VI. Approval of Agendas - Superintendent Swopes indicated that two items needed to be added to the agenda for the regular meeting. One was the acceptance of gifts; the other concerned the hiring of an employee (that did not happen.) A motion was made, seconded, and passed to approve the agendas as amended.

• Regular Meeting
• Closed Meeting

VII. Approval of Treasurer's Report - Superintendent Swopes read the totals into the record. A motion was made, seconded, and passed to approve the Treasurer's Report.

VIII. Approval of Payment of Bills/Payroll - Without question, a motion was made, seconded, and passed to approve payment of bills/payroll. (I won't "question" either, because I KNOW the answer to a $39,115.37 billing for October. However, I must do a LOT of counting before I dare comment...my self-imposed holiday cease fire and all!!! Stay tuned...)

IX. Informational

1. Presentation (ESG) - District Reorganization Planning. This is a "concept" to shut down Bennett Elementary and the Central Office at the end of this year, build a new elementary school (without the need of a tax referendum since the $5 million building would be constructed out of "energy/operation savings" over a 15- or 20-year period, and shut down Emerson Elementary at the end of the next school year. Pre-school would be housed in trailers beginning next year. (A booklet was presented providing more details of the "concept". I will post a separate CAT Tracks tomorrow providing more details of the "concept", which will be presented to the FOP at its 12:30 p.m. meeting tomorrow/Friday.)
2. Thank You Card From The Barber/Jackson Family.
3. Other - Superintendent Swopes informed the BOE that CJSHS Teacher Ryan O'Shea had received a $500 Touchstone Grant from the Southern Illinois Electrical Co-Op. Mr. O'Shea then took it upon himself to challenge Cairo Public Utility to match the grant...which they did! So, another $1,000 brought into the District by Mr. O'Shea's efforts. Superintendent Swopes applauded Mr. O'Shea for his "diligence" and for "looking out for children".
4. Checks Deposited - District Account

   $1,458.85 - Power Failure - Bennett School - Hinz Claim Management, Inc.
   1,128.35 - Healthcare & Family Services (TAMES)
   190,314.92 - State Aid - Oct. - 1st payment
   321.00 - Fresh Fruits & Veg. Grant
   190,314.92 - State Aid - Oct. - 2nd payment
   503.84 - Fresh Fruits & Veg. Grant
   20,940.52 - Federal Lunch
   11,884.68 - Federal Breakfast
   1,048.55 - State Lunch
   50.00 - First Student Transit - Rent

X. Closed Session - The BOE voted to enter closed session at 7:02 p.m. The BOE voted to exit closed session at 8:39 p.m.

XI. Requiring Action/Decisions By Board of Education

1. Personnel employment, resignation, release, discipline, or compensation.

   a. Hire Teachers/Sub Teachers/Aides - TAOEP After School Tutoring - Per Attached List - A motion was made, seconded, and passed. (Sorry, forget to get the list!)

   b. Action regarding possible discipline/termination of a District employee. Skipped without comment. (The BOE did schedule a Special Meeting for December 22nd for "taking action on personnel". Whether this is related or not, I do not know.)

2. Securitas Solutions - Security Firm - Enter Into Three Year Contract - A motion was made, seconded, and passed. (Hey, the fifth time is the charm!!!)

3. Place on First Reading - Board Policy Manual Updates - A motion was made, seconded, and passed.
4. Approval of Tax Levy - A motion was made, seconded, and passed..."to approve what was in the BOE packet and discussed in closed session." (I'm just a lowly taxpayer, but I still believe it to be "tacky" not to discuss/announce tax rates at a public meeting! However, in keeping with "the season"...I did not raise objection.)

5. Approve Accepting IBM Corporate Community Cash Grant 0 $1,000 Cairo Jr/Sr High School - Zena Madison. A motion was made, seconded, and passed.

6. Beta Club Request - Regarding Illinois Beta convention in Springfield - After a discussion of how much money to commit, the consensus was that the BOE would contribute what was remaining of the cost of attending up to $2,000. A motion was made, seconded, and passed.

7. Approve District Reorganization Plan (Tentative - F.O.P.) - Skipped without comment.

8. Accept $500 Gifts From Southern Illinois Electrical Co-Op and Cairo Public Utility. A motion was made, seconded, and passed.

9. Correct the Salary Placement of Keith Campbell - A motion was made, seconded, and passed.

XII. Other - A Special Meeting was set for Tuesday, December 22nd, at 5 p.m. for the purpose of taking action on personnel.

XIII. Old Business - None.