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School board hears high school discipline report
The Riverton School Board met Feb. 8 at 6 p.m. After the roll call (Scott McClure was not in attendance), the board approved the minutes from the regularly-scheduled board
meeting of Jan. 11 and the special board meeting of Feb. 1, as well as the closed session minutes for each meeting, all 6-0. The treasurer’s, revenue and expenditure reports
were approved by the same vote.
“Payment of Bills” contained the district’s attorney’s bill. Larry Patterson asked if the bill was just for the attorney’s time at the January meeting? Supt. Mulligan stated the bill
included the attorney’s preparation work in addition to the time he was present at the meeting. No dollar amount was mentioned. The bills were then approved 6-0.
A FOIA request by OCC North American regarding the district’s copier contract was, according to Mulligan, just the company being interested in the current contract and had
absolutely nothing to do with bidding.
Curt Bee, wrestling coach, asked the board if it was possible to use the high school’s industrial technology room as a location to store the sport’s mats and be used for
wrestling practices in the future? Wrestlers have been practicing on the middle school’s stage. Mulligan stated this decision will be determined by administrators. (The high
school’s industrial arts program may be discontinued, thus opening up the IT room for another use. More information on class changes and teacher RIFs will be made at the
March school district meeting).
Mr. Bee also asked the board their opinion on whether it’s possible to co-op with Williamsville? That would be Mr. Wagahoff’s decision was the consensus of the board. Mr.
Nonneman said when he voted on starting the program, he had the understanding it would be Riverton’s alone. Bee said that type of co-op would put the program into 2A
competition. He would also, for next year, like the middle school to compete with IKWF in addition to IESA, which would allow more kids to participate. The IESA has a one
wrestler per weight class competition rule. Approximately 25-30 middle school kids have participated in meets over the last weekend. Six of the current eighth graders will be
moving on to high school in this sport next year, Bee noted. He would also like to start summer programs and have a speaker – he mentioned Matt Hughes — talk to the kids
about wrestling. Supt. Mulligan asked the coaches, including Jay Dickenson, who was also in attendance, to stay in contact with him about the plans for the IT room.
At 6:23 p.m. Kyle Price presented first semester discipline data from the high school. He noted the minor referrals are up due to continued effort by teachers to redirect and/or
pre-correct student behaviors. The security system at the high school has been a huge success to deter those students who previously had skipped classes and students who
are late to school. The total number of major referrals for the school year is on pace to approach 1000 by the end, but that will be 150 less than last school year. Regarding
chronic problem students, who account for quite a number of repeat offenses, Price’s report showed several of them no longer attend RHS; they’re at Safe School or SCLA.
Pam Cuffle asked if funding for these alternative schools was going to be cut for next year (If that does happen, the district will likely be expelling these types of students in the
future, it was noted at a previous meeting). Mulligan is hopeful that funding will not be cut, as the alternative settings do benefit the students. Also in Price’s report were
suspensions, and a number of those are due to tobacco violations, which he said are higher this school year. He is happy with the cell phone compliance among students
overall. Areas still needing improvement included inappropriate language used by students, which is a “constant battle,” according to Price, but harassment by technology has
dropped off substantially. In-school suspensions have been a key to the success of discipline at the high school, in his opinion.
Price’s presentation concluded at 6:50 p.m. Board members discussed discipline consistency with the middle school handbook, for transition purposes to the high school;
teachers being less stressed by disciplining students; and the use of in-school suspensions for students who constantly disrupted classes, for instance those students with
behavioral problems. Price stated Tuesday will be the 30th straight day that there has been a student contained in in-school suspension.
Administrative reports were next, with Mrs. Binegar, principal of the elementary school, up first. Debbie Moore asked if the elementary school has a problem with tardy
students? “Yes,” replied Binegar. There are approximately 25 students who are chronically tardy; interventions with those students’ parents, including letters and meetings, is
something she’s planning on doing. Moore asked if cell phones were a problem? “No, we’ve had just two,” Binegar stated. Mrs. Fraase, assistant elementary school principal,
was asked by Mr. Klebe how the teacher evaluation process was working. She said it’s going well, and she enjoys being in the classroom and seeing the instructional
improvements by teachers.
