Billing increase explained to Red Bud Board
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Travis Bushue of Bushue Human Resources told the Red Bud District 132 Board of Education at their December 18th meeting that a reclassification of bus aides has caused an increase in Workers Compensation premium billing. That's in addition to claims filed in the past three years and an increase in payroll, he explained.
Bus aides are billed under a separate classification because they work in a motor vehicle and are at a higher risk than other district employees, Bushue said.
Bushue also said his office will do their best to get the premium billings to the district 60 days in advance of expiration, but noted that this is contingent upon their receiving of the rates from the insurance agent.
High School Principal Sarah Imhoff told the board the RBHS Homeroom Program will begin with the commencement of the second semester. Classes will be shortened by four minutes to create the 20 minute homeroom period. Topics scheduled to be discussed during the period include: study skills and development of a four year plan for freshmen; character education and team building for sophomores; test preparation using Key Train and the online ACT program for juniors, and for senior students activities preparing them for leaving high school.
Imhoff also reported on parental on-line access for grades. She said the program will be available January 5 and parents will need to obtain a password and PIN number from the high school office.
The board approved an overnight trip to Chicago for Joyce Carnahan's culinary arts class. Ten students will tour a meat market, a produce market, Kendall College, and Eli's Cheesecakes in January. The majority of the trip will be funded by Okaw Regional and fundraising done by the class.
Imhoff said that next month she will be seeking approval for a culinary arts class entitled Platinum Chef Operations. This will separate the food service/business operations out of the foods classes.
The board also approved a new conceptual physics class for grades 10-12. It will begin in the fall of 2009 with a biology prerequisite. The science class will help students be better prepared for the Prairie State Achievement Exam.
The district has received a $1,200 grant from the Illinois Alliance of Administrators of Special Education to be used to conduct a book club for grades 7 and 8, according to Grade School Principal Larry Lovel. The grant application was written by Chris Gridley and was entitled "Lunch and a Book."
Lovel commended the faculty, staff, and students for their extreme generosity. Many grade school organizations contributed Christmas gifts and funds to the needy, he said.
Lovel also singled out Ali Ringering for praise. She won first place in the Elks Club Hoop Shoot competition sinking 23 baskets in 25 tries.
Mary Ann Quivey and Rose Gardner of the Regional Office of Education recently presented a workshop at the elementary school on reading and writing across the curriculum, Lovel said.
Two teachers were recognized by the board for accomplishments. Barrett Deist was honored with a certificate in recognition of earning a Doctor of Education degree from St. Louis University and Debra McCutcheon was honored with a certificate of recognition for attaining National Board Certification.
Two drafts of the school calendar for 2009-2010 were distributed and discussed. The calendar will be on the agenda for approval at the January meeting.
In other business:
The board approved a letter of retirement from Tim Rekosh at the end of the current school year.
A 6.5 hours daily care aide position at the elementary school was approved for posting.
Five days of instruction on Web site designing from School Center was approved for 50 teachers with guaranteed outcome for a cost of $7,050.
Red Bud Industries has offered the board a tour of their business. A date will be set later.
A second reading of a number of board policies was approved.