Tentative levy shows slight reduction in overall rate
By Joe Pritchett
Clarion Editor
At Monday’s Ball-Chatham Board of Education meeting, the tentative 2011 property tax levy was presented to the board by CFO
Patrick Murphy.
There is expected to be very little change in the overall levy rate, which was 4.3131 in 2010. The estimated number for 2011 is
4.3058.
For those owning a $100,000 house, the expected change is a $2.07 reduction from 2010. For a $200,000 house, the difference is
$4.50 less in the overall bill.
These projections assume a 4,99 percent growth in EAV, just under the five percent and above number that would require a public
hearing next month. With tax caps and the current Consumer Price Index being at 1.5 percent, the 4.99 figure is expected to be high
enough to capture all available monies, Murphy and Supt. Bob Gillum stated.
The number could have been “ballooned” to a larger figure, but the board agreed to go forward with Murphy’s recommendation.
Moderate commercial growth is anticipated, and new construction has been “steady,” Gillum said. The Scheels store in Springfield
is now on the books, he added, with 1/3 of that property being in Ball-Chatham’s district. All areas to the south of that development are in
the B-C district, including a planned 30-acre, 80-store outlet mall.
In addition, Gillum said, a Super Menards store is in the works in Prairie Crossing, where there are a number of areas there that
could anticipate commercial growth, and all being in the Ball-Chatham District.
In 2010, the total EAV was set at $626,731,831, and with a 4.99 percent increase for 2011, that figure is projected to be at
$658,065,950.
•In other news, a new Action Team (71) has been formed to look at Phonology in grades K-4, and determining any curriculum
changes or additions that could be implemented for the next school year. GE principal Christi Mulligan, Tricia Burke and consultant
Gretchen Courtney will lead the charge.
•Technology consultant Scott Hruby gave an update to the board on the virtual desktop initiative and the issues that have plagued the
district during the school year so far.
“We stumbled a little bit out of the game,” Hruby stated. “Some of the software we had been promised by July 1 didn’t come until
October.”
District faculty have experienced numerous network connectivity and video issues during the shift to Citrix, and Hruby said more
upgrades will be coming over the Christmas break. He estimated that 85 percent of the issues have been rectified now, but that after the
forthcoming improvements, “We should see marked improvement.”
“Citrix is still our best solution long-term,” he continued. “There are other school districts in the same boat as us, and we have been
teaming up with them to try and get this resolved as soon as possible.”
•Representatives from Gilbane, Ittner and Hanson were on hand to present a final construction report from Glenwood Elementary
School. A final checklist of 11 items related to warranty issues remain to be completed, but many are being addressed this week and all
are considered minor.
Gilbane had initially set aside $417,000 for contingency issues for the entire project, and the final number for approved changes was
$409,000, or just three percent of the overall project.
All parties involved gave high compliments for how all worked together, and Doug Lim of Gilbane explained that 11-month and 23-
month warranty walk-throughs will be completed at those appropriate times. Gillum explained that final payments to contractors will not
be made until items are finished in full.
•The board is expected to hear next month a report on the Glenwood High School graduation ceremony. Principal Jim Lee has
headed up an Action Team that has looked into the possibility of bringing the graduation ceremony “home” to the GHS campus. Gillum
said this year’s ceremony remains in play to be moved, and that space has been reserved at the Prairie Capital Convention Center if the
district decides to keep the ceremony there.
•Deb Bell, ESP union president, spoke during the open opportunity for visitors to address the board on any topic. Bell addressed a
number of issues during her speech, which she themed with character traits the district has preached for some time.
--Bell talked of an issue at Glenwood Middle School regarding employee vehicles being parked across sidewalks in the back of the
building, compromising emergency exits and safety for children.
--She also addressed the issue of having only one nurse at Glenwood High School, a facility that has over 1,300 students. Bell
asked the board to consider adding another nurse’s position, for the normal ratio is one nurse per 750 students.
“It is my hope that when the superintendent search committee is formed, the district strives to find the best person to fit our district,”
Bell continued. “And we find someone who is vested in the community and the district’s future. An example I would use is (former
superintendent) Don Kauerauf. He took care of his employees and a trust was formed through that.”
On to another subject, Bell stated, “Three or four years ago, the Transportation building was remodeled for offices for the two
Directors in our district. This year, the basement at GMS was remodeled for one of those directors (Facilities and Grounds Director Dave
Murphy). I cannot find in any board minutes where this money was approved for that construction, or for the approval for purchases for
furniture in that office.”
