North Clay School Board Discusses 1% School Facility Sales Tax

Louisville, IL-(Effingham Radio)- The North Clay School Board met last week and discussed a few different items.

1. Roll call, Pledge of Allegiance at 6:02pm Board Members present were Barry Adair, Jonathan Carroll, Anthony Dawkins, Jason Griffy and Kim Smith. Absent were: Ryan Ballard and Aaron Kincaid. Others present were Superintendent Keith Price, Assistant Principal/Athletic Director Mr. Richard Grubaugh, and Elementary/Junior High School Principal Mr. Ben Borries. 
2. Consider Adoption of Agenda Approved 5-0
3. Consider Approval Consent Agenda of Regular Board Meeting Approved 5-0 a. Approval of Minutes; b. Treasurer’s Report; c. Approval of Bills, Personal and Sick Leave; d. Approval of Field Trips 
4. Recognition of Guests, Public Comments, and Positive News 

During Public Comments, citizen Athena VanDyke wanting to thank the district for providing additional food options(ala carte) for students during the lunch hour; she also commented on the 1% county school facility sales tax by saying that if it is approved, she hoped that it would not be permanent; she also commented on the status of the North Clay Band and Chorus position by saying that she hope the district can find an instructor soon so the program can come back. 

Elementary and Junior High School Principal, Mr. Ben Borries, presented positive news for both the Grade School and High School: 

North Clay Elementary/Junior High School Positive News: 

• November 26th – Jr. High PBIS Winners – Isaiah McGee, Bre Merrill, Ella Ord, Amelia Wendling, Nolan Dawkins, & Juan Mora 
• December Jr. Deputies – Sponsored by the Clay County Sheriff’s Department and Sgt. Lewis – 2nd Graders – Maddox Seabaugh & Violet Broz, 3rd Graders – Emma Gibbons, Wednesday Chitwood, & Benetley Oldham, 4th Graders – Nile Robey & Logan Byers 
• Merry Christmas to the wonderful staff, students, and parents at North Clay Jr. High and Elementary 
• December 4th – Christmas Concert – Performances 1:00 and 6:00 p.m. 
• December 9th – 13th – PTO Santa Shoppe 

○ December 11th – Gingerbread Night 

○ December 13th – Pre-K Christmas Concert 

• Christmas Feast Week for the Staff 

North Clay High School Positive News: 

• On November 25 and 26 NC FFA had 10 FFA members attend the BUILD conference at Illinois State University, 
• NC had another successful College and Career Fair on November 21st. Students were able to choose from many different speakers in 3 breakout sessions as well as visiting with many colleges and businesses. 
• Students enjoyed homecoming games on Friday, December 6th following a pep assembly introducing this year’s basketball teams and cheer squad. 
• The 2024 Homecoming Dance was held in the commons on December 7th. King and Queen were Aliah Robertson and Gavin Wyrich. 
• NC held the 1st Semester PBIS reward day on Friday, December 13th. The 1st place gingerbread house winner was Haven Cash and Matia Price. 2nd-Laynee Hampton and 3rd – Hunter Czyzewski 
• December 18 and 19 will be semester exams 
• November/December students of the month are Cody Zimdars, Cade Pickens, Danae Levi, Avery Romack and Mila Zink. 
• Matthew McPeak created an entry for the Clay County Bicentennial logo and Won! 

Extra-Curricular Activities Positive News 

• HS Boys Basketball won the Consolation Championship of the Cumberland Thanksgiving Tournament, Cody Zimdars was named to the all-tournament team 

5. Consider to approve the 2024 Tax Levy Approved 5-0 The approved tax levy was a 4.99% increase of last year’s tax extension. During discussion, Superintendent Keith Price stated that the tax levy is estimated to lower the district’s tax rate to about $3.11. The district’s current tax rate is $3.19. 
6. Presentation on the state required report on the district’s operational fund balances Presentation Only Superintendent Price shared the district’s report on the operation fund balances to average expenditures ratio. There is a new, required, report for the State of Illinois. It is called the Operational Funds Reduction Plan Report. Basically, if a district has 2.5x their average expenditures (over the past 3 years) in their reserves, then they must create a Fund Balance Reduction Plan. Currently, North Clay CUSD#25 has 1.389x in fund balances compared to our 3 year average in expenditures. This data is pulled from the district’s annual financial reports. It only takes into account our operational funds, which are funds 10, 20, and 40, which are the funds of Education, Operation and Maintenance and Transportation. Keith Price stated that he will compare North Clay’s data to that of other districts as that information becomes available. 

