The board first held a public Budget Hearing before going to closed session. After their return, the board approved the Consent Agenda as presented with August meeting minutes, September bills and payroll in the amount of $1,302,026.74, additional August bills and payroll in the amount of $31,113.06, Treasurer’s report and investment schedule, activity account reports, and adding the Spanish Club to the High School Activity Account.
Reports & Correspondence
Superintendent Heidi Lensing first reported on the damage to district facilities following thunderstorms last weekend, saying Facilities Manager Kevin Everly has been working to determine what exactly happened and what’s been damaged. They suspected a lightning strike due to damage of one of the pillars of the bleachers, which had some concrete blown out around the base and onto the track. There were also damaged fuses and no lights on the field, which were fixed before the home football game.
The automation board on the HVAC at the middle school also “got fried” but the damaged component was quickly replaced. The fire system was showing 116 “troubles” and some breakers were tripped. The bus radios and base radio in Transportation Director Dawn Fisk’s office weren’t properly working. Due to excessive rain, the PES basement flooded again so they had to vacuum it up over the weekend. Everly is working with Public Works Director Brian Strike on a stop-gap for the issue, since it’s in the lowest drainage area.
“We’re working through pieces and looking to file a claim,” said Lensing, adding that they kept finding more damage throughout the week. Another issue was found at the bus barn roof with a chunk of roof falling inside. They were able to get Sterling Commercial Roofing to come in and fix it since it was near the new heating unit in the bay. “There’s lots of things in Kevin’s department,” Lensing said of repairs to the facilities.
She reported that crews started up the boilers last Friday to make sure they’re ready for the winter season. All eye-level windows are finished at PES, and the new swings have been installed, thanks to PFS and the Moore Foundation.
Lensing said she’s been working on the budget for the public hearing so it can be approved and filed with the state. The only committee meeting has been the EP Co-op Board of Control this past month. Board members received each of the FOIA requests submitted since the last meeting.
Informational Items
Lensing said there’s no floor tile update from manufacturer Armstrong Tile though a claim has been filed and the company is just waiting for testing results. Another contractor plans to look over the boiler at the campus next week. Following recent work on the track & field for the football games, they noticed emerging cracks in the track, which was resurfaced in summer of 2024. Lensing said the company that did the work will inspect it to resolve any issues. There are still a couple of small items with the fire system that Veregy needs to get done. “We’re getting down to the bottom of what needs to be completed,” Lensing said of the building contractor.
Lensing next provided the board with a compilation of documents for the district’s attendance and truancy policy, stating the board is required to review it every two years. They’ve already approved everything for both the student handbook and the board policy so no further action is required.
The EP Co-op Board of Control recently met and are in the process of reviewing and revising the agreement between both districts. Lensing said there are only minimal changes so far and both sides have agreed on those. She highlighted changes between the old agreement and the updated one in the board’s packet.
Board member James Melton said it’s time to address co-op agreement and look at anything they can do better. He expects to have an updated agreement to approve at the November or January meeting, adding that there’s nothing controversial, just changes to insurance language, liability, and coach pay. The co-op will “fall back on the document if there’s a problem,” so the board should make sure they’re satisfied with what’s in the agreement and speak up if they want to add anything. Attorney Tim Zollinger also has a copy of the updates for review.
Lensing next proposed an athletic field maintenance services agreement, which could be on the agenda next month for a vote. The board approved measures at the August meeting to get the football field ready for the game following safety concerns, and A Cut Above Lawn & Landscaping Services of Colona helped get the field in order with 450 lbs. of rye grass seed. Lensing asked the company about ongoing maintenance for the football, baseball, and softball fields, and the business provided a yearlong proposal covering mowing all three fields, fertilizer, grub control, and fungicide.
Lensing said the district would benefit from seed and turf management and ensuring the fields are watered appropriately. She said the business did a nice job and rose to the occasion to make sure the field was ready for Friday night’s game, adding that their response was a great initial “interview.” The landscapers also came back a few other times to check on the field. Since the proposal is under $35,000, there doesn’t have to be a competitive bid process. Melton and Board President Chad Abell said the proposal was reasonable.
Lensing next discussed their Worker’s Compensation Policy and some “unique billing issues” they’ve had due to miscommunication with their current company. She’s getting quotes for a new provider.
Finally, she also discussed the ISBE grant monitoring report which recommended using more line items instead of putting everything in the general ledger. ISBE’s findings for the district were that all dollars were accounted for, but the accounting was “not broken down the way they want it broken down.” She credited Administrative Assistant Maggie Linden for helping gather documentation for the auditing process. The new process will make budget amendments trickier and how Title funds are accounted for, but the ISBE is requiring a certain way to document the funds by separating them from the general ledger.
Public Forum/PLTTA Report
District Librarian/PLTTA Laura Crisp said the school year is off to great start. Mr. Morley’s students are working on their research papers and will be taking a field trip to SVCC library to learn about cataloging, research, and getting to experience a college setting. They’ll be getting a taste of research at the college level “and a taste of the dining hall,” she said. The 6-12 campus health classes have some great guest speakers lined up including coaches from the EP Co-op for discussions on mental and emotional health. The SpringMath curriculum for elementary students is in its second year and there’s already great improvement from last year.
Action Items
The board first approved the FY27 budget as presented, which is attached below.
Lensing next discussed surplus equipment in the Ag Department that hasn’t been used for quite a while. She recommended deeming it as surplus for appropriate disposal by selling or scrapping it. “It’s just sitting around at this point,” she said, and the board approved.
She next recommended increasing the supplemental bus driver rate to $20.02 per hour. She explained that the district uses a blended rate for employees across different job categories which also affects overtime rates, so the board approved the increase.
She next discussed appointing a board member to the Delegate Assembly of the Illinois Association of School Board convention. Board members Mallory DeMay and Abell said they plan to attend the annual board conference in November. Lensing said they haven’t done this before and don’t need to, so there was no motion and no action.
Personnel Report
The board approved employment for a Utility Professional and sponsors of Gray Matters and BLIND.
The next regular meeting of the Board of Education will be on Wednesday, October 28th at 7 p.m. at Tampico Elementary School.
Grass is growing along the track for increased safety measures.
