Nick Chapman came prepared.
During public comment, he addressed the board about the ball fields. He used his full five minutes to explain just how bad the shape of the fields are in – some of the worst he’s ever seen, and proposed solutions to remedy them.
Chapman is a parent of a fifth grader in the district, a coach for more than 20 years, and a board member of the Peotone Baseball Softball Association (PBSA). PBSA has a history of assisting with maintenance and financial expenditures for the park district fields. They have a current contract with the park district for use, maintenance, and expenditure recovery for the fields. Of which, the park district said they would be seeking more revenue for fill at their last meeting.
PBSA made some significant improvements just a couple of years ago to the tune of about $4,000. They renovated plates, cut lips of the infield, leveled the field, and rebuilt areas. They made the fields “playable,” but ball fields need water. Chapman said the fields flood because without water, that clay mix has become pottery, and the water just pools on it. Chapman also said he sent an estimate to Supt. Brandon Owens last October of proposed renovations for about $4,000.
Chapman said Peotone is a community with the know how, expertise, and will to get these fields fixed. “As a parent, as a coach, as a member of the board, we want to help you,” he said. He encouraged the school district to reach out because they want to work together for the betterment of the ball players.
The budget amendment hearing was open and closed with board member Tim Stoub asking Business Manager Adrian Fulgencio to explain the budget process. Fulgencio shared that when the budget is created, not all the numbers are exact from the state, and the only way to avoid amending the budget would be for the state to have accurate financials provided to the district as the budget process started.
Board member Ashley Stachniak also asked a few questions regarding the schedule of bills regarding oversight and possible bulk ordering for cost efficiency. Fulgencio explained he oversees the bills and said communication among buildings is happening to order items in bulk for cost efficiency, He also said it was a good question.
The amended budget was approved unanimously, with board member Rick Uthe not present.
Meals and milk will be going up, as was discussed in last week’s committee of the whole meeting. Student meals will increase to $3.70, adult meals will be $4.20, and milk will be $0.50. Board member Mark Jones thanked the administration for answering questions and Helping Hands for offering to help community members who might struggle with the increase.
Regarding the handbooks, board members asked about changes discussed at the Committee of the Whole meeting and were they in the handbooks. Moe asked if the handbooks could be tabled. Owens said they would not be able to be printed in time. Stoub also moved to motion to table the handbooks, preferring to produce a digital version of the handbook now and a printed copy later after the changes discussed were agreed upon. Jones seconded, and the rest of the board agreed to table until changes were official. Proposed changes to the handbook are available in the board packet that is viewable on the district website.
A new basketball club at the Intermediate Center was unanimously approved.
The junior high English Language Arts curriculum also unanimously was approved for $54,128. Jones applauded Asst. Supt. Carole Zurales for making arrangements for district teachers to travel to Frankfort to see how their district utilizes the curriculum.
In the good news portion, high schooler Adam Murray was recognized as student of the month. Junior high students Anthony DeMeo (sixth), Carter Dorociak (seventh), and Alexandra Baumann (eighth) also were recognized as April Students of the Month
