Chrisman School Board plans for end of the year
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The Chrisman School District held their monthly meeting on May 12, 2022. The meeting began with approval of the previous meeting minutes that included the E-Learning plan. Treasurer’s Report, along with imprest fund reimbursement in the amount of $4,199.96 was also approved.
Recent events at the Elementary School included Teacher Appreciation Week that took place from May 2nd to 6th. Thank you’s were extended to the PTO for snacks, gift cards and lunch; First Baptist Church for cookies; Knight Insurance for pizza and the district for purchasing pies. Class Color Day was observed on May 11th with PTO providing shirts for the students.
Upcoming events include Lunch on the Lawn on May 13th, Spring Music Concert on May 18th, 5th Grade to the Junior High for 6th grade orientation on May 23rd and Fun Day/ Last Day for Students on May 31st.
Spring extra curricular activities are starting to wrap up. “Spring transportation has been particularly busy since the events leave before our bus routes and drivers get back in the afternoon,” said Principal Kelly Schluter.
MAP Spring Benchmark testing will take place at the elementary school from May 16th to 20th.
Upcoming events at the Junior High/High School include the FCCLA Banquet and Band Lock in on May 13th, On May 17th, the Chrisman FFA will host their annual banquet, High School Honors Day at 1:00 p.m. and Band Concert and Art Show at 6:30 p.m. on May 19th, High School Graduation will be May 22nd at 2:00 p.m., May 23rd will be 6th grade orientation, Bot/Zo Zoo trip will be on May 24th.
8th grade Promotion will be on May 26th at 1:00 p.m., High School Semester Exams will be May 26th to 27th, 8th Graders will take their trip on May 27th, Last day of school will be May 31st. June 1st will be Teacher Institute, June 6th 10th will be the Band Trip to Colorado. June 7th will be the Edgar County All-Hazards Mitigation Plan Public Forum.
Mr. Huber and Mrs. Schluter were able to submit their application on the due date to secure the $630,000 plus grant. “Based off input from staff and community members, we plan on establishing a few key initiatives in the near future,” Huber said.
All of this is subject to change by next fall: After school program for homework help, meals, and SEL building through the Chrisman Ministerial Alliance; Partnering with several groups for SEL professional development, counseling, etc. Such as Hooves of Hope, Edgar County Health Department, Real Life Families, Horizon Health, Challenge Group, IL Extension Office & HRC; Hiring and ELE Counselor; Purchasing SEL curriculum; Mental Health First Aid training and Educator’s Employee Assistance Program counseling for all staff and their families.
The May tax sales revenue for school facilities for the district was $10,961.20, for a continued average of over $10,000 per month. The CEA has provided the district with an initial proposal for the board’s consideration. A counter-proposal has been given.
The total cost for membership in the district to be part of the IESA for the 2022-2023 school year is $1,300. The board approved the membership.
A quote has been received for sanding and refinishing the Junior High gym floor. Another quote that would provide a logo in the center of the floor is also to be received.
At an earlier meeting, Mr. Huber apprised the Board of Education of the new mandate for evaluation plans that puts tenured teachers on a three year evaluation cycle. The Teacher Evaluation Handbook has been updated to reflect that change as well as others. The board approved the revised evaluation.
The board also approved the draft amended fiscal year 2022 budget.
“There were both revenues and expenditures that were not anticipated when the budget was approved last September,” Superintendent Jim Acklin said. The amended draft was approved.
The district recently received an updated three year agreement from Bushue Human Resources to continue to provide human resource, safety and insurance consulting on a retainer basis. The annual cost for the next three years is $6,180, $6,240 and $6,300. The board approved the agreement as presented.
The budget approved in the September for the Fiscal Year 2022 included a transfer of $31,159 from the Working Cash Fund to the Education Fund.
Acklin recommended the approval of the transfer of $31,077.82 from the Working Cash Fun to the Building Fund, rather than to the Education Fund as previously stated.
A quote was received for air conditioning the multi-purpose space in the elementary building in the amount of $29,630.
New textbooks are needed for Algebra II due to being in the rotation schedule. The total cost for the books comes to $4,178.48. The board approved the purchase plan.
A quote from QNS was received in regard to picking up more tech support that would enable the district to separate the business teacher position from the tech coordination position. The proposed new annual service rate represents an increase of $19,767 over the current rate.
A quote was also received from Midwest Transit for a three year lease on a 2008, forty-seven passenger bus. “In talking with Kelly and Chad, it is apparent that we could use a reliable spare bus in out fleet,” Acklin said.
Mrs. Schluter also presented to the board to consider ending the lease of two of the elementary classrooms with the Head Start Program in order to gain more space for the Preschool program.
“We are currently receiving $9,000 annual from the Head Start program for the lease of these two classrooms, but Mrs. Schluter believes we could get by with one less aide if the Preschool class had a space with an integrated bathroom,” Acklin said.
The earliest that this would change would be for the 2023-2024 school year.
