CAT Tracks for May 22, 2003 REGULAR MAY BOE MEETING

The Cairo BOE held its (rescheduled) regular meeting last night - VERY uneventful...

The meeting was called to order at 6:07 p.m. with Griggs, Jones, Posey, Mallory, and Gooden in attendance.

Two "suits" were in the audience and Dr. Isom introduced them as 2 of the 3 "financial administrators" retained by the Cairo Financial Oversight Panel (FOP). Ilene Pierce (District Director of Finance and Payroll) was called upon to give her "monthly report" and proceeded to provide information that surely captured the attention of the visiting dignitaries...that over $400,000 had (somehow) been placed in the wrong District account, but that it had been corrected...so disregard that negative entry on the District's financial records! Mrs. Pierce indicated that several other errors had been detected and corrected. (I guess the new FOP administrators got "a taste" of what's in store for them!)

In addition to her report on bookkeeping errors, Mrs. Pierce reported that following the June 13th payroll (where the District has to make lump-sum "pay offs" to the 55 employees it RIFed), the District will be out of money. Superintendent Isom interjected that he had been working with the FOP members in an effort to secure a loan to cover District bills and payroll after the June 13th date. As a fall-back plan, the superintendent indicated that the District was prepared to issue State Aid Anticipation Warrants.

This cheery news was augmented by reports of the future need to replace the boiler at Bennett Elementary (probably this year) and the roof at Emerson Elementary (within the next 5 years). Interestingly, the discussion of Bennett boiler replacement (to the tune of $80-$100,000) made reference to the (two) refurbished boilers that were installed at CJHS a short time back...that maybe the District could examine that avenue instead of making a new purchase. (Dang...if the District is going to close CJHS - more on that later - maybe they could salvage one or both of those boilers!?)

The mention of future (major) maintenance expenditures touched off a long discussion of how to handle these projected costs. President Joe Griggs wanted these expenditures accounted for in the District's budget so that the District could be prepared. Superintendent Isom responded by stating that this could NOT be done - that there was no money to make said repairs. President Griggs responded that THAT was exactly his point - that projected major expenditures needed to be reflected in the District's budget so that the District could be prepared. Superintendent Isom responded that - again - this could NOT be done...that the District could NOT budget money it did not have. And so on... This "tennis match" went on for quite some time with neither side accepting the other's position. Finally, President Griggs moved to table the discussion...with a promise to "revisit" the issue in the future.

In other financial news...Superintendent Isom distributed a handout to Board members that indicated that the District was projected to lose almost $400,000 in General State Aid in FY 2004. However, Superintendent Isom further indicated that he had received a letter from the Governor that the District would probably receive that same amount next year in "transitional monies"...to maintain the status quo for FY 2004.

The next major item on the agenda concerned the planned closing of CJHS and the relocation of the students. The Superintendent reviewed the original plan to convert the shop area of CHS...to the tune of $530,000 - NOT. The Supperintendent then discussed the alternative plan - to secure and install temporary classrooms from RESUN at a cost of $63-$70,000. In reviewing this option, the Superintendent indicated that he had conferred with Mrs. Williams and Mr. Riley - that they had assured him that there was ample classroom space at the high school to handle the estimated 120 students comprising the 7th and 8th grades. (It was indicated that consideration is being given to having teachers move from room to room rather than having students move! Anyone have a spare cart???) The outcome of this discussion was that existing facilities will (somehow) be utilized for the 2003-2004 School Year.

Next on the agenda was "Principal's Reports"...with nothing out of the ordinary to report.

The Superintendent then commented on the "Amended Calendar - 2002-2003" - that it could NOT be adopted. He indicated that he was waiting on approval from ISBE on two "Act of God Days" - that when said approval was approved (in the near future), that the Board could approve the changes at its June Board meeting.

Next on the agenda - "OCR - Resolution Agreement". The Superintendent reported that CSD #1 had been under review by the Office of Civil Rights for the past 5 years, that the District had entered into an agreement containing approximately 30 items to be clarified or changed, and that the District had been working towards complying with that agreement. He indicated that the only outstanding item was a "checklist" for items placed in the files of special education students and that JAMP had been assisting the District in its compliance efforts. The Superintendent expressed the hope that everything would be completed by June 18th - the scheduled follow-up visit by OCR representatives.

Under "Student Matters"...the Superintendent read a letter from State's Attorney Jeff Farris congratulating CHS student Julian Watkins on being elected as State Beta Club Vice President. The Superintendent went on to indicate that the CHS Beta Club had requested financial assistance in order to send 10 students to Nashville for the National Beta Club Convention - that Julian Watkins was running for National Vice President. He indicated that the group had raised money for lodging and was asking for assistance with transportation and meals. The Superintendent indicated that the total cost to the District should be no more than $300. After indicating that such support was in line with expenditures for athletic events, the Superintendent recommended the assistance and the Board approved same.

Under "Old Business", the Superintendent made a recommendation to partially reimburse parents of graduating seniors for the errors made in ordered announcements - at a rate of 1/3 of cost. Since the total cost of the announcements was $900, it would cost the District $300. A motion was made and approved to do so.

The Board went into "Closed Session" at 8:05 p.m. (As usual, refreshments were served.)

The Board exited closed session at 9:05 p.m. - possibly a record for a regular meeting!

Among other things...the Board accepted the resignation of Lonnie Henderson (for the purpose of retirement) effective on June 30, 2003. The Board also accepted the resignations of long-time Bennett teacher, Sadie Matthews, and football coach, Ron Woods.

Negotiations on the horizon? No...not us. The Board authorized the Superintendent to settle with Ilene Pierce for "compensatory time". Hmmm...

Incidentally...that time is approaching...lump-sum "pay off" time! Section 4.3 of the Contract states: "Federal and State tax deducted from the lump-sum payment shall be at the approximate rate/amount as if payments had been made as normally scheduled." This has been a MAJOR problem in the past. Two years ago employees were "inconvenienced" by hundreds and thousands of dollars as the payroll department deducted too much in federal and state taxes...causing employees to wait until "filing time" to get their money back. Last year...despite an agreement to "fix" the problem...and "efforts" to comply...errors were again made. Hopefully, "the 3rd time is the charm".

If you are a lump-sum payment person...what should you look for? It's quite simple really...since you will be getting 6 checks in 1...take the amounts on your check stub for State and federal income taxes and multiply by 6. That's it...that's what should be withheld from the June 13th check. (Actually, there are a couple of "qualifiers"...you should pick a check that had no "extra money"...AND...IF you are one that did "extra duty", you are scheduled to receive your extra money on that date, so you will have to take that into account. However, the "6X1" formula should provide a simple tool to "check your check"...continuing good advice.

Prior to adjournment, the Superintendent informed the Board that although the Summer Bridges Program had been funded, the teachers and aides had yet to be hired. He indicated that the Board should call a Special Meeting for June 5th for that purpose. By consensus, the Board agreed to do so.

The Board adjourned at 9:15 p.m.

P.S. - The Cairo Financial Oversight Panel (FOP) will hold its regular monthly meeting at its new time of 10:30 a.m. today - Thursday, May 22, 2003.