Fred Lamkey, middle school principal, was asked about dress code violations, and he responded they haven’t had a lot of issues. Regarding working with “Project Lead the
Way” at the high school, they’re making changes to allow middle school science teachers to instruct a a class that feeds into the high school’s PLTW program. The study hall
would become that elective class, per Lamkey. He also noted that two teachers – Mrs. Walters and Mrs. Morris – will be retiring at the end of this school year.
Bill Lamkey, high school principal, had course offerings and electives in his report. They’ll see how many students are interested in these and it all depends on available
teachers. Class size was also discussed. He noted there are no female students in PLTW. Mrs. Cuffle asked about the possibility of other programs that could feed into
different professions. Lamkey responded there may be other teachers who’d like to teach those types of classes. The high school cheerleaders’ state competition was singled
out as quite an event; their performance was great but unfortunately they did not advance further to place.
There were no questions on Assistant Principal Mike Gum’s report. Rick Wagahoff, activities and athletics director, was attending a girls’ regional game. It was mentioned
that Mr. Farnsworth is trying to expand the track program. Mr. Nonneman commended Mr. Wagahoff on the girls’ Sangamon County basketball tournament, held in Riverton,
based on positive feedback from area coaches.
Chris Koerwitz, transportation director, talked about substitute and part-time school bus drivers in his report. Bill Geiger, building and grounds director, covered security and
playground development in his.
Supt. Mulligan told board members his evaluation form and update on his goals will be reviewed. He asked Mr. Klebe about the county sales tax referendum, which has been
much in the news recently. Chatham and Springfield are interested in this too, and it allows up to a 1 percent tax (not including food or medicine purchases) to go to a school
district, based upon student population in the county. This sales tax money could only be used for facility purposes of a school. Mr. Klebe will e-mail board members more
information.
Mulligan also said the dress code violations (or lack thereof) in the district seem to indicate that it’s under control and that uniforms are not necessary. Mr. Klebe believes as
long as administrators have it under control, that’s fine, but his opinion is that uniforms would be simpler and save families money in the long run. Board members generally
agreed that student dress compliance has improved tremendously.
Under “Business” was “Consider Approval of RFP for Performance Contracting.” Supt. Mulligan anticipates it can be posted on the state Web site this week; it has to be out for
a minimum of 14 days, and he would prefer three weeks. This item was approved 6-0.
Next was “Consider Approval of Policy Change,” which came about from Julie Timm’s attendance at a meeting for the Area 3 Learning Technology Hub. The revision would
change the current policy statement from “restrict access to inappropriate material” to “restricting minors access to materials harmful to minors.” This was also approved 6-0.
The board and administrators took a break at 7:37 before going into closed session at 7:42. Administrators left at approximately 7:55 p.m., and the board returned to open
session at 8:22. They recommended approval of Corinne Fuqua’s request for maternity leave; Jared Borrell as high school custodian; Lisa Bostrum as middle school track
coach; Brian Cuffle as volunteer high school assistant baseball coach; Jeff Higgins as part-time bus driver; Stephanie Law as part-time bus driver; and Matt Upchurch as
assistant high school girls’ soccer coach, all 6-0. They then voted on Ann Holladay as volunteer middle school assistant dance coach. This was approved 4-2; Mrs. Baskett
and Mrs. Moore both voted “no.”
The district’s Athletic Advisory meeting will be advertised and open to the public, per Supt. Mulligan. The drug and alcohol policy may be reviewed as part of that discussion.
Other topics for that meeting can be submitted. The location for the March school board meeting will be at the high school. Ms. Julie Timm will demonstrate the smart
classroom technology during that time.
The board adjourned at 8:27 p.m.
