CAT Tracks for April 18, 2003 REGULAR APRIL BOE MEETING

The Cairo Board of Education held its regular monthly meeting on Thursday, April 17th, at 6 p.m. Except for one major surprise, it was a fairly low-key meeting...

Superintendent Isom gave a "legislative update"...that the Governor was proposing a $250 per student increase in the foundation level - aka State aid...BUT that the Governor was also proposing a cut in many categoricals which benefited the District...as well as a funding cut for the Regional Office of Education, a move that would require the District to seek alternate sources for services (and pay for same). In all, the Superintendent indicated that (if enacted as proposed) the budget would be "a wash".

The Board then went into closed session (early) in order to consult with its attorney. Time "in" was 6:23 p.m. The Board exited closed session at 7:35 p.m. - for them, a remarkably short session! The Superintendent made one "stunning" announcement along with a handful of "routine" personnel moves - i.e. resignations (including his own, effective at the end of next school year...June 30, 2004) and/or retirements. The Superintendent also announced that the Board of Education Bargaining Team would meet with the CAT Bargaining Team on Monday, April 21st, at 4 p.m. to resume impact bargaining of the recent RIFs.

The Superintendent announced that the estate of Helen Adams Cole had donated $70,000 to the District with "no strings attached". The Superintendent informed the Board that the money needed to be placed in the building fund since that fund was $124,000 "in the red".

In other financial matters...the Superintendent reported that an installment agreement had been reached with the Illinois Department of Public Aid for the repayment of a previously reported over-payment in excess of $5000. The District will pay the IDPA installments in excess of $400 over the next 11 months. Ilene Pierce gave a report on projected District finances which showed an ending balance of $67,000 as of June 30th. However, she indicated that the situation was actually much worse than it appeared...that the receipt of the 23rd and 24th State aid payments in June rather than July made this fiscal year look better than originally anticipated, but that those "early payments" meant that the District would have no revenue from the end of June through the middle of August - while District obligations continued to accrue...that the District actually needed $567,000 instead of $67,000. Mrs. Pierce went on to give an "I told you so" report concerning the District's opening a "window" for IMRF retirement...that "as I told you then"...that the District was leaving itself vulnerable to "outside people" retiring at District expense...and in fact one had elected to do so...to the tune of $25,000. The Superintendent commented that there was nothing the District could do except pay the money..."It's the law."

The Board approved the school calendar for 2003-04. School will start on August 14th with a teachers' inservice, with the first day of student attendance on August 15th. Christmas vacation will be like last year...beginning with dismissal on Friday, December 19th and school resuming at the regular time on January 5th. Good Friday was restored to the Easter Break - Good Friday and the following week. There are 6 emergency days built into the calendar. If used, school will end next year on June 3rd. If no days are used, school will end on May 24th.

Constance Williams reported that the District had received verbal approval of its Reading First Grant in the amount of $350,000. The Superintendent added that the District was resubmitting its 21st Century Grant in hopes that it would be approved...in the amount of $300,000. He also reported that the District would lose its SIDEZ Grant...that it had run its course. That grant was reportedly in the amount of $50,000.

The Superintendent then reported the days that he would be out of the office during the next month. One conference to be attended conflicted with the Regular May BOE meeting. Therefore, the Board voted to move its May meeting from the scheduled May 15th to May 21st...at the new "regular" starting time of 6 p.m.

During the "Comments from Patrons and Employees" section, former board member Vernon Stubblefield gave a report on the District's Policy Review Committee which he chaired. He volunteered to complete the paperwork for the "unfinished business"...which the Board readily accepted.

The Board then adjourned at 8:57 p.m.

But wait...what about the "one major surprise"? What was the "stunning announcement"?

Upon exiting closed session, the Board of Education authorized the Superintendent to schedule a dismissal hearing for the Cairo High School Principal! No further comment was made and no reason given for the hearing.

Want the latest gossip...check out the CAT's main page for "Rumors" circulating on the "Grapevine".