Will County Gazette

Fairmont School District 89 Committee of the Whole met August 8.

Here is the minutes as provided by the committee:

I. Call to Order – President Spoonhour opened the meeting at 12:01 p.m.

II. Roll Call –

Board members present: Louis Spoonhour, Sylvia Dotson, Karen Hunsaker, Joseph Dalpiaz, Jeremy Burns,

Katie Ulmer, and Charles Travis.

III. Petitions and Communication to the Board – None

a. Public Comment

i. Welcome Everyone. (You may want to do individual welcomes).

ii. Public Comment – No public comments

b. Recognitions

IV. Committee Reports:

a. Finance Committee – Dr. Joe Dalpiaz, Mr. Lou Spoonhour, Dr, Sheila Johnson

Dr. Dalpiaz went over the lifetime insurance information for a previous superintendent. A discussion was had

about bonds for building improvements. Also discussed re-bonding to get lower interest rate to save approx.

$50,000.00. Mr. Spoonhour stated to have a tentative budget by the next board meeting to have it posted for 30

days. Dr. Cepela assured that the budget is in, just being tweaked. Dr. Cepela stated that the budget will become

final in September. Dr. Cepela stated that there is no news from the state. Dr. Cepela indicated that the state may

or may not include categorical. She confirmed that the state will be releasing 2 payments owed from last year.

Informed the board that we will have information on ESSA (Title I) on the 14th of August 2017. Cepela indicated

that Title II would be cut in half.

i. Next Meeting – no future date set

b. Policy Committee – Ms. Katie Ulmer, Ms. Karen Hunsaker

Nothing to report

i. Next Meeting – no future date set

c. Building and Ground Committee – Mr. Charles Travis, Mr. Jerry Burns

Jeremy Burns stated that Friday, August 11, 2017 he is meeting with someone to look at the fiscal assessment

that was done in 2015. Burns reported 10 breaks in the roofing. He will be expecting a quote after meeting.

i. Next Meeting – no future date set

d. PTO Committee – Ms. Sylvia Dotson, Mr. Jerry Burns

Mrs. Dotson suggested that people make offers on merchandise for rummage sale. Custodians will be available

for restroom usage. A discussion was had regarding the finances for the PTO. Mr. Burns asked to have a novelty

check ordered for next board meeting to present to the PTO. A discussion was had about keeping records of

items sold.

i. Next Meeting – no future date set

e. Technology Committee – Ms. Karen Hunsaker

Nothing to report

i. Next Meeting – September 5, 2017

V. New business. Next Board Meeting- Critical Issues

a. Personnel – Open Positions

i. Crossing Guard / Mail Aide

Dr. Cepela informed the board that we will be utilizing teachers for crossing guard duty for now.

ii. Social Work

Dr. Cepela has interviewed candidates and is waiting for others to return from vacation. Will start the new year

without the position filled

iii. Special Education Teacher

Dr. Cepela stated that we will be starting with Mrs. Cassidy in this position.

iv. Contracts for All Teachers

Contracts to be approved at the next board meeting.

v. Additional Concerns

b. Grants:

i. NCLB: Waiting for monies to be released

ii. Special Education Summer School Reimbursement

c. Budget First Reading for 2017-2018: The Budget will be prepared for a first reading. It

must be on display for 30 days for the public and then approved at the September meeting.

d. Recognition of Schools – annually we recertify that we are a school district with the state.

e. Handbook

f. Electronic Board Packets

Dr. Cepela let the board member know that we will give two options for electronic board packets

g. Board Member Requests

h. Misc.

Dr. Dalpiaz asked for a summary of what some of the variables are that affect the budget.

VI. Principal Report: Mrs. Daniels

Mrs. Daniels presented the curriculum items purchased by the district. Also informed the board that all students

will qualify for free breakfast and lunch.

a. Registration / Enrollment Update

Mrs. Daniels informed the board that we have 208 students registered now

b. Textbook updates

c. Parent Student Handbook

Mrs. Daniels discussed content of handbook with board.

d. Beginning of the School Year

e. Misc.

Mrs. Dotson asked about dress code for staff, Mrs. Daniels informed her that the information can be found in the

staff handbook.

VII. Director of Finance / HR Report Dr. Sheila Johnson

a. New Contracts

b. Budget

c. Misc.

VIII. Superintendent’s Report:

a. State Update: Budget update

Dr. Cepela reiterated that state budget has not been released but did mention that we have 6 months of reserve

funding to continue school.

b. Triple I Conference – Signed up are Board members, Dr. Johnson, Paul Sanchez, and Dr. Cepela.

Hotel Arrangements have been made for those who requested.

c. Independent Audit as prescribed by law: The independent audit by Mack and Associates will be

conducted on August 7, 2017. Report dates will be forthcoming.

d. Operations and Maintenance – Building updates this summer.

Dr. Cepela informed the board that she spoke with Dave Holm to see if we have money in the budget for

maintenance. Plumbing work being done in the building

i. Air Conditioners, paint, bathroom stalls, locating contractors,

ii. 10 Year Life Safety Plan

iii. Budget Items / 5 Year Plan

e. Meeting with Vital Apartments – Thursday, August 24, 2017 at 2:00 in my office.

Dr. Cepela will be meeting to review demographics, if there are students that would be living there we would

have to provide transportation.

f. Bonding capabilities – need to look at both bonds this year.

g. Next regularly scheduled Board Meeting is Wednesday, August 16, 2017 at 5:30 at Fairmont

School District 89 Board Room.

h. Upcoming Events:

i. Committees:

i. Remember that all committee meetings must be posted. If you let me know your meeting

dates, I can get those posted for you.

j. Misc. Updates

Dr. Cepela informed the board of the upgraded water fountain in front of the elementary gym.

Mr. Spoonhour discussed going over the Superintendent goals at the next board meeting.

Dr. Cepela let the board members know about the operations and maintenance plan as well as the progress on it.

Mrs. Dotson asked about the board dinner by IASB. Dr. Cepela provided explination.

IX. Old Business / Agenda Recommendations

X. Motion to Adjourn

Motion made by Sylvia Dotson to adjourn, second by Katie Ulmer

Roll Call:

Ayes: Dotson, Ulmer, Dalpiaz, Burns, Travis, Hunsaker, Spoonhour

Motion Carried

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