PCHS won't renew contracts with two Title I aides and Macbook computer technician
The PCHS Board of Education spent more than two hours in executive session to discuss employment before laying off three employees and extending the contract for two administrators.
Superintendent Keith Hagene gave the board an overview of the budget as it currently stands. There are numerous legislative actions that could affect the district, negatively or positively.
Senator Dave Luechtefeld met with superintendents from his district to discuss SB16 which may change the school funding formula. There are questions yet to be answered about the bill.
Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon and Sen. Andy Manar also held a similar conference.
"As the spring legislative session comes to a close we will be able to get a clearer picture of the financial situation," Hagene said. "Until then, we continue to prepare for the worst."
Part of the worst is a reduction in staff. The board voted 7-0 to not re-employ MacBook Technician Tyler Bullock, 4-3 to not re-employ Title I Aide Amy Morgenstern and 5-2 not to re-employ Title I Aide Sandra Barton.
Greg Bigham, Lisa Stanton and Nathan Kellerman voted against laying off Morgenstern. Bigham and Stanton also voted against laying off Barton.
PCHS has one year left on the MacBook contract and is looking at a less expensive 1:1 computing initiative for the 2015-2016 school year.
In anticipation of diminished state aid in the coming school year, the board voted to eliminate the Agriculture instructor position held by Brian Bender for financial reasons in March.
The lack of an Ag program has raised the question of whether or not future incoming freshmen will be allowed to join FFA and participate in the program.
Administrators met with Ag Education advisor Dean Dittmar to outline the steps needed to sustain the FFA program at the school since the loss of the Ag classroom program.
Five new members were added to the current FFA roster for the next school year. Any student enrolled in an Ag class before May 1 of the current year can join FFA.
All current members of FFA as of May 1 can continue to compete in FFA activities until they graduate from high school. Technically, the District can offer FFA as an extra-curricular activity for three more uninterrupted years.
"The district has been contacted by multiple people offering their services to help with contest preparation, transportation, guidance and financial support for the FFA program until the district's financial situation allow the program to be reinstated," Hagene said.
Dittmar is encouraging the district to allow incoming freshmen to participate in the program. PCHS is exploring their options to see how deeply the incoming freshman can be involved.
"The District understands the importance of the program to the community and the futures of our students," Hagene said. "Everything possible will be explored to help insure the success of the program and students during this time."
The board was also divided on extending Principal Dustin Foutch's contract through June 30, 2019. The motion passed 6-1 with Bigham voting no.
Bigham was joined by Stanton and Dawn Kellerman-Smith in voting against extending Superintendent Keith Hagene's contract through June 30, 2018.
In other business, the board:
• amended the retirement dates for Sam Loiacono and Jim Gibson to May 30, 2014.
• amended the school calendar to show the last day of attendance will be May 30. Teachers will end their year on June 2.
• awarded the contract for the maintenance grant roof replacement to Geissler Roofing. The project will cost $68,830 and will completed in early summer.
• presented a plaque to the family of Doug Beever, who was a maintenance employee at the school until his sudden death this spring. A plaque will also be hung near the main entrance of the school.
• was introduced to new Maintenance Director Olin Lacy.
• congratulated Ryan Bruns on being named the Pinckneyville Chamber of Commerce's Educator of the Year.
• heard a report from Jacob Louis and Cale Jausel on the PCHS Bass Fishing team's recent sectional championship at Rend Lake.
• approved a trip to the FBLA national conference in Nashville, Tenn. June 29 - July 3. The district will contribute $500 toward trip expenses for Collin Smith who will attend the conference. Smith told the board about his recent success at the FBLA State Leadership Conference.
• appointed Wendy Kelly to the PCHS Education Foundation Board.