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School board cuts five district positions, including athletic/activities director;
board chooses performance contractor
The Riverton School Board met Monday, April 12 at 6 p.m.; board photographs were taken. The minutes from the March 8 regular and closed session meetings were
approved, with corrections, as well as the treasurer’s, revenue and expenditure reports, all 7-0.
There was a question about payment of bills, under healthcare for students and then this was also approved 7-0. Under “Communications” was Merle Weaver, who wanted to
address the board on the junior wrestling program, ages 4 through eighth grade. She thought the season went well, and she appreciates the program’s success and thanked
the board for their support of wrestling.
“Letter from Brian Cuffle,” everyone have a chance to read that, Nonneman asked, then he asked Wagahoff if he’d had a chance to read it, and Wagahoff said yes. Cuffle, a
former school board member for 12 years, wrote about the evolution of the athletic/activity director position, and he argued in his letter that there should not be a change in the
current structure and that “I would think of no other person that is better for the job than Rick Wagahoff.” However, later in the meeting, as noted below, the board voted to
‘honorably dismiss’ Wagahoff and four others.
Mrs. Holliday and Mrs. Neighbors presented a state of the library report. Circulations/check out of books is 3,346 thus far this school year at the middle school. Students who
reached a goal set by the teachers were taken to Barnes & Noble, and 33 books were chosen for the library as a result. The “Reading is Fundamental” program has brought in
guest readers from the community. New computers have drawn students to the library during study halls; it’s been a busy year. Board members asked questions.
Connie Holliday, HS librarian, gave a brief history of the state’s requirement for their yearly presentation to the board. She reported 10,836 students in and out of the high
school library during the first semester. Funding from grants was mentioned as part of what they count on to purchase necessary books, and they also use inter-library loans.
Holliday said they have purchased books based on input from the English teachers and also to support different aspects of the high school curriculum.
Administrative team reports were presented beginning at 6:20. Mrs. Binegar, elementary school principal, who is on maternity leave, will return to work during the month of
May. Mrs. Fraase, assistant principal at the elementary school, gave an overview of students’ learning about different countries and cultures.
Mr. Fred Lamkey, middle school principal, was asked about teacher transfers; Mrs. Atkins (currently teaching seventh grade language arts but she requested to move to fifth
grade) and Mrs. Mendenhall (she requested to move into Atkins’ seventh grade slot after Atkins’ move was announced) were the two mentioned and he was asked about
interviewing process and application/posting process.
Mr. Scott McClure inquired about the middle school’s discipline report numbers, sounded like a rough month? Lamkey responded there have been some bright spots, but
there are issues with students having cell phones confiscated due to policy violation. Those numbers have been higher.
Mr. Chris Koerwitz, assistant middle school principal and transportation director, was asked by Larry Patterson about bus drivers being required to attend meetings? He does
not require it; some have other jobs and he does not pay drivers to attend meetings, but they all do try to attend and communication is passed along by other drivers.
Mr. Bill Lamkey, high school principal, was asked by Mrs. Baskett about the IT classroom being available for wrestling practices. (Industrial technology classes have been
eliminated, and the older shop equipment in that room may be sold off as soon as it is cleaned out). Lamkey reported that the room may need to be used for other things. He
asked for the Board’s direction on its usage for next year. Supt. Mulligan talked about the space issues that may be present for next school year, and balancing that with the
costs of renovating the room for use by the wrestling program for their practices. The room needs to be made safe, if they decide to use it for wrestling, which would require
removing an electrical box and making the floor even, among possible other things.
Members discussed selling outdated shop equipment and putting those proceeds toward cost of renovation. It would be good for the wrestling program to have a “home” for
practices, as the middle school stage is not appropriate/large enough, said board members who have observed. Mrs. Baskett believes if there is no commitment from the
district to do this, then the wrestling program will be jeopardized. There was approximately 20 minutes of discussion on the program’s growth and space needs in the high
school. Giving the wrestling program a home, Supt. Mulligan said, would be important, and he gave the example of the football program finally having a home when the district
had the weight room/locker room building placed near the football field.
Either way, the IT room needs to be cleared out, and Mr. Geiger was asked to handle that, as well as communicate with administration and board members. Then
administration and the board will know what it will take to renovate. Anything that can be sold, should be sold. It was noted some people have expressed interest in purchasing
that equipment. Supt. Mulligan asked Mr. Wagahoff to follow up with Coach Bee on this.
