CAT Tracks for May 14, 2004

CAT Tracks for May 14, 2004

RECOUNTS & RECALLS

The Cairo Board of Education held its (rescheduled) regular monthly meeting on Thursday, May 13th, at 6:00 p.m. Griggs, Jones, Mallory, and Gooden were in attendance...

BULLETIN:

OOPS...after a recount...probably involving a hanging chad or two...it has been determined that May 26th will be the last day of school instead of the previously announced May 25th!!! The "good news" is that the extra day will be another institute day...NOT a student attendance day.

Okay, you "bean counters"...get those grade books out...start checking and double checking...I knew that you would!

Meanwhile, back at the BOE meeting...

The BOE voted to approve the Random Drug Testing Policy for students involved in extracurricular activities which had been placed on 30-day reading. It also approved the new Gift Ban Ordinance required of school districts by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan. The BOE put the 2003-04 Amended Budget on reading with the intent of adopting same at its June 17th regular meeting. It was noted that the Amended Budget is a "work in progress".

There was a lengthy discussion of maintenance issues, focusing on the plumbing woes at the Cairo Jr./Sr. High School building. The plan is evidently to insert a liner into the existing pipes so as to avoid the greater expense of digging up and replacing same. The District is currently waiting on an estimate from the contractor. The other issue was a need to purchase $3,500 worth of new tools...and to develop a means of "controlling" the tools. The BOE voted to approve the purchase of the tools.

Discussion then turned to the school calendar...the aforementioned addition of one day to this year...and the adoption of the proposed 2004-05 calendar. Next year's proposed calendar is much the same as this year's...including two weeks at Christmas. However, the District is considering requesting a waiver that would "give up" Veterans Day, adding an extra day (Wednesday) to the Thanksgiving break. (Veterans Day falls on Thursday next year and it was the feeling of the committee that it would be more educationally sound to work that week without interruption and extend the existing break by one day.)

The BOE accepted the Superintendent's recommendation that they table a proposal by Laidlaw to renew their transportation contract with a 4% increase. The Superintendent requested the delay to give him the opportunity to "negotiate".

The BOE set a Special Meeting for next week - Thursday, May 20th - for the purpose of recalling some staff. (There was no mention of which staff would be recalled.) This action is being taken because the District has received notification of some of its funding levels for next year.

The Superintendent informed the BOE that the District car needs new tires and that the windshield needs repair. A motion was made and approved.

The BOE voted to approve a "Crowd Control Plan" for Cairo Jr./Sr. High School and restitution of $1200 to Massac County for alleged damage to their locker room following the Regional basketball final.

President Marsha Cook of the CAESP asked the BOE to "open the window" for the purpose of IMRF early retirement. The BOE indicated that they would allow CAESP representatives to meet with them during closed session to discuss the matter.

In other IMRF action...the BOE voted to adopt "Option 2"...which would allow it to pay less into the fund. The BOE took this action because a surplus currently exists in the fund.

Finally, the BOE voted to rent the CJHS gym to Don Davis for a Pro Wrestling Show.

The BOE voted to go into closed session at 9:10 p.m. The BOE voted to exit closed session at 11:03 p.m.

Superintendent Isom made the following recommendations which were approved by the BOE:

Grant 5 additional days at Emerson and 5 additional days at Bennett to Cheryl Arington.

Grant 15 additional days to Kay Johnson...5 at each attendance center.

Grant 10 additional days at the end of the school year and 10 additional days at the beginning of the school year to Curtis Meyers.

Hire Zena Madison as Cairo Senior High Cheerleader sponsor.

Hire Dianne Thomas as Cairo Junior High Cheerleader sponsor.

Hire personnel for the Summer Bridges Program to include...Allene Houston (Program Coordinator), Zena Madison (Professional Development), Pam Carlton, Sharon Neeley, Tena Harrell, Dorice O'Shea, Willie Mae Watkins, Nita Wilson, Gloria Wiggins, Ruth Mayfield, Ledora Beard, Velma Spain, Suzan Partridge, Regina Brown, Sherri Stone, and Rovena Thomas. Karla Patton, Janet Rose, and Melissa Russell were hired as substitutes.

That since the Central Office is short two people and because one of those positions is grant funded, that temporary help be hired through the grant period which ends on June 30th.

That since the District will need two additional Special Education teachers next year, that the Superintendent be authorized to advertise for same.

The BOE voted to adjourn at 11:11 p.m.