The Riverton School Board met Feb. 8 at 6 p.m. After the roll call (Scott McClure was not in attendance), the board approved the minutes from the regularly-scheduled board
meeting of Jan. 11 and the special board meeting of Feb. 1, as well as the closed session minutes for each meeting, all 6-0. The treasurer’s, revenue and expenditure reports
were approved by the same vote.
“Payment of Bills” contained the district’s attorney’s bill. Larry Patterson asked if the bill was just for the attorney’s time at the January meeting? Supt. Mulligan stated the bill
included the attorney’s preparation work in addition to the time he was present at the meeting. No dollar amount was mentioned. The bills were then approved 6-0.
A FOIA request by OCC North American regarding the district’s copier contract was, according to Mulligan, just the company being interested in the current contract and had
absolutely nothing to do with bidding.
Curt Bee, wrestling coach, asked the board if it was possible to use the high school’s industrial technology room as a location to store the sport’s mats and be used for
wrestling practices in the future? Wrestlers have been practicing on the middle school’s stage. Mulligan stated this decision will be determined by administrators. (The high
school’s industrial arts program may be discontinued, thus opening up the IT room for another use. More information on class changes and teacher RIFs will be made at the
March school district meeting).
Mr. Bee also asked the board their opinion on whether it’s possible to co-op with Williamsville? That would be Mr. Wagahoff’s decision was the consensus of the board. Mr.
Nonneman said when he voted on starting the program, he had the understanding it would be Riverton’s alone. Bee said that type of co-op would put the program into 2A
competition. He would also, for next year, like the middle school to compete with IKWF in addition to IESA, which would allow more kids to participate. The IESA has a one
wrestler per weight class competition rule. Approximately 25-30 middle school kids have participated in meets over the last weekend. Six of the current eighth graders will be
moving on to high school in this sport next year, Bee noted. He would also like to start summer programs and have a speaker – he mentioned Matt Hughes — talk to the kids
about wrestling. Supt. Mulligan asked the coaches, including Jay Dickenson, who was also in attendance, to stay in contact with him about the plans for the IT room.
At 6:23 p.m. Kyle Price presented first semester discipline data from the high school. He noted the minor referrals are up due to continued effort by teachers to redirect and/or
pre-correct student behaviors. The security system at the high school has been a huge success to deter those students who previously had skipped classes and students who
are late to school. The total number of major referrals for the school year is on pace to approach 1000 by the end, but that will be 150 less than last school year. Regarding
chronic problem students, who account for quite a number of repeat offenses, Price’s report showed several of them no longer attend RHS; they’re at Safe School or SCLA.
Pam Cuffle asked if funding for these alternative schools was going to be cut for next year (If that does happen, the district will likely be expelling these types of students in the
future, it was noted at a previous meeting). Mulligan is hopeful that funding will not be cut, as the alternative settings do benefit the students. Also in Price’s report were
suspensions, and a number of those are due to tobacco violations, which he said are higher this school year. He is happy with the cell phone compliance among students
overall. Areas still needing improvement included inappropriate language used by students, which is a “constant battle,” according to Price, but harassment by technology has
dropped off substantially. In-school suspensions have been a key to the success of discipline at the high school, in his opinion.
Price’s presentation concluded at 6:50 p.m. Board members discussed discipline consistency with the middle school handbook, for transition purposes to the high school;
teachers being less stressed by disciplining students; and the use of in-school suspensions for students who constantly disrupted classes, for instance those students with
behavioral problems. Price stated Tuesday will be the 30th straight day that there has been a student contained in in-school suspension.
Administrative reports were next, with Mrs. Binegar, principal of the elementary school, up first. Debbie Moore asked if the elementary school has a problem with tardy
students? “Yes,” replied Binegar. There are approximately 25 students who are chronically tardy; interventions with those students’ parents, including letters and meetings, is
something she’s planning on doing. Moore asked if cell phones were a problem? “No, we’ve had just two,” Binegar stated. Mrs. Fraase, assistant elementary school principal,
was asked by Mr. Klebe how the teacher evaluation process was working. She said it’s going well, and she enjoys being in the classroom and seeing the instructional
improvements by teachers.