Mrs. Moore complimented the high school on the prom dinner and dance being held together, in one location. This makes sense for the students involved in Promenade, who
in the past have had little time to eat dinner at various restaurants and then make it to the dance on time. Lamkey said the students deserve all the credit for this decision.
Mr. Mike Gum, assistant high school principal, was asked about the WHY TRY program? WHY TRY? is part of the math program. One of the foundation classes is small
enough to open up a section for Mrs. Campbell to help students. Mr. Klebe asked if this impedes Mrs. Campbell from helping students in other classes with math? Gum
responded she has time in her schedule to help students with math.
Mr. Patterson asked about the fly system and pyrotechnics with regard to the spring musical. Mr. Gum responded that it is professionally hired out, and the individual who does
this has decades of experience. He also helped with the musicals in the past. There is no issue with liability.
Mr. Rick Wagahoff, athletics and activities director, was asked by Supt. Mulligan about scheduling matches next year for wrestling. Wagahoff responded it was going well. Mr.
Patterson asked if sixth and seventh grade girls’ coaching vacancies were closer to being filled? Wagahoff said there are possibilities, but assignments haven’t been made
yet. Mr. Klebe asked about the North Mac conference participation? Wagahoff said it’s a two-year process; it takes two years to get in and out of.
Mrs. Cuffle complimented Mr. Bill Geiger, grounds director, on the middle school office renovation. Supt. Mulligan said mag locks and cameras for the middle school would go
out to bid. Mrs. Cuffle asked if the light at the high school parking lot had been replaced, since the spring musical will be held shortly? Geiger said it had been replaced.
Supt. Mulligan began his report at 7:02 p.m. He referenced the IESA/IHSA fee schedule, and asked board members to take a look at that. He will have a recommendation for
the board at next month’s meeting.
He next reviewed the handout on 2009 levy for taxes to be extended in 2010/2011 was a monetary breakdown and also contained EAV/extension comparisons 1986-2009. The
total levy for 2009-2010 is $4,514,126, which is based on a 2009 final rate of 4.0609, according to district figures. Supt. Mulligan stated that for 13 out of 15 years the tax rate has
gone down, but there will be a slight increase in the rate next year. However, Riverton still, without the bonds, has the lowest rate in Sangamon County, by far, among all school
districts. A total increase of $58,000 in tax money next year is what he anticipates.
Mulligan noted the Pre-K committees are working in many directions: business donations, fees, legislative lobbying. He will keep the board posted on how that is going. It’s a
good group, he said, and they will meet again during the first week of May.
Supt. Mulligan mentioned the state finances; $632,000 is owed to Riverton by the state and has not yet been paid, although it has been vouchered. Fourth quarter payments
have not been vouchered.
Breakdown on tournament hosting and monies the district earns was reviewed by board members. Mrs. Moore asked about breakdown. Mulligan stated it’s expenses and
revenues, although they don’t figure in utilities because the building would have to be heated or cooled, regardless. Mrs. Moore said she was “shocked” by the volleyball
tournament, which actually ran a deficit for the district. The boys’ and girls’ shootouts and other sporting events were mentioned. Mrs. Moore and other board members would
like to see a complete breakdown of all the events, costs and revenue for all, for the last 2-3 years. Mulligan said he could provide that.
Mr. Wagahoff said volleyball tournaments are the hardest to make money off of, historically. However, if Riverton didn’t host, for instance, then our teams would be traveling and
there is transportation monies involved with that, if the team travels 2-3 games or matches for a tournament. Also, different groups do earn money off concessions during
tournaments.
Although there were some tournaments that haven’t made as much as in years past, they do seem to support themselves, Klebe noted. Board members discussed the
positives.
At 7:13 p.m. Supt. Mulligan, who had given the board handouts, began the PowerPoint presentation of balanced scorecard second data review 2009-2010, including strategic
objectives and some highlights of each.
