District 300 Votes $115,000 for Gym Bleachers

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ The Du Quoin Board of Education Thursday approved a motion to accept bids for all-new bleacher seating on the south and east ends of Anders Gymnasium at the Du Quoin High School.

Supt. Dr. Kelly said the existing seating--which dates back into the late 1960s--will receive handrails, which would be a welcome change for Indians fans with season tickets.

District business manager Cory Robbins shared information with the board on concerns cited by the district's recent Regional Office of Education and State Fire Marshal health life-safety visit.

A major concern was noted by the ROE regarding the condition of the high school gymnasium bleachers. The concerns centered on not only the aging mechanisms of the pull-out bleachers but the size of the gap between seats.

In other action, the board voted increases over the next three years of 4.5 percent, 3.5 percent and 3.5 percent for the district's administrators.

The newspaper is seeking computations on the updated salary schedule and will publish that schedule in one of next week's editions.

Because of inclement weather in late January and early February, the school district has used three snow days, which will move the tentative date for Du Quoin Middle School promotion to Friday, May 22 and the high school commencement to Saturday, May 23. Both commencements will be held at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds.

In other action, the board:

Authorized the preparation of bid/proposal documents for district mowing services;

The Superintendent shared the recent successes of the schools, students, and staff as submitted by the building principals.

The Superintendent shared an outline of the district's current student assessment program with the board. The outline included a review of mandated state tests at each grade level and current assessments being administered as part of each building's RtI and school improvement plans.

The superintendent provided an update to the board regarding funding related to education as part of the recently enacted federal stimulus package. The district expects to see an increase in Title I and IDEA (special education) funding under the new stimulus plan during the next two years. Possible school infrastructure funds are now included within each state's fiscal stabilization funding provided through the stimulus package.

The board approved the district strategic plan document as presented. The strategic plan document was developed during the course of the past eight months with input from faculty, staff, students, parents, community members, board members, and administrators.The document includes newly developed vision, mission, and belief statements for the district including goals and action steps within three major areas of the plan.

The Superintendent shared with the Board preliminary information regarding the 2009-2010 school calendar. At the present time, the DEA calendar committee is developing options for faculty and staff to consider through a calendar survey.

The Board reviewed tractor proposals from seven different dealers. After a consideration of the proposals submitted, the board selected a proposal from Suchomski Equipment of Pinckneyville for a new Agco ST34 tractor in the amount of $15, 232. The unit comes with an extended 3-year warranty, box blade, front end loader and will be purchased through a short-term finance agreement.

The board entered into executive session at 7:42 p.m. to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees. The board returned to regular session at 9:04 p.m.

The Board approved a maternity leave request from Amanda Melton to tentatively begin on March 26, 2009 for an anticipated duration of 6 weeks.

The Board approved the spring extra-curricular volunteer list as presented by the District Athletic Directors.

The Board adopted the annual resolution dismissing extra-curricular positions held by non-DEA personnel in order to conduct the annual posting of positions with DEA.

The Board adjourned at 9:08 p.m.