Louisville, IL-(Effingham Radio)- The North Clay School Board held their regular meeting and took a tour of the ongoing construction at the school.
Action also taken at the meeting:
- Roll call, Pledge of Allegiance at 6:01. Board members present were: Barry Adair, Jonathan Carroll, Ryan Ballard, Jason Griffy and Aaron Kincaid. Absent were: Anthony Dawkins and Kim Smith.
- Consider Adoption of Agenda Approved 5-0
3. A building (walking) tour of the construction project Ben Menke, with Poettker Construction, was present to lead a walking tour of the building project and provide updates on progress.
- Consider Approval Consent Agenda of Regular Board Meeting Approved 5-0 a. Approval of Minutes
- Treasurer’s Report
- Approval of Bills, Personal and Sick Leave
- Approval of Field Trips
- Recognition of Guests, Public Comments, and Positive News North Clay Transportation Director, Bryan West, spoke during public comments. He wanted to recognize and thank all of those with whom he has worked throughout the years during his time at North Clay. The board thanked him for his many years of dedicated service to the district, community and students.
- Consider adoption of a resolution regarding the placing of a 1% county sales tax on the April 2025 ballot Superintendent Keith Price gave a presentation and shared information regarding what a 1% County Schools Facility Tax is and how it operates. Superintendent Price explained that the agenda item being considered would agree to the 1% sales tax to be placed on the April 1, 2025, ballot. He also stated that the two other county schools, Clay City and Flora, would be considering adopting the same resolution regarding the 1% sales tax. Keith Price explained that when the school district with a majority of the student population is the county adopts the resolution, that is what would trigger placing the item on the April ballot. Since North Clay and Clay City school districts combined only make up, approximately, 38% of the county student population, it is the Flora School District’s approval of the resolution that would put it on the April ballot. If on the ballot for the April 1, 2025, election then it would take a majority yes vote for the 1% county schools facility tax to go into effect. How a 1% County School Facility Tax works is that a 1% tax is added to the sales of all items sold in the county, except: Cars, Trucks, ATVs, Boats, RVs, Mobile Homes, Unprepared food, Drugs (including over the counter and vitamins), Farm Equipment and Parts, Farm Inputs. Services are not taxed. The revenue generated from a 1% sales tax is then distributed to the county schools based upon the % of student population. Superintendent Price explained that revenue generated from the 1% sales tax is limited on how it may be used. It may only be used on the following: New Facilities, Additions and Renovations, Technology Infrastructure, Architectural Planning, Fire Prevention and Life Safety Items, Roof Repairs/Energy Efficiency, Parking Lots, Demolition, School Resource Officers, Mental Health Professionals, Refund Bonds or Abate Property Taxes Levied to Pay Bonds Issued for Capital Purposes. The revenue collected can be used on a Pay as you Go Basis, to Issue New Bonds or to Retire Existing Debt, or any combination of those three. Superintendent Price stated that future meetings are planned regarding the 1% sales tax and that the community should look for further announcements and information regarding those events.
Board Secretary, Aaron Kincaid, then read the resolution for consideration: Resolution directing the Regional Superintendent of Schools for The County of Clay, Illinois, to certify to the County Clerk of said County the question of imposing a retailers’ occupation tax and a service occupation tax to be used exclusively for school facility purposes, school resource officers, and mental health professionals, for submission to the electors of said County at the consolidated election to be held on the 1st day of April, 2025.
Approved 5-0
Ryan Ballard left the meeting at 6:35pm
- Consider to approve district application for the FY25 School Project Maintenance Grant
Superintendent Price stated that the State of Illinois has once again released the School Project Maintenance Grant for this fiscal year. The recommendation is for the grant to be applied to the current addition and renovation project. If awarded after applying, this would provide a $50,000 matching grant to North Clay CUSD. Approved 4-0
- Presentation on 2023-2024 Illinois School Report Card for North Clay CUSD#25 Elementary/Junior High School Principal Ben Borries and High School Principal Sarah Newby both presented the 2023-2024 Illinois School Report Cards for their respective buildings. Information included English Language Arts and Math scores, data on student attendance and cultural surveys. The 23-24 school reports cards will be published online by the State of Illinois at the end of October. They are accessible by going to www.illinoisreportcard.com When published, links will also be shared via the district’s social media pages and school website.
Presentation and Discussion Only
- Consider to approve the 2023-2024 Illinois School Report Card for North Clay CUSD#25 Approved 4-0
Closed session for the purpose of: Approved 4-0 at 6:57pm
- The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, security, or dismissal of specific employees of the district 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1)
- Collective negotiating matter between the public body and its employees or other representatives 5 ILCS 12/2(c)(2)
- Student disciplinary cases 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(9)
The Board of Education met in Closed Session from 6:57pm to 7:09pm
Open The Board of Education entered into Open Session at 7:09pm Approved 4-0
Upon returning from closed session, the following motions were made:
- Accept the resignation of Kim Teague and Junior High Scholar Bowl Coach, effective immediately Approved 4-0
- Accept the resignation of Mike Owens as Junior High School Head Baseball Coach, effective immediately Approved 4-0
- Accept the resignation of Mike Owens as Junior High School 7th Grade Boys Basketball Coach, effective immediately Approved 4-0
- Accept the resignation of Laith Harrington as full time custodian, effective October 26, 2024. Approved 4-0
- Accept the resignation of Bryan West as Transportation Director, effective December 31, 2024. Approved 4-0
Committee Reports / Superintendent Report
Superintendent Price recommended moving the November 2024 school board meeting from November 20 to November 13 to accommodate a new, State of Illinois Law (August 2024) that requires the posting of a Truth in Taxation Hearing, for Tax Levy Purposes, on the school website for 30 days before the hearing. The moving of the board meeting date would accommodate the requirements of the new law by providing 30 days prior to the December 18 board meeting date.
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