CAT Tracks for July 16, 2011
REGULAR BOE MEETING...MINUTES

CAT Tracks Editor's Note:

CORRECTION

The "minutes" below reflect two changes from the earlier edition:

  • CJSHS Principal Zena Madison did NOT say that the 6th Grade was moving to CJSHS. She said only that CJSHS personnel were working on the schedules.

  • The 2011-2012 transportation contract was NOT awarded to First Student. The contract was awarded to Illinois Central.

Guess it's what I get for "bragging" that I could hear what was going on for a change.

Oh, well....

...to err is human; gives you an opportunity to practice on being divine!

The Cairo Board of Education held its regular meeting on Thursday, July 21, 2011, at 6:00 p.m. Below is an annotated agenda to serve as minutes...

CAT Tracks Editor's Note:

I would be remiss...

...if I didn't offer my own kudos for this meeting of the Cairo Board of Education. For the first time in recent history, members of the audience did not have to strain to hear what was going on at the PUBLIC MEETING. Vice President Gabriel Harris and District CEO Justin Miller were loud and clear.

Thank you, Gentlemen!

And, while I'm at it...

Not only did my ears get a rest tonight, so did my butt. After we had sprawled in the hall for an hour or so (some sitting on a table, some standing or sitting on the floor), one of the BOE members opened the door to the Board Room to summon one of the principals into closed session. Before the Board Member could close the door, one of the representatives of the First Student bus service (new and not used to our "routine") had the audacity to ask if we could get some chairs from within the inner sanctum. It was one of those deer in the headlights moments...but, lo and behold, his wish was granted. So...for the final two hours of closed session, we got to sit on those red thinly padded "audience chairs".

Maybe next time...food and drink?

Cairo School District No. One
"MAKING A SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE!"
2403 Dr. M. L. King Jr. Avenue
Cairo, Illinois 62914
Telephone 1-618-734-4102
Fax 1-618-734-4047

CAIRO BOARD OF EDUCATION
CAIRO SCHOOL DISTRICT NUMBER ONE
REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
THURSDAY, JULY 21, 2011
6:00 P.M.

AGENDA

I. Call to Order - 6 p.m.

II. Roll Call - Coleman, Burris, Gooden, Harris, Moore. Vice President Harris presided in the absence of President McBride. (Brown arrived at 6:09 p.m.)

III. Examples of Excellence - There were none. However, Mr. Harris offered some comments of his own and coaxed some from the two principals in the audience. I missed most of the comments, but CE Principal Alene Houston informed the BOE that she had begun an 18-month program to become a National Board Certified Principal and that she was also working on obtaining her PhD. CJSHS Principal Zena Madison stated that personnel were working on the schedules.

IV. Recognition of Guests/Comments From Public And Employees - Long-time District employee Larry Baldwin (who was RIFed in the Spring and whose subsequent call-back by the BOE was not approved by the Financial Oversight Panel) took to the podium to address the BOE to "introduce" himself...and appeal for a job. Mr. Baldwin's review of his career was impressive and well-delivered. When Mr. Baldwin concluded his remarks, Gabriel Harris, as presiding officer, offered what appeared to be sincere words of appreciation for Mr. Baldwin's service.

(CAT Tracks Editor's Note: That Mr. Baldwin should be forced by circumstances to make such an appeal three weeks before the opening of was to be his "retirement year" was another low point in the District's employee-unfriendly history.)

V. Approval of Previous Minutes - There was a change (in a name) in the Public Hearing Minutes. A motion was made, seconded, and passed to approve the minutes as changed.

  1. Work/Study Session Minutes of June 13, 2011
  2. Closed Minutes of June 13, 2011
  3. Public Hearing Minutes of June 16, 2011
  4. Regular Minutes of June 16, 2011
  5. Closed Minutes of June 16, 2011
  6. Special Minutes of June 24, 2011
  7. Closed Minutes of June 24, 2011
  8. Special Minutes of June 27, 2011
  9. Closed Minutes of June 27, 2011

VI. Approval of Agendas - A motion was made, seconded, and passed.

  1. Regular Meeting
  2. Closed Meeting

VII. Approval of Treasurer's Report - District CEO Justin M. Miller read the highlights. A motion was made, seconded, and passed.