Fred Lamkey, middle school principal, was asked about dress code violations, and he responded they haven’t had a lot of issues. Regarding working with “Project Lead the
Way” at the high school, they’re making changes to allow middle school science teachers to instruct a a class that feeds into the high school’s PLTW program. The study hall
would become that elective class, per Lamkey. He also noted that two teachers – Mrs. Walters and Mrs. Morris – will be retiring at the end of this school year.
Bill Lamkey, high school principal, had course offerings and electives in his report. They’ll see how many students are interested in these and it all depends on available
teachers. Class size was also discussed. He noted there are no female students in PLTW. Mrs. Cuffle asked about the possibility of other programs that could feed into
different professions. Lamkey responded there may be other teachers who’d like to teach those types of classes. The high school cheerleaders’ state competition was singled
out as quite an event; their performance was great but unfortunately they did not advance further to place.
There were no questions on Assistant Principal Mike Gum’s report. Rick Wagahoff, activities and athletics director, was attending a girls’ regional game. It was mentioned
that Mr. Farnsworth is trying to expand the track program. Mr. Nonneman commended Mr. Wagahoff on the girls’ Sangamon County basketball tournament, held in Riverton,
based on positive feedback from area coaches.
Chris Koerwitz, transportation director, talked about substitute and part-time school bus drivers in his report. Bill Geiger, building and grounds director, covered security and
playground development in his.
Supt. Mulligan told board members his evaluation form and update on his goals will be reviewed. He asked Mr. Klebe about the county sales tax referendum, which has been
much in the news recently. Chatham and Springfield are interested in this too, and it allows up to a 1 percent tax (not including food or medicine purchases) to go to a school
district, based upon student population in the county. This sales tax money could only be used for facility purposes of a school. Mr. Klebe will e-mail board members more
information.
Mulligan also said the dress code violations (or lack thereof) in the district seem to indicate that it’s under control and that uniforms are not necessary. Mr. Klebe believes as
long as administrators have it under control, that’s fine, but his opinion is that uniforms would be simpler and save families money in the long run. Board members generally
agreed that student dress compliance has improved tremendously.
Under “Business” was “Consider Approval of RFP for Performance Contracting.” Supt. Mulligan anticipates it can be posted on the state Web site this week; it has to be out for
a minimum of 14 days, and he would prefer three weeks. This item was approved 6-0.
Next was “Consider Approval of Policy Change,” which came about from Julie Timm’s attendance at a meeting for the Area 3 Learning Technology Hub. The revision would
change the current policy statement from “restrict access to inappropriate material” to “restricting minors access to materials harmful to minors.” This was also approved 6-0.
The board and administrators took a break at 7:37 before going into closed session at 7:42. Administrators left at approximately 7:55 p.m., and the board returned to open
session at 8:22. They recommended approval of Corinne Fuqua’s request for maternity leave; Jared Borrell as high school custodian; Lisa Bostrum as middle school track
coach; Brian Cuffle as volunteer high school assistant baseball coach; Jeff Higgins as part-time bus driver; Stephanie Law as part-time bus driver; and Matt Upchurch as
assistant high school girls’ soccer coach, all 6-0. They then voted on Ann Holladay as volunteer middle school assistant dance coach. This was approved 4-2; Mrs. Baskett
and Mrs. Moore both voted “no.”
The district’s Athletic Advisory meeting will be advertised and open to the public, per Supt. Mulligan. The drug and alcohol policy may be reviewed as part of that discussion.
Other topics for that meeting can be submitted. The location for the March school board meeting will be at the high school. Ms. Julie Timm will demonstrate the smart
classroom technology during that time.
The board adjourned at 8:27 p.m.
Issue Date: Feb. 11, 2010
