The regular meeting of the Board of Education of Oblong Community Unit School District #4 was held on March 19, 2007 in the Elementary Library. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Vice President Meese with the following present: Smith, Meese, Cross, Bilyew, Pinkston, and Harris.

Recognition & Comments – Eighteen OES students were recognized through the Character Counts Program for their outstanding character dealing with being a good citizen.

Motion by Smith and seconded by Harris to adopt consent agenda items as presented. Roll call vote: Smith – yea, Meese – yea, Cross – yea, Bilyew – yea, Pinkston – yea, Harris – yea. Consent Agenda items: To approve regular and closed session minutes of February 19, 2007; financial report of February 2007; payment of March 2007 board bills; approve IHSA membership for 2007-2008; approve IESA membership for 2007-2008; approve the Illinois Free Textbook Program; and authorize to advertise janitorial bids.

Motion by Harris and seconded by Bilyew to give the old Hardinville trophy case to the Martin Township Community Building. Roll call vote: Smith – yea, Meese – yea, Cross – yea, Bilyew – yea, Pinkston – yea, Harris – yea.

Motion by Bilyew and seconded by Meese to approve the 2007-2008 school calendar as presented. Roll call vote: Smith – yea, Meese – yea, Cross – yea, Bilyew – yea, Pinkston – yea, Harris – yea.

Motion by Harris and seconded by Smith to approve the Junior High Beta Club trip to Turkey Run State Park on May 4, 2007. Roll call vote: Smith – yea, Meese – yea, Cross – yea, Bilyew – yea, Pinkston – yea, Harris – yea.

Motion by Pinkston and seconded by Cross to approve the High School Biology class trip to the St. Louis Zoo on April 13, 2007. Roll call vote: Smith – yea, Meese – yea, Cross – yea, Bilyew – yea, Pinkston – yea, Harris – yea.

Motion by Bilyew and seconded by Harris to approve the High School Cheerleaders to attend cheer camp at the Four Points Convention Center in Fairview Heights, IL July 9-12, 2007. Roll call vote: Smith – yea, Meese – yea, Cross – yea, Bilyew – yea, Pinkston – yea, Harris – yea.

Motion by Smith and seconded by Cross to approve the High School Science Club trip to the St. Louis Science Center on April 2, 2007. Roll call vote: Smith – yea, Meese – yea, Cross – yea, Bilyew – yea, Pinkston – yea, Harris – yea.

Motion by Meese and seconded by Harris to approve the 8th grade class trip to Holiday World on May 15, 2007. Roll call vote: Smith – yea, Meese – yea, Cross – yea, Bilyew – yea, Pinkston – yea, Harris – yea.

Motion by Pinkston and seconded by Cross to go into closed session at 7:19 PM to consider information regarding appointment, employment, or dismissal of an employee, negotiations, and to engage in discussion relating to the special education program. Roll call vote: Smith – yea, Meese – yea, Cross – yea, Bilyew – yea, Pinkston – yea, Harris – yea.

Motion by Harris and seconded by Meese to return to open session at 8:01 PM. Roll call vote: Smith – yea, Meese – yea, Cross – yea, Bilyew – yea, Pinkston – yea, Harris – yea.

Motion by Pinkston and seconded by Meese to approve closed session minutes of 3/19/07. Roll call vote: Smith – yea, Meese – yea, Cross – yea, Bilyew – yea, Pinkston – yea, Harris – yea.

Motion by Smith and seconded by Bilyew to hire Mandy Catt as Grade School Dean of Students. Roll call vote: Smith – yea, Meese – yea, Cross – yea, Bilyew – yea, Pinkston – yea, Harris – yea.

Motion by Pinkston and seconded by Bilyew to place on tenure for the 2007-2008 school year: Bobbi Ireland. Roll call vote: Smith – yea, Meese – yea, Cross – yea, Bilyew – yea, Pinkston – yea, Harris – yea.

Motion by Pinkston and seconded by Harris to rehire as fourth year teachers for the 2007-2008 school year: Sarah Barthelme and James Dunlap. Roll call vote: Smith – yea, Meese – yea, Cross – yea, Bilyew – yea, Pinkston – yea, Harris – yea.

Motion by Cross and seconded by Pinkston to rehire as third year teacher for the 2007-2008 school year: Jennifer Greathouse. Roll call vote: Smith – yea, Meese – yea, Cross – yea, Bilyew – yea, Pinkston – yea, Harris – yea.

Motion by Smith and seconded by Harris to rehire as second year teacher for 2007-2008 school year: Ken Strieby. Roll call vote: Smith – yea, Meese – yea, Cross – yea, Bilyew – yea, Pinkston – yea, Harris – yea.

Motion by Meese and seconded by Pinkston to approve Chris Martin as volunteer grade school assistant track coach. Roll call vote: Smith – yea, Meese – yea, Cross – yea, Bilyew – yea, Pinkston – yea, Harris – yea.

Motion by Meese and seconded by Pinkston to honorably RIF Bill Wimmersberg from full day P.E. teacher to ½ day P.E. teacher for the 2007-2008 school year. Roll call vote: Smith – yea, Meese – yea, Cross – yea, Bilyew – yea, Pinkston – yea, Harris – yea.

Motion by Harris and seconded by Bilyew to accept Tricia Anderson’s request to go from part-time P.E. teacher back to full-time P.E. teacher for the 2007-2008 school year. Roll call vote: Smith – yea, Meese – yea, Cross – yea, Bilyew – yea, Pinkston – yea, Harris – yea.

Motion by Smith and seconded by Cross to adjourn at 8:05 PM. Roll call vote: Smith – yea, Meese – yea, Cross – yea, Bilyew – yea, Pinkston – yea, Harris – yea.