--Strategic objective 1: “District will be fully implementing PBIS by FY14” key summative/formative measures FY10 targets; Triangle data, end of third quarter” which has to do
with discipline/referrals – making cell phone violations a major has pushed those percentages up
--Strategic objective 2: “increase reading achievement on state assessments to 84.5 percent by FY14; key summative/formative measures FY targets ISAT/PSAE 77.1 percent;
explore/plan/practice ACT – above last year’s levels; MAP scores (above last year’s levels); DIBELS; winter MAP data; MAP data for reading; MAP data for math; EXPLORE data;
college readiness – The college readiness standards is higher than the level needed to meet on PSAE; use for plan and practice ACT as well; overall increase in reading and
math; no longitudinal comparison available;
DIBELS assessment oral reading fluency, no comparison; older students = higher standards; determines intervention groups; fifth and sixth grade testing in the spring;
DIBELS target is for year end; DIBELS analysis first and second grade not keeping pace with expectation growth (Mulligan noted, “there are some alarming areas we’re looking
into” and “Winter is a difficult time to motivate kids, as far as testing”); analysis by classroom, formative assessment purpose
--Strategic objective 3: “increasing student engagement” key summative/formative measures FY10 targets, student engagement survey; participation in extracurricular
activities; relationship standard perception data
Year-end activities – there are 504 students in yearly organizations this year compared to 530 last year, and while fall numbers saw an increase of 14 students (219 from 205),
winter numbers fell slightly (95 to 93). Spring numbers, however, are up from 172 to 201, with soccer (up 15) and baseball (up 17) accounting for that.
Student engagement surveys at MS ad HS; national comparison for HS; engagement areas – cognitive, intellectual, academic engagement, social/behavioral/participatory
engagement, emotional engagement
Strategic Objective 4: workforce quality, summative measures FY10 – year-end staff survey, evaluation data, discipline data by teacher
It was agreed to defer the IESA/IHSA membership fees’ vote to the May meeting. “Consider Approval of Sales Tax Resolution” was up next. Supt. Mulligan stated he’d had no
questions since his article in the newspaper. This was a voice vote, and it was unanimous in approval by the board. Mr. Klebe stated there was to be a Sales Tax Committee
meeting April 13 at District 186.
“Consider Approval of Handbook Changes” — there was a Policy Committee meeting last week regarding these. Supt. Mulligan made corrections noted by board members.
The grading scale change and graduation ceremony were discussed again, as well as tardies, and honor roll qualification as it relates to weighted classes’ grades. Supt.
Mulligan discussed the graduation ceremony policy change with the district’s attorney. Mr. Bill Lamkey recommended that the honor roll qualifications not be changed until they
can see how the grading scale impacts. They do not want to make a change on short notice but would rather let the scale run one school year and look at honor roll
qualifications again. The handbook changes were then approved 7-0.
The Agreement with Watts Copy Systems (monthly rate of $2,795) was considered. Supt. Mulligan recommended approval of this, and it is a reduction in cost from the
previous agreement. This was approved 7-0.
“Consider Approval of Recommendation for Performance Contractors” — the Building Committee considered Amerisco, Johnson Controls and Trane. It was a difficult
decision, but the availability and location of Johnson Controls was probably the largest factor that weighed in the decision. The board also approved Sitton Construction Group
Consulting, who can help tremendously with contract negotiations and oversight. They did have a conference call with the superintendent at Neoga district, who used Sitton’s
services and saved hundreds of thousands of dollars on their multi-million dollar project. Riverton anticipates saving many times over the fee ($16,000) Sitton is charging, per
Mr. Klebe. These were approved 7-0.
The board went into closed session to discuss the personnel report at 8:37, with a break beforehand; they returned to open session at 9:54 p.m.
A “Resolution Reference Reduction in the Employment Status of Educational Support Personnel,” which contained the 200 to 100-day per year employment of Rick Wagahoff,
was defeated 4-3. (Baskett, Klebe, McClure and Moore voted no; Cuffle, Nonneman and Patterson yes).
A “Resolution Reference the Dismissal of Educational Support Personnel” as concerning Kathleen Fawns, Cambi Neff, Lynn Stoppleworth, Barb Obertino and Rick Wagahoff,
was approved by a vote of 4-3. (Baskett, Klebe, McClure and Moore yes; Cuffle, Nonneman and Patterson no).
There were no comments stated publicly before either vote.
