P R O C E ED I N G S

BOARD OF EDUCATION

ALTON COMMUNITY UNIT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 11

December 19, 2006

The meeting was held at the Administrative Center, 1854 East Broadway, Alton, Illinois on December 19, 2006. President David Lauschke called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

Board members who answered present were: Benjamin Golley, Michael Harris, Vivian Monckton, and David P. Lauschke.

The following administrators were present: David C. Elson, Superintendent of Schools; Donald Lindsey, Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Education; Philip Trapani, Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education/Principal; Christopher Norman, Director of Financial Services; Mark Cappel, Director of Human Resources; John Cunningham, Director of Title I & Special Services; Jack Martin, Jr., Plant Facilities and Maintenance Administrator.

The Telegraph reporter Nick Lucchesi and WBGZ reporter Douglas Jenkins attended the meeting.

READING OF COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS:

At 7:00 p.m. a Truth in Taxation Hearing was held by Director of Financial Services Chris Norman. Mr. Norman reported the Board of Education would consider adopting the Certificate of Levy which would certify to the county clerk the amount of taxes needed per fund. Upon adoption, the Board will certify the following amounts by fund: Education Fund - $15,238,807.00; OBM Fund - $3,721,104.00; Transportation Fund - $1,417,563.00; Working Cash - $354,391.00; IMRF - $762,127.00; Social Security - $443,371.00; Fire Prevention Safety - $354,191.00; Tort Immunity $2,434,380.00; Special Education - $283,513.00; Lease of Educational Facilities - $354,391.00; Debt Service - $3,372,076; Total Tax Levy - $28,736,114.00.00.

East Elementary Principal David Schwartz introduced the 5^th grade chorus students who, under the direction of Lori MeCaskey, sang “Peace on Earth” for the audience. Everyone enjoyed the wonderful performance.

Citizens Agenda:

Ms. Angela Scott, Alton High School social worker, explained her involvement with the A-Town Steppers. She gave a brief history of the dance tradition of stepping which was made popular by competing African-American fraternities and sororities. The South African “Gumboot” style of dancing focuses on precise foot movements and hand clapping was adapted as Stepping (a complex performance involving synchronizing, drumming, moving, speaking, chanting and dramatizing).

On October 17 and 18 students tried out for the club. The A-Town Steppers were selected as the 2006-2007 Winner of the “Stomp the Yard” movie highlighting stepping. The students won a competition at Jamestown Mall last week and if they continue winning competitions, they could compete in New York City. Ms. Scott reported the students have grown academically, emotionally and socially. All high school students are encouraged to join the team.

Several parents reported they have seen many positive changes in their children. Those changes were noted to include: improved grades, higher self esteem, sense of school spirit and of belonging and a decrease in student discipline. One parent voiced her concerns about the articles in The Telegraph which did not focus on the positive impact of the Steppers and how that has affected the children.

Alton Coalition of Concerned Citizen’s member Fred Young had many positive comments for the program and leaders of the A-Town Steppers. He said, “Leaders focus on building accountability, respect, honesty, anger management, peer mediation, self-control and academic improvement”. He mentioned that he had been authorized by the Coalition to offer financial and moral support for this organization.

Board President David Lauschke said he believed the headline The Telegraph chose for their article was inciting and set a disapproving tone over the entire Board meeting.

Motion: Approval of Consent Agenda:

It was moved by Mr. Harris, seconded by Ms. Monckton, that the Board of Education approve the consent agenda as follows:

- Approval of Minutes of November 8, November 21, November 22, November 22, and November 22, 2006

- Treasurer’s Report

- Revolving Funds

- Approval of Bills

- Student Activity and Convenience Funds Report

- Cash Flow Projection

- Approval of Payments to Contractors

Voting on the motion was as follows: Harris-yea; Monckton-yea; Golley-yea; Lauschke-yea. Nay-none.

INFORMATION ITEMS:

During the Annual Alton Day Care Breakfast, Jack Martin and the Maintenance Department staff received a plaque in recognition for their work.

Results of the preliminary 2006 ISAT Status Report were shared by Assistant Superintendent Don Lindsey. Mark Twain Elementary, Lewis & Clark Elementary, J. B. Johnson-Elementary, West Elementary, Horace Mann Elementary, Eunice Smith Elementary and East Middle School all made school-wide adequate yearly progress. A more comprehensive report will be presented to the Board when the Illinois State Board of Education’s information has been received.

Student Recognition

The December Alton/Godfrey Rotary Student of the Month award was awarded to Alton High School student Brandon Twichell. Recently Brandon learned he was accepted and will attend MISSOU where he will major in journalism. Academically, he has earned a 4.487 GPA ranking him 6 in his class of 470 students.

Eight Alton High School freshmen recently attended the Excellence in Math Competition at St. Louis Community College at Forest Park. It was a competition against all the St. Louis big schools. The freshman team placed 2nd and one freshman got 6th place individually. Mrs. Laura Lauschke introduced the team members as “mathletes”: Marty Delaney, Adrienna Jones, Philip Knoche, Ben Lauschke, Brian Mathus, Alex McDonald, Thomas Reese and Brian Wallendorf. Ben Lauschke placed 6^th individually.

ROUTINE BOARD ACTION ITEMS

Motion: Personnel:

It was moved by Mr. Harris, seconded by Ms. Monckton, that the Board of Education would approve the following personnel changes as indicated:

Accept the resignation through retirement of the following certificated personnel effective as indicated:

Philip Trapani – June 30, 2008

Billie Whipple – March 1, 2006

Grant a leave of absence to the following certificated personnel effective as indicated:

Jamie Keller – December 8, 2006 until the end of the 2006-2007 school year.

