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| 1/15/2010 4:35:00 PM | Email this article • Print this article |
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| TRANKINA |
| | Discipline referrals show dramatic improvement | Fewer discipline referrals are being handed out at J.W. Eater Junior High
Social worker Marcy Nicoson told the board that the number of first-semester office discipline referrals given between Aug. 15 and Jan. 5 dropped from 672 in 2007 to 381 this year. In that same period, the number of days students spent in out-of-school suspensions dropped from 472 days to 217.
"That means the kids are in class more often and the teachers are teaching for the whole class period," Eater Principal Mike Penicook said.
The improvement has been attributed to revamping and alignment with the elementary schools of the Positive Behavior Interventions and Support system that the school has had in place for nine years.
"We have school-wide expectations," Penicook said. "That really helps."
The system also encourages the use of positive office referrals. Nicosan said the ratio of positive to negative referrals was two-to-one.
- Debra Rawlings
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Superintendent's contract extended three years
By Debra Rawlings
Rantoul Press reporter
The RCS board on Thursday voted 5-2 to extend Superintendent Bill Trankina's contract for three years with an option for a fourth year.
Board members John Brotherton and Mark Keyes opposed the motion.
"I felt it was time for a change," Brotherton said.
Keyes said, "I felt like the community was ready for a change. I have a whole lot of respect for Bill Trankina, and he's done a great deal for this school district, but I felt it had run its course."
The vote was on the length of the contract only. The contract itself has yet to be written. According to the district Web site, Trankina is paid an annual salary of $174,826 before benefits.
Board member Kevin Modglin participated in the meeting by telephone from Bloomington. Board member Kevin McCallister, who has missed more meetings than he has attended since re-election in April, was there in person.
The board also passed a second resolution announcing its intent to issue up to $15 million in general obligation alternate revenue bonds to pay for renovation of district buildings. The first was passed last month.
A second resolution was necessary because, in addition to revenues from the 1 percent school construction county sales tax, the board is pledging repayment from up to $200,000 in property taxes levied for operations and maintenance. By doing so, Trankina said, the repayment period is reduced from 23 to 18 years.
Citizens have 30 days in which they may petition to have the bond issue placed on the ballot for voters to decide. Petitions are available at the district central office at 400 E. Wabash Ave.
A bond issue notification hearing has been set for 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11., the date of the next regular board meeting.
Anne Noble, representative of Stifel & Nicolaus, Inc., St. Louis, told the board that a feasibility study showed sales tax revenues higher than previous projections.
"That means you'll have a little more cushion," she said.
Negotiations continue with Control Technology Solutions, the contractor selected by the board for the renovations, Trankina said.
In other business, the board tabled a proposal to purchase a corporate membership at the Forum Fitness Center. Only 35 of the district's 225 staff members indicated interest. At a cost of $5 per participant, with a minimum of 75, board members felt the cost was too high.
"I would like to see a better response," Keyes said. "I'm not thrilled about 35."
In other business, Trankina reported that reinforcement of the gym wall at Eastlawn school continues. The project was expected to be completed during the Christmas break, but Trankina said that when the wall was opened up, workers discovered more concrete and fill between the concrete blocks than had been expected. As a result, cost of the project has risen from $18,000 to $22,500.
Trankina also reported that general state aid payments to the district are up to date, but other state payments were behind by $582,878 as of Dec. 31.
The board also agreed to seek bids for cafeteria food products and approved distribution of reduction-in-force documents.
drawling@rantoulpress.com
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