The board’s spring workshop is tentatively scheduled for April 21 at 5:30. The meeting was adjourned at 10:05 p.m.
board chooses performance contractor
The Riverton School Board met Monday, April 12 at 6 p.m.; board photographs were taken. The minutes from the March 8 regular and closed session meetings were
approved, with corrections, as well as the treasurer’s, revenue and expenditure reports, all 7-0.
There was a question about payment of bills, under healthcare for students and then this was also approved 7-0. Under “Communications” was Merle Weaver, who wanted to
address the board on the junior wrestling program, ages 4 through eighth grade. She thought the season went well, and she appreciates the program’s success and thanked
the board for their support of wrestling.
“Letter from Brian Cuffle,” everyone have a chance to read that, Nonneman asked, then he asked Wagahoff if he’d had a chance to read it, and Wagahoff said yes. Cuffle, a
former school board member for 12 years, wrote about the evolution of the athletic/activity director position, and he argued in his letter that there should not be a change in the
current structure and that “I would think of no other person that is better for the job than Rick Wagahoff.” However, later in the meeting, as noted below, the board voted to
‘honorably dismiss’ Wagahoff and four others.
Mrs. Holliday and Mrs. Neighbors presented a state of the library report. Circulations/check out of books is 3,346 thus far this school year at the middle school. Students who
reached a goal set by the teachers were taken to Barnes & Noble, and 33 books were chosen for the library as a result. The “Reading is Fundamental” program has brought in
guest readers from the community. New computers have drawn students to the library during study halls; it’s been a busy year. Board members asked questions.
Connie Holliday, HS librarian, gave a brief history of the state’s requirement for their yearly presentation to the board. She reported 10,836 students in and out of the high
school library during the first semester. Funding from grants was mentioned as part of what they count on to purchase necessary books, and they also use inter-library loans.
Holliday said they have purchased books based on input from the English teachers and also to support different aspects of the high school curriculum.
Administrative team reports were presented beginning at 6:20. Mrs. Binegar, elementary school principal, who is on maternity leave, will return to work during the month of
May. Mrs. Fraase, assistant principal at the elementary school, gave an overview of students’ learning about different countries and cultures.
Mr. Fred Lamkey, middle school principal, was asked about teacher transfers; Mrs. Atkins (currently teaching seventh grade language arts but she requested to move to fifth
grade) and Mrs. Mendenhall (she requested to move into Atkins’ seventh grade slot after Atkins’ move was announced) were the two mentioned and he was asked about
interviewing process and application/posting process.
Mr. Scott McClure inquired about the middle school’s discipline report numbers, sounded like a rough month? Lamkey responded there have been some bright spots, but
there are issues with students having cell phones confiscated due to policy violation. Those numbers have been higher.
Mr. Chris Koerwitz, assistant middle school principal and transportation director, was asked by Larry Patterson about bus drivers being required to attend meetings? He does
not require it; some have other jobs and he does not pay drivers to attend meetings, but they all do try to attend and communication is passed along by other drivers.
Mr. Bill Lamkey, high school principal, was asked by Mrs. Baskett about the IT classroom being available for wrestling practices. (Industrial technology classes have been
eliminated, and the older shop equipment in that room may be sold off as soon as it is cleaned out). Lamkey reported that the room may need to be used for other things. He
asked for the Board’s direction on its usage for next year. Supt. Mulligan talked about the space issues that may be present for next school year, and balancing that with the
costs of renovating the room for use by the wrestling program for their practices. The room needs to be made safe, if they decide to use it for wrestling, which would require
removing an electrical box and making the floor even, among possible other things.
Members discussed selling outdated shop equipment and putting those proceeds toward cost of renovation. It would be good for the wrestling program to have a “home” for
practices, as the middle school stage is not appropriate/large enough, said board members who have observed. Mrs. Baskett believes if there is no commitment from the
district to do this, then the wrestling program will be jeopardized. There was approximately 20 minutes of discussion on the program’s growth and space needs in the high
school. Giving the wrestling program a home, Supt. Mulligan said, would be important, and he gave the example of the football program finally having a home when the district
had the weight room/locker room building placed near the football field.
Either way, the IT room needs to be cleared out, and Mr. Geiger was asked to handle that, as well as communicate with administration and board members. Then
administration and the board will know what it will take to renovate. Anything that can be sold, should be sold. It was noted some people have expressed interest in purchasing
that equipment. Supt. Mulligan asked Mr. Wagahoff to follow up with Coach Bee on this.
