West Central Community Unit School District #235 Board of Education met May 17
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
PUBLIC HEARING FOR FY23 FUNDS TRANSFER
The hearing was called to order by Vice President Vancil at 6:00 p.m., in the Elementary Cafeteria. The following board members answered roll call: Chockley, Clark, Higgins, and Vancil. Bigger, Gullberg and Schaley were absent. Vice President Vancil declared a quorum present. Also present were Superintendent Day, J. Shultz, K. Lafary, J. Peters, J. Kirby, J. Zaiser, J. Hennings, Darren Stewart, Emily Klossing, Julie Ricketts, Jenny Ford, PJ Thompson, Kristi Lumbeck, Laura Lewis, Danielle Covert, Natalie Ensminger, Lisa Lox, Heather Davis, Lisa Miller, Tammy Slater, Danna Cory, Kendrah Ruebush, Adam Boyle, Jackie Biggs, Tom Williams, Tiffany Ouellette and Oliver Ouellette.
Superintendent Day explained the hearing was a formal step after the Board previously approved transferring $850,000 from the Education Fund to the O & M Fund to pay for the HVAC project.
ADJOURNMENT
Vice President Vancil declared the public hearing adjourned at 6:01 p.m. Motion by Clark, seconded by Chockley. Majority of Ayes by Voice Vote. Motion carried.
In between the Public Hearing and the Regular Meeting, Darren Stewart presented a wood flag to the West Central High School Football Coaches in honor of their State Championship season!
RECONVENED
The Board reconvened at 6:10 p.m., in the Elementary Cafeteria for the Regular Meeting. The following Board members answered roll call: Chockley, Clark, Gullberg, Higgins, and Vancil. Bigger and Schaley were absent. Vice President Vancil declared a quorum present. Also present were Superintendent Day, J. Shultz, K. Lafary, J. Peters, J. Kirby, J. Zaiser, J. Hennings, Darren Stewart, Emily Klossing, Julie Ricketts, Jenny Ford, PJ Thompson, Kristi Lumbeck, Laura Lewis, Danielle Covert, Natalie Ensminger, Lisa Lox, Heather Davis, Lisa Miller, Tammy Slater, Danna Cory, Kendrah Ruebush, Adam Boyle, Jackie Biggs, Tom Williams, Tiffany Ouellette and Oliver Ouellette.
Vice President Vancil then led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
GOOD NEWS ITEMS
Under good news items the following items were highlighted:
- Elementary IPA Student Recognition Award winners: Joseph Inman and Grace Deverell.
- Middle School IPA Student Recognition Award winners: Brian Root and Katelyn Ford.
- High School IPA Student Award winners: Elaina Fisher and Alexis Strack.
- With the assistance of the kindergarten teachers, WCE collected $272.00 to donate to the Henderson County Library to be used to purchase materials for the Children's Department.
- We appreciate the Stronghurst Lion's Club and the Henderson County Soil and Conservation group for partnering to provide trees to our 4th grade students in recognition of Arbor Day.
- Several of our WC students participated in the 22nd Annual Courageous Smiles Invitational at Illini West High School. We are so proud of our student athletes. This year's special event was dedicated to Wyatt Peterson.
- Congratulations to Ms. Cory and our students on their outstanding Spring Music performances.
- Congratulations, thank you, and best wishes to Maria Martin and Richard Clifton on their retirement!
- Aidan Garner and Hailey Manes qualified for the IESA State track and field meet!
- The Bachelor King had 3 fabulous public performances and 1 private show for Oakwood Lane.
- Congratulations to Jessica Winters, Jeremy Hennings and Kim Thompson for being our 2023 ROE Excellence in Education winners for West Central. Jodi Arnold was also recognized for her 12 years on the Board of Education.
- Jeremy Hennings was selected as a Regional ROE Excellence in Education winner by the ROE staff. Congratulations to him!
- Thank you to Dame Fine Coffee for bringing their truck for staff and students during Teacher Appreciation Week and the Seniors last day.
Motion by Clark, seconded by Chockley to approve the agenda as presented. Majority of Ayes by Voice Vote. Motion carried.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
There were no remarks from the public at this meeting.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Chockley, seconded by Gullberg to approve the consent agenda including the following items:
- The minutes of the Regular Meeting of April 19, 2023;
- The minutes of the Closed Session of April 19, 2023;
- The minutes of the Reorganization Meeting of April 27, 2023;
- The payment of all bills;
- The activity accounts;
- The Treasurer's Report for April 2023;
- The retirement of Richard Clifton as a Paraprofessional;
- The resignation of Carman Hoening as WCHS English Teacher, WCHS Yearbook Sponsor, and WCHS Junior Class Sponsor;
- The resignation of Danna Cory as District Vocal Teacher, WCHS Freshman Class Sponsor, WCMS SIP Team Member, and the WCMS Speech Assistant Coach;
- The approval of maternity leave request from Kendrah Ruebush;
- The approval of the milk and bread bids;
- The approval of the Board's Continued membership in the Illinois Association of School Boards;
- The approval of the Summer 2023 Behind the Wheel Driver Education Program;
- The approval of the PRESS Issue 111 Board Policies on 2nd reading;
- The approval of the Final 2022-2023 Public School Calendar;
- The approval of the School Photographer Precision Image.
