As the clock struck 7:00pm, CUSD #7 returned to open session. First on the agenda, under personnel certificated, was to approve maternity leave for Benld Elementary instructor Marci Johns. Motion made by Dobrino, seconded by Griffel, the council voted 7-0 to approve maternity leave from September 26, 2011 to December 15, 2011 for Mrs. Johns.

With no open action under legal and students, the council moved to the consent agenda. With a motion made by Carter, seconded by Schmidt, the council voted 7-0 to approve regular and executive session minutes dated from July 25, 2011 and special meeting minutes dated from July 20, 2011. In further action, all August bills were approved for payment on a motion made by Bernot, seconded by Dobrino.”In that $296,000 of the educational fund, $274,000 goes to special education,” Dobrino stated. Skeans went on to clarify that those figures are just from one quarter, there will be three more quarters to come.

Superintendent Paul Skeans then addressed the council. Skeans advised the council to schedule another meeting to discuss the 5 year plan. “It does take a bit of time to work through it,” Skeans mentioned. The 5 year plan meeting will be an open meeting, for planning purposes only. The meeting is strictly for discussion. With that slated, there will be no action taken. “I would like to get another plan in case, it is our vision to where our district will go in 5 years,” Skeans went on to say. The last three 5 year plans have only lasted 2 or 3 years at the most because they have been completed so quickly. Skeans then turned it over to the Administrators to update the council on school action:

1. Mr. Tiburzi gave insight on the high school:

• The band meet and great was very well attended by parents and students. Simon, the new band director, discussed his plans for the upcoming school year.
• Numerous faculty members finalized plans for “8th period” August 8-11.
• Freshmen orientation was a popular event, well attended by students and parents.
• Mr. Barker, high school math teacher, obtained algebra II and pre-calculus textbooks from SIUE to use as instruments in class.
• All fall sports began practice on August 10, initial numbers are as follows: Football – 60, Volleyball – 24, Cross County – 12, and Soccer – 11.
• The high school football soap scrimmage is set for this Friday, August 19.

2. Lori Emmons updated the council on Gillespie Middle School:

• 6th grade orientation was held and 30 students attended with a parent. Overall, a successful event.
• Most students registered on time, but there are a few still signing up late. As of today, 14 students are new to the district and 8 moved out of the district. These number will continue to fluctuate.
• Boys baseball has started and they won their first game August 15, against Southwestern.

3. Angela Turcol gave news on Benld Elemtary:

• 25 staff members attened the Michael Heggerty writing workshop. The workshop is free to the district. The focus point is develop the writing program over the past year and change it to core standards.
• All Pre-K classes are filled and a waiting list has been started. Classes are set to begin August 26.
• iPad training for teacher in grades 4-6 is scheduled for August 16. 16 teachers are scheduled to attend as the workshop will focus on how to operate the iPad.

Assistant Superintendent Joe Tieman updated the council on the food service and senate bill #7. The school has received information that is 40% or more of the population receive free lunch, then the school is able to apply for a grant to provide free lunch to all the students. This plan would feed all students for free and maybe gain funds in the process. The middle school and elementary school in CUSD #7 were high enough to apply for this grant, but the high school was not. Tieman applied for this grant on August 15, but it is just in the application process now. “It is possible in the future for students K-8, regardless of economic status, may eat for nothing,” Tieman said, “This will be no charge to parents, at all.” CUSD #7 is approaching 70% district wide with students who receive a free lunch. Senate bill #7 pertains to the teacher evaluation and principal evaluation. Both plans must have student growth on them. The bill plays a big roll on the RIF process. The teachers will be grouped in ratings and that rating will dictate how the teacher is called back. This bill will make the teacher evaluations more powerful as well as become the focal point for employment.

Moving on to old business, Hyde updated the board on the upcoming school. Ranger is about 40% done, with one small hiccup – the soil is more damp than what he would like it to be. Ranger’s work is set to be complete by the end of August and then the mine grouting work will proceed. Bids will go out for structural steel and foundation work in mid-September. The foundation work should begin as soon as the mine-grouting is complete. In other business, Bernot motioned to approve 2nd reading and adopt press plus policy issue #76.

In new business, Alepra motioned to place FSY 2012 budget on review in the district administrative office for 30 days.

Meeting was adjourned at 7:35pm.

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