001All right, we'll stand for the pledge to the flag of the United States of America to the republic for it stands nationy and justice for all. All right, it is 6:30. >> Will call the meeting for October 15th board of education regular schedule meeting to order. Uh, roll call, please. >> Lower >> here. >> Mson, >> here. >> Nelson, >> here. Smok >> here. >> Frick >> here. >> Gates >> here. >> In Palmer. >> All right. Public comments. I assume we just have one public comment. And you wrote the thing on the back, so I'm not even going to read it. >> Okay. >> I think you have some things at your spot, but um just wanted to mention some things about what's coming up next week. So, first of all, I wanted to
002thank and all of you except for one with you to vote in favor of supporting this project with the 911 mobile exhibit, and I'm really, really thankful. Thank you so much for doing that. Um, but I also have to give a couple shout outs to um Leanne and Mr. Petri and Mr. Faber have been absolute godsends in getting this finalized and taken care of. So in close session I want to give them big props because they've done an amazing job helping us with this. Um so but one of the things that has been really great about this project is how it it brought all the communities together. I gave you the thing that just passed out. It's the listing of all the people have been on the committee. Even if it's been a short brief
003time like um when uh Frisk Fisk, excuse me, um he was on for a short time and when took over then he he has let him lead the lead a police department representation on the committee. But every single committee or every single community has been represented on this committee getting this done. Um and it's been great to get to meet you know, learn about new people that I hadn't met before and every just we have 110% and so it's been great. Um, but I just wanted to invite the board uh next week. A lot of things going on. We have a Facebook page. If you haven't already followed it, please do so. It has all the events. Everything has its own event page. Um, but at approximately 1:30, um, the mobile exhibit will be coming
004and being escorted into Al Central Park. Um, So the escort comes in, all the fire departments and police departments in our county are escorting it in and then escorting it out um Sunday at noon. And Jason really took the lead on that. He's now passed the baton to Devon Mannon and they've worked together on that. That's that's going to be great to see um all the communities come and escorted in. Um 6:30 Wednesday night will be the open ceremony at Fshell. Um, we've got Eric Bakers coming to talk about his experiences on that day. We have special music from people in the community you've probably heard of before. Um, and we're going to get to meet the staff. I've been corrected. They're not actually staff. They're volunteers and uh that are the tour guides that
005are coming, all retired FPNY or first responders who are at 911 and they're the ones giving the tours. Um, so they're talking a lot about their personal experiences, too. So, it's wonderful. Um and then school tours 9 to 2 on Thursday Friday with open to the public 4 to 7. So please come and then all day Saturday is open to the public. So there's a 9 to2 1 hour break and then they're then they start again 3 to 7 and so we'd love to have you come. Um plug for Alo Fire Department. They have pancake breakfast that morning on Saturday morning 7 to 10. So come hungry. All donations that they get for the pancake breakfast are going to the tunnel towers foundation which is foundation that built the mobile exhibit. Um, and so that
006all that money goes to them. And then we have a parade of heroes at 7 o'clock. As soon as the last tour, the exhibit shuts down after the last tour on Saturday at 7. Then we have a parade of heroes. It's like from the old junior junior high into Central Park. Very short parade route because we got some elderly legion and BFW guys who can't make a really long parade route. So, they're going to take that parade route down to Central Park. Um, and so it's all the fire and police, veterans groups, and military in the county have been invited to come. And so, um, it's way for us to honor their service and their sacrifice. Um, and then when it's finished, we'll have a very brief closing ceremony at the bandell college has um
007has got us a bag pipes player who will be while we have a silent light parade and probably Jason's familiar of course with that but um no no sound no sirens just lights as the police and fire vehicles leave and he'll be playing Amazing Grace and then going home. It's a Scottish song. Um and so it's going to be an amazing week and I just can't wait um for it to get here and I hope all of you can come. Um we'll have reserve seating for board members at the opening ceremony to come. Um I think on the the invitation to the opening of ceremony at the bottom is there the which is that the Mercer County never forget address. Yep. >> Yep. Um if you would reserve if board members if you could just
008RSVP yes or no um because we're going to have some seats um for committee members and board members of the opening ceremony. So just let you know who can come and how many people would come with you. We'll save some space. that you guys have any questions about anything that's going on? >> Do you have that in writing all those different thanks and times and stuff you have on Facebook? >> Um yeah, and I can email it to um there is a Yeah, on Facebook there's a it's a daily it itinerary of what's going on every day. Um I text you guys. I will as soon as I leave. But yeah, that's a there's a whole listing on our Facebook page. Um and I noticed Alita Main Street had shared it yesterday or today. Um,
