Galesburg Reporter

West Central Community Unit School District #235 Board of Education met Feb. 21.

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: Bigger, Chockley, Clark, Gullberg, Schaley and Vancil. Board Member Higgins arrived at 6:03 p.m. President Schaley declared a quorum present. Also present were Superintendent Day, J. Shultz, K. Lafary, J. Peters, S. Ryner, J. Kirby, J. Hennings, and J. Zaiser. 

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

GOOD NEWS ITEMS 

· 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 5th. Thanks to our Title Team for creating a fun activity involving an Escape Room linked to a topic in our science curriculum. 

· The Twin Oaks Golf Course donated $330 to put towards unpaid lunch balances in the district. They held a trivia night and West Central was selected as a winner for part of the proceeds. Addison Webster and Drake Vancil qualified for the State Science Olympiad contest and will compete in Crystal Lake in April. 

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 

There was no one present who wished to address the Board on any agenda items. 

CONSENT AGENDA 

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

· The minutes of the regular meeting of January 17, 2024; 

· The minutes of the special meeting of January 24, 2024; 

· Closed session minutes of January 24, 2024;

· Building and Grounds minutes of January 31, 2024;

· The minutes of the special meeting of February 6, 2024;

· Closed session minutes of February 6, 2024; 

· The minutes of the special meeting of February 9, 2024; 

· Closed Session minutes of February 9, 2024; 

· The payment of all bills; 

· All activity accounts; 

· The treasurer's report for January 2024; 

On roll call the following members voted aye: Chockley, Clark, Gullberg, Higgins, Schaley, Vancil and Bigger. 7-0 Motion carried. 

DISCUSSION ITEMS 

There was only one FOIA request for this month from the Illinois Retired Teachers Association. The Illinois Retired Teachers Association annually asks for names and contact information for any certified staff that are retiring this year. 

Superintendent Day presented an update on the status of our district investments. All investments are doing well and the next CD to mature is currently at IPAVA State Bank, Superintendent Day will look for the best option for those funds when it reaches maturity. 

Board members were reminded that they are Mandated Reporters in the State of Illinois for suspected or reported child abuse. All board members signed a mandated reporter acknowledgement form that will be kept on file in the district office. 

The Board held a discussion about solar energy and the different types of projects to consider. There are three different types of projects to consider: leasing of ground where the company pays the district for the land or we can consider installing a solar array onsite and using the energy produced to reduce our energy costs, either by purchasing the equipment on our own or by entering into a Power Purchasing Agreement where an investor owns the equipment. The Board would like Superintendent Day to collect additional information and follow up with the Board at a future meeting. 

REPORTS 

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

ACTION ITEMS 

Motion by Clark, seconded by Vancil to approve a Resolution to transfer $200,000 from the Debt Service Fund to the Fire Prevention and Safety Fund, as presented. On roll call the following board members voted aye: Clark, Gullberg, Higgins, Schaley, Vancil, Bigger, and Chockley. 7-0 Motion Carried 

Motion by Bigger, seconded by Chockley to authorize Emily Schaley and Sherri Walters to take the steps necessary to obtain a debit card for their respective WCHS and WCMS activity accounts with Bank of Stronghurst. On roll call the following board members voted aye: Gullberg, Higgins, Schaley, Vancil, Bigger, Chockley, and Clark. 7-0 Motion Carried 

Motion by Bigger, seconded by Chockley to approve the 10-Year Health Life Safety list of possible projects as presented. On roll call the following board members voted aye: Higgins, Schaley, Vancil, Bigger, Chockley, Clark, and Gullberg. 7-0 Motion Carried 

Motion by Bigger, seconded by Vancil to approve the proposal by DEM Services for asbestos abatement at the Middle School at a total cost of $24,200 as presented. On roll call the following board members voted aye: Schaley, Vancil, Bigger, Chockley, Clark, Gullberg, and Higgins. 7-0 Motion Carried 

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 

Board members were asked to contact Superintendent Day or Board President Schaley with future agenda items. Board Member Higgins asked that a future discussion item be placed on the agenda to consider construction of a new building for use as a weight room for the district. 

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 7:15 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 7:20 p.m. On roll call the following members answered roll call: Bigger, Chockley, Clark, Gullberg, Higgins, Schaley, and Vancil. Also present was S. Day. 

Motion by Bigger, seconded by Gullberg to return to open session at 8:36 p.m. On roll call the following members answered roll call: Bigger, Chockley, Clark, Gullberg, Higgins, Schaley and Vancil. 7-0 Motion carried. 

The Board took a short break and reconvened in the elementary cafeteria at 8:38 p.m. On roll call the following members answered roll call: Bigger, Chockley, Clark, Gullberg, Higgins, Schaley and Vancil. 

Motion by Clark, seconded by Gullberg to approve the personnel items as presented. On roll call the following members voted aye: Bigger, Chockley, Clark, Gullberg, Higgins, Schaley, and Vancil. 7-0 Motion Carried 

Motion by Clark, seconded by Chockley to approve the employment of Bryce Bigger as WCMS 7th Grade Boys' basketball coach as presented. On roll call the following members voted aye: Chockley, Clark, Gullberg, Higgins, Schaley, and Vancil. Bigger abstained. 6-0 Motion Carried 

FUTURE MEETING DATE 

The Board was reminded that the next regular Board Meeting will be held on Wednesday March 20, 2024. 

ADJOURNMENT 

Motion by Clark, seconded by Chockley to adjourn at 8:40 p.m. Majority of Ayes by Voice Vote. Motion carried.

https://www.wc235.k12.il.us/vimages/shared/vnews/stories/64d53c3a6de89/Regular%20Meeting%2C%20February%2021%2C%202024.pdf