen, 6th grade Science; Casey Willmann, 6th grade Language Arts; Karen White, 6th grade Math; Jarrod Herron, 6th grade Social Studies; Kyle Lamore, 7th grade Science; Stephanie Wilson, 7th grade Language Arts; Mike Bertagnolli, 7th grade Social Studies; Jill Rosentreter, 8th grade Science; Matt Brawner, 8th grade Math; Kim Henderson, 8th grade Social Studies; Jeremy Smith, 8th grade Social Studies; Mike Blotna, Physical Education; and Stephanie Bray, Physical Education.

Also rehired for 2011-12 Middle School positions were: Tammy Garde, Special Education Resource; and Daniel Edgerton, 7th grade Math.

In the Elementary School, the board voted to rehire the following tenured staff for 2011-12: Don Throne, Guidance Counselor; Barb Schmid, 1st Grade; Susan Tiburzi, 1st Grade Title I; Gail Niehaus, Pre-Kindergarten; Gayla Crites, 4th Grade; Kellie Vesper, 2nd Grade; Tracy Petersen, 3rd Grade; Lorraine Strutner, 3rd Grade Title I; Kimberly Link, 2nd Grade Title I; Sharon Schwab, 5th Grade; Jody Dunn, 2nd Grade; Gail McGowan, Special Education; Leanna Sawyer, Music; Melissa Bussmann, 4th Grade; Trasy Hostettler, Kindergarten; Darrick Orban, 3rd Grade; Dana Tieman, Kindergarten Title I; Sharon Wernle, 4th Grade; Lana Odorizzi, Physical Education; Beth Rull, 2nd Grade; Carrie Scott-Palmer, 1st Grade; Kara Saracco, Special Education; Kelly Lyons, 3rd Grade; John Wiemers, Physcial Education; Holly Nejmanowski, Kindergarten; Jennifer Parker, 5th Grade; Anastasia Henderson, 1st Grade; Cate Plovich, 3rd Grade; Amy Price, 1st Grade; Nickie Barrett, 2nd Grade; Jessi Luketich, 1st Grade; Mindy Savant, 2nd Grade; Casey Niehaus, Kindergarten; Karissa Smith, 5th Grade; and Donna Easton, School Nurse.

Also rehired for the 2011-12 school year and given tenure in the Elementary School were: Beth Sies, Speech Language Pathology; and Valerie Barrett, 4th Grade.

Also rehired for the 2011-12 Elementary School Positions were: Marci Johns, 5th Grade; Colleen Favre, 3rd Grade; Celia Jubelt, Kindergarten; Jami Verton, Kindergarten.

The board also accepted the following resignations, effective at the end of the 2011 fiscal year: Nicole Stoecker as High School Student Council Sponsor, Jeremy Smith as Assistant High School Football Coach, Holley McFarland as Assistant High School Volleyball Coach, Adam Schulte as High School Volunteer Assistant Soccer Coach. In addition, the board voted to appoint Joe Kelly as the new High School Volunteer Assistant Soccer Coach, with board member Jenny Alepra voting “present”.

The board also rehired High School coaching staff for the 2011-12 school year, including Girls’ Basketball Head Coach Kevin Gray and Assistant Coach Andy Easton; Boys’ Basketball Head Coach Terry Allan, Assistant Coach Casey Sholtis, and Freshman Coach Dennis Tiburzi; and Cheerleading Head Coach Melissa Bussmann and Volunteer Coach Tabitha Miller.

In addition, the board voted to approve maternity leave for two teachers: Nicole Stoecker from May 9 to 25, and Beth Sies from April 26 to May 25.

The board also voted to “honorably dismiss” the following school aides: Nicole Zenner from the Pre-Kindergarten; Amy Baker, Theresa Carter, Sharon Heyen, and Misty Parker from the Elementary School; Trinity Bray-Jett, and Tim Wargo from the Middle School; and Ella May Roemer and Kathy Wheeler from the High School. At the close of each school year, the board must release any aides. The aides are generally rehired at the beginning of the new school year, depending on available funding.

In other business, the board voted to:

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recognize the full state recognition of all three attendance centers, citing no areas for improvement, continuing a trend of the last several years.

set the next school board meeting a week early, for Tuesday, April 18, to accommodate spring break.

approve the Transportation Safety Check report and send it to the state.

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