Galesburg Reporter

Mercer County School District 404 Board of Education met April 26.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Board of Education of Mercer County School District #404, Mercer, Henderson, & Rock Island Counties, Illinois, convened at a regular meeting in the Mercer County Junior High School Music Room, on Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at 6:30 PM. 

REORGANZATIONAL MEETING 

Prior to Roll Call, President Mike Bowns opened with a brief prayer followed by the pledge of allegiance.

ATTENDANCE 

Board members present upon roll call: Balmer, Bieri, Bowns, Monson, Smock, Wagner, and Yates. A quorum was present.

Absent: none

Administrators present: Superintendent Scott Petrie, Principals Cooper, Sedam, Bush, McPeek and Fleuette. Also in Attendance: Amanda Heinrichs, Holly Staker, Ann Danner, Monte Smith, Megan Bull, Julie Baker, Kayla Gowdy, Betty Bogart, Meredith Morrison, Tara Woeckener, Michael Reick, Lori Nelson, Jacob Lower, and Recording Secretary Angie Dillie.

Reporter: Ty Taylor

CANVASS OF VOTES 

Mr. Petrie read the vote numbers from the County Clerk Brian Gerber. No allegations of irregularities or illegal votes are known and the election’s outcome was not challenged.

Four Year Seats Elected – Jacob Lower, Lori Nelson, and Bill Smock 

PRESIDENT PRO TEM 

Superintendent Petrie was named President Pro Tem until a new president was chosen.

ADJOURN SINE DIE 

There was a motion by Smock, seconded by Bieri to adjourn sine die. Roll Call: 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried.

PRESENTATION 

Outgoing board member, Mike Bowns, was presented with a plaque. He was thanked for his years of service and the time and effort he devoted to serving Mercer County School District #404.

SEATING NEW BOARD 

The new board members, Jacob Lower and Lori Nelon, were seated along with returning board member, Bill Smock.

MEMBERS PRESENT UPON ROLL CALL 

Tab Balmer, Jacob Lower, Jason Monson, Lori Nelson, Bill Smock, Julie Wagner, & Don Yates.

OATH OF OFFICE 

The Oath of Office was recited by all three newly appointed members. Jacob Lower, Lori Nelson, and Bill Smock.

OFFICER ELECTIONS 

PRESIDENT 

Tab Balmer nominated Bill Smock for President. Lori Nelson nominated Julie Wagner for President. Bill Smock was declared President. Roll Call: 5 Ayes, 2 Nays. Motion carried.

VICE PRESIDENT 

Tab Balmer nominated Don Yates as Vice President. Don Yates nominated Jason Monson for Vice President. Don Yates was declared Vice President. Roll Call: 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried.

SECRETARY 

Bill Smock nominated Jason Monson for Board Secretary. No other nominations, Jason Monson was declared Board Secretary.

RECORDING SECRETARY 

There was a motion by Smock, seconded by Monson, to adopt a resolution to appoint Angie Dillie as recording secretary. Roll Call: 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried.

COMMITTEES 

Bill Smock will contact the board members to determine the best fit for Committee Assignments.

REGULAR MEETING DATES AND TIMES 

Regular board meeting dates and times will be determined at a later time. 

Reorganizational Meeting adjourned at 7:02PM. 

REGULAR MEETING 

Board members present upon roll call @7:03PM: Balmer, Lower, Monson, Nelson, Smock, Wagner, and Yates. A quorum was present.

Absent: none

RECORD OF MOTIONS & VOTES

	No. 01	No. 02	No. 03	No. 04	No. 05	No. 06	No. 07	No. 08	No. 09	No. 10
Balmer	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE
Lower	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE
Monson	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE	NAY	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE
Nelson	AYE	AYE	ABSTAIN	AYE	NAY	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE
Smock	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE
Wagner	AYE	AYE	NAY	AYE	NAY	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE
Yates	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE	AYE

 

	No. 11	No. 12	No. 13
Balmer	AYE	AYE	E C I O V
Lower	AYE	AYE
Monson	AYE	AYE
Nelson	AYE	AYE
Smock	AYE	AYE
Wagner	AYE	AYE
Yates	AYE	AYE

CONSENT AGENDA 1. There was a motion by Monson, seconded by Balmer, to approve the following items on the consent agenda as presented, pulling the real estate purchase off the Bill List.

