Board Approves FY25 Budget
The Mt. Pulaski CUSD 23 Board of Education called their regular meeting to order on August 21, 2024, at 6:00 PM in the MPGS Learning Center. All school board members attended in person except for Blane Olsen. Aaron Wilham attended remotely. The Board entered the Executive Session to discuss employment, personnel, and property purchase. The Board came back into regular session at 7:00 PM. President Cowan asked everyone to stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
The first action item on the agenda was to open the budget hearing. No one signed into the budget hearing for an opportunity to speak; President Cowan closed the hearing.
Colton Brosamer signed in for an opportunity to speak under Recognition of Public. He shared his OPAA Report, which discussed the start of the school year and how OPAA had many sales these past two weeks.
The next action item was the approval of the Consent Agenda, which included minutes of the regular July 17th meeting, the executive July 17th meeting, the special board meeting on July 24, bills, sales tax revenues, and the transportation hazard. Superintendent Spang reported that the district office had no questions concerning bills, and sales tax revenues topped $34,000. The Board approved the Consent Agenda 6-0.
Under Reports, Mrs. Fricke shared her high school report. It included her summary of week one activities and her thoughts on public tours to show the completion of the high school construction project. She will share the date tours will be held with the public via the high school FB page. Finally, Mrs. Fricke shared her thoughts on how a new district-wide social worker would positively impact the high school and what duties she would have that person take on. Mrs. Lora also spoke to the same; much of her suggested social worker duties would be duties mirrored at the grade school. She also discussed Open House, beginner band night, her first fire drill, and CPR training for all coaches and other staff members who wanted to be certified. Finally, Mr. Jordan shared his Activity Director’s Report. Mr. Jordan gave summaries regarding all junior high and high school fall sports. He also discussed facility upgrades, such as the new gym curtain in the high school, a new scoreboard at the baseball field, and new roster boards at the grade school. He also discussed Veterans Park and the construction update. He discussed the price difference of seed versus sod, and ultimately the board decided to postpone that decision requesting a guarantee from Byrne & Jones if we went with a sod option. He said he would look into that guarantee and report to the board.
In New Business, President Cowan asked for a motion to adopt the FY25 budget as presented. The motion was made by Ashley and seconded by Deanne Mott. A roll call vote passed 6-0.
Next, President Cowan introduced the Annual Safety Meeting, where Superintendent Spang deferred to Heather Fricke, who summarized the meeting.
President Cowan next requested a motion to adopt the district threat assessment protocol interview questions. Mr Spang explained that he was in charge of this in his previous district. The FBI approved these interview questions, and Mount Pulaski adopted them to streamline this process in the event they need to be used. The motion was made by Ashley Combs and seconded by Doug Martin. The motion passed 6-0.
President Cowan next discussed the Henson Robinson annual maintenance and Entec project proposals. Mr. Spang summarized the Henson Robinson annual maintenance proposal as preventative roof maintenance for the high school and the Entec project proposal as the solution to the high school weight room humidity concern.
Next, President Cowan introduced the discussion item of PRESS policy 116 updates. Mr. Spang summarized that these new policies are regarding the new Title IX guidelines that districts must adopt as board policy by December 31st. Mr. Spang explained that he had been in contact with the school attorney. They would sit down following the August board meeting with the Policy Committee so that we can disseminate the policies for approval at the September board meeting.
President Cowan next requested a motion to approve the evaluation schedule and the Superintendent's goals. The motions were made by Ashley Combs and seconded by Deanne Mott. The motion passed 6-0.
President Cowan next requested a motion to approve Kathy Tschantz as the District IMRF agent. The motion was made by Ashley Combs and seconded by Doug Martin. The motion passed 6-0.
President Cowan then requested a motion to approve the creation of an entrepreneurship class activity account. The motion was made by Ashley Combs and seconded by Deanne Mott. The motion passed 6-0.
President Cowan next requested a motion to approve the updated athletic coach's code of conduct and the equipment donation agreement. Mr. Spang summarized that the athletic coach's code of conduct included updates made by the former activities director at the end of last school year and the equipment donation agreement regarding a riding lawn mower donated to the district. The motion was made by Ashley Combs and seconded by Doug Martin. The motion passed 6-0.
President Cowan next requested a motion to approve the District Curriculum Director position. The motion was made by Ashley Combs and seconded by Chris Brown. The motion passed 6-0.
President Cowan then asked for a motion to approve the Personnel Report. Mr. Spang noted a revision to the Personnel Report and asked the board members to view that revision before voting to approve. The motion was made by Ashley Combs and seconded by Doug Martin. The motion passed 6-0.
Under Items of Information, Mr. Spang mentioned that the Community Association of Mount Pulaski asked the district to create a brochure that could be placed in homes for sale to attract families to move into the district. Mr. Spang also shared information about the Fall Fest Parade, Incident IQ reporting, future quarterly budget meetings, and a potential loss in future revenue regarding the recent PPRT projections. Mr. Spang mentioned that he would keep the board updated and that the district office was aware of these projections and would keep this information in mind when making future budget decisions.
Finally, Mr. Cowan requested a motion to adjourn, which was made by Ashley Combs and seconded by Chris brown. The motion passed 6-0.