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

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

IV. Approval of Previous Minutes - Motion made, seconded, and approved.

1. Regular Minutes of July 19, 2004
2. Closed Minutes of July 19, 2004
3. Special Minutes of July 27, 2004
4. Closed Minutes of July 27, 2004

V. Approval of Agendas - Regular Meeting & Closed Meeting. Motion made, seconded, and approved.

VI. Approval of Treasurer's Report - Motion made, seconded, and approved.

VII. Approval of Payment of Bills/Payroll - A motion was made and seconded to approve payment of bills/payroll. The motion carried.

VIII. Informational

*Fingerprinting requirement...effective August 1, 2004 - all new employees. Dr. Harbin reported to the BOE that the Illinois Highway Patrol would perform this service for $49 per employee and that the fee was cheaper than other agencies. He advised the BOE to use that service.

*Building-Grounds Update. Dr. Harbin indicated that following a restructuring, the District was receiving much improved services.

*Beginning of School Update. Dr. Harbin reported that he had visited all schools during the past week and that the District was off to an excellent beginning.

*Surplus Property Disposal Report. Dr. Harbin reported that the property that the District deemed useful had been removed to storage and that the remaining property identified as surplus had been disposed of.

*Scheduled Meetings. Dr. Harbin stated that he would be out of the District next month to attend a Superintendents' Conference in Springfield on September 21-22. Dr. Harbin indicated that it was important for him to attend this conference to reacquaint himself with state officials and also to represent the District at these meetings.

*Principals' Reports. Dr. Harbin gave the principals "good news"...that the previous mandate that they attend all BOE meetings was hearby rescinded. He stressed that they were always welcome to attend voluntarily, but would not be required to on a regular basis. The principals then proceeded to deliver their prepared reports on the opening of school.

*Communication From CAT, CAESP, Labor's Local 773 - None

*Checks Deposited - District Account

$11,667.89 - Personal Property Replacement Tax
700.06 - TAMES
181,633.19 - State Aid - 1st Payment
74,746.00 - Summer Bridges
35,000.00 - Title I Reading First
2,927.00 - Tech. Enhancing Ed.
95,317.59 - Real Estate Taxes - Alexander County Treasurer
50.00 - Rent-Laidlaw

*Junior High School - Proposal for lease/use by ROE. Dr. Harbin reported that as many as 15 agencies had expressed an interest in leasing and using the old Cairo Junior High School building. Dr. Harbin indicated that SIU was taking the lead along with ROE and JAMP - and that the agencies were ready to move on the matter. Therefore, Dr. Harbin indicated that he was in need of direction from the BOE - on how they wanted to proceed. Upon questioning, Dr. Harbin indicated that the group had indicated that they were willing to pay $40,000 per year for use of the building, which would relieve the District of some of the burden of maintaining the facility. In response to a suggestion by BOE President Griggs, the BOE members indicated by a show of hands that it was their desire that Dr. Harbin proceed with obtaining a first draft of an agreement with the group for use of the building.

*Paintings. Dr. Harbin told the BOE that the District was in possession of some paintings and art work that might be of public interest. He suggested that the BOE allow him to contact SIU and determine if they might be interested in the displaying and safekeeping of the works in return for attributing credit to the school district for donating same. The BOE authorized Dr. Harbin to explore the matter and to report back to them on his findings.

IX. Requiring Action/Decisions By Board of Education

1. Approval of Cairo Jr/Sr High School Parent/Student Handbook. Motion made, seconded, and approved.

2. Employment - Transfer - Assignment Recommendations. This item was tabled until after closed session.

*Personnel Matters - Association Agreements - Legal Proposal
*Joyce Champion- Grant Administrator - 120 Days
*Janet Rose - 1st Grade Teacher - Emerson
*Transfer Martha Ryan to Reading Teacher - Emerson
*Rachel Harrell - Secretary - Cairo Jr/Sr High School
*Faye Alexander - Recall - Teacher Aide - Emerson
*Vonda Williams - Recall - Teacher Aide - Cairo Jr/Sr High School
*Recommendation for Tentative Employment - Jeanna Schweigert - Special Education - Bennett School
*Curriculum Coordinator Proposal

3. Resolutions. All of the following motions were made, seconded, and approved.

*To Extend Time For Health/Life Safety Requirements to be Completed - Until June 30, 2005.
*To Adopt Cairo Children's Mental Health Plan
*To Direct the Superintendent to Publish Proper Notice to Place the FY 2004-2005 Budget on Display and to set a Public Hearing for 6:00 p.m. on September 24, 2004.

4. Resignations. This item was tabled until after closed session.

*Emilee Marks
*Elena Hope Sudduth

(Items #5, 6, and 7 below were handled as a group. Superintendent Harbin indicated that the items were new policies mandated by ISBE and needed to be placed on FIRST READING tonight as a first step towards their final adoption. The BOE voted to do so.)

5. New Board of Education Policies - Required by The Illinois State Board of Education - 1st Reading

*Operational Services
*Investment of funds not required for current operation
*Responsibility of Superintendent to make all claims for tax income, State aid and federal funds

6. Accountability

*Personnel Management
*Fair Labor Standards Act
*Compensatory Time Off/Overtime
*Education Support Staff - Duties and Responsibilities

7. Instruction

*Instructional Resources
*School Improvement Requirements
*School Choice Guidelines

8. Ratification of Association Agreements. This item was tabled until after closed session.

*Secretaries
*Aides
*Custodians/Maintenance

X. Closed Session. The BOE voted to go into closed session at 7:08 p.m. The BOE voted to exit closed session at 7:58 p.m.

Consider Information Regarding Appointment, Employment, Performance or Dismissal of Individual Employees

Personnel and Legal Matters

Upon exiting closed session, Superintendent Harbin made the following recommendations which were approved by the BOE:

*Salary contract negotiations as presented - Teachers' Aides
*Memorandum of Agreement - Identified Certified Employee
*Agreement with Custodians/Maintenance as presented
*Agreement with CAESP as presented
*Hire Joyce Champion- Grant Administrator - 120 Days
*Hire Janet Rose - 1st Grade Teacher - Emerson
*Transfer Martha Ryan to Reading Teacher - Emerson
*Employ Rachel Harrell - Secretary - Cairo Jr/Sr High School - Effective with the beginning of the school year.
*Recall Faye Alexander - Teacher Aide - Emerson
*Recall Vonda Williams - Teacher Aide - Cairo Jr/Sr High School
*Tentative Employment - Jeanna Schweigert - Special Education - Bennett School
*Agreement with Egyptian and the Regional Office of Education - Curriculum Coordinator Proposal as Presented
*Proposal presented by Ms. Williams - Coaches and Assistant Coaches at CJSHS
*Salary increases for the principals and the finance person as presented
* Resignation of Emilee Marks
* Resignation of Elena Hope Sudduth

XI. Old Business/New Business - None