Board Minutes - February 13, 2012
by Connie Linney
February 15, 2012
MINUTES
BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
February 13, 2012
The Pekin Community School Board met in regular session on February 13, 2012, at 6:00 p.m. in the board room/media center of the Pekin Community Schools. Board members present were: Coleman, Copeland, Davis, Millikin, Van Voorst, and Wittrock. Absent: Winn. Also present were: Kathy Waters, Jody Van Der Horst, Jina Heisdorffer, Bryan Marlay, Tim Hadley, David Hollingsworth, Janice Dix, Bryan Babcock, Jeff Eeling, Laurie Bennett, Nathan, Superintendent Dotson and Connie Linney.
President Van Voorst called the meeting to order and acknowledged a quorum.
Copeland added update on wrestling to the agenda.
Millikin moved to approve the January 9, 2012 board minutes. Davis seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Copeland moved to approve the general bills in the amount of $138,500.30; management bills –$813.00; SILO bills - $885.49; PPEL bills - $5,958.00; activity bills – $17,719.56; hot lunch bills – $16,579.45. Wittrock seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Dotson addressed the wrestling program stating that we are just in the very early stages of discussing sharing the program with a neighboring district.
Millikin moved to approve the early retirement of Clarence (Inky) Garrels on July 31, 2012 and allow him the non-certified retirement package of $150 per year of service plus $150 per month toward insurance for 36 months. Davis seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Jina Heisdorffer, Kathy Waters and Jody Van Der Horst gave a presentation on the use of the new iPads in their classrooms.
Coleman moved to approve moving the April 18th in-service to April 11. The teachers will be going to Des Moines on that day for a 1:1 Conference. Wittrock seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Lynn Winn arrived. The time was 6:33 p.m.
Mr. Marlay discussed briefly with the board his thoughts on the early retirement policy. The policy as presented allows $500 per year of service to the retiree plus an additional $250 per month for 60 months (or until the retiree reaches age 65) toward their insurance. The money would be paid out over a 5-year period and deposited in a HRA to be used toward medical expenses. Wittrock moved to approve the Early Retirement Policy Code No. 403.5 as presented. Copeland seconded. Copeland, Davis, Millikin, Van Voorst and Wittrock moved to approve the plan. Winn abstained. Coleman voted no. The motion carried.
Millikin moved to approve a resolution adopting the redistricting plan as presented with five director districts and seven directors. Winn seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Ms. Bennett spoke to the board on the February 6 professional development day. She discussed gradual release, content goal and modeling. The next professional development day will be spent at Cardinal Community School District.
Mr. Eeling discussed projects that the TAG students are doing, the academic fair and the start of high school study table each Wednesday afternoon. He also stated that Pekin won a Smart Board and an iPad from Hy-Vee. Heather Scharff was the one who nominated Pekin and so her niece Emily Hadley was awarded the iPad. The Smart Board will be installed in the highs school music room. He also stated that bus inspection is February 16th and there is a middle school dance on March 24th.
Mr. Wood addressed the board. He spoke on: the start of high school study hall; allowing the use of cell phones for texting during lunch; Iowa Testing Goals; Special Ed site visit; Gradual Release; Modeling; donation of IMS basketball gate to Ralph Conger; Coaches vs Cancer game to be at Pekin next year; winter sports pep rally; the success of our speech program; IHCC here to discuss Keokuk County Career Academy; and Parent/Teacher Conferences.
Mr. Wood reported for Mr. Donovan that Pekin wrestling team qualified two wrestlers for the state tournament – Thomas Slaney and Aaron King. Branden Baayen was recognized by the IHSAA with a certificate of sportsmanship and character for his efforts when he wrestled Zane Morrow from WACO. This recognition nominates him for a chance of receiving a national award. Wanda Rex is being honored by the Iowa Cheerleaders’ Association as the South East Iowa Cheer Coach of the year and will receive her award in Ames on April 13th at the Spring Conference. Trey Sathoff was awarded for his efforts in basketball as a candidate for the McDonalds All-Star game. The high school girls’ basketball season ended with 14 wins and 7 losses and a third place finish in the conference. The JV girls ended their season with 15 wins and 6 losses. The high school boys ended their regular season play with 16 winds and 5 losses with a fourth place finish in the conference. They will start the post season with a first round game here at Pekin February 16th at 7 p.m. The JV boys ended their season with 19 wins and 2 losses. It was also stated that the football team donated $350 from their fundraising for some new NFL books in the library.
Mr. Babcock reported on computer repairs over the past month.
Winn moved to adjourn the meeting. Copeland seconded. The motion carried unanimously. The time was 7:41 p.m.
Reports and documents and the full text of motions, resolutions, or policies considered by the Board at this meeting are on file in the Board Secretary’s office, 695-3707, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Connie Linney
Board Secretary