Accept the resignation of the following educational support personnel effective as indicated:

Pamela Long – December 20, 2006

Grant a leave of absence to the following educational support personnel effective as indicated:

Sherry Kress – January 3, 2007 through May 4, 2007

Offer employment to the following educational support personnel effective as indicated:

Kristin Grant – December 5, 2006

Sara Lawrence – November 28, 2006

Rene Robinette – December 5, 2006

Andrew Washington – December 5, 2006

Voting on the motion was as follows: Harris-yea; Monckton-yea; Golley-yea; Lauschke-yea. Nay-none.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Motion: Construction Management:

It was moved by Mr. Harris, seconded by Ms. Monckton, that the Board of Education approve payment to Woolpert LLP for the District additions and renovations in the amount of $613.75. Voting on the motion was as follows: Harris-yea; Monckton-yea; Golley-yea; Lauschke-yea. Nay-none.

ACCEPTANCE OF BIDS AND QUOTES:

Motion: Contract for Purchase of District No. 11’s Annual Gasoline Requirements:

It was moved by Mr. Harris, seconded by Ms. Monckton, that the Board of Education authorize awarding a contract to Petroleum Traders Corporation for purchase of District No. 11’s annual gasoline requirements on a unit price ($ per gallon basis) as outlined below. Voting on the motion was as follows: Harris-yea; Monckton-yea; Golley-yea; Lauschke-yea. Nay-none.

Motion: New Maintenance Truck:

It was moved by Mr. Harris, seconded by Ms. Monckton, that the Board of Education approve the bid of $25,465.00 from Landmark Ford, Inc. for a 2006 Ford one-ton van with a Knapheide body. Voting on the motion was as follows: Harris-yea; Monckton-yea; Golley-yea; Lauschke-yea. Nay-none.

NEW BUSINESS

Motion: Adoption of the Annual Tax Levy:

It was moved by Mr. Harris, seconded by Ms. Monckton, that the Board of Education adopt the attached Resolution to establish the 2006 tax levy. Voting on the motion was as follows: Harris-yea; Monckton-yea; Golley-yea; Lauschke-yea. Nay-none.

Motion: Adoption of Resolution for Anticipation Warrants:

It was moved by Mr. Harris, seconded by Ms. Monckton, that the Board of Education adopt the attached resolution authorizing the issuance and disposal of warrants drawn against and on anticipation of taxes levied for Education, Building, Bond and Interest, Transportation, and Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund of Alton Community Unit School District No. 11, Madison and Jersey Counties, Illinois. Voting on the motion was as follows: Harris-yea; Monckton-yea; Golley-yea; Lauschke-yea. Nay-none.

Motion: Interfund Loan:

It was moved by Mr. Harris, seconded by Ms. Monckton, that the Board of Education authorize an interfund loan to the Educational Fund from the Working Cash Fund for $2,000,000 with said interfund loan to be repaid upon the receipt of the local property taxes from the 2006 levy year. Voting on the motion was as follows: Harris-yea; Monckton-yea; Golley-yea; Lauschke-yea. Nay-none.

Motion: Application for Recognition of Schools:

It was moved by Mr. Harris, seconded by Ms. Monckton, that the Board of Education approve the submission of the 2006-2007 applications for recognition of schools. Voting on the motion was as follows: Harris-yea; Monckton-yea; Golley-yea; Lauschke-yea. Nay-none.

Motion: Addition of Course:

It was moved by Mr. Harris, seconded by Ms. Monckton, that the Board of Education approve the addition of African-American History to the high school curriculum. Voting on the motion was as follows: Harris-yea; Monckton-yea; Golley-yea; Lauschke-yea. Nay-none.

Motion: Addition of Course:

It was moved by Mr. Harris, seconded by Ms. Monckton, that the Board of Education approve the addition of JILG English and JILG Social Studies to the high school curriculum. Voting on the motion was as follows: Harris-yea; Monckton-yea; Golley-yea; Lauschke-yea. Nay-none.

Motion: Addition of Course:

It was moved by Mr. Harris, seconded by Ms. Monckton, that the Board of Education approve the addition of Social Justice to the high school curriculum. Voting on the motion was as follows: Harris-yea; Monckton-yea; Golley-yea; Lauschke-yea. Nay-none.

CONFERENCE ITEMS

A. Recommendations from the Board of Education Relative to Agenda Topics for Future Consideration

B. Administrative Review of Topics for Future Consideration

Motion: Closed Session:

It was moved by Mr. Harris, seconded by Ms. Monckton, that the Board of Education would conduct a closed session for the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees. Voting on the motion was as follows: Harris-yea; Monckton-yea; Golley-yea; Lauschke-yea. Nay-none.

Motion: Open Session:

It was moved by Mr. Harris, seconded by Ms. Monckton, that the Board of Education would resume an open session. Voting on the motion was as follows: Harris-yea; Monckton-yea; Golley-yea; Lauschke-yea. Nay-none.

Motion: Closed Session Minutes:

It was moved by Mr. Harris, seconded by Ms. Monckton, that the Board of Education

Approve the closed session minutes as written. Voting on the motion was as follows: Harris-yea; Monckton-yea; Golley-yea; Lauschke-yea. Nay-none.

Motion: To Adjourn:

It was moved by Mr. Harris, seconded by Ms. Monckton, that the Board of Education would adjourn. Voting on the motion was as follows: Harris-yea; Monckton-yea; Golley-yea; Lauschke-yea. Nay-none.

The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

_______________________________

Secretary

________________________________

President