Bell also noted the paycheck issues some district employees have been having, adding that Lori Lewis and Patrick Murphy at the
District Office have been very helpful and that those with questions should seek their help.
•From the Good News report, the GMS cross country teams and the GHS boys soccer team were recognized by the board. Billie
Jarvis-Freeman was recognized for completing her Ph.D., and the district recognized the BCEF for raising $24,400 for technology needs
from the recent Titan Trek for Tech. The figure represents a 17 percent increase over last year.
District officials also noted the approval of an intergovernmental agreement with the Village of Chatham to extend the bike trail down
the north side of Plummer to the high school. The project, facilitated by the Village of Chatham and a state grant, is expected to be
completed next year.
•In personnel moves, the board accepted the following resignations: Sara Branson (bus driver), Stephanie Colvin (bus driver), Margo
Rich (bus driver), Lindsey Teefey (physical therapist assistant), Spring Weller (special needs aide), George Bell (bus driver), Jill Reynolds
(GHS hall monitor), Steve Waterman (GIS head custodian - stipend only) and Kerrie Glintborg-Reed (BE kindergarten team leader).
The board voted to employ the following: Aaron Witherell, Holly Tiesman and Brandon Brummet (bus monitors), Nancy Pickett (BE
kindergarten team leader), John Martin (GIS head custodian), Angela Cole (administrative assistant for facilities and technology), Janna
Cooper (GHS asst. girls softball coach), Steve Bryant (GHS boys swimming coach), Nick Ellinger (GMS asst. wrestling coach), Lisa
Hassen (GHS hall monitor), BE special needs aide (Jennifer Garvin), Toni Spicer (CE special needs aide) and Steve Galloway (GHS hall
monitor).
The board approved a pay increase due to promotion for Shelly Lynch (GHS head cook) and a reduction of days for speech-language
pathologist Emily Killebrew (reduced two days per week). Leaves of absence requests were approved for David Ston, Carla Ivers, Jackie
Creighton, Eric Carlson and Kira Scherschel.
The next regular board meeting is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 19, at 6:30.
By Joe Pritchett
Clarion Editor
At Monday’s Ball-Chatham Board of Education meeting, the tentative 2011 property tax levy was presented to the board by CFO
Patrick Murphy.
There is expected to be very little change in the overall levy rate, which was 4.3131 in 2010. The estimated number for 2011 is
4.3058.
For those owning a $100,000 house, the expected change is a $2.07 reduction from 2010. For a $200,000 house, the difference is
$4.50 less in the overall bill.
These projections assume a 4,99 percent growth in EAV, just under the five percent and above number that would require a public
hearing next month. With tax caps and the current Consumer Price Index being at 1.5 percent, the 4.99 figure is expected to be high
enough to capture all available monies, Murphy and Supt. Bob Gillum stated.
The number could have been “ballooned” to a larger figure, but the board agreed to go forward with Murphy’s recommendation.
Moderate commercial growth is anticipated, and new construction has been “steady,” Gillum said. The Scheels store in Springfield
is now on the books, he added, with 1/3 of that property being in Ball-Chatham’s district. All areas to the south of that development are in
the B-C district, including a planned 30-acre, 80-store outlet mall.
In addition, Gillum said, a Super Menards store is in the works in Prairie Crossing, where there are a number of areas there that
could anticipate commercial growth, and all being in the Ball-Chatham District.
In 2010, the total EAV was set at $626,731,831, and with a 4.99 percent increase for 2011, that figure is projected to be at
$658,065,950.
•In other news, a new Action Team (71) has been formed to look at Phonology in grades K-4, and determining any curriculum
changes or additions that could be implemented for the next school year. GE principal Christi Mulligan, Tricia Burke and consultant
Gretchen Courtney will lead the charge.
•Technology consultant Scott Hruby gave an update to the board on the virtual desktop initiative and the issues that have plagued the
district during the school year so far.
“We stumbled a little bit out of the game,” Hruby stated. “Some of the software we had been promised by July 1 didn’t come until
October.”
District faculty have experienced numerous network connectivity and video issues during the shift to Citrix, and Hruby said more
upgrades will be coming over the Christmas break. He estimated that 85 percent of the issues have been rectified now, but that after the
forthcoming improvements, “We should see marked improvement.”
