VI. Approval of Agendas - Motion made, seconded, and passed.

• Regular Meeting
• Closed Meeting

VII. Approval of Treasurer's Report - Motion made, seconded, and passed.

VIII. Approval of Payment of Bills/Payroll - Motion made, seconded, and passed. (A concern was expressed by one BOE member that the gas bill for the CCEC had doubled...from $5,000 to $10,000 last month. Hmmm...I'm concerned too. That amount would have paid for raises for 14 of 60 teachers at the going rate. More cattiness to follow on Friday!)

IX. Informational

1. Letter From Murray State - Student Chemistry Tournament. The Superintendent made reference to the fact that he had acknowledged Murray State's praise of students and instructors on his "maiden voyage" on WKRO this past Tuesday. Next appearances are tentatively scheduled for February 9th and March 9th.
2. Property Loss Notice - Hinz Claim Management. The Superintendent reviewed a property loss notice from Hinz Claim Management. The loss at the High School was cash in the amount of $1,651.43. Insurance covers a loss of cash up to $2,000.00 with a $100.00 deductible.. (Some asked me how you can put in an insurance claim AND try to get people to reimburse the District at the same time. Sounded like a good question, but having no idea what they were talking about...I cannot offer an opinion.)
3. Certificate of Approval of the Ten-Year Safety Survey Report - The Superintendent acknowledged receipt of the Certificate of Approval of the Ten-year Safety Survey report from the State Superintendent for Emerson School.
4. National School Lunch Program School Meals Initiative (SMI)
5. Recycling of Discarded Equipment - Evidently some computer equipment was transported to a center in Paducah.
6. Illinois Textbook Loan Program - The program rotates by educational level each year. This year is the high school's turn.
7. ISBE Focused Monitoring (Special Ed Improvement Plan) - There were some areas of noncompliance, but, according to the Superintendent, none were "egregious". The inspectors will be back on June 1st to review District efforts to comply. The Superintendent pledged to be done and ready by May 15th. The Superintendent lamented the lack of a "point person" for the District to handle Special Education matters...that in the absence of one, the responsibility falls upon the building principals. (Uh oh...do I smell a new position coming on? We had the "assistant" for the Superintendent back in September...put on hold by the FOP - coincidentally or not so coincidentally after the issue was raised in the "If This Flies..." edition of the CAT Tracks. Now we need a Special Education "Point Person"...another administrator for a District with declining enrollment...a District that can NOT afford a reasonable raise for its employees...in line with what surrounding districts are giving (have given) their employees??? Oh, that's right, I said the "cattiness" would come tomorrow. Never mind...)

8. Checks Deposited - District Account

   $200,052.61 - State Aid - 1st Payment - Nov.
   2,342.00 - Tech. Enhancing Ed.
   2,139.00 - Safe 7 Drug Free Schools
   31,804.00 - Title II Teacher Quality
   156.00 - Title V Innovative
   23,051.00 - Reading Improvement
   166,052.00 - Title I Low Income
   16,255.00 - TAP Grant Payment
   5,885.00 - TAP Grant Payment
   1,697.00 - Title VI Rural Ed
   82,848.00 - Title I Low Income
   713.00 - Safe & Drug Free Schools
   15,902.00 - Title II Teacher Quality
   200,052.61 - State Aid - 2nd Payment- Nov.
   1,249.00 - Early Childhood Block Grant
   20,767.58 - Federal Lunch
   11,498.99 - Federal Breakfast
   50.00 - Rent - First Student Transit
   9,672.00 - ADA Safety Block Grant
   13,365.52 - Special Ed. Transportation
   39,605.42 - Regular Transportation
   32,368.48 - Special Ed Personnel
   28,358.65 - Special Ed Extraordinary
   2,133.81 - State Lunch
   2,288.38 - State Lunch
   1,922.80 - State Lunch
   1,474.47 - Driver Education
   115,245.00 - Early Childhood Block Grant

X. Closed Session - The BOE voted to enter closed session at 6:27 p.m. The BOE voted to exit closed session at 8:19 p.m.

XI. Requiring Action/Decisions By Board of Education

1. Personnel employment, resignation, release, discipline, or compensation - None.
2. Approve Inter-Fund Load Re-Payment - Motion made, seconded, and passed. (Once again, a reference was made to "as discussed in closed session." I don't know if this is actually in accordance with proper procedure specified in the Illinois "Open Meetings Act". Not citing in open session what is being done with the taxpayer's money is at the very least a violation of the principle of the law. I'm a taxpayer...I attended tonight's BOE meeting...I sat on the concrete steps for two hours...BUT, or is it SORE BUTT...I do NOT have a clue what money, how much money was transferred from what fund to what fund. Enquiring minds would like to know...)

   NOTE: Have since found out that the repayment was of an inter-fund loan in the amount of $40,000 from the IMRF/SS Fund to the Educational Fund.

3. Approve Date For High School Graduation - Saturday, May 23rd at 10 a.m.

XII. Other - None.

XIII. Old Business - None.