Guess CAT can't really cry FOUL. Madam CAT President (and the other District union leaders) did get a memo (dated March 22nd but received much later) from Superintendent Swopes about the meeting (topic and time).

The March 22nd memo even stated "If you have any questions, comments or suggestions regarding this proposed reduction in force, please contact me prior to the special meeting." In response, CAT filed an official "Demand to Bargain" the impact of the announced Reduction in Force. (Date and time to be determined mutually.)

But, a public hearing?

News to us...

Anyway...

The Public Hearing:

The meeting was called to order at 6 p.m. with Coleman, McBride, Brown, Gooden, and Burris answering roll.

One "public" was on hand and prepared to offer "Testimony/Comments". (I started here on the "agenda" because there was no "II. Review Staff Records/Reduction In Force List". Superintendent Swopes did make general mention of the need to release 20 employees due to declining enrollment and the failure of the state to make timely payments...thus "public meetings", so that the public would know.)

Tonight, the "public" was Harry Lee Williams, a long-time supporter of the District. Mr. Williams' appeal was specifically for the continuation of the District's Band program. Mr. Williams informed the BOE that he had been working with the District's band director in repairing musical instruments and carrying cases....for free. Mr. Williams promised to continue doing that (and anything else he could) in an effort to reduce the District's costs and hopefully enable it to retain the program.

That was it for "public" testimony. (It should probably be noted that there were others in attendance at this "public hearing" (namely a handful of current employees, former employees, and scheduled-to-be former employees.)

A motion was made, seconded, and passed to adjourn the public hearing at 6:08 p.m.

We did a "break in place" while awaiting the scheduled beginning time for the Special Meeting.

The Special Meeting was called to order at 6:15 p.m. with Coleman, Harris (who had arrived at 6:09 p.m.), McBride, Brown, Gooden, and Burris answering roll.

In response to the "Recognition and Comments from Employees and Public", CE teacher and parent/chaperone Angela Coleman reported to the BOE on the CHS Beta Club's participation in IL Beta Club Convention held on March 14-15, thanking the BOE for their support.

Superintendent Swopes had no changes in the agenda for tonight's special meeting, so it was adopted "as is".

The BOE voted to enter closed session at 6:18 p.m. The BOE voted to exit closed session at 7:05 p.m.

And here is where things got really strange...

When the Superintendent offered recommendations to (again) release the teachers who had been released by the BOE at its May 17th meeting and "seconded" by the FOP at its May 28th meeting...well, a fog seemed to descend upon the room.

There were a mixture of ayes and nays. In fact, one of the teachers who had been fired on March 17th (and seconded by the FOP Monday) failed to be fired (the first time around) Tuesday night. The teacher did not get rehired, it's just the the vote to fire was 3-3...which means it failed.

With puzzled looks all around, the BOE moved on. When a succeeding vote was barely successful (3-2 to fire with one "pass"), the puzzled looks and comments increased. After a lull in the voting and "unofficial" discussion among the BOE members...

...a motion was made, seconded, and passed to re-enter closed session at 7:15 p.m. The BOE voted to re-exit closed session at 7:30 p.m.

This time they were ready!

Superintendent Swopes "backed it up" and recommended that the BOE "not renew" (fire) the teacher who had been fired on March 17th, seconded by the FOP on March 28th, but failed to re-fire, what 20 minutes earlier. By this time, my head was foggy, but, I think the vote changed from 3-3 to unanimous...to "not renew".

The remainder of the firings proceeded without incident...unanimous to terminate employment...some with recall rights, some without. (I think there might have been an "abstain" on one of the noncertified employees.)

Bottom Line: All 20 of the folks whose employment was terminated (effective at the end of this school year) are still terminated.

A motion was made, seconded, and passed to adjourn at 7:37 p.m.

CAT Tracks Editor's Note: Apparently, this meeting was held because somebody (lawyers?) decided that maybe proper procedure was not followed the first time and that the District needed a "do over".

Well...

If there were questions about legality the first time around, I'd say the odds of a "screw up" just doubled!

Hmmm...

The old "third time is the charm?"

We could hold yet another meeting on Friday night. I mean - April 1st!

Just kidding, just catty...