Galesburg Reporter

ROWVA Community Unit School District 208 Board of Education met Jan. 18.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The ROWVA Board of Education met in their regular meeting in the High School LMC. The meeting was called to order by Mr. Lake at 7:00 p.m.

Pledge of Allegiance…

The following members answered roll call at 7:00 p.m.:

Mr. Johnson (Present ☒ Not Present ☐), Mr. Kalb (Present ☒ Not Present ☐), Mr. Kuelper (Present ☒ Not Present ☐), Mr. Lake (Present ☒ Not Present ☐), Mrs. Shepherd (Present ☒ Not Present ☐), Mr. West (Present ☒ Not Present ☐), and Mr. Haynes (Present ☐ Not Present ☒).

Mrs. Shepherd moved and Mr. West seconded the motion to approve the Consent Agenda for the regular and special meeting minutes of December 13, 2021, the Treasurer’s Report, the TRS Agreement, and the payment of all bills in Education, Operations and Maintenance, Transportation, IMRF, Working Cash, Fire/Safety and Activity Funds as listed on the official copy. Polled vote: Mr. Johnson (Aye ☒ Nay ☐), Mr. Kalb (Aye ☒ Nay ☐), Mr. Kuelper (Aye ☒ Nay ☐), Mr. Lake (Aye ☒ Nay ☐), Mrs. Shepherd (Aye ☒ Nay ☐), and Mr. West (Aye ☒ Nay ☐). Motion carried.

People present were Board members, administrators, members of the certified and support staff, and members of the community.

Mrs. Danner presented the elementary principal’s report. She reviewed: School year goals, enrollment numbers, honor roll, educational spotlight and upcoming events/activities.

Mr. Seaney presented the jr./sr. high school principal’s report. He reviewed: School year goals, enrollment numbers, student spotlight and honor roll, education spotlight, and upcoming events/activities.

Mr. Sornberger presented the superintendent’s report. All items were Agenda items.

Mr. Sornberger presented policies for educational curriculum for discussion.

Mr. Sornberger opened the discussion to determine the course of action for “The Hate U Give” book. Mr. Sornberger stated that he is opposed to banning or suspending any book. When you deny the author the right of free expression you in turn deny everyone else the right to see a different perspective. Mr. West moved and nobody seconded to remove the book “The Hate U Give” from our curriculum and maintain a copy in our library. The motion failed for no second.

Mr. Johnson moved and Mr. Kuelper seconded the motion to postpone definitely action on the book until the board has approved the core values of the ROWVA school district and a curriculum committee has been established per school guidelines and has reviewed said book. Polled vote: Mr. Johnson (Aye ☒ Nay ☐), Mr. Kalb (Aye ☐ Nay ☒), Mr. Kuelper (Aye ☒ Nay ☐), Mr. Lake (Aye ☒ Nay ☐), Mrs. Shepherd (Aye ☐ Nay ☒), Mr. West (Aye ☒ Nay ☐), Motion carried 4-2.

Mr. Sornberger, Mrs. Danner and Mr. Seaney discussed the Return to School Plan.

The Building and Grounds committee would like approval to seek bids for upcoming projects (locker rooms with the addition of gender-neutral bathrooms, FCS room, HVAC system for the High School, and High School floors). Mr. West moved and Mr. Johnson seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Mr. Sornberger recommended that the Automotive Program be allowed to purchase another kit car. Mrs. Shepherd moved and Mr. Kalb seconded the motion. Polled vote: Mr. Johnson (Aye ☒ Nay ☐), Mr. Kalb (Aye ☒ Nay ☐), Mr. Kuelper (Aye ☒ Nay ☐), Mr. Lake (Aye ☒ Nay ☐), Mrs. Shepherd (Aye ☒ Nay ☐), and Mr. West (Aye ☒ Nay ☐). Motion carried.

Mrs. Shepherd moved and Mr. Kuelper seconded the motion to move into closed session to discuss personnel and matters pertaining to an individual student. Polled vote: Mr. Johnson (Aye ☒ Nay ☐), Mr. Kalb (Aye ☒ Nay ☐), Mr. Kuelper (Aye ☒ Nay ☐), Mr. Lake (Aye ☒ Nay ☐), Mrs. Shepherd (Aye ☒ Nay ☐), and Mr. West (Aye ☒ Nay ☐). Motion carried at 9:30

Mr. West moved and Mrs. Shepherd seconded the motion to return to open session to discuss personnel and matters pertaining to an individual student. Polled vote: Mr. Johnson (Aye ☒ Nay ☐), Mr. Kalb (Aye ☒ Nay ☐), Mr. Kuelper (Aye ☒ Nay ☐), Mr. Lake (Aye ☒ Nay ☐), Mrs. Shepherd (Aye ☒ Nay ☐), and Mr. West (Aye ☒ Nay ☐),). Motion carried at 10:14 p.m.

Mr. Sornberger recommended hiring Taylor Fox as the School within a School teacher. Mr. Kuelper moved and Mrs. Shepherd seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Mr. Sornberger recommended hiring Velma Crowley as the Head Cook. Mr. West moved and Mr. Johnson seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Mr. Sornberger recommended accepting Matt Fink’s resignation (Transportation Director) at the end of the 2021-2022 school year. Mr. Kuelper moved and Mr. Johnson seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Mr. Sornberger requested approval to post job openings for an Art Teacher, a Biology Teacher, a Driver Education Teacher, a Jr/Sr High School English Teacher, a Transportation Director and a Cook. Mrs. Shepherd moved and Mr. Kuelper seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Building & Grounds and Co-op Committee.

Mr. Gullstrand reported on the sports coop committee meeting.

Mr. Kuelper moved and Mr. Johnson seconded the motion to adjourn at 10:26 p.m. Motion carried.

https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1806069/January_2022_Open_Meeting_Minutes.pdf