UNOFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION,
MIDLAND COMMUNITY UNIT DISTRICT #7, MARSHALL COUNTY, ILLINOIS
HELD ON APRIL 23, 2007
The Board of Education, Midland Community Unit District #7, Marshall County, Illinois met in regular session on Monday, April 23, 2007, pursuant to due notice given.
The meeting was called to order at 7:05 P.M.
Members present were Braun, Colvin, Jesse, Koehler, Streitmatter, Strong, and Leigh.
Also present were Superintendent Dean Irlbeck, Principal Sivertsen, Principal Mair, and Principal Albers. Others in attendance included: Chris Schlosser, Gary Smith, Bill Sondag, Jim Foster, Pat Berchtold, Terry Giosta, Briana Giosta, and approximately thirty other individuals.
Pat Strong addressed the meeting stating he gave his son his key card to allow the six students into the Midland High School the night of April 14, 2007. He stated that he takes full responsibility for his actions and apologizes to the Board and the community. He stated that he hopes we can now move forward.
Pat Berchtold stated his opinion that the community should apologize to the six students and that the Board should be more open with these passes to community facilities. He stated that no laws were broken and that it was just a mistake.
Briana Giosta addressed the Board about students being able to use a key card when others have had difficulty in the past in entering the building for legitimate reasons.
Terry Giosta addressed the Board of Education concerning legal fees. He stated the Board does not need to go into Closed Session to discuss legal fees. The Board did not respond since the Board does not enter into Closed Session for that purpose.
Commendations were offered to Jared Brockmeyer and the Midland Band students. In a letter received from Roger Garrett, Music Education Director at Illinois Wesleyan University, to Principal Sivertsen, he expressed how impressed he was with Jared Brockmeyer and Midland’s Music Department and wished to be invited back to provide another clinic with the band.
Commendations and appreciation were expressed to Joe Anderson of Varna for hauling 44 tons of top soil to the Midland ball fields at no charge.
Commendations were offered to Rolf Sivertsen for all his efforts and positive results in connection with the “Midland Fast Start Program.” Mr. Sivertsen stated that he had been contacted by three schools about the “Fast Start Program” with ICC.
Commendations were offered to Principal Sivertsen, Coach Joe Mintus, and the boys’ basketball teams by the IHSA for “Sporting a Winning Attitude,” concerning the game on 2/15/07 between Fieldcrest & Midland. In a letter addressed to the IHSA, this official thanked Coach Mintus and his team for their outstanding sportsmanship.
Commendations were offered to Kory Mikesell for being chosen to participate in the Dirksen Congressional Center’s Congress in the Classroom workshop this summer.
Commendations were made by Principal Mair to the Midland Middle School Students of the Month:
5th Grade – Anna Nosinger; 6th Grade – Kandyce Wendler; 7th Grade – Carlie Toepper; and 8th Grade – Zach Shepherd.
Congratulations were offered to all the newly elected School Board members.
Jared Brockmeyer addressed the Board about a facility use request from the Drum and Bugle Corps called the Colts. They would be here from July 1 thru July 3. The Colts are an international group of 135 participants. They range in age from 15-21. They would stay at Midland High School while here. Jared assured the Board the group would leave the grounds in better condition than when they arrived. He is also trying to get area schools to participate and urged the Board not to pass up this opportunity.
The Superintendent reported briefly on various financial matters and other items of information that had been given to the Board. The Superintendent presented a proposed agenda for the meeting scheduled for May 7, 2007.
The Principals discussed various items from their reports with the Board.
At 8:00 P.M. it was moved by Colvin, seconded by Braun, and carried by a unanimous roll call vote, that the Board enter into Closed Session for the following reasons: to review student suspensions, to discuss other student matters, to discuss employment and specific personnel matters, and to discuss a pending legal matter (litigation).
It was moved Colvin, seconded by Braun, and carried by a unanimous roll call vote, that the Board return to Open Session at 10:30 P.M.
The following statement was read by Board President, Mark Leigh, concerning the situation:
The Midland #7 Board of Education does not condone or approve of students’ actions occurring on Saturday, April 14, 2007. However, after conferring with the School District’s legal counsel, the Board of Education has decided to sustain all actions implemented by the High School Administration.
As a result, School Board policies and procedures regarding the authorization and monitoring of proximity cards and facility usage will be reviewed immediately.
It is a good time to remind individual Board members and the General Public that (quoting from Illinois School Law Survey) that individual Board members may not assume powers or duties belonging to the full Board, and have only the same rights and powers as other citizens when the Board is not in session.
Also, it is important to point out Section 3:190 of Illinois School Law which provides that a School Board has no authority to discipline or remove individual members.
After the statement, the Board asked for comments. None were forthcoming.
The Board meeting then continued with consideration of other items on the agenda.
After discussion, a motion was made by Koehler, seconded by Strong, and carried by a unanimous roll call vote, that the Consent Agenda be approved as presented. This motion includes the approval of minutes, acceptance of the Principals’ Reports, and the payment of bills.
No action was taken at this time on the 2nd reading of the Board Policies. Policy adoption is scheduled to take place at the May 21st meeting.
Motion made by Koehler, seconded by Colvin, and carried by a unanimous roll call vote, that the Board approve the Jump Start Summer School Program during the summer of 2007 as proposed by Principal Julie Albers. The dates for this program will be July 30th thru August 10th.
Motion made by Strong, and seconded by Colvin that the Board approve the School Handbooks with the changes proposed by the three principals. Voting in favor of the motion were Braun, Colvin, Jesse, Streitmatter, Strong & Leigh. Koehler was opposed. Motion carried.
Motion made by Streitmatter, seconded by Braun, and carried by a unanimous roll call vote, that the Board approve the Internet Safety Policy and the Acceptable Use Policy as presented.
No action was taken at this time on relocating the Unit Office to Midland Middle School. The Building and Grounds Committee will be discussing this further.
No action was taken on the possibility of hiring a Counselor or Social Worker for the Elementary or Middle School. The item was moved to a later meeting.
Motion made by Colvin, seconded by Braun, and carried by a unanimous roll call vote, to approve the Softball Team’s request for an overnight trip to the Quincy Tournament on May 12th. This trip has been approved in past years.
Motion was made by Strong, seconded by Koehler, and carried by a unanimous roll call vote, giving Angie’s School of Dance permission to use Midland High School on May 26 & 27, 2007. Regular fees and proof of insurance will be required.
Motion was made by Koehler, seconded by Streitmatter, and carried by a unanimous roll call vote, that the Board approve the use of Midland High School facilities by the Colts Drum & Bugle Corps in July, 2007.
As requested by Brad Stork and Rachael Baker-Christophel, a motion was made by Colvin, seconded by Braun, and carried by a unanimous roll call vote, that the Board approve a field trip on May 23 and 24 as an incentive trip for the Rivers & Science Club.
Motion was made by Koehler, seconded by Colvin, and carried by a unanimous roll call vote, approving membership in the IESA for the 2007-2008 school year.
Motion was made by Colvin, seconded by Braun, and carried by a unanimous roll call vote, approving the hiring of David Dellinger as night custodian at Midland Middle School, Candice Darling as a Severe & Profound aide at Midland Middle School, and Matthew Butcher as an English teacher at Midland High School.
Several tentative Committee meeting dates and future Board meeting dates were discussed.
The next regular meeting of the Board of Education will be held on May 21, 2007, at 7:00 P.M.
Motion was made by Streitmatter, seconded by Braun, and carried by a unanimous roll call vote, that the Board adjourn until 6:00 P.M on May 7, 2007.