CAT Tracks for January 23, 2003 NOT SHORT...NOT ALWAYS SWEET!

FINANCIAL OVERSIGHT PANEL

Following a lengthy discussion, the Cairo Board of Education voted tonight to voluntarily request a Financial Oversight Panel from ISBE. As previously indicated, with the request comes a grant of $250 per student and a (probable) loan of $1000 per student. Although one Board member indicated that his "YES" vote was under protest, the vote was unanimous. (Arnold Burris was not present to vote, arriving later.)

Then things got a little "testy"...

Following the vote on the Financial Oversight Panel, President Griggs asked Superintendent Isom if he had prepared a new "organizational chart" as requested by Board member Mallory. Superintendent Isom answered in the affirmative, distributing same to the Board members.

Upon further review...disagreement surfaced over what had actually been requested...an organizational chart for the District (which Superintendent Isom presented) or an organizational chart for the Superintendent's office only. Opinions differed and tempers flared. No final decisions were made, but those requesting the new chart were clearly not satisfied...they wanted to know specifically who was responsible for what...and to whom...at the District Central Office. Stay tuned...

CLOSED SESSION

Following the fireworks over the organizational chart, the Board then went into closed session...stayed for 3 and 1/2 hours...exited and adjourned without further business/comment. (According to the agenda, the topic for discussion was the Superintendent's evaluation.)