Galesburg Reporter

Monmouth-Roseville School District Board of Education met Feb. 8.

Here are 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 LMC of the High School, 200 South B Street, Monmouth, Illinois. At 6:00 p.m. the meeting was called to order by President Killey and the roll was read. The following Members responded: Switzer, Watson, Brooks, Bratcher, Huston, Killey, and Schumm (7). Roll Call #1

PLEDGE OF ALLENGIANCE

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

CONSENT AGENDA

It was moved by Member Brooks and seconded by Member Watson 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 20, 2022.

(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 January Payroll and Board Bills as presented:

(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: Watson, Brooks, Bratcher, Huston, Killey, Schumm, Switzer (7). Roll Call #2

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

Mr. Fletcher reviewed the year to date financial report for January and December.

The Superintendent reviewed COVID data with the Board referencing the chart on the website for updated information.

The Superintendent notified the Board that Public Act 102-0543 requires school district to comply regarding reporting student gender identity and sexual orientation.

In addition, Mr. Fletcher shared some student highlights from Governor Pritzker's State of the State address specifically that Evidence Based Funding was expected to increase stating that that was a positive sign for the District.

The Superintendent announced that the Class of 2022 graduation was set for May 29, 2022 at Coach Dobry Field weather permitting. An alternative location at Monmouth College is also reserved should the ceremony need to move indoors.

BOARD CORRESPONDENCE

A thank you note was circulated.

BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS

In the Board's packet were the Physical Resources Committee Minutes from February 1, 2022. The minutes will be placed on file in the District Office.

INSTRUCTIONAL/OPERATIONAL PRESENTATION

Junior High Principal Aaron Sikorski presented information to the Board regarding a pilot program called REACH (Resilience Education to Advance Community Healing). Also in attendance was Jessica Donaldson, ROE, Amy Rogers, parent, and Libby White, staff member. MRJHS staff is working through the program to achieve adult social and emotional learning, cognitive behavioral therapy in schools and classroom strategies for trauma responsive schools.

NEW BUSINESS

A. Discussion and Approval of 2022 – 2023 School Year Registration Fees

Mr. Fletcher presented the Board with the following information for consideration:

Changes in fees are noted in red. In addition, it is important to note that while we must set breakfast, lunch and milk prices for students the District is a CEP certified school which means our students are not charged for meals.

Member Brooks moved to accept the 2022-2023 school year registration fees as presented. Member Switzer seconded the motion. On roll call all members voted AYE. (7). Motion carried. Roll call #3

At 6:30 p.m. Member Bratcher left the meeting.

B. Consideration and action on a Resolution providing for the issue of approximately

able General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2022A, of the District, for the purposes of increasing the Working Cash Fund and refunding certain outstanding bonds of the School District, providing for the levy of a direct annual tax sufficient to pay the principal and interest on said bonds, and authorizing the sale of said bonds to the purchaser thereof

Kendall King of Kings Financial Consulting, Inc. addressed the Members regarding bond information regarding to the purchase and issuance. Seeing no questions after his presentation Member Watson moved and Member Schumm seconded the motion to approve the resolution providing for the issue of approximately $6,000,000 Taxable General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2022A of the District as presented. Members Huston, Killey, Schumm, Switzer, Watson and Brooks voted AYE. (6) Motion carried. Roll call #4

C. Consideration and action on a Resolution providing for the issue of approximately $9.500,000 General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2022B, of the District, for the purpose of paying claims against the School District, providing for the levy of a direct annual tax sufficient to pay the principal and interest on said bonds, and authorizing the sale of said bonds to the purchaser thereof

Member Watson moved and Member Switzer seconded a motion to approve the resolution providing for the issue of approximately $9,500,000 General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2022B, of the District as presented. On roll call Member Huston, Killey, Schumm, Switzer, Watson and Brooks voted AYE (6). Motion carried. Roll call #5

Member Killey stepped out of the meeting.

D. Consideration and action on a Resolution providing for the issue of not to exceed $4,600,000 General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2022C, of the District, for the purpose of increasing the Working Cash Fund of the School District and paying claims against the school district, providing for the levy of a direct annual tax sufficient to pay the principal and interest on said bonds, and authorizing the sale of said bonds to the purchaser thereof

Member Watson moved and Member Schumm seconded a motion to approve the resolution providing for the issue of not to exceed $4,600,000 General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2022C, of the District as presented. Members Schumm, Switzer, Watson, Brooks and Huston voted AYE (5). Motion carried. Roll call #6

Member Killey returned to the meeting.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Jason Wolf addressed the board regarding a FOIA request he presented to each Board Member.

MREA President Lana Stewart addressed the Board with a letter regarding the union's response to the Board's decision to lift the mask mandate.

BOARD COMMENTS

Member Kira Schumm addressed the Board regarding her opinion regarding the anticipated return of mask mandates and suggested the Board engage in a conversation about next steps for the Return to Learn plan and COVID mitigations. The Board engaged in a discussion along with present audience members. No decision was made.

GO INTO CLOSED SESSION

At 7:40 p.m., it was moved by Member Brooks and seconded by Member Watson 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 120/2 (c)(1)); student Disciplinary Case, and Collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees;

On roll call all Members voted AYE (6). Roll call #7

RETURN TO OPEN SESSION

At 8:47 p.m., it was moved by Member Watson and seconded by Member Switzer to return to open session. On roll call the following Members voted AYE: Switzer, Watson, Brooks, Huston, Killey, and Schumm (6). Motion carried. Roll Call #8

ACTION TAKEN AS A RESULT OF CLOSED SESSION

Member Huston moved that Student 21-22-02S be expelled for two (2) calendar years beginning on February 9, 2022 and ending on February 9, 2024 but that the expulsion be held in abeyance so that the student may be attend the RAES (Regional Alternative Education Services) with an anticipated graduation date of May 2023.

In the event that student 21-22-02S is prohibited from attending RAES, the expulsion shall immediately be in effect for the remainder of its term.

Student 21-22-02S shall not be permitted on school grounds or at school-sponsored functions during the duration of the expulsion. Member Killey seconded the motion. On roll call the following Members voted AYE: Watson, Brooks, Huston, Killey, Schumm, and Switzer (6). Motion passes. Roll call #9

Member Watson moved to extend Edward Fletcher's contract by one year and was seconded by Member Huston. On roll call Members Schumm, Watson, Brooks, Huston, Switzer, and killey voted AYE. Motion passes. Roll Call #10

PERSONNEL

The Board approved the Personnel Agenda as presented:

It was moved by Member Watson and seconded by Member Schumm to approve the personnel agenda as presented. On roll call all Members voted AYE (6). Motion carried. Roll Call #11

ADJOURNMENT

At 8:50 p.m., it was moved by Member Watson and seconded by Member Schumm that the meeting be adjourned. On roll call the following Members voted AYE: Huston, Killey, Schumm, Switzer, Watson, and Brooks (6). Motion carried. Roll Call #12

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