Chrisman School Board reviews policy changes
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The Chrisman School Board met on December 13th. The meeting began with the approval of the previous meeting minutes, treasurer’s report and imprest fund reimbursement in the amount of $4,621.08.
Recent and upcoming events at the Chrisman Elementary School was provided by Principal Kelly Schluter. December 1st was mismatch day and the students were able to have reindeer day on December 9th, thanks to the Chrisman PTO. Good behavior parties took place on December 15th through 17th. December 17th was also the students holiday parties. Christmas break will be December 20th through January 3rd.
Snow Route information has been posted and sent home with elementary students that ride the bus. The district is still looking for sub bus drivers and drivers for extracurricular activities. Winter MAP testing was done December 6th to 10th for the elementary school. At the time of the meeting, only one student was quarantined.
For the Junior High/High School, semester exams for the high school took place December 16th and 17th. The JH Boys Hardwood Classic tournament will take place on January 8th, 10th and 12th. At the time of the meeting, sixteen junior high students were quarantined and one high school student.
Mr. Huber, along with Ms. Pillen would like to offer the students a new course next year, an EMT class through the Eastern Illinois Education For Employment Services or EIEFES that will be taught at Paris High School in the mornings.
Students would get dual credit through Lake Land College and can take a test to get their EMT license at the end of the class. Students would provide their own transportation, similar to ECCEL, Health Occ or Co-Op.
Right now, the expense for the class would be $700 per student. Huber and Pillen proposed asking the school board to pick up part of the cost so more students can afford this cost. Health Occ students pay $200 for their course. Huber recommended that the board also cover two hundred dollars of the total cost. “We plan to put this on the January meeting as an agenda item for your consideration,” Huber said.
Huber also stated that he would like to meet with the Facilities Committee sometime soon do discuss what might be on a ‘wish list’ for the district to put into the country Risk Mitigation Plan. In order to qualify for potential grant funding down the line, Huber wanted to submit a list of possible projects that the district would like to move forward with. “We have no obligation to move forward with these projects should funding never come about,” Huber said.
Some examples from other schools have put on their plan include emergency backup generators, shatter proof glass, ground systems, flood proofing, improving water runoff areas, tornado shelters, heating rooms, cooling rooms, along with other projects.
For the Superintendents Report, the December sales tax revenue for the school facilities in the district was $12,394.89. The district is currently averaging over $10,000 per month. The accumulated amount in Fund 60 that is currently available for projects is $317,210.91.
Phase one of the elementary building window replacement project is complete with minimum disruption resulting in the classrooms that received new windows. Phase two is scheduled for late spring/early summer of 2022. “We are currently gathering quotes for new window shades. Stay tuned,” Superintendent Acklin said.
The total levy extension request for 2022 represents an increase over the 2021 extension of 4.99%. The average increase over the last five years is 3.82%. Even with the increase, the board accepted the recommended approval of the final levy as presented. Mr. Huber had an updated ESSER III budget for the board to consider.
The TRS Supplemental Savings Plan requires all school districts to adopt a supplemental savings plan that will go into effect in January 2022. This plan will allow employees a vehicle in which to contribute supplemental savings, but does not require the district to match contributions.
Mr. Huber had secured quotes for additional window signage at both the elementary building and the junior high/high school building.
The cost of the signage is $6,453 and would qualify as either a Fund 20 or Fund 60 purchase. Mr. Acklin has spoken with representatives from First Midstate about the next step in the process regarding the sale of bonds. If it’s an option that the board would like to pursue, they would need to get the ball rolling by the January meeting in order to have time for the bidding process for an early summer parking lot project.
The Annual School Improvement Plan must be submitted annually to the ISBE. The plan includes information on planning team members, the Continuous Improvement Process and Goals and Strategies for improvement.
The district recently received a quote from Becktech to install six security cameras and the supporting hardware for a total of $6,243.52. This expenditure qualifies for federal COVID money because the cameras can be used for contact tracing. The board approved the expenditure.
The elementary school classrooms have had an epoxy type floor covering installed that is holding up well in all but the fourth grade classroom. The district received a quote from White’s Enterprises to replace the flooring at a cost of $7,200. The seniors are planning to take their annual trip to Tampa, Florida from April 29th to May 2nd.
The district recently received draft board policy from PRESS. The updates reflect the changes in law or school code or have had legal references updated or are due for a five year review. The following draft policies will receive a first reading: 2:20 Powers and Duties of the School Board; 2:105 Ethics and Gift Ban; 2:110 Qualifications, Term and Duties of Board Officers; 2:120 Board Member Development; 2:20 School Board Meeting Procedure; 2:260 Uniform Grievance Procedure; 3:40 Superintendent; 3:50 Administrative Personnel Other than the Superintendent; 3:60 Administrative Responsibility of the Building Principal; 4:60 Purchases and Contracts; 4:160 Environmental Quality of Buildings and Grounds; 4:170 Safety.
4:175 Convicted Child Sex Offender Screening and Notification; 5:10 Equal Employment Opportunity and Minority Recruitment; 5:20 Workplace Harassment Prohibited; 5:30 Hiring Process and Criteria; 5:50 Drug and Alcohol Free Workplace; 5:90 Abused and Neglected Child Reporting; 5:100 Staff Development Program; 5:120 Employee Ethics, Conduct and Conflict of Interest.
5:125 Personal Technology and Social Media; 5:150 Personnel Records; 5:185 Family and Medical Leave; 5:200 Terms and Conditions of Employment and Dismissal; 5:220 Substitute Teachers; 5:250 Leaves of Absence; 5:330 Sick Days, Vacation, Holiday and Leaves.
6:15 School Accountability; 6:20 School Year Calendar and Day; 6:50 School Wellness; 6:60 Curriculum Content; 6:120 Education of Children with Disabilities; 6:135 Accelerated Placement Program; 6:300 Graduation Requirements; 6:340 Student Testing and Assessment Program; 7:10 Equal Education Opportunities; 7:20 Harassment of Students Prohibited; 7:60 Residence; 7:70 Attendance and Truancy; 7:80 Release Time for Religious Instruction/Observance.
7:150 Agency and Police Interviews; 7:160 Student Appearance; 7:180 Prevention of and Response to Bullying; 7:190 Student Behavior; 7:200 Suspension Procedures; 7:210 Expulsion Procedures; 7:240 Conduct Code for Participants in Extracurricular Activities; 7:250 Student Support Services; 7:260 Exemption from Physical Education; 7:290 Suicide and Depression Awareness and Prevention.
7:310 Restrictions on Publications- Elementary Schools; 7:315- Restrictions on Publications- High Schools; 7:340 Student Records; 7:345 Use of Educational Technologies- Student Data Privacy and Security; 4:120 Food Services; 7:30 Student Assignment; 8:100 Relations with Other Organizations and Agencies; 4:165 Awareness and Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse and Grooming Behaviors.
The Toyota van that has been used for Special Ed Transportation has over 200,000 miles and needs maintenance along with other issues. There are two recalls over two years that are still outstanding. It will be taken to the Toyota Dealership over Christmas break for a more thorough appraisal.
Additionally, the Ford Van that is used for Driver Education and may be nearing the end of its useful life. It is a 2003 model with about 125,000 miles and has maintenance issues typical of a nearly twenty year old vehicle with over 100,000 miles.
The options as replacements for the board to consider are a 1995 Chevy Truck that runs well (rebuilt motor recently installed), but needs some front end work as well as transmission work in order for it to continue to be used long term.
The district is also dealing with the 1997 Ford van that was formerly used for food service and the 1998 GMC 47 capacity bus not being in use. The board authorized the sell of the vehicles.
