Galesburg Reporter

West Central Community Unit School District #235 Board of Education met Feb. 15 

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The meeting was called to order by President Schaley at 6:00 p.m. in the Elementary Cafeteria. The following board members answered roll call: Arnold, Bigger, Clark, Lenahan, Lumbeck, and Schaley. Vancil entered at 6:03 pm. President Schaley declared a quorum present. Also present were Superintendent Day, J. Shultz, K. Lafary, J. Peters, S. Ryner, J. Kirby, J. Zaiser, J. Hennings, Lauren Chockley, John Johnson, Jamie Tucker, Wesley Strack, Denise Strack, Alexis Strack, Garrett Fisher, Jena Fisher, Elaina Fisher, Don McCabe, Jim Fisher, Char Fisher, Amanda Wood, Rozella Liggett, Tina Droste, Carl Droste and Kaiden Droste.

President Schaley then led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Recognition of 2021-2022 Board of Education Excellence Awards (Samantha Meyer, Rozella Liggett and Alexis Strack) and 2023 Illinois State Scholars (Elaina Fisher, Kaiden Droste, and Alexis Strack).

GOOD NEWS ITEMS

Under good news items the following items were highlighted:

• WCE participated in the World Read Aloud Day (WRAD) on February 1. We had several guest readers who recorded their favorite books online to be shared with students in their classrooms. Thanks to everyone in the community who helped with this project. 

• WCE celebrated the 100th day of school on January 31 with many activities! 

• WCE hosted a parent program for the 4th and 5th grade students and their families on February 6th. Thanks to our Title Team for creating a fun activity involving an Escape Room linked to a topic in our science curriculum.

• Our PK staff also hosted a Block Night where the students and their families had a chance to build with all kinds of blocks.

• Middle School 7th Grade Boys' Basketball made it to sectionals and had a great season! Middle School 8th Grade Boys' Basketball made it to the regional championship and had a great season!

• Women's Group from Stronghurst Presbyterian Church donated three Life Vacs for use in our cafeterias, in case of emergency and the heimlich maneuver isn't enough. 

• Alexis Strack was awarded the Army ROTC National Scholarship. She receives full tuition to any school in the United States with an ROTC program.

• Bailey Ryan earned 8th place in the state for her VFW essay competition. She earns a scholarship with the award.

APPROVE AGENDA

Motion by Bigger, seconded by Clark to approve the agenda as presented. Majority of Ayes by Voice Vote. Motion carried.

COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC

John Johnson addressed the Board with concerns about the football field project. He also mentioned how happy he is to see the number of Board candidates running for board.

CONSENT AGENDA

Motion by Lumbeck, seconded by Clark to approve the consent agenda including the following items:

• The minutes of the Regular Meeting of January 18, 2023;

• The minutes of the Closed Session of January 18, 2023;

• The payment of all bills;

• The activity accounts;

• The Treasurer's Report for November and December 2022;

• The resignation of Jonah Seals as District Maintenance Director;

• The resignation of Philip Perzee as WCHS Science Teacher and Sophomore Class Sponsor;

• The resignation of Steve Murphy as WCHS Volunteer Bowling Coach;

• The resignation of Amy Olson as WCMS PE Teacher and Athletic Director.

On roll call the following members voted aye: Clark, Lenahan, Lumbeck, Schaley, Vancil, Arnold, and Bigger. 7-0 Motion carried.

DISCUSSION ITEMS

We received two FOIA Requests this month from Illinois Retired Teachers Association and SmartProcure.

Superintendent Day presented the 2023-2024 Public School Calendar to the Board. The calendar is similar to past calendars that have been presented. It will be placed as an action item on the March agenda for approval.

Board Members signed off on their mandated reporter paperwork, noting the requirement to report suspected child abuse to DCFS.

Superintendent Day provided the Board with an update on the HVAC project. We have received an estimate of $643,000 to add the high school gym and cafeteria onto the HVAC project. These locations were missed during the 2021-2022 school year. It will be placed as an action item for the Special Board Meeting scheduled for February 28, 2023.

REPORTS

The Board reviewed and heard reports from the Building Principals K. Lafary, S. Ryner, and J. Kirby, and District Technology Coordinator J. Hennings and Athletic Director J. Zaiser.

ACTION ITEMS

Motion by Arnold, seconded by Lumbeck to approve the bid from Laverdiere Construction for the football field site grading and drainage work as presented. On roll call the following members voted nay: Lenahan, Lumbeck, Schaley, Vancil, Arnold, Bigger, and Clark. 0-7 Motion failed.

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

Board members were asked to contact Superintendent Day with future agenda items.

CLOSED SESSION

Motion by Bigger, seconded by Clark to adjourn to closed meeting pursuant of the Illinois Open Meetings Act - 5ILCS 120/2 (2) (16) at 7:17 p.m. to discuss the following subjects:

A. Personnel - 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;

B. Negotiations - Collective negotiating matters between the school board and its employees or their representatives, or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees;

Majority of Ayes by Voice Vote. Motion carried.

The Board took a short break and reconvened in the District Office conference room at 7:32 p.m. On roll call the following members answered roll call: Arnold, Bigger, Clark, Lenahan, Lumbeck, Schaley, and Vancil. Also present were S. Day.

Motion by Lumbeck, seconded by Bigger to return to open session at 8:00 p.m. On roll call the following members voted aye: Clark, Lenahan, Lumbeck, Schaley, Vancil, Arnold, and Bigger. 7-0 Motion carried.

The Board took a short break and reconvened in the West Central Elementary Cafeteria at 8:02 p.m. On roll call the following members answered roll call: Lumbeck, Schaley, Vancil, Arnold, Bigger, Clark, and Lenahan.

PERSONNEL ACTION

Motion by Bigger, seconded by Lumbeck to approve paying Pam More $18.30 per hour immediately after completing 120 substitute teaching work days, on or about March 8, 2023, as presented. On roll call the following members voted aye: Schaley, Vancil, Arnold, Bigger, Clark, Lenahan, and Lumbeck. 7-0 Motion carried.

Motion by Lumbeck, seconded by Bigger to approve Ross Parcel as WCHS Assistant Baseball Coach as presented. On roll call the following members voted aye: Vancil, Arnold, Bigger, Clark, Lenahan, Lumbeck, and Schaley. 7-0 Motion carried.

Motion by Bigger, seconded by Lenahan to approve Heidi Ford as a WCE Long-Term Sub, as presented. On roll call the following members voted aye: Arnold, Bigger, Clark, Lenahan, Lumbeck, Schaley, and Lumbeck. 7-0 Motion carried.

No action taken on West Central Elementary Third Grade Teacher hire.

FUTURE MEETING DATE

The Board was reminded that the next regular Board Meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 15, 2023. The regular March Board Meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m. and be held in the elementary cafeteria.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Bigger, seconded by Lumbeck to adjourn at 8:05 p.m. Majority of Ayes by Voice Vote. Motion carried.

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