Galesburg Reporter

Central Community Unit School District No. 4 Board of Education met April 28

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

PART I

April 28, 2025 The Regular Meeting of the Board of Education was called to order by President Troy Meier at 6:31 P.M. on April 28, 2025. The meeting was held in the gymnasium at the District Office in Ashkum, Illinois. 

Roll Call Upon the call of roll, the following members answered present: Meier, Beckman, Able, Henrichs, Koch, Shule, and Shule-Whybrew 

Others In Attendance Also in attendance were Superintendent Maxwell, Administrators Marc Shaner, Dawn Oltmanns, and Josh Houberg along with Dr. Chris Gibson, Amy Rohlwing, and Maggie Prendergast. 

Approval of Agenda A motion to approve the agenda was made by Member Koch and seconded by Member Shule. 

Motion passed without dissent 

Public Comment Amy Rohlwing voiced concerns and presented research regarding the CUSD #4 core curriculum, particularly Math, and CUSD #4's higher grading scale in comparison to other area schools. 

Consent Agenda A motion to approve the Consent Agenda was made by Member Shule and seconded by Member Koch

Aye: Able, Koch, Shule, Shule-Whybrew, Meier, Henrichs, Beckman 

• Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of March 17, 2025 

• Approval of the Minutes of the Special Meeting of March 31, 2025 

• Approval of the Closed Session Minutes of March 17, 2025, and March 31, 2025 

Canvass of Votes Dr. Maxwell delivered the official canvass of the votes electing Aaron Shule with 922 votes, Brianna Koch with 914 votes, and Brianne Shule-Whybrew with 804 votes to the Board and disclosed the defeat of the At-Large Board Member Election Referendum. Shonna Beckman will continue her role as Board Member until the vacancy left by her term expiration is filled. 

Adjourn "Sine Die" A motion to adjourn "Sine Die" at 6:49 P.M. and convene the newly elected school board immediately following adjournment was made by Member Shule and seconded by Member Koch. 

Motion passed without dissent 

Part II

Roll Call Upon the call of roll, the following members answered present: Meier, Beckman, Able, Henrichs, Koch, Shule, Shule-Whybrew. 

Oath of Office Superintendent Matthew Maxwell called the meeting to order and administered the Oath of Office to the newly re-elected board members, Aaron Shule, Brianna Koch, Brianne Shule-Whybrew, and incumbents Troy Meier, Kasie Able, Nate Henrichs, and Shonna Beckman. 

President Pro-Tem Member Meier was appointed President Pro-Tem

Nomination approved by acclamation

Election of Officers A nomination for Troy Meier as President was made by Member Able and seconded by Member Shule

Nomination approved by acclamation 

A nomination for Kasie Able as Vice President was made by Member Shule and seconded by Member Koch 

Nomination approved by acclamation 

A nomination for Aaron Shule as Secretary was made by Member Koch and seconded by Member Able 

Nomination approved by acclamation 

A nomination for Brianna Koch as Treasurer was made by Member Shule and seconded by Member Beckman 

Nomination approved by acclamation

Regular Meeting Dates A motion to set the regular Board of Education Meeting Dates for the fourth Monday of each month, with exceptions for holidays, at 6:30 P.M for FY26 was made by Member Able and Seconded by Member Shule-Whybrew. 

Motion passed without dissent 

Standing Committees Appointment to committees: Kankakee Area Career Center (KARVES)-Brianne Shule-Whybrew, Kankakee Area Special Education Cooperative (KASEC)-Brianna Koch, Negotiations-Aaron Shule and Nate Henrichs. Other Committees for consideration were discussed 

Board Member Code of Conduct and Training A copy of the Board Member Code of Conduct, Policy 2:80 Exhibit E, was given to each board member and discussion was held detailing the required training each board member must complete in the next 90 days 

Items of Correspondence Two thank you cards were addressed to the Board and passed around for each member to read

Superintendent's Report Dr. Maxwell reminded everyone that High School graduation is set for Friday May 23rd at 7 P.M, Eighth grade graduation is set for Wednesday May 21st with the doors opening at 10:00 A.M, and the staff retirement open house will be Tuesday May 20th from 3:30 to 5:30 followed by the Senior awards at 6:00 P.M 

Consent Agenda A motion to approve the Consent Agenda was made by Member Able and seconded by member Beckman 

Aye: Shule-Whybrew, Meier, Beckman, Able, Koch, Shule Nay: None

Abstain: Henrichs

• Approval of Financial Reports for March 2025

• Approval of Bills for April 2025

Bill Listing includes: 