Mrs. Moore complimented the high school on the prom dinner and dance being held together, in one location. This makes sense for the students involved in Promenade, who
in the past have had little time to eat dinner at various restaurants and then make it to the dance on time. Lamkey said the students deserve all the credit for this decision.
Mr. Mike Gum, assistant high school principal, was asked about the WHY TRY program? WHY TRY? is part of the math program. One of the foundation classes is small
enough to open up a section for Mrs. Campbell to help students. Mr. Klebe asked if this impedes Mrs. Campbell from helping students in other classes with math? Gum
responded she has time in her schedule to help students with math.
Mr. Patterson asked about the fly system and pyrotechnics with regard to the spring musical. Mr. Gum responded that it is professionally hired out, and the individual who does
this has decades of experience. He also helped with the musicals in the past. There is no issue with liability.
Mr. Rick Wagahoff, athletics and activities director, was asked by Supt. Mulligan about scheduling matches next year for wrestling. Wagahoff responded it was going well. Mr.
Patterson asked if sixth and seventh grade girls’ coaching vacancies were closer to being filled? Wagahoff said there are possibilities, but assignments haven’t been made
yet. Mr. Klebe asked about the North Mac conference participation? Wagahoff said it’s a two-year process; it takes two years to get in and out of.
Mrs. Cuffle complimented Mr. Bill Geiger, grounds director, on the middle school office renovation. Supt. Mulligan said mag locks and cameras for the middle school would go
out to bid. Mrs. Cuffle asked if the light at the high school parking lot had been replaced, since the spring musical will be held shortly? Geiger said it had been replaced.
Supt. Mulligan began his report at 7:02 p.m. He referenced the IESA/IHSA fee schedule, and asked board members to take a look at that. He will have a recommendation for
the board at next month’s meeting.
He next reviewed the handout on 2009 levy for taxes to be extended in 2010/2011 was a monetary breakdown and also contained EAV/extension comparisons 1986-2009. The
total levy for 2009-2010 is $4,514,126, which is based on a 2009 final rate of 4.0609, according to district figures. Supt. Mulligan stated that for 13 out of 15 years the tax rate has
gone down, but there will be a slight increase in the rate next year. However, Riverton still, without the bonds, has the lowest rate in Sangamon County, by far, among all school
districts. A total increase of $58,000 in tax money next year is what he anticipates.
Mulligan noted the Pre-K committees are working in many directions: business donations, fees, legislative lobbying. He will keep the board posted on how that is going. It’s a
good group, he said, and they will meet again during the first week of May.
Supt. Mulligan mentioned the state finances; $632,000 is owed to Riverton by the state and has not yet been paid, although it has been vouchered. Fourth quarter payments
have not been vouchered.
Breakdown on tournament hosting and monies the district earns was reviewed by board members. Mrs. Moore asked about breakdown. Mulligan stated it’s expenses and
revenues, although they don’t figure in utilities because the building would have to be heated or cooled, regardless. Mrs. Moore said she was “shocked” by the volleyball
tournament, which actually ran a deficit for the district. The boys’ and girls’ shootouts and other sporting events were mentioned. Mrs. Moore and other board members would
like to see a complete breakdown of all the events, costs and revenue for all, for the last 2-3 years. Mulligan said he could provide that.
Mr. Wagahoff said volleyball tournaments are the hardest to make money off of, historically. However, if Riverton didn’t host, for instance, then our teams would be traveling and
there is transportation monies involved with that, if the team travels 2-3 games or matches for a tournament. Also, different groups do earn money off concessions during
tournaments.
Although there were some tournaments that haven’t made as much as in years past, they do seem to support themselves, Klebe noted. Board members discussed the
positives.
At 7:13 p.m. Supt. Mulligan, who had given the board handouts, began the PowerPoint presentation of balanced scorecard second data review 2009-2010, including strategic
objectives and some highlights of each.
