Dist. 300 Expects More Tax Revenue Next Week
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[The Du Quoin Community Unit District 300 Board of Education met in regular session Monday and the following contains added information to the newspaper's Tuesday report.
Supt. Dr. Gary Kelly told the board that the district has received approximately 60 percent of it's property tax revenue during October with the next receipt of property tax revenue following shortly after the second installment of property taxes is paid to the county. The second installment payment deadline is Friday, Nov. 20.
Dr. Kelly told the board local schools will be participating in a new model parent/student handbook service through Illinois Principal's Association. This service through the IPA will provide yearly recommended updates referenced to new laws and will also be tied to the district's Board policy service through Illinois Association of School Boards.
The superintendent informed the board the middle school is now in the process of providing supplemental educational services for 19 middle school students during the months of November and December. These students will be participating in an after-school tutoring program of 34 hours through an ISBE approved provider in accordance with the NCLB Act. This mandated program will be funded through the district's Title I grant.
The superintendent and board discussed the state budget forecast for FY 2011 and the potential impact on the development of the coming year's district budget. The board will continue on-going discussions in the coming months and monitor the development of the state's budget during the spring General Assembly session.
District architect Paul Lunsford explained the final tabulation of bids relative to the new Industrial Education building as part of the high school construction project. The 12,000 quare foot facility came in within the earlier budget figures presented. Due to the state not providing funds for construction at this time, the board directed the district architect to seek an extension of time with the low bidders for the project with Mr. Lunsford reporting information regarding these requests to the Board in December.
The Board discussed information regarding the 2009 district property tax levy payable in 2010. After this discussion the Board directed the superintendent to prepare a tentative levy based on the recent practice of not increasing the levy more than 5% and seeking tocapture growth in the districtís equalized assessed valuation.
The Board authorized a request for a waiver of Illinois State Board of Education rules to provide for a student special driver's education need. In accordance with ISBE waiver procedures the board will be scheduling a special meeting to conduct a mandated hearing for the submission of this waiver request.
The board approved the submittal of school improvement plans for the high school and middle school to the Illinois State Board of Education. DHS principal Lybrand Beard also shared with the board considerations for the development of next year's master schedule. Continued discussion and direction on this item will be conducted after further consultation with the high school staff.
The Board accepted the resignation of Mike Fiorini as Custodian effective Oct. 30, 2009. He is taking a job in St. Louis.
The board approved the winter extra-curricular volunteer personnel list as submitted by the High School Athletic Director.
The board transferred Cheryl Poe to a K-8 Custodian position for the remainder of the 2009-2010 school year.
The Board adjourned at 7:01 p.m.