VIII. Approval of Payment of Bills/Payroll - There were no questions. A motion was made, seconded, and passed.

IX. Informational

  1. Thank You Card - Sharon & Sheena Neely

  2. Thank You Card - Rose Gayle Pickett

  3. Thank You Card - Cheryl Arington

  4. Certificate of Financial Recognition - Mr. Harris emphasized that the letter received from ISBE notifying the District that it had received full financial recognition was a huge accomplishment. He offered kudos to all involved...with special recognition of the efforts of Justin Miller.

  5. Checks Deposited - District Account

    $3,902.00 - Title II Teacher Quality
    2,618.75 - CCEC Lease Payment - Shawnee College
    250,000.00 - Energy Efficiency Grant - Alexander County (Capital Development Board)
    16,191.14 - Special Ed. Orphanage
    185,188.09 - State Aid - 1st Payment For May
    24,333.21 - Special Ed. Extraordinary
    10,389.40 - Special Ed. Transportation
    33,335.32 - Regular Transportation
    1,958.69 - Driver Education
    19.46 - Federal Lunch
    31.64 - School Breakfast Program
    10,617.48 - Federal Lunch
    5,447.70 - Federal Breakfast
    184,956.97 - State Aid - 2nd Payment For May
    1,346.27 - Fresh Fruits & Veggie Grant
    87,119.00 - Title I Low Income
    1,122.86 - TAMES

X. Closed Session - The BOE voted to enter closed session at 6:21 p.m. The BOE voted to exit closed session at 9:30 p.m.

XI. Requiring Action/Decisions By Board of Education

CEO Miller announced that he was going to present the agenda items out of order. (There must have been an updated agenda because Mr. Miller started with Item #6 and then Item #5. The original agenda had only four items under "X". BTW: Not casting blame here. For the first time ever, I did not pick up a copy of the agenda that is made available as you enter the Board Room, using instead the one Madam President received in the mail early this week. In other words..."My bad!")

Anyway, here's how it went:

  1. Award the transportation contract to the low bidder, Illinois Central for the 2011-2012 through the 2013-2014 school years. Motion made, seconded, and passed.

  2. Renovate the Cairo JR/SR High and to authorize the administration to proceed with the installation of doors in the “POD” at a cost of $15,337. This will allow for construction during the school year without disruption of classes - Motion made, seconded, and passed.

  3. Food Service Price Recommendations For School Year 2011-2012 - Motion made, seconded, and passed.

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

      District CEO Miller announced that since Charlotte Lovelace and Larry Baldwin had already been recalled by the BOE that it was not necessary to do so again (the implication being that their recall will be resubmitted for approval to the FOP at its next meeting...Monday, July 25th, at 6 p.m.)

      Therefore, Mr. Miller skipped to the recall of Pamela Carlton...

      a. Recall Charlotte Lovelace - Lang. Arts Teacher - Cairo Jr/Sr High School - See above.

      b. Recall Larry Baldwin, P E Teacher - Cairo Jr/Sr High School - See above.

      c. Recall Pamela Carlton, Pre-K Teacher - Cairo Elementary School - Motion made, seconded, and passed.

      d. Recall Sarah Garrett, Teacher - Cairo Elementary School - Motion made, seconded, and passed.

  5. Employ Cairo Jr/Sr High School Extra Curricular Personnel - Individual motions were made, seconded, and passed.

      a. Larry Baldwin - Athletic Director

      b. Larry Baldwin - Head CHS Boys Basketball Coach

      c. Lorenzo Duncan - Head CJHS Boys Basketball Coach

      d. Regina Brown - Head CJHS Girls Basketball Coach

      e. Regina Brown - CJHS Softball Coach

      f. Regina Brown - CJHS Boys/Girls Track Coach

      g. Bernard Brown - CJHS Baseball

      h. Angela Coleman - CHS Junior Class Sponsor

      i. Charlotte Lovelace - CHS Yearbook Sponsor

  6. Approve Changes to District Parent/Student Handbook - Not mentioned.

XII. Other - None

XIII. Old Business - None

XIV. Adjourn - Motion made, seconded, and passed to adjourn at 9:38 p.m.

CLOSED SESSION IS FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONSIDERING INFORMATION RELATIVE TO THE APPOINTMENT, EMPLOYMENT, PERFORMANCE OR DISMISSAL OF INDIVIDUAL EMPLOYEES WHICH MAY BE OF A TEMPORARY CONFIDENTIAL NATURE, STUDENT DISCIPLINE, PLACEMENT OF SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS, DISCUSSION OF LITIGATION PROBABLE, IMMINENT, FILED OR PENDING AND COLLECTIVE BARGAINING OR RELATED ISSUES.