The meeting opened with the FY-2025 Amended Budget hearing. Superintendent Chuck Milem said they talked about it last month, the budget was on display for 30 days, and all the proper postings were made. Out of hundreds of school accounts, they have to amend five, with three of the account changes required by law. The other two are from purchasing cameras in the Safety & Security Fund, and for Estes Construction’s elementary building costs from the Capital Projects Fund.
“The changes are short and sweet and not much to it. We’re right where we need to be on budget,” Milem said, estimating they’re within 3%. With no public comments, the special hearing closed after 4 minutes.
Recognition
Milem shared some thank you cards from the district’s summer enrichment students. “It’s amazing what we’re able to offer the kids. We had over 400 sign-ups. It’s been a busy summer, which is a good thing. Thanks to the board for these opportunities.”
Check out the Erie School District’s Facebook page for photos of the enrichment activities, which have included field trips to Matthiessen State Park, Wildlife Prairie Park, Shenandoah Riding Center in Galena, the Fun Station in Eldridge, Foods of Chicago Tour, Timber Lake Playhouse in Mt. Carroll, and other engaging and creative activities at the schools.
Administrative Reports
Milem reported that Allied Flooring Services will be at the middle school on July 7th for the rest of the hallways, band and choir rooms and should be finished with work by August 11th. The outdoor bleachers at the middle school have been delivered, drainage work has been done, and they’ll be ready for new concrete. Delivery of the high school’s outdoor stadium bleachers will be August 11th. “We will play our first home football game in Prophetstown as scheduled,” said Milem.
Centennial Contractors will soon be installing the gravel base of the parking lot at the former elementary building site. Some mature trees were removed for the project, but the district will plant more to provide shade, though it will take time. Bush Construction is finishing up siding around the new elementary, and work on the second story locker room starts next week. “We’re progressing and moving forward on all those fronts,” said Milem. The playground is closed for the summer until construction is complete.
The district received early taxes from Rock Island County, with an increase this year due to the agreement with Constellation Energy Quad Cities. Since they were received this fiscal year it will affect the audit, with Milem saying it will “conflate a lot of things on the revenue side.”
Committee Reports
Three negotiation meetings have been held, with the next one on July 8th.
Personnel Consent Agenda
Employment
- Isabelle Cole, Middle School Cheer Coach, effective the 2025-2026 school year, Lane B/Year 0, $1,267
- Kate Leihsing, Musical Director, Lane B/Year 6, $2,534 & Play Director, Lane B/Year 6, $2,534
- Elizabeth Heppner, Freshman Class Sponsor, Lane A/Year 0, $845
- Jonathon Schlagheck, Freshman Class Sponsor, Lane A/Year 7, $2095.35
- Noel Hovey, Part-Time Middle School Paraprofessional, salary to be determined pending negotiation of EEA Collective Bargaining Agreement
- Amber McCormick, Elementary School Paraprofessional, salary to be determined pending negotiation of EEA Collective Bargaining Agreement
- Connor Stringer, 7th Grade Boys Basketball Coach, paid by Prophetstown and 6th Grade Girls Basketball Coach, paid by Prophetstown
- Brett Hines, 5th/6th football assistant coach, paid by Prophetstown
Resignations
- Kyle Foster, F/S Baseball Coach, effective immediately
- Baylee Crane, 6th Grade Girls Basketball Coach, effective immediately
Retirements
- Sheri Melton, Elementary/Middle School STEM teacher, at the end of the 2028-2029 school year.
Action Items
The board approved the FY-2025 Budget as presented, and to pay essential bills in July 2025 since there’s no meeting that month. “It’s standard operating procedures,” said Milem. They also approved $9,800 for Black Hawk College dual enrollment reimbursement, all agreeing that it’s a great program for the kids and sets them forward.
They approved the 2025-2026 school fees as presented, which have been lowered. “We met with the principals and went through it, so it’s not much to register your child here, which is something we can do,” said Milem. They also approved early graduation requests for three students and approved updates for the elementary, middle, and high school handbooks for the 2025-2026 school year.
They approved a retirement MoU and a coaching MoU with the ETA and Erie CUSD 1 Board of Education. Milem said they’ll be adding a head girls’ wrestling coach with pay coming from the collective bargaining agreements stipend column. Milem said it will be “equal to all head coaches and no disparity there.”
The board set a tentative facilities retreat at the middle school on Wednesday, September 10th after the majority couldn’t attend the other proposed day in July. They approved the first reading of press policies 118, with Milem to meet with the committee in August to walk through some of the changes. One FOIA request from Public Info Access LLC was handled.
The next regular board meeting will be on Monday, August 25th at 6:30 p.m. in the high school media center.