1.1. Meeting Minutes

a. Regular Meeting Minutes - March 29, 2023

b. Community Forum Minutes – April 11, 2023

1.2 Bill List

1.3 Treasurer’s Report

1.4 Financial Report

1.5 BCBS Health Insurance Account Statement

1.6 Resignation of Freshman Volleyball Coach Merri Stineman

1.7 Retirement of High School Band Director Rusty Ruggles end of 2026-2027

1.8 Retirement of Apollo Elementary Kindergarten Teacher Staci Sharp end of 2026-2027 school year

1.9 Retirement of Junior High English Language Arts Teacher Britt Hagens end of 2026-2027 school year

1.10 Retirement of Junior High Science Teacher Shelly Reusch end of 2026-2027

1.11 Maternity Leave for NBE 1st Grade Teacher Kaylie Meyers

Roll Call: 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried.

IESA MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL 

2. There was a motion by Yates, seconded by Balmer, to accept the 2023-2024 IESA Membership Renewal as presented in the amount of $925. Roll Call: 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried.

REAL ESTATE PURCHASE 

3. There was a motion by Balmer, seconded by Lower, to approve the purchase of Real Estate Property at 810 SW 6th Street, Aledo, IL in the amount of $120,000.

Roll Call: 5 Ayes, 1 Nay, 1 Abstain. Motion carried.

APOLLO SRO 

4. There was a motion by Balmer, seconded by Monson, to approve the three-year agreement with Mercer County Sherriff’s Department to employ an SRO at Apollo Elementary for $25/hr as amended. 

Roll Call: 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried.

TRAC 5. There was a motion by Balmer, seconded by Lower, to accept the invitation from the TRAC (Three Rivers Athletic Conference) for the 2024-2025 school year.

Roll Call: 4 Ayes, 3 Nays. Motion carried.

CLOSED SESSION 

6. There was a motion by Balmer, seconded by Yates, at 7:50PM to go into Closed Session after a short recess for Personnel and Litigation discussion.

6.1 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. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) 

6.2 Litigation

Litigation, when an action against, affecting or on behalf of the particular public body has been filed and is pending before a court or administrative tribunal, or when the public body finds that an action is probable or imminent, in which case the basis for the finding must be recorded and entered into the closed meeting minutes. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11). 

Roll Call: 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried.

Returned to Open Session at 8:24pm.

HIRE APOLLO 3rd GRADE TEACHER 

7. There was a motion by Monson, seconded by Smock, to hire Brooke Heath as Apollo 3rd Grade Teacher for the 2023-2024 school year. Roll Call: 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried.

HIRE HS SPED TEACHER 

8. There was a motion by Monson, seconded by Smock, to hire Meloney Brasmer as High School Special Education Teacher for the 2023-2024 school year.

Roll Call: 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried.

HIRE ASSISTANT HS FOOTBALL COACHES 

9. There was a motion by Monson, seconded by Smock, to hire Matt Dawson, Christopher Hedrick, and Tyson Russell as an Assistant High School Football Coaches.

Roll Call: 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried.

HIRE STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COORDINATOR 

10. There was a motion by Monson, seconded by Smock, to hire Jason Kenney as High School Strength & Conditioning Coordinator. Roll Call: 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried.

HIRE FRESHMAN VOLLEYBALL COACH 

11. There was a motion by Monson, seconded by Smock, to hire Kylie Stineman as Freshman Volleyball Coach.

Roll Call: 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried.

VOLUNTEER EMPLOYEE 

12. There was a motion by Monson, seconded by Smock, to approve Volunteer Employee, Jenifer Frere, as Student Mental Health Case Manager fill in.

Roll Call: 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried.

ADJOURN 

13. There was a motion by Nelson, seconded by Balmer, to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 PM.

Majority of Ayes by Voice Vote. Motion carried.

OTHER REPORTS AND DISCUSSIONS: 

ADDITIONS/ DELETIONS 

1. None

PUBLIC COMMENT 

2. Meredith Morrison, Tara Woeckener, and Amanda Heinrichs addressed the board regarding the decision to no longer hold an 8th Grade Graduation Ceremony. Meredith and Tara gave reasons to continue the tradition and their frustration with the email sent out not giving an explanation. Amanda Heinrichs, an 8th grade teacher and parent of an 8th grader, shared a different view. She feels it’s time to make changes and focus on the graduation ceremony at the High School level. Julie Baker addressed the board in regards to the Community Forum. She completed the survey sent out to parents, but asked for an explanation why it was by invitation only. Michael Reick, shared his opinion on the decision to move to the TRAC, mentioning the teams our junior high athletes compete against and stated “To Be the Best, you have to Beat the Best”. 

