1. Construction Grant - District Architect Dave Mevert gave a report (in the absence of Bonding Agent Kevin Wills) on the projected maximum bonding power of the District due to its previously expressed interest NOT to touch its "cash on hand" (the $2,994,059.85 nest egg currently sitting in the First National Bank in Cairo. See the CSD #1 Treasurer's Report for October below.) The current estimate is that the District could sell bonds in the amount of $938,724 based upon an Equalized Assess Value (EAV) of $15,171,911. This would allow the District to "cover" the proposed addition of 8 classrooms to Cairo Elementary as well as a new boiler for the building. Other funding scenarios were discussed that might enable the District to install new windows at CE as well as a new roof. (Another "hopeful note" was struck later by Justin Miller when he made his tax levy report...indicating that the District had been provided with a revised - HIGHER - EAV of $16,286,000 for the current year. This higher amount is due to the application of a multiplier, but is still tentative. I could get catty and opine that this was prior to the recent rash of fires in Cairo, but I won't, I won't, the hell I won't!) The "downside" of the alternate funding scenarios are that they would push back the beginning date of the construction project...to a Summer/Fall 2011 start.

2. The Superintendent informed the BOE Members that the induction of new members to the Beta Club would be held on November 29th at 6 p.m. in the CJSHS Library.

3. Letter of Appreciation For School Board Member Day - Evidently this was the prompt for the CJSHS Marquee "Thank A School Board Member Today" message reported in "CATTY" Tracks over the weekend...the "day" being November 13th. Superintendent Swopes gave the BOE Members a suitable "shout out"...

4. Superintendent Swopes added acknowledgment of "American Education Week" to his praise of the School Board Members.

5. Expense Vouchers Documentation - Admin. - Superintendent Swopes indicated that this was not a "crippling" item, but a concern...that people do not reconcile things like food allowances. He indicated that he wanted "guidance" (or policy) from the BOE so that decisions would NOT simply be "the world according to Swopes". (Now THIS is a concept that I actually agree with!!!)

6. Principal Evaluation Forms(s) - Evidently Superintendent Swopes is not satisfied with the current form for his evaluation of principals. He presented the BOE with an alternative evaluation form that he had obtained from the Regional Office of Education and asked that they review it before the December meeting for discussion and possible adoption.

7. Title I Audit - Dec. 1, 2010 - Simply a "heads up".

8. ROE Compliance Visit: Jan. 19, 2011 - Another "heads up"...that the ROE will be looking at personnel files and life-safety issues.

9. Tax Levy - The Superintendent asked Justin Miller to make a presentation to the BOE. Mr. Miller presented the BOE with a handout. It was during this time that Justin informed the BOE of the tentative increase in the EAV from the $15 million figure to the $16 million figure. The handout listed the tax rates for the various levies. The increase in the total levy was kept below the 5% cap. Mr. Miller concluded his remarks by stating that the levy had to filed by the last Tuesday in December.

10. Wilma Carter - Apparently she had asked to be on the agenda for the purpose of making an offer to purchase the old Bennett Elementary building. However, she was not present. Superintendent Swopes took this occasion to discuss other issues related to the Bennett building. Pastor Jimmie Ellis had presented a proposal to purchase certain items. Discussions among the Superintendent and BOE members indicated that before any sale of items took place, that an inventory of items would have to be made, the items would have to be declared "surplus" by the BOE, and then the sale of said items publicized to all. Following this discussion, Superintendent Swopes reported to the BOE on measures being taken to "close" the building...boarding doors and windows to prevent vandalism and break-in, keeping phone lines for alarms and security, winterizing water pipes, etc. Superintendent Swopes reported that approximately $30,000 was being spent on the closure process.

11. Checks Deposited - District Account

    $185,188.09 - State Aid - Sept. - 1st Payment
    2,618.75 - Lease Payment - CCEC Classrooms - Shawnee College
    1,764.59 - State Lunch
    23,544.82 - Federal Lunch
    12,994.08 - Federal Breakfast
    277,276.00 - ARRA - Education Jobs Fund
    116.85 - Fresh Fruits & Veg. Grant
    185,188.09 - State Aid - Sept. - 2nd Payment
    43,625.37 - Spec. Ed. Personnel
    1,426.60 - Fresh Fruits & Veg. Grant
    1,000.00 - Ryan O'Shea - Received Grant - Operation Teen Safe Driving Grant
    12,539.00 - Title II Teacher Quality
    50.00 - First Student Transit - Rent

X. Closed Session - The BOE voted to enter closed session at 6:58 p.m. The BOE voted to exit closed session at 7:38 p.m.

XI. Requiring Action/Decisions By Board of Education

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

   a. Employ Cheryl Arington - Math Auto Skills Interventionist - Part-Time - Cairo Elementary School - Retroactive to October 21, 2010 - Motion made, seconded, and passed.

   b. Employ Richard McBride - As Boys Freshman Basketball Coach - Motion made, seconded, and passed.

2. Approve 2010 Tax Levy - Motion made, seconded, and passed.

3. Approve Board Policy Manual Updates (which were placed "on reading" at the October meeting) - Motion made, seconded, and passed.

4. Travel Expense Voucher - Administrators - Skipped without comment.

5. Principal's Job Description - Skipped without comment.

6. Principal's Evaluation Tool(s) - Skipped without comment.

7. Place Board Policies On Reading - Motion made, seconded, and passed.

8. Authorize the Superintendent to pursue an Energy Assistance Grant from ISBE - Motion made, seconded, and passed.

9. Authorize the Superintendent and the District Maintenance Department to develop a list of surplus items - Motion made, seconded, and passed.

10. Authorize the Superintendent to pursue the employment of additional security for Pre-School at CCEC.

XII. Other - None.

XIII. Old Business - None.