009and oh, the last thing, I don't know if you've seen what's happening with the Satan Fire Department in the last week or so. Um, if you didn't know, Satan has a fire truck from 911. Um, it was on call on that day in Islc, New York. Um, somehow it got sent to Rockford and then um from Rockford got came to Seatan. Um, and so there were four detail shops in the Quad Cities that spent three days restoring and refurbishing the the fire truck and it's beautiful. It's going to be on display at the fire department. So you can see it um with the newspaper article when it first came to Mercer County um the Quad Times I think or no the Rock Island Artist Dispatch did a big article about it. So please come and
010see that as well. But that's also on our Facebook page all the videos of the different retail shops working on it. I just texted. >> Okay, thank you. >> Okay, no questions. >> Okay, thank you so much and I hope you're going to see you guys there next week. >> Thank you, Julie. >> Good night. >> Were there any other public comments? >> Moving on then. Item three, board comments. Allan and I intended to do Boston. We were invited to come down to your uh program that you had a couple was it two Saturday two Fridays ago? >> Wasn't last week. It was Friday before. Yeah. >> Yeah. The kids are I was really surprised at how you can just do your little clap thing and they all become so quiet. So pretty good. So
011it was a great time and I think the kids enjoyed it. Are there any other board comments? >> Yeah, we had a flag football at the high school this week on Wednesday. Last week on Wednesday night was a good turnout. School kids. Were they on the track? Were they my daughter? Any other board comments? >> Moving on to item four, the correspondence. We had none. Correct. Um and then uh number five, item number five, approval of consent agenda. Nothing crazy in there this month. So I would entertain a motion to approve. Move to approve cons. Is there a second? >> I knew it came from that way, but all right. Or roll call, please. >> Mson, >> yes. >> Nelson, >> yes. >> Smack, >> yes. >> Frick, >> yes. >> Yates, >> yes. >>
012Lower, >> yes. >> All right, motion carries. Committee reports in the finance committee folder are the minutes. They're not as pretty as what Jason does there. So, uh we went through um the monthly review of all the all the treasur report all that. Um we discussed health life safety study. Um they had a preliminary meeting with the architect and Doug Giles at the high school. Um Allan is going to work with Bray to get the updated cost on the high school renovation design cutting the four classrooms to see what that does. Um and then uh that was pretty much it. Then the action items or the recommendations to the board. They're not really a Um, basically one was there's five of them. The first one is to continue moving forward with a 10-year health life
013safety study um the high school uh to try to get that dollar amount to see how that fits with what if we were to replace the building versus fix everything that's wrong with it to kind of see where those stack up. The second is uh moving forward with the updated cost estimate on the high school renovation. So Alan will give and uh that kind of got derailed last month. So Allan will work with an updated renovation or an updated cost for the high school renovation in addition. And then seven, uh the third was to um Allan and Doug are working with the contractor to get the charging station installed for the uh new uh fleet van that we purchased. And Zach said that the city may have some funds that they might contribute to the
014charging station if we're able to somehow work it out to where they can, you know, community members can use it, pay for the electricity, obviously use it as well. So that's something we're going to look at. And we did take delivery of that van today and it's sitting outside the bus garage. enjoy if it's something you're interested in taking a look at. Looks a lot like the other one except it's white. >> The fourth was uh we were recommending the finance committee uh is recommending how to pay for the the remainder of the new Boston project. So, we owe roughly about a million dollars and we have the money for it. Um, we have more than enough, but uh, some of that money is in working cash, some of that money is in capital projects,
015and some is in operations and maintenance. And our recommendation is that we use the capital projects fund, which has about $2.4 million in it to cover any construction projects. And so, we would recommend give guidance to the superintendent if we don't have to vote on it. It's more of guidance on what comes out, you got to pay it. Um, but we're recommending it come out of the capital projects. Um, then lastly, um, Allan and Scott are working through the budget to verify where we sit to do the deficit reduction plan that we have to file with the state of Illinois. That was pretty much our finance committee meeting and that was the only committee meeting that we had since our last board meeting. So, are there any questions about anything from the finance committee report?
