Galesburg Reporter

Monmouth-Roseville Community Unit School District #238 Board of Education Met Feb. 9.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL 

The Monmouth-Roseville C.U.S.D. # 238 Board of Education met in a regular meeting in the Board Room at the District Office, 105 North E Street, Monmouth, Illinois. At 6:01 p.m. the meeting was called to order by President Killey and the roll was read. The following Members responded: 

Brooks, Bratcher, Killey, Trego, and Watson. Member Froelich arrived at 6:10 p.m. (5). Roll Call #1 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 

President Killey led the Board and audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. 

OATH OF OFFICE FOR NEW MEMBER OF THE BOARD 

Joseph Switzer read the oath of office for a new member of the board and was welcomed by Board President Killey. 

ELECTION OF SECRETARY FOR UNTIL BOARD REORGANIZATION MEETING (APRIL 2021) 

In order to fill the vacancy of Member Sells who served as Board Secretary Member Brooks nominated Member Bratcher to serve as secretary for until Board reorganization meeting in April 2021. Member Watson seconded the motion. The President called all in favor of Joe Bratcher as Secretary to raise their hands. All Members raised responding AYE. 

PUBLIC COMMENTS 

MREA President Lana Stewart addressed the Board citing the hard work and determination M-R CUSD #238 teachers and staff have exhibited this school year. 

CONSENT AGENDA 

It was moved by Member Watson and seconded by Member Trego that the Board approve the Consent Agenda as presented: 

(a.) The Board approved and placed on file the Minutes from the regular and closed session held on  January 12, 2021. 

(b.) The Board received and placed on File the January Financial Reports that included the Treasurer's  Report and the Report of the Employee Self-Insurance Health Insurance Program. 

(c.) The Board approved the December Payroll and Board Bills.

(d.) The Board accepted the School Activity accounts as presented. (e.) The Board accepted the Principals' reports as presented. 

On roll call the following Members voted AYE: Bratcher, Froelich, Killey, Switzer, Trego, Watson, Brooks (7) Roll call #2 

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT 

Mr. Fletcher provided the Board with the following updates: 

New graduation requirements: Beginning with the 2028-2029 school year, requiring 2 years of a foreign language. Also beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, requiring 2 years of laboratory science (rather than "Science"). Also beginning with the 2022-2023 school year, students in grades 9-12 must complete one year of a course that includes intensive instruction in computer literacy, which may be English, social studies, or any other subject and may be counted toward the fulfillment of other graduation requirements. 

Words of appreciation from a parent at Lincoln: After an IEP meeting a guardian tearfully expressed gratitude for the love and care that the teachers have been putting in for her child who happens to be fully remote. Amanda Aldridge (Cross-Cat), Amy Quinn (1st Grade), and Brea Simpkins (Speech Assistant) were recognized and appreciated by name. It was really a touching moment for the teachers involved. 

Words of Appreciation for Mr. Greenlief: The Superintendent reported that a Board member received a phone call from a community member regarding Mr. Greenlief. This community member was helping an elderly parent from their car, but there was a significant amount of ice between the car and the location where they were going. Mr. Greenlief helped them to their destination. When they walked back outside they noticed that Mr. Greenlief had remove the ice and snow all the way to their vehicle. It is very nice receiving phone call such as this about our employees. Thank you Mr. Greenlief. 

Students that meet specific criteria update: The Superintendent expressed gratitude for the Board's support in this endeavor. Secondly, Central Intermediate did some further research and was able to find classroom spots similar to what is occurring at Lincoln and Harding. Some parents did not accept this opportunity, but the ones who did have been grateful. 

In addition, the Superintendent shared the IHSA Sport's Timeline guidance and indicated that these guidelines would lead M-R athletic department moving forward. 

BOARD CORRESPONDENCE 

None. 

BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS 

None. 

INSTRUCTIONAL/OPERATIONAL PRESENTATION

 Junior High Principal Aaron Sikorski submitted an update regarding the transition and academic pursuits of the 7th and 8th grade teachers and students for the Board's review. 

NEW BUSINESS 

A. Discussion/Approval of Bus Leases for the 2021-2022 School Year 

Mr. Fletcher presented the Board with the following bus lease information and recommended Board approval 

Member Trego moved and Member Watson seconded a motion to approve the bus leases for the 2021-2022 school year as presented. On roll call the following Members voted AYE: Froelich, Killey, Switzer, Trego, Watson, Brooks and Bratcher (7). Motion carried. Roll call #3 

B. Discussion/Action of Life-Safety Amendment for work at Monmouth-Roseville Junior High School 

Mr. Fletcher presented to the Board information for upgrades to the phone intercom system. After review Member Bratcher approved to approve the Life Safety as presented and Member Brooks seconded. On roll call the following Members voted AYE: Killey, Switzer, Trego, Watson, Brooks, Bracher and Froelich (7). Motion carried. Roll call #4 

BOARD COMMENTS 

None. 

GO INTO CLOSED SESSION 

At 6:37 p.m., it was moved by Member Bratcher and seconded by Member Froelich to go into closed session for the purpose of: 

The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee of the public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity (5 ILCS and collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees 

The following Members voted AYE: Switzer, Trego, Watson, Brooks, Bratcher, Froelich, and Killey (7). Motion carried. Roll Call #5 

RETURN TO OPEN SESSION 

At 8:30 p.m., it was moved by Member Brooks and seconded by Member Bratcher to return to open session. On roll call the following Members voted AYE: Trego, Watson, Brooks, Bratcher, Froelich, Killey and Switzer (7). Motion carried. Roll Call #6 

ACTION TAKEN AS A RESULT OF CLOSED SESSION 

None. 

DISCUSSION, CONSIDERATION, AND ACTION ON LEARNING PLAN, TIMELINE, AND OPTION FOR RETURN TO ON-SITE INSTRUCTION FOR ALL STUDENTS AND/OR CONTINUANCE OF HYBRID INSTRUCTION FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER 

Member Trego moved to adopt in-person learning plan and MOU with the MREA for all in person learning to return to the buildings March 1, 2021 with a 12:30 dismissal and after Spring Break with a 2:00 p.m. dismissal. Member Watson seconded the motion. On roll call the following Members voted AYE: Trego, Watson, Bratcher, Froelich, Killey and Switzer (6). NAYS: Brooks (1). Motion carried. Roll call #7 

PERSONNEL 

The Board approved the Personnel Agenda as presented.

It was moved by Member Watson and seconded by Member Bratcher to approve the Personnel Agenda as presented. On roll call the following Members voted AYE: Watson, Brooks, Bratcher, Froelich, Killey, Switzer and Watson (7). Motion carried. Roll Call #8 

ADJOURNMENT 

At 8:37 p.m., it was moved by Member Watson and seconded by Member Trego that the meeting be adjourned. On roll call the following Members voted AYE: Brooks, Bratcher, Froelich, Killey, Switzer, Trego, and Watson (7). Motion carried. Roll Call #9 

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