7. Consider to approve first reading of board policy updates Approved 5-0
8. Consider approval of the destruction of closed session audio recordings that are at least 18 months old and for which approved minutes exist. Approved 5-0
9. Discussion on the 1% County Schools Facility Sales Tax Discussion Only Superintendent Price reviewed options for additional funding that the district may receive if the 1% county schools facility tax were to pass on the April 1st ballot. The following was information shared about revenue uses: 

For the most part, any construction for school purposes would qualify: new facilities, additions, renovations, land and site improvements, demolition; Also includes fire prevention, safety, energy conservation, disabled accessibility, and school security Non-movable equipment, some maintenance items; Computers, furniture, movable equipment, vehicles/buses, salaries/instructional/operating costs are not eligible under the law; Make payments on and/or refund existing bonds that were issued for capital purposes; School Resource Officers and Mental Health Professionals now included. 

The board discussed the interest in utilizing, at least a portion, of any potential 1% sales tax revenue to abate current bonds that would result in the lowering of our overall tax rate. Board Member Jon Carroll recommended that a commerce study be reviewed to determine what percentage of county sales comes from people outside of Clay County. The board also directed the building and grounds committee conduct a building study regarding additional building projects that could be funded by potential 1% sales tax revenue. 

10. Discussion on the District Marketing and Advertising Plan Discussion Only The board discussed details surrounding exterior signage that may be a part of any gymnasium marketing and advertising. The board directed the building and grounds committee to work with administration to determine specific criteria and district expectations for (materials, size of) any letters and signage that would be a part of the gym sponsorship advertising agreement. 

11. Update on Construction Project Discussion Only

Superintendent Price provided an update on the building progress. Updates include: first coat of paint in the new gym, continued interior framing of the ag shop and classroom, installation of windows in the newly constructed south tower, the continued sealing up of the gym, corridors and other areas of the project along with the providing of temporary heat and power (until permanent power can be installed) in those areas. During the Christmas Break, the south staircase in the high school will go through demolition. Dust barriers are being installed on Friday, December 20, to prepare for that phase of the project. If everything stays on schedule, the new bathrooms (both upstairs and downstairs) in the new tower should be operational by mid January. The community is encouraged to check out the school’s Facebook page for updates or visit the district website by clicking on the “district” tab and then selecting “Building Project” for continued updates. 

Closed session for the purpose of: Approved 5-0 at 6:57 PM 

1. The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, security, or dismissal of specific employees of the district 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) 
2. Collective negotiating matter between the public body and its employees or other representatives 5 ILCS 12/2(c)(2) 
3. Student disciplinary cases 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(9) 

The Board of Education met in closed session from 6:59PM to 7:47PM 

Board Member Jon Carroll left the meeting at 7:40PM 

Open The Board of Education entered into open session at 7:47PM 

Upon returning from closed session, the following motions were made: 

1. Hire Jim Sapp as Transportation Maintenance Coordinator Approved 4-0
2. Accept the letter of intent to retire from Alice Robinson Approved 4-0
3. Approve an unpaid day for Katrina VanDyke Approved 4-0
4. Accept the letter of resignation of Marla Gillet at part-time custodian, effective immediately Approved 4-0
5. Approve to post for a part time bus driver position Approved 4-0
6. Provide administration permission to hire non-certified staff, as needed Approved 4-0

Committee Reports / Superintendent Report 

The building and grounds committee will be meeting soon to develop specific exterior signage expectations for gym marketing and advertising. Superintendent Price informed the board that the district will be recognizing Bryan West at an assembly at the Grade School on Thursday, December 19, to commemorate his last week at North Clay after 31 years of dedicated service where he served in positions such as a bus driver and as the district’s Transportation Director. 

Adjournment at 7:48PM