016If not, we'll move on to item number 7.1, the FOYA request. We had two. One uh was not sure who it was from that was uh they were asking for our graduation records. So, how many graduates we had? Um, it was from Jared Dory. I'm not sure. >> Oh, it would be. Yeah, it's Black College. And then the other was from an attorney requesting some employee documents. [Music] Moving on to item number eight, our only action item. uh the sub salaries that >> yeah if you if you look at that uh hyperlink in your packet in in 2425 the board didn't take any action related to sub salaries so what you see in the 2526 column includes a few updates a couple that were required due to the minimum wage change on on July 1st
017so you'll see that there's a couple of those $14 that that move to 15. There are only a couple of other changes, one with our sub bus drivers and another with some of our homebound teachers. Uh that increased our daily sub rates and our long-term sub pay continue to outpace a number of our neighboring districts. And and we've we've had many comments that uh you know, we've People are happy to come here for the for the sub pay that we make and it's it's really helped us fill some of those vacancies that we have when staff have gone either shortterm or long term. So those would remain the same 256. Anyone have any questions about those? I would entertain a motion to approve the FY26 sub salaries as presented. Roll call, please. >> Frick, >>
018yes. >> Yates, >> yes. >> Lower, >> yes. >> Mson, >> Nelson, >> yes. >> Smack, >> yes. >> 60. Uh, number nine, administrative reports. So, we'll just start at Apollo. Got some nice nice pictures, good smiles, kids having fun. >> I don't have much to add that's not there. The firefighters did come last Friday, which is great for our kindergarten through talked about fire safety and the weather was great. So, they got to go out and explore the fire truck. So, that was good. Um, Friday, we're having our peace prize assembly. So, that welcome. At 2 o'clock in our gym, we recognize two students that have done a great job. first quarter. Other than that, everything else I think is >> all right. Appreciate that. Early learning center. >> It's been a busy month
019at the Early Learning Center. Uh last week the New Boston Fire Department, which were Doug and Joe, we had a fire safety day. We conducted a fire drill. Uh we had no tears. The did a great job at preparing our students. Uh once one student looked at me and said, "Don't pull that again." And I I blamed it on Doug. I said, "I didn't do it." That was Doug. Um and then today we went to Marriott Farms. It's a pumpkin patch and musketine. We got rained on for about 15 minutes, but the kids didn't care. We had a great time. So >> great. Mrs. Mcp provided us a little extra entertainment this morning. Oh, I >> beard bearded horned goats that came to visit us >> and roam through the parking lot for a little
020while >> before we were able to contact the owner to come corral. >> And last year about this time we had pigs. >> Oh jeez. >> None of the goats took after any of the kids and knocked them. >> No, we were gone all day. So yeah, they didn't get to >> There were they showed up about the time some of the parents I think were leaving the dropped their kids off because they were all slowing down and taking pictures out of their cars. >> Then we now have a petting zoo. >> Or something like that. >> Well, thank you. Uh the high school >> um just came from the auto um club, the res restoration club. They they have that tonight. It was kind of cool to see them working with some of the
021local people that know what they're doing there. And so I was talking about various things going on today. Um we had uh college career fair. I don't know if you guys ever been to that but to me I that was my first time going. I was thoroughly impressed with the amount of people the organization that uh Mrs. Miss Haynes uh Miss Staker uh Miss Lindstöm and Mrs. Hard the time and effort they put in it. commendable. I mean, it was and we're we're talking about possibly expanding it, offering that that to other schools to come in. Uh back in the day, I used to have something similar to that, but not to this scale and by any means. Um it was a great experience for all of our students to experience. We had it set
022up. Um it's one of those things like, wow, amazing. Um Turtles Tower, uh we're working with everyone else here and getting groups going. Um, not thrilled. Right now, we only have 66 signed up. Um, high school students. We're hoping to hopefully get up to 80. I know that we were hoping to get way more than that, but some of the kids are like, "No, I just rather stay in school." Um, so which is fine. Uh then we also have the the Veterans Day um thing that we we were on the radio for in regards to we're doing that on the 10th instead of the 11th because that's when the veterans are going to be available between um there's a parade on the 11th that they go to here in Alo and then also the new
