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Blackburn Street drainage issues discussed
The Riverton Board of Education met on Monday, July 14. They approved the June 9 meeting’s regular and closed session minutes, as well as the treasurer’s, revenue
and expenditure reports, all 7-0.
The Board approved 7-0 the resignations of Annie Fiore, first grade teacher; Kyle Weber as golf coach; and Jane Cribbett, high school secretary (effective Dec. 19, 2008).
They approved 7-0 the employment of Kyle Weber as varsity boys basketball coach; Carol Good, middle school secretary; Barry Mink, high school industrial arts teacher;
Megan Smith, first grade teacher; and Brian Farnsworth, freshman reading instructor and golf coach. They also approved 7-0 Illinois National Bank as depository, which is
an annual formality.
Mr. Rich Pottier, a Village of Riverton Trustee, addressed the Board to ask that they reconsider their stand on Blackburn Street with regard to drainage from high school
property onto/over residents’ properties. Pottier responded to residents’ concerns Saturday, July 12 to look at the street, and told board members residents are suffering.
He also said the elementary school children’s play area materials wash off onto Jefferson Street, and asked if that could be corrected. Bill Geiger, Supervisor of Riverton
School District grounds, spoke about the gate/play area and will work on this. Pottier thanked the board for their past efforts, and hopes a solution can be found for the
high school parking lot area.
Mr. Louie Rogers thanked the Board for their financial donation to the fire/EMS building’s training room. He recognized Coach Josh Lee and the high school football
players for their help with sandbagging in the Riverton area. Mr. Jim Good, also with the Fire Department/EMS, addressed the board and distributed a two-page
informational handout discussing the Riverton Area Fire Protection District. They responded to 641 calls last year; Mr. Rogers stated they are on pace to answer 800 calls
this year, with 80 percent of the calls medical/car accident-related and the other 20 percent to fires.
Mike Klebe advised fellow board members that the sales tax committee was to meet in Riverton July 15. Administrators then presented their reports. Mrs. Binegar
remains on maternity leave, and Mrs. Fraase helped answer questions on her report. The Board had no questions on Mrs. Fraase’s own report. Fred Lamkey discussed
RTI (Response to Intervention), which is a new program he and teachers have looked at. Bill Lamkey noted the high school’s special education area may not yet be fully
staffed, he’s waiting on a response from a teacher. Paul Nonneman complimented him on the new teacher hires thus far.
Michael Gum, assistant principal at the high school, presented his report and Klebe asked about having an administrator in the classroom once a week. Gum responded
he attended a conference and the informational rubric distributed to the Board was an example; it would need to be tailored to every class. Nonneman complimented him
on the idea of an administrator in the classroom. Bill Lamkey likes that it raises accountability.
Mr. Wagahoff noted in his report that the baseball team won a “Sport a Winning Attitude” award from the IHSA.
Mr. Koerwitz, transportation director, said everything is on schedule for bus transportation. Scott McClure asked about the district’s fuel budget; it was increased $15,000
to cover increased costs. Mr. Geiger’s report included the elementary school’s roofing job will need to be re-bid, and he’s waiting on a part for the chiller unit at the high
school. Supt. Mulligan said he trained the mentors for the new teachers this week; next week the mentors meet with the new teachers. He distributed survey results to the
board; these are from four different surveys conducted during the end of the fiscal year.
Mulligan said administrators used the data from surveys to change some of their processes. He distributed the Finance Committee’s report, which include figures from
the past fiscal year deficit of $332,000, most of which was construction-related. Some of that money will be recouped by the district during the next year.
Energy usage projections as well as operations/maintenance comparisons were discussed briefly. The deficit for the upcoming year is projected at $140,000. The
Finance Committee decided to do an annual bid for athletic purchases in the future. Wagahoff will discuss with coaches.
The Board approved textbooks’ purchases as well as a tentative budget for FY09, and the superintendent’s goals, by a vote of 7-0. The contract for soda, which was
anticipated to be with Coca-Cola, was postponed until the August meeting. Mulligan received the somewhat voluminous contract from Coca-Cola at 4 p.m., which did not
allow enough time to thoroughly review. He advised the Board the district attorney will look over the details of the contract.
A board dinner will be held at 6 p.m. July 17 at Alexander’s Steak House. Prior to adjournment, Klebe asked if the Building Committee wants to review Blackburn Street.
Mulligan will see to it. The Board adjourned at 7:24 p.m.
After the meeting, Mulligan was asked if the results from the surveys would be available to the public and he intends to have those results posted on the district’s Web site.