--Strategic objective 1: “District will be fully implementing PBIS by FY14” key summative/formative measures FY10 targets; Triangle data, end of third quarter” which has to do
with discipline/referrals – making cell phone violations a major has pushed those percentages up
--Strategic objective 2: “increase reading achievement on state assessments to 84.5 percent by FY14; key summative/formative measures FY targets ISAT/PSAE 77.1 percent;
explore/plan/practice ACT – above last year’s levels; MAP scores (above last year’s levels); DIBELS; winter MAP data; MAP data for reading; MAP data for math; EXPLORE data;
college readiness – The college readiness standards is higher than the level needed to meet on PSAE; use for plan and practice ACT as well; overall increase in reading and
math; no longitudinal comparison available;
DIBELS assessment oral reading fluency, no comparison; older students = higher standards; determines intervention groups; fifth and sixth grade testing in the spring;
DIBELS target is for year end; DIBELS analysis first and second grade not keeping pace with expectation growth (Mulligan noted, “there are some alarming areas we’re looking
into” and “Winter is a difficult time to motivate kids, as far as testing”); analysis by classroom, formative assessment purpose
--Strategic objective 3: “increasing student engagement” key summative/formative measures FY10 targets, student engagement survey; participation in extracurricular
activities; relationship standard perception data
Year-end activities – there are 504 students in yearly organizations this year compared to 530 last year, and while fall numbers saw an increase of 14 students (219 from 205),
winter numbers fell slightly (95 to 93). Spring numbers, however, are up from 172 to 201, with soccer (up 15) and baseball (up 17) accounting for that.
Student engagement surveys at MS ad HS; national comparison for HS; engagement areas – cognitive, intellectual, academic engagement, social/behavioral/participatory
engagement, emotional engagement
Strategic Objective 4: workforce quality, summative measures FY10 – year-end staff survey, evaluation data, discipline data by teacher
It was agreed to defer the IESA/IHSA membership fees’ vote to the May meeting. “Consider Approval of Sales Tax Resolution” was up next. Supt. Mulligan stated he’d had no
questions since his article in the newspaper. This was a voice vote, and it was unanimous in approval by the board. Mr. Klebe stated there was to be a Sales Tax Committee
meeting April 13 at District 186.
“Consider Approval of Handbook Changes” — there was a Policy Committee meeting last week regarding these. Supt. Mulligan made corrections noted by board members.
The grading scale change and graduation ceremony were discussed again, as well as tardies, and honor roll qualification as it relates to weighted classes’ grades. Supt.
Mulligan discussed the graduation ceremony policy change with the district’s attorney. Mr. Bill Lamkey recommended that the honor roll qualifications not be changed until they
can see how the grading scale impacts. They do not want to make a change on short notice but would rather let the scale run one school year and look at honor roll
qualifications again. The handbook changes were then approved 7-0.
The Agreement with Watts Copy Systems (monthly rate of $2,795) was considered. Supt. Mulligan recommended approval of this, and it is a reduction in cost from the
previous agreement. This was approved 7-0.
“Consider Approval of Recommendation for Performance Contractors” — the Building Committee considered Amerisco, Johnson Controls and Trane. It was a difficult
decision, but the availability and location of Johnson Controls was probably the largest factor that weighed in the decision. The board also approved Sitton Construction Group
Consulting, who can help tremendously with contract negotiations and oversight. They did have a conference call with the superintendent at Neoga district, who used Sitton’s
services and saved hundreds of thousands of dollars on their multi-million dollar project. Riverton anticipates saving many times over the fee ($16,000) Sitton is charging, per
Mr. Klebe. These were approved 7-0.
The board went into closed session to discuss the personnel report at 8:37, with a break beforehand; they returned to open session at 9:54 p.m.
A “Resolution Reference Reduction in the Employment Status of Educational Support Personnel,” which contained the 200 to 100-day per year employment of Rick Wagahoff,
was defeated 4-3. (Baskett, Klebe, McClure and Moore voted no; Cuffle, Nonneman and Patterson yes).
A “Resolution Reference the Dismissal of Educational Support Personnel” as concerning Kathleen Fawns, Cambi Neff, Lynn Stoppleworth, Barb Obertino and Rick Wagahoff,
was approved by a vote of 4-3. (Baskett, Klebe, McClure and Moore yes; Cuffle, Nonneman and Patterson no).
There were no comments stated publicly before either vote.
The board’s spring workshop is tentatively scheduled for April 21 at 5:30. The meeting was adjourned at 10:05 p.m.
Issue Date: April 15, 2010
