I. Call To Order - 6:05 p.m. (When I arrived shortly before the scheduled 5:45 p.m. starting time, I thought I'd somehow taken a wrong turn. Upon entering the room - lo and behold - photography "light umbrellas", a professional photographer, and BOE members "dressed to the nines". There was a short delay while waiting for one of the BOE members and then several pictures were taken. Thus, the delay in the start of the hearing.)

Dr. Harbin was not present due to an illness. In his stead, Lee Rogers (one of the three Financial Advisors to the Financial Oversight Panel) did the honors. Mr. Rogers explained that a hearing was required because the proposed tax levy was more than 5% above what had been received last year - 5.9% to be exact. He explained that due to the decrease in local property values, the tax levy rate needed to be increased in order to try to generate the same amount of revenue as last year.

II. Review Tax Levy

III. Receive Testimony

There were no questions from either the BOE members or the audience, so the hearing was adjourned to the regular meeting.

I. Call To Order - 6:09 p.m.

II. Roll Call - Griggs, Jones, Posey, Mallory, Huff, and Gooden were present.

III. Recognition of Guests/Comments From Public And Employees - None

IV. Approval of Previous Minutes - Done without comment or question.

1. Regular Minutes of November 16,2004
2. Closed Minutes of November 16, 2004

V. Approval of Agenda - Lee Rogers indicated that four items needed to be added to the regular meeting:

*Boiler Purchase
*Change in IMRF rate
*Resolution to approve previously discussed investments
*Electronic transfers for employees with deducts

1. Regular Meeting
2. Closed Meeting

With the aforementioned additions, the agendas were adopted.

VI. Approval of Treasurer's Report - Done without comment or question.

VII. Approval of Payment of Bills/Payroll - Lee Rogers noted that two bills had been added:

*Reimbursement to Ruth Bailey for $100 of purchased supplies
*Payment for services rendered to Pat Webster

A motion was made, seconded, and passed to approve payment of bills and payroll.

VIII. Informational

1. System Progress Report - First Semester - President Griggs informed the BOE members that Dr. Harbin's report was in their packet.

2. Cairo Community Educational Center Update - Ditto...In the packets. Lee Rogers did inform the BOE that the Financial Advisors were recommending the purchase of a "new boiler" for the CCEC. The boiler had been purchased by another school district two years ago, but had sat unused because it was too small for their facility. The purchase price is $12,000.

And speaking of boilers...Mr. Rogers told the BOE members that the Bennett boiler was "out" and that a replacement would cost approximately $21,000. He indicated that a new boiler was "on hand and ready to install" - that the BOE needed to vote approval. In the ensuing discussion, it was not clear what the exact price of the boiler was...$21,000 or $24,000. It was the consensus to proceed with the meeting while personnel attempted to determine the exact price of the new boiler.

3. Communications - CAT, CAESP, Local 773 - None

4. Mr. Michael Brazley- SIU-C- Proposed Grant - Nothing to report.

Checks Deposited - District Account

$181,633.19 - State Aid - October - 2nd Payment
24,668.79 - Federal Lunch
14,330.92 - Federal Breakfast
8,500.00 - Title VI -Rural Ed
9,549.00 - Tech.- Enhancing Education
1,565.00 - Title V- Innovative
1,580.00 - Jr. High Major Repair Fund-ROE
4,740.00 - Cairo Jr. High Building - Rent (Dec.) - ROE
8,496.45 - Personal Property Replacement Tax
50.00 - Rent - Laidlaw Transit

IX. Requiring Action/Decisions By Board of Education

1. Approval of Tax Levy - A motion was made, seconded, and approved.

2. Employment Recommendations - Tabled until after closed session.

*Track Coaches

The modifications to the original regular agenda were addressed at this time. Namely:

*Lee Rogers explained that the current levy for the IMRF reserve account had been less than 1% for the past 3 years. He indicated that the District had approximately $1 million of IMRF covered salaries and so a 1% levy was for $10,000. Mr. Rogers indicated that if the current rate were continued, that the funds would dwindle to nothing in 2 years, and would necessitate a major increase in the future - in the neighborhood of 10%. In order to avert such drastic action, he recommended that the District increase its levy from 1% to 4% for this year - to generate $40,000. A motion was made, seconded, and approved.

*Back to the boiler... The exact price for the proposed new Bennett boiler could not be determined, so Mr. Rogers recommended that the BOE approve the purchase "not to exceed $25,000". A motion was made, seconded, and approved.

*A motion was made, seconded, and approved to authorize Dr. Harbin to invest $1.25 million with the First National Bank.

*A motion was made, seconded, and approved to authorize Dr. Harbin to provide electronic transfer for employees who have payroll deductions.

3. Pest Control Services - Levill - A motion was made, seconded, and approved to award a bid for pest control at CJSHS, Bennett, and Emerson to Levill at a price of $195 per month. Mr. Rogers informed the BOE members that the Regional Office was going to take care of the Cairo Community Educational Center.

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Prior to entering closed session, President Griggs asked a visitor if he would like to address the Board. The visitor indicated that he was concerned about a lack of basketball opportunities for younger students; namely Freshmen and Sophomores. President Griggs thanked the parent and indicated that the BOE would have Dr. Harbin look into the matter.

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X. Closed Session - The BOE voted to enter closed session at 6:44 p.m. The BOE voted to exit closed session at 7:20 p.m.

Following closed session, President Griggs asked for a motion to hire the following coaches:

*Junior High Boys Track - Bernard Brown

*Junior High Girls Track - Regina Brown

*High School Track - Tommy Ellis

XI. Old Business - None

XII. Adjourn - 7:25 p.m.