The Riverton Board of Education met on Monday, July 14. They approved the June 9 meeting’s regular and closed session minutes, as well as the treasurer’s, revenue
and expenditure reports, all 7-0.
The Board approved 7-0 the resignations of Annie Fiore, first grade teacher; Kyle Weber as golf coach; and Jane Cribbett, high school secretary (effective Dec. 19, 2008).
They approved 7-0 the employment of Kyle Weber as varsity boys basketball coach; Carol Good, middle school secretary; Barry Mink, high school industrial arts teacher;
Megan Smith, first grade teacher; and Brian Farnsworth, freshman reading instructor and golf coach. They also approved 7-0 Illinois National Bank as depository, which is
an annual formality.
Mr. Rich Pottier, a Village of Riverton Trustee, addressed the Board to ask that they reconsider their stand on Blackburn Street with regard to drainage from high school
property onto/over residents’ properties. Pottier responded to residents’ concerns Saturday, July 12 to look at the street, and told board members residents are suffering.
He also said the elementary school children’s play area materials wash off onto Jefferson Street, and asked if that could be corrected. Bill Geiger, Supervisor of Riverton
School District grounds, spoke about the gate/play area and will work on this. Pottier thanked the board for their past efforts, and hopes a solution can be found for the
high school parking lot area.
Mr. Louie Rogers thanked the Board for their financial donation to the fire/EMS building’s training room. He recognized Coach Josh Lee and the high school football
players for their help with sandbagging in the Riverton area. Mr. Jim Good, also with the Fire Department/EMS, addressed the board and distributed a two-page
informational handout discussing the Riverton Area Fire Protection District. They responded to 641 calls last year; Mr. Rogers stated they are on pace to answer 800 calls
this year, with 80 percent of the calls medical/car accident-related and the other 20 percent to fires.
Mike Klebe advised fellow board members that the sales tax committee was to meet in Riverton July 15. Administrators then presented their reports. Mrs. Binegar
remains on maternity leave, and Mrs. Fraase helped answer questions on her report. The Board had no questions on Mrs. Fraase’s own report. Fred Lamkey discussed
RTI (Response to Intervention), which is a new program he and teachers have looked at. Bill Lamkey noted the high school’s special education area may not yet be fully
staffed, he’s waiting on a response from a teacher. Paul Nonneman complimented him on the new teacher hires thus far.
Michael Gum, assistant principal at the high school, presented his report and Klebe asked about having an administrator in the classroom once a week. Gum responded
he attended a conference and the informational rubric distributed to the Board was an example; it would need to be tailored to every class. Nonneman complimented him
on the idea of an administrator in the classroom. Bill Lamkey likes that it raises accountability.
Mr. Wagahoff noted in his report that the baseball team won a “Sport a Winning Attitude” award from the IHSA.
Mr. Koerwitz, transportation director, said everything is on schedule for bus transportation. Scott McClure asked about the district’s fuel budget; it was increased $15,000
to cover increased costs. Mr. Geiger’s report included the elementary school’s roofing job will need to be re-bid, and he’s waiting on a part for the chiller unit at the high
school. Supt. Mulligan said he trained the mentors for the new teachers this week; next week the mentors meet with the new teachers. He distributed survey results to the
board; these are from four different surveys conducted during the end of the fiscal year.
Mulligan said administrators used the data from surveys to change some of their processes. He distributed the Finance Committee’s report, which include figures from
the past fiscal year deficit of $332,000, most of which was construction-related. Some of that money will be recouped by the district during the next year.
Energy usage projections as well as operations/maintenance comparisons were discussed briefly. The deficit for the upcoming year is projected at $140,000. The
Finance Committee decided to do an annual bid for athletic purchases in the future. Wagahoff will discuss with coaches.
The Board approved textbooks’ purchases as well as a tentative budget for FY09, and the superintendent’s goals, by a vote of 7-0. The contract for soda, which was
anticipated to be with Coca-Cola, was postponed until the August meeting. Mulligan received the somewhat voluminous contract from Coca-Cola at 4 p.m., which did not
allow enough time to thoroughly review. He advised the Board the district attorney will look over the details of the contract.
A board dinner will be held at 6 p.m. July 17 at Alexander’s Steak House. Prior to adjournment, Klebe asked if the Building Committee wants to review Blackburn Street.
Mulligan will see to it. The Board adjourned at 7:24 p.m.
After the meeting, Mulligan was asked if the results from the surveys would be available to the public and he intends to have those results posted on the district’s Web site.
Issue Date: July 17, 2008