“Citrix is still our best solution long-term,” he continued. “There are other school districts in the same boat as us, and we have been
teaming up with them to try and get this resolved as soon as possible.”
•Representatives from Gilbane, Ittner and Hanson were on hand to present a final construction report from Glenwood Elementary
School. A final checklist of 11 items related to warranty issues remain to be completed, but many are being addressed this week and all
are considered minor.
Gilbane had initially set aside $417,000 for contingency issues for the entire project, and the final number for approved changes was
$409,000, or just three percent of the overall project.
All parties involved gave high compliments for how all worked together, and Doug Lim of Gilbane explained that 11-month and 23-
month warranty walk-throughs will be completed at those appropriate times. Gillum explained that final payments to contractors will not
be made until items are finished in full.
•The board is expected to hear next month a report on the Glenwood High School graduation ceremony. Principal Jim Lee has
headed up an Action Team that has looked into the possibility of bringing the graduation ceremony “home” to the GHS campus. Gillum
said this year’s ceremony remains in play to be moved, and that space has been reserved at the Prairie Capital Convention Center if the
district decides to keep the ceremony there.
•Deb Bell, ESP union president, spoke during the open opportunity for visitors to address the board on any topic. Bell addressed a
number of issues during her speech, which she themed with character traits the district has preached for some time.
--Bell talked of an issue at Glenwood Middle School regarding employee vehicles being parked across sidewalks in the back of the
building, compromising emergency exits and safety for children.
--She also addressed the issue of having only one nurse at Glenwood High School, a facility that has over 1,300 students. Bell
asked the board to consider adding another nurse’s position, for the normal ratio is one nurse per 750 students.
“It is my hope that when the superintendent search committee is formed, the district strives to find the best person to fit our district,”
Bell continued. “And we find someone who is vested in the community and the district’s future. An example I would use is (former
superintendent) Don Kauerauf. He took care of his employees and a trust was formed through that.”
On to another subject, Bell stated, “Three or four years ago, the Transportation building was remodeled for offices for the two
Directors in our district. This year, the basement at GMS was remodeled for one of those directors (Facilities and Grounds Director Dave
Murphy). I cannot find in any board minutes where this money was approved for that construction, or for the approval for purchases for
furniture in that office.”
Bell also noted the paycheck issues some district employees have been having, adding that Lori Lewis and Patrick Murphy at the
District Office have been very helpful and that those with questions should seek their help.
•From the Good News report, the GMS cross country teams and the GHS boys soccer team were recognized by the board. Billie
Jarvis-Freeman was recognized for completing her Ph.D., and the district recognized the BCEF for raising $24,400 for technology needs
from the recent Titan Trek for Tech. The figure represents a 17 percent increase over last year.
District officials also noted the approval of an intergovernmental agreement with the Village of Chatham to extend the bike trail down
the north side of Plummer to the high school. The project, facilitated by the Village of Chatham and a state grant, is expected to be
completed next year.
•In personnel moves, the board accepted the following resignations: Sara Branson (bus driver), Stephanie Colvin (bus driver), Margo
Rich (bus driver), Lindsey Teefey (physical therapist assistant), Spring Weller (special needs aide), George Bell (bus driver), Jill Reynolds
(GHS hall monitor), Steve Waterman (GIS head custodian - stipend only) and Kerrie Glintborg-Reed (BE kindergarten team leader).
The board voted to employ the following: Aaron Witherell, Holly Tiesman and Brandon Brummet (bus monitors), Nancy Pickett (BE
kindergarten team leader), John Martin (GIS head custodian), Angela Cole (administrative assistant for facilities and technology), Janna
Cooper (GHS asst. girls softball coach), Steve Bryant (GHS boys swimming coach), Nick Ellinger (GMS asst. wrestling coach), Lisa
Hassen (GHS hall monitor), BE special needs aide (Jennifer Garvin), Toni Spicer (CE special needs aide) and Steve Galloway (GHS hall
monitor).
The board approved a pay increase due to promotion for Shelly Lynch (GHS head cook) and a reduction of days for speech-language
pathologist Emily Killebrew (reduced two days per week). Leaves of absence requests were approved for David Ston, Carla Ivers, Jackie
Creighton, Eric Carlson and Kira Scherschel.
The next regular board meeting is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 19, at 6:30.
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Issue Date: Dec. 1, 2011
