With all of the members present, Jasper Unit One School Board voted to approve several reductions which they are hoping will help with the district's budget problems.
Although reductions for the 2010-2011 school year had been discussed during recent board meetings, no decisions had been made until this meeting.
Before discussing and voting on reductions, Unit One Superintendent Ron Alburtus made some comments. Alburtus told the board that as of February 10th the State owes the District $471,020 for mandated categoricals which includes special education, transportation, reading improvement, and early childhood block grant.
"These have been vouchered by the ISBE and sent to the comptroller, but have not yet been paid," Alburtus said.
He added, "This amount does not include any GSA or federal funds such as Title I. This also reflects the second payment of four for most of the mandated categoricals."
He went on to say, "In recent superintendent meetings, and from a conference call for superintendents with Representatives Eddy, Reis and Chapin, we are hearing that although the 2009-10 school and State budget is serious, it most likely will be worse for the next two school years.
"The foundation level this year is $6,119 which is multiplied by our ADA to determine what the State owes schools, then you subtract our local revenue from that. But the point is that it is being speculated that the foundation level could be reduced by 10% for next fiscal year. "
He continued by saying, "Mandated categorical payments could be pro-rated and late; some grants, such as early childhood, could be eliminated or reduced, or it could also be funded at 90% but the difference to fund ECE could be taken out of our GSA, according to Eddy. School districts are trying to guess how this year will end and determine what reductions can be made for 2010-11 that will keep everyone afloat. At best, the Legislature will have a budget in May, but most likely we won't know anything certain until summer.
"The ISBE is hopeful with their proposed budget that funding for schools will remain flat - that we receive in 2010-11 what we received in 2009-10. That would be great, however, the State needs to find at least $1 billion in revenue to replace the federal stimulus money we received this year, it is not likely to be found."
Alburtus having presented each of the board members with a list of proposed budget reductions asked them to discuss and vote on these.
By 7-0 vote the board approved the following reductions for the 2010-11 school year: not renewing the Speech Service Contract with EIU; eliminating the following high school extra duty positions - one FFA advisor, one junior class sponsor, the summer weight training position and the musicial assistant; eliminating the 5% extra duty increase for all non-certified coaches/sponsors; to partner with the Jasper County Emergency Telephone System to reduce Alert Now annual fee; to have teacher mentors for only one semester; to reduce board professional development budget; to reduce school supply budgets by an additional 20%; to reduce high school library budget by 20%; to reduce summer band hours for instructors by 10%; to reduce custodial weekend overtime.
The board also approved to eliminate the Pre-K program until funding can be established by the State; to reduce the cost of transportation for cheerleaders (grades 7-12), and to reduce junior high game schedules by two of the longest distance schools.
Other athletic reductions for grades 7-12 that were approved by the board included eliminating the contribution for ticket takers for booster clubs and eliminating the stipends for chain gang, and reducing the stipends for score keeper, timer, etc. when feasible or enlist volunteers.
Also to elminate the meal budget for teams; to reduce entry fees budget for the high school; to reduce high school games and meets; and not to fill the following assistant coach positions next year: junior high girls basketball, one each of high school track, golf, tennis, and cross country. Additional athletic reduction are still under consideration.
The Board also increased athletic participation fees by $5 per sport/per student, by $15 on the maximum limit per student and by $10-15 for family maximum.
Following closed session the board also acted on and approved several additional reductions which included the following: Of the 12 retirements only one teaching position will be replaced and two or three non-tenure teachers will be released due to budget. Also one half-time cook position will not be filled and one additional cook position will be eliminated; not filling the technology coordinator position on retirement but reassigning it to various staff; and reducing the hours of the transportation secretary and part time mechanic.
The total amount saved as a result of retirements and reductions is approximately $1,073,824.
Alburtus added that there may be additional reductions depending on the State's ability to make payments to the District for this fiscal year.
Earlier in the meeting, Marjorie Thompson, 1st Vice Chairman of the Jasper County Homemakers Extension Association (HEA), and Connie Elliott, Community Worker for the Jasper County Extension Office, addressed the board concerning making a donation to the kindergarten classes in the district. Thompson said that the county HEA was wanting to donate a copy of the book, Frog on a Log, to all the kindergarten students in the county.
The board thanked Thompson for addressing the board and later in the meeting the board by 7-0 vote approved the donation.
Also earlier in the meeting several of the district principals gave some positive news.
Elementary Principals Travis Wyatt and Dave Parker reported that Ste. Marie Elementary raised $160 and NE/JCJH raised $1,500 for the Haiti Relief Fund for the American Red Cross. Assistant Principal Kathy Johnson told the board that an Internet Safety assembly was held for all students in grades 6-12 in January.
Also Craig Carr, Grove Principal, reported that the Pre-K program had a very positive ISBE Compliance visit. NCHS Principal Ruth Kerner updated the board on several accomplishments for the high school students. These included that the students had raised over $650 for the Haiti Relief Fund, that the high school yearbook placed 2nd in several area at a recent competition; several FFA team and individual awards were received; 11 high school students were selected to perform with the Apollo Conference Band on March 10 at Effingham High School; and the scholastic bowl team placed 2nd in the Apollo and at EIU.
Chris Parr, Transportation Director, reported that Doug Weddell, one of the bus drivers, recently came to the rescue of a choking child on a bus.
The board expressed their appreciation to Kari Thompson, JCJH Student Council Sponsor, and to the student council for the bulletin board which showed several community service events.
It was reported that District teachers will participate in an Institute on various special education issues, instructional strategies and CPR/AED training on Friday, March 19.
Also earlier in the meeting, Phil Benefiel, Director of Buildings and Grounds, gave his report. During his report the board accepted the low bids for some summer projects: $58,300 from Plocher Construction Co. for replacment of doors at the high school; $41,997 from Midwest Track Builders for resurfacing of the high school track; $21,909 from John L. Lewis Concrete Construction for replacement of the retaining wall at the elementary/junior high; and $16,450 from United Thermal Industries for in-tact asbestos floor tile abatement at the high school.
The board also discussed the proposed 2010-11 school calendar. The opening date of school would tentatively by August 18 and the year would end May 26. No action was taken concerning the calendar.
The NCHS summer camps and District summer band hours were approved. The board also approved changes to the NCHS English curriculum for Speech. Proposed policies that were placed on first reading in January were adopted.
The board also discussed but made no decision concerning an agreement between the District and the Jasper Co. Emergency Telephone System Board (911) for Alert Now Rapid Community Services. The board will consider this at their March meeting.
The last item before closed session was the board approving two donations with thanks. The first was $19.63 from All About You Embroidery for the NCHS Student of the Month breakfasts. The second was to approve the donations of books for each Kindergarten student in the District from the Jasper County Homemakers Extension Association.
Following executive session, the board voted to expel one NCHS student for the remainder of the 2009-10 school year and the first semester of the 2010-11 school year. Adam French, Gary Wolf and Adam Wolf were all approved as volunteers in the District.