The WCES, WCMS, and WCHS SIP Plans were presented by teams from each of the buildings. Each group shared their strengths, weaknesses and plans for improvement for the 2023-2024 school year.
Motion by Clark, seconded by Chockley, to approve the WCES, WCMS, and WCHS SIP Plans as presented. Majority of Ayes by Voice Vote. Motion carried.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
There was only one FOIA request for this month. The University of Kentucky requested information about high school students in order to send college information to all students.
Superintendent Day discussed the Triple I Conference held in Chicago for Board members each November. Board members are invited to attend the three-day conference and participate in the learning opportunities.
A discussion was held on student meal prices for the 2023-2024 school year. Prices have not been raised in the last three school years. Due to the increased cost of food and supplies, Superintendent Day recommended the Board consider a $0.10 increase in the meals. This item will be brought back to the Board for final action in June. Board Member Bigger entered the meeting at 8:37 p.m.
Superintendent Day presented information on the FY23 Amended Budget. She reminded Board members that this was planned from the start of the budgeting process as we worked through HVAC and other projects throughout the District. The amended budget will be on display in the District Office. The final vote on the FY23 Amended Budget will be taken during the June Board meeting.
REPORTS
The Board reviewed and heard reports from the Building Principals K. Lafary, J. Kirby, and District Technology Coordinator J. Hennings.
ACTION ITEMS
Motion by Clark, seconded by Bigger to approve the Consolidated District Plan as presented. On roll call the following members voted aye: Bigger, Chockley, Clark, Gullberg, Higgins, and Vancil. 6-0 Motion carried.
Motion by Bigger, seconded by Clark to approve the renewal quote for the employee health, dental, vision, and life insurance with BCBS through ISEBC as presented. On roll call the following members voted aye: Chockley, Clark, Gullberg, Higgins, Vancil, and Bigger. 6-0 Motion carried.
Motion by Bigger, seconded by Chockley to approve the Unland renewal quote for our district insurance package as presented. On roll call the following members voted aye: Clark, Gullberg, Higgins, Vancil, Bigger, and Chockley. 6-0 Motion carried.
Motion by Clark seconded by Gullberg to approve paying district employees $20.00 per game for working the gate, score table, etc at games starting with 2023-2024 school year as presented. On roll call the following members voted aye: Gullberg, Higgins, Vancil, Bigger, Chockley, and Clark. 6-0 Motion carried.
Motion by Clark, seconded by Bigger to table the Greenhouse project until June to gather more information. On roll call the following members voted aye: Higgins, Vancil, Bigger, Chockley, Clark, and Gullberg. 6-0 Motion carried.
Motion by Clark, seconded by Bigger to approve Shaila Ayer as a District School Psychologist Consultant as presented. On roll call the following members voted aye: Vancil, Bigger, Chockley, Clark, Gullberg, and Higgins. 6-0 Motion carried.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
The Board requested that the greenhouse project and investments be placed on a future agenda.
CLOSED SESSION
Motion by Clark, seconded by Bigger to adjourn to closed meeting pursuant of the Illinois Open Meetings Act - 5ILCS 120/2 (2) (16) at 9:17 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 9:22 p.m. On roll call the following members answered roll call: Bigger, Chockley, Clark, Gullberg, Higgins, and Vancil. Board President Schaley present via phone.
Motion by Bigger, seconded by Chockley to return to open session at 10:38 p.m. On roll call the following members answered roll call: Bigger, Chockley, Clark, Gullberg, Higgins, and Vancil. 6-0 Motion carried.
The Board took a short break and reconvened in the West Central Elementary Cafeteria at 10:40 p.m. On roll call the following members answered roll call: Bigger, Chockley, Clark, Gullberg, Higgins, and Vancil.
PERSONNEL ACTION
Motion by Bigger, seconded by Chockley to approve the employment of Victoria Tapscott as WCHS Head Volleyball Coach as presented. On roll call the following members voted aye: Bigger, Chockley, Clark, Gullberg and Vancil. Higgins voted no. 5-1 Motion carried.
Motion by Chockley, seconded by Bigger to approve the employment of Laura Lewis as a Homebound Tutor as presented. On roll call the following members voted aye: Chockley, Clark, Gullberg, Higgins, Vancil, and Bigger. 6-0 Motion carried.
Motion by Clark, seconded by Chockley to approve the employment of Joel Zaiser as WCHS Summer Credit Recovery Coordinator at a rate of $25.00 per hour as presented. On roll call the following members voted aye: Clark, Gullberg, Higgins, Vancil, Bigger, and Chockley. 6-0 Motion carried.
Motion by Bigger, seconded by Chockley to approve the employment of Alexander Miller as a District Custodian as presented. On roll call the following members voted aye: Gullberg, Higgins, Vancil, Bigger, Chockley and Clark. 6-0 Motion carried.
Motion by Clark, seconded by Bigger to approve the rehire of WCMS and WCHS coaches.
On roll call the following members voted aye: Higgins, Vancil, Bigger, Chockley, Clark, and Bigger. 6-0 Motion carried.
FUTURE MEETING DATE
The Board was reminded that the next regular Board Meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, at 6:00 p.m., in the elementary cafeteria.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Bigger, seconded by Clark to adjourn at 10:42 p.m. Majority of Ayes by Voice Vote. Motion carried.
https://www.wc235.k12.il.us/vimages/shared/vnews/stories/630e307255384/Approved%20Board%20Mins%205.17.23.pdf
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