BOARD COMMENTS 

3. Bill Smock mentioned the NBE Family Night. The staff put on a great event. Julie Wagner reminded the board about the Divistion Meeting held on May 4th. Tab Balmer congratulation Kay Hucke on being nominated for Teacher of the Year and encouraged everyone to vote. Mike Bowns spoke about the decision to discontinue 8th Grade Graduation. This was not a board decision and was not based on the location of the Junior High. He didn’t feel that this was the best decision post covid when kids may need this recognition and to encourage them to continue to move forward.

CORRESPONDENCE 

4. None

COMMITTEE REPORTS 

5. No additional comments or discussion on committee reports.

IESA MEMBERSHIP 

6. IESA Membership Renewal fees allow our Junior High Programs to FEES participate in the IESA State Series. IESA charges for “feeder schools” so there are additional fees for our Apollo and New Boston 5th Grade students this school year.

REAL ESTATE PURCHASE 

7. Mr. Petrie discussed the signed purchase agreement on the home located at 810 SW 6th Street, Aledo for $120,000. If approved, the district will own the entire Apollo/Junior High block. Future use to be determined.

APOLLO SRO 

8. An agreement was presented and signed by Mercer County Sherriff, Dusty Terrill, to employ a retired deputy at Apollo Elementary. If approved, this will provide a visible presence, additional security, and will relieve some pressure from the Junior High SRO.

TRAC 

9. Mrs. Cooper provided the board with survey results from the High School Head Coaching Staff, stating the results were split down the middle whether or not to join the TRAC or stay with the LTC. Competition, programs, rivalries, and distance were discussed. Changes are expected within both conferences with the possibility of schools withdrawing/joining.

FOIA REQUESTS 

10. We responded to a FOIA request from SmartProcure.

COMMUNITY FORUM 

11. Mr. Petrie discussed the Community Forum held on April 11th, thanking the participants whom attended. The same survey that the attendees completed has been shared with the public on our social mediasights. The community is being asked to complete the survey by Monday, May 11th. The survey results will be shared on social media once completed and will aid in setting the 2023-2024 district goals.

MATH CURRICULUM 

12. Marcus Bush handed out and discussed the I-Ready Math Curriculum that is being piloted at NBE by Mrs. Nimrick and Mrs. Shepard. This is for grades 2-5. This curriculum meets or exceeds most of the criteria they are looking for and provides the teachers with workbooks, resources, and online components. Three times a year the online component provides students current level and places them on individualized paths. Monte Smith, Holly Staker, and Ann Danner presented a new JH Math Curriculum they have been piloting. Maneuvering The Middle engages the students to learn the process of Math, made by teachers for teachers. Example lessons were shared with the board and discussed further.

CEP - COMMUNITY ELIGIBILITY PROVISION 

13. Mr. Petrie discussed the Community Eligibility Provision. This program was discussed at the Wellness Committee meeting last week. The overall districts poverty level has met the 40% threshold to qualify. All students enrolled in CEP schools are able to receive breakfast and lunch at no cost. The percentage is derived from the number of identified students divided by the enrollment multiplied by a USDA factor (1.6). That number is then used to determine the number of meals that we would claim for free reimbursement; the remaining meals would be claimed for paid reimbursement. This is a 4-year program and will be an action item next month.

IASB GOVERNING BOARD MEETING 

14. Mr. Petrie informed the board that the IASB Governing Board meeting will be May 4th at Rock Island High School.

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS 

15. In addition to the written reports, the following was mentioned: Mr. Bush added the success of the Career Day and Family Night at NBE. He also mentioned that Mrs. Duncan received the robots and will be using them for a coding project. Mr. Fleuette mentioned the success of the Fine Arts Open House at Apollo, thanking Mrs. Baker and Mrs. Reick for all they do. Mr. Sedam answered some questions regarding building concerns. Some of the windows are leaking and the greenhouse addition needs some attention. This will be discussed further at a building and grounds meeting. The JH will host an Art and Music Fest on Thursday, April 27th @5:30 PM. Mrs. Cooper mentioned the Career Day held at the HS on April 18th , as well as the graduation diploma presentation by board members.

https://www.mercerschools.org/_files/ugd/6b636f_8b24d046bd294b6883160e6f650633b6.pdf