Galesburg Reporter

ROWVA Community Unit School District 208 Board of Education met March 21.

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 pm.

Pledge of Allegiance…

The following members answered roll call at 7:00 pm:

Mr. Johnson (Present ☒ Not Present ☐), Mr. Kuelper (Present ☒ Not Present ☐), Mr. Lake (Present ☒ Not Present ☐), Mr. West (Present ☒ Not Present ☐).

Mr. Johnson moved and Mr. Kuelper seconded the motion to approve the Consent Agenda for the minutes of February 22, 2022, March 10, 2022 and March 14, 2022, the Treasurer’s Report, 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. Kuelper (Aye ☒ Nay ☐), Mr. Lake (Aye ☒ Nay ☐), Mr. West (Aye ☒ Nay ☐). Motion carried.

People present were Board members, administrators, and members of the public, FFA Alumni, Jessica Swigart and Mr. Rod Main.

Mrs. Danner presented the elementary principal’s report. She reviewed: School year goals, professional development, student spotlight, educational spotlight, and upcoming events/activities.

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

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

Mr. Johnson moved and Mr. West seconded the motion to appoint Amber Fleming to fill the vacant Board position. Polled vote: Mr. Johnson (Aye ☒ Nay ☐), Mr. Kuelper (Aye ☒ Nay ☐), Mr. Lake (Aye ☒ Nay ☐), Mr. West (Aye ☒ Nay ☐). Motion carried.

Mr. Lake administered the Oath of Office to Mrs. Fleming.

Tim Leahy from IASB gave an update on the Superintendent search.

Per a recommendation from Mr. Gullstrand, Mr. Sornberger recommended that Competitive Cheer (High School) be added as a co-op sport with Williamsfield for the 2022-2023 school year. Mr. Johnson moved and Mrs. Fleming seconded the motion. Motion carried with 2 abstentions.

Per a recommendation from Mr. Gullstrand, Mr. Sornberger recommended that the R-W combined athletic salary scale for the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 school years be approved. No action taken. Mr. Johnson moved and Mrs. Fleming seconded the motion to postpone this until the April meeting. Motion carried.

The Transportation Director, along with the Transportation Committee, would like permission to purchase a 77-passenger school bus and 2 activities buses. Mr. West moved and Mr. Johnson seconded the motion. Polled vote: Mr. Johnson (Aye ☒ Nay ☐), Mr. Kuelper (Aye ☒ Nay ☐), Mr. Lake (Aye ☒ Nay ☐), Mr. West (Aye ☒ Nay ☐), and Mrs. Fleming (Aye ☒ Nay ☐). Motion carried.

Mr. Sornberger recommended that the quote (from Music Makers) for the HS Gym Sound System be accepted. Mr. West moved and Mr. Kuelper seconded the motion. Polled vote: Mr. Johnson (Aye ☒ Nay ☐), Mr. Kuelper (Aye ☒ Nay ☐), Mr. Lake (Aye ☒ Nay ☐), Mr. West (Aye ☒ Nay ☐), and Mrs. Fleming (Aye ☒ Nay ☐). Motion carried.

Mr. Sornberger recommended that the overnight trips for FCCLA (State Convention, National Convention and Summer Leadership Camp) be approved. Mr. Kuelper moved and Mr. Johnson seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Mr. Sornberger presented the PRESS Plus Policies for the first reading.

Mr. West moved and Mr. Johnson 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. Kuelper (Aye ☒ Nay ☐), Mr. Lake (Aye ☒ Nay ☐), and Mr. West (Aye ☒ Nay ☐), and Mrs. Fleming (Aye ☒ Nay ☐). Motion carried.

Mr. Johnson moved and Mr. Kuelper 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. Kuelper (Aye ☒ Nay ☐), Mr. Lake (Aye ☒ Nay ☐), Mr. West (Aye ☒ Nay ☐), and Mrs. Fleming (Aye ☒ Nay ☐). Motion carried at 9:16 p.m.

Mr. Sornberger recommended that the resignation of Danny Groves (Bus Driver) be accepted. Mr. West moved and Mr. Johnson seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Mr. Sornberger recommended that the resignation of Becky Brown (Elementary Teacher & JH Girls Track Coach) be accepted at the end of the 2021-2022 school year. Mr. Johnson moved and Mr. Kuelper seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Mr. Sornberger recommended accepting the resignation of Paige Wexell as 8th Grade Volleyball Coach. Mr. West moved and Mrs. Fleming seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Mr. Sornberger recommended hiring Scott Cramer as the Bass Fishing Sponsor. Mr. Kuelper moved and Mr. Johnson seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Mr. Sornberger recommended hiring Jason Lydic as the Driver Education Instructor. Mr. West moved and Mrs. Fleming seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Mr. Sornberger recommended hiring Chris Carpenter as a JH Social Studies Teacher and Wrestling Coach. Mr. Johnson moved and Mr. Kuelper seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Mr. Sornberger recommended hiring Melinda McKie-Cation and an Elementary Aide. Mr. West moved and Mrs. Fleming seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Mr. Sornberger recommended hiring Abigail Dauma as an Elementary Aide. Mr. Johnson moved and Mr. Kuelper seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Mr. Sornberger recommended that Ryan Downard be hired as a Dishwasher/Cook. Mr. Johnson moved and Mrs. Fleming seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Mr. Sornberger requested approval to post openings for a JH/HS PE Teacher, a 7th Grade Volleyball Coach, an Elementary (1st Grade) Teacher, a JH Girls Track Coach, and a Bus Driver. Mr. Kuelper moved and Mrs. Fleming seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Athletic field maintenance was discussed.

Mr. Kuelper moved and Mr. Johnson seconded the motion to adjourn at 9:25 pm. Motion carried.