I. Call to Order - 6:02 p.m.

II. Roll Call - All members present and on time.

III. Examples of Excellence - None

IV. Recognition of Guests/Comments From Public And Employees - None.

V. Approval of Previous Minutes - Motion made, seconded, and passed.

1. Regular Minutes of June 18, 2009
2. Closed Session Minutes of June 18, 2009
3. Special Meeting Minutes of June 25, 2009
4. Closed Session Minutes of June 25, 2009

VI. Approval of Agendas - Motion made, seconded, and passed.

• Regular Meeting
• Closed Meeting

VII. Approval of Treasurer's Report - Superintendent Swopes read the highlights. Motion made, seconded, and passed.

VIII. Approval of Payment of Bills/Payroll - There was a discussion of a few items. One item in particular drew the BOE's attention and displeasure. That item was a bill from Trinity Propane Gas in the amount of $1,385.25..."Pick-Up/Rental Fee of Propane Tank". In response to questions, Superintendent Swopes indicated that the tank was for use in the greenhouse...prior to his time. Evidently, no previous billing took place and the company simply presented a lump sum bill upon removal. The BOE asked that the Superintendent follow-up on this item and that it NOT be included in their motion to approve payment of bills/payroll. A motion was made, seconded, and passed.

(Incidentally, there was also discussion on the point of origin for payment of mileage on workshops...should it be Cairo or should it be the residence of the employee. BOE Member Coleman indicated that in her experience, the point of origin was always Cairo. Superintendent Swopes indicated that he would check into it...that whatever was done "should have followed past practice." Further discussion revealed that "Cairo" WAS in fact the point of origin for the school year, but that during the summer months the employee's residence was used.)

IX. Informational

1. Southern Seven Health Department - An information page on the availability of flu shots.
2. Joint Annual Conference - Chicago, IL - 2009 - Superintendent Swopes told the BOE that he told his secretary to go ahead and make the reservations. Apparently, there was some dissatisfaction with the hotel, but the Superintendent stated that he did not think looking elsewhere would produce better accommodations. (Heck, I've got an idea! The BOE has been housing the Superintendent for the past year...shouldn't he invite them to stay at his crib. They could divvy up the money they saved on hotel rooms...think of all the food that would buy!!!)
3. National Research Center For College & University Admissions - Handout in packet. (Did not get much out of this...it seemed that he/they were reading it and trying to explain it at the same time.)
4. The Superintendent told the BOE that they needed to look at some dates for negotiations with the custodians, whether they wanted to continue with the same team, to think about it...
5. The Superintendent reminded the BOE of the hazardous chemical stored in the maintenance shed behind CJSHS and the need to remove same. He indicated that the first offer for removal was $7000, but that he had found another reputable party to perform the service for $4995.
6. The Superintendent reported that the "Bicycle for America" held this past weekend had gone well (the participants using the facilities at CJSHS.)
7. The Superintendent informed the BOE that he would be asking them later in the meeting to approve an interfund loan from the Education Fund to the Transportation Fund.

8. Checks Deposited - District Account

   $200,052.75 - ARRA General State Aid - May 1st Payment
   32,606.60 - Alexander County - Redemption Fund
   200,052.61 - ARRA General State Aid - May 2nd Payment
   1,695.00 - Title VI- Rural Education
   3,772.00 - Title I Low Income
   712.00 - Safe & Drug Free Schools
   15,904.00 - Title II Teacher Quality
   2,230.76 - Share Payment From FEMA - IL Ice Storm
   40,830.00 - Title II Teacher Quality
   1,474.47 - Driver Education
   1,695.00 - Title VI Rural Education
   102,178.00 - Title I Low Income
   17,462.37 - JAMP - Student Lunches
   12,053.10 - Hinz Claim Management - Agreed Replacement Cost Roof Repairs - Central Office
   8,817.00 - TAP Grant Payment
   32,262.83 - Special Ed. Personnel
   21,793.02 - Federal Lunch
   12,189.67 - Federal Breakfast
   7,856.25 - Shawnee College - Lease Payment
   300.00 - Sale of 1986 District Truck for Salvage Parts
   650.44 - Alexander County Mobile Home Tax
   50.00 - First Student Transit - Rent
   5,309.00 - TAP Grant Payment
   28,377.72 - Special Ed. Extraordinary
   39,894.63 - Regular Transportation
   13,087.93 - Special Education Transportation
   6,003.00 - Early Childhood Block Grant

X. Closed Session - The BOE voted to enter closed session at 6:25 p.m. The BOE voted to exit closed session at 8:33 p.m.

XI. Requiring Action/Decisions By Board of Education

1. Personnel employment, resignation, release, discipline, or compensation.
   a. Accept Resignation of Shavonna Shipley as Accounting and Financial Supervisor (Dang...last month's "Examples of Excellence" done flew the coup! Does that mean we are only ordinary now? MEOW!) - Motion made, seconded, and passed.
2. Contracted Services For Bookkeeping - A motion was made, seconded, and passed to employ the services of Shavonna Shipley until such time that her vacancy was filled.
3. Approve Job Description of Assistant Principal (And the BOE/FOP said we were broke...Superintendent Swopes said we would all have to tighten our belts! Lies, lies, damnable lies!) A motion was made, seconded, and passed to approve the job description in the salary range discussed in closed session.
4. A motion was made, seconded, and passed to hire Zena Madison as Assistant Principal at CJSHS.
5. A motion was made, seconded, and passed to hire (David) Mark McClintock as Principal at CJSHS in the salary range discussed in closed session.

   ---

   I italicized/emphasized "in the salary range discussed in closed session" because the Superintendent and the BOE members made such a big production out of it...clearing throats, making comments, insuring that the salary figures were not mentioned.

   I don't know why folks play these games. If you really want to keep a secret, then stop figuratively waving your arms trying to get the audience's attention. Just make your motion, vote, and move on. If they hadn't made a big deal out of it, nobody (except I, of course) would have even noticed. Actually, my only thought when they broached the phrase the first time was "Hey, it's public record. All a person has to do is send a written request under the Freedom of Information Act to the Central Office asking for the salary amounts and they have to give them to you!"

   How do you think CAT got a copy of the Superintendent's contract?!

   Oh, well...whatever floats their boat!

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6. A motion was made, seconded, and passed to hold a Special Meeting on Tuesday, July 28, 2009, at 5 p.m. for the purposes of personnel and approval of student handbook.
7. A motion was made, seconded, and passed to approve an interfund loan from the Education Fund to the Transportation Fund in the amount of $33,500. (Apparently, expected transportation funds are late in arriving.)

XII. Other

XIII. Old Business