023Boston celebration they do in the afternoon. So we or anyone that everyone's invited to that. I haven't really talked to the other schools. We're only it's only going to be about 45 minutes to maybe um under an hour. Um 10 o'clock is when that starts in the high school gym. Um but we're definitely we're trying to get gather information for many county uh meds. Um and have hopefully have nice um power presentation with their information on there, what they did service-wise. Um and something similar what we did in the past and what kind of what West Central does out school. Um similar where we actually have the band play and hopefully uh the choir will sing some Patriot song of some sort. So, um, it's one of those deals we're kind of working with Jay
024and Dherty and then Pastor Darren. He's going to be our main speaker. He's going to go over 13 flight 13 PS. Some of you may have seen that before, but I'm not sure if all the kids have. So, that's what we have for the high this. >> Thank you. >> Can I say one thing? >> Yeah. >> I just want to give a shout out. If you guys haven't heard, Mr. Hart, his surgery went well and he's recovered and I think he's feeling >> a little bit But um if any of you are close to him and want to text him, he I know he's like he's liking getting the text messages and things >> and his wife usually responds. >> Yep. >> Right away. >> Appreciate that. >> Junior high. >> I just wanted
025to highlight a cross country team. They had their sectional and the girls placed second overall. So as a team they get to make an opportunity to go down to state. Um I don't know comparable times and courses and things like that how they will pan out but they get an opportunity to go down there and compete and uh we'll have a send off tomorrow afternoon for them which is pretty cool. And then uh shout out to the admin team Mr. Voucher as well for the organization setup of getting the tunnels tower stuff going. Um, I think we originally going to have a smaller group of our junior high, but we're able to expand that now where our whole building will actually be able to rotate through that event. So, we're pretty excited about that. >>
026Thank you. New Boston. So as you said we had our monthly month of September who had shown kindness consistently throughout the month. Um we also had our spirit week for homecoming and I'm a little disappointed the screen's not a video to share with you all. One of my husband would say I'm nerd but I worked for a nonprofit using green screen and we had the teachers that were all dressed up for spirit week kind of participate in that as well. So the video announcement for you guys that >> I think we might have It's one of these. So, while you're setting it up, I can tell you a little bit about the process. The kids that are in fifth grade that are at or above benchmark level for their fall testing, um, they are in
027a group where they had to divide into roles and figure out like who's writing what section announcements. They have to right now we're doing very basic things like what's the weather menu that kind of thing. They have big plans though for all kinds of different segments that they want to do different interviews that they want to have with staff members and stuff. Um and so then they spend time writing the week's announcements and then getting it into a script and then recording each segment. And then we have uh students that are editing that in an app on an putting together like some of the green screen backdrops and things. Um, I kind of led that pretty heavily when we started because I had to teach the kids how to use the programming, but they're running
028it on their own now. I'm completely hands off and it's just been really fun to watch and I think the teachers have enjoyed, you know, being able to talk these on, as you can tell, participating. See if we got >> good morning. Please stand and join us for the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Chicken nuggets with fries with ranch. Weather is 67° with a chance of lightning. >> And tonight there will be no moon. >> Aloha. Our ego of the month is kindness. You show kindness by doing something nice and not expecting anything in return. >> And now for the joke of the day. What did the Say
029to Autumn, >> leave me alone. >> Rise above New Boston. [Music] Are you ready? >> They even had out takes. >> Yeah. So, the kids have really been liking the bloopers. Sometimes we get just naturally funny ones. I think that was a good opportunity for the teachers to see because that was a fifth grade teacher on the bloopers there. Like how diffult it is to actually sit down and it's awkward. like in a room by yourself in front of this big thing and like record. So >> the kids have been really enjoying themselves. So now I'm going to hear about showing that too I'm sure tomorrow deal. Thank you. That concludes the administrative report. I would entertain a motion to go into close session. Close gates. >> All right. Roll call, please. >> Smack. >>
030Yes. >> Frick. >> Yes. >> Yates. >> Yes. >> Lower. >> Yes. >> Mson. >> Yes. >> Nelson. >> Yes. >> Uh, let's go. 710. back for close session.