Education Fund $400,602.05 

Building Fund $132,541.21

Bond & Interest Fund $0.00 

Transportation Fund $122,371.18

Municipal Retirement/Social Security Fund $35,825.77

Site & Construction $0.00

Working Cash Fund $0.00

Tort Fund $108.00

Safety Code Fund $125.00

Total All Funds $691,573.21

• Approval of Hires: Gabriel Larue, Paraprofessional at Nash, effective April 28, 2025; Holly Marquis, Chebanse Yearbook, effective 2025-2026 School Year; Rubi Carmona, Custodian at Nash, effective April 28, 2025; Diane Dawson, Retired Long- Term Substitute Pay, effective March 31, 2025 to End of 2024- 2025 School Year; Kelli Wielgus, Special Education Teacher at Central, effective 2025-2026 School Year; Kaylie Warpet, Long-Term Substitute Math Teacher at Central, effective 2025- 2026 School Year; Kaylee Ketcherside, Long-Term Substitute Math Teacher at Central, effective 2025-2026 School Year; Nicole Papineau, Family and Consumer Science at Central, effective 2025-2026 School Year; Brittany Spoonemoore, English Teacher at Central, effective 2025-2026 School Year; Erica Miller, Counselor at Central, effective 2025-2026 School Year. 

•  Approval of Resignations: Jayne Maldonado, effective end of 2024-2025 School Year; Erika Burrone, Paraprofessional at Chebanse, effective March 31, 2025, Michael Oldroyd, Custodian and Nash/Ashkum, effective April 4, 2024; Chris Sifrit, Assistant High School Softball Coach, effective April 11, 2025

•  Approval of Kankakee Area Career Center 10 Year Health Life Safety Inspection 

•  Approval to renew IESA membership for the 25-26 school term Approval of FY 26 Consolidated District Plan

New Business 

Best Buddies Discussion was held regarding a Level 9, $730 per year stipend for a Best Buddies Sponsor at Nash and Central. 

Sunbelt Psychology A motion to approve the use of Sunbelt Psychology Teleservices for the 2025-2026 School year at no more than 15 hours per week was made by Member Koch and seconded by Member Beckman 

Aye: Henrichs, Beckman, Able, Koch, Shule, Shule-Whybrew, Meier

Nay: None 

CHS West Gymnasium Façade Discussion was held regarding remodeling the West Gymnasium  Façade at CHS and widening the locker room doors to meet the width requirements for the district's upcoming 10-year Health Life Safety Inspection in 2027. ARC would put the project out for bid and the Health Life Safety funding would cover a portion of the total cost. 

Board Member Vacancy Discussion was held regarding the board member vacancy left by Member Shonna Beckman's term expiration. The Board will accept applications through May 13th and will discuss candidates at the regular May Board Meeting with a plan to appoint a new board member at the regular June Board Meeting. 

ProCare Therapy 

A motion to approve the use of ProCare Therapy for social work teleservices for the remainder of the 2024-2025 School Year was made by Member Able and seconded by Member Shule. 

Aye: Henrichs, Beckman, Able, Koch, Shule, Shule-Whybrew, Meier

Nay: None

College & Career Pathway Endorsement A motion for approval to opt out of the College and Career Pathway Endorsement through the Illinois State Board of Education due to the district's partnership with the Kankakee Area Career Center was made by Member Beckman and seconded by Member Koch. 

Motion passed without dissent 

Long-term Substitute Agreement Discussion was held regarding clarifying the payment schedules in Policy 5:220, the Long-Term substitute agreement. 

Credit Recovery Fee A motion to approve the High School Credit Recovery Fee of $160 per semester course was made by Member Shule-Whybrew and seconded by Member Able. 

Motion passed without dissent 

Ashkum Athletic Association Lighting Project A motion to approve the Ashkum Athletic Association's expenditure of their own funds for the lighting project at the town baseball park was made by Member Able and seconded by Member Beckman 

Motion passed without dissent 

District Insurance Renewal A motion to approve the renewal of the district insurance contracts with a 5.7% increase in medical, a 1% increase in Vision, and no increase for Dental using HUB as the district broker was made by Member Able and seconded by Member Beckman 

Motion passed without dissent 

ESL Position Discussion was held on the possible addition of an English Second Language Position within the District. Several viable options are being researched including using an internal staff member or splitting the position with another local district 

Asbestos Abatement A motion for approval to have ARC bid the asbestos abatement for the School Project Maintenance Grant at both Central High School and Chebanse Elementary was made by Member Shule and seconded by Member Able

Aye: Shule-Whybrew, Meier, Henrichs, Beckman, Able, Koch, Shule

Nay: None

Executive Session A Motion to enter Executive Session at 8:00 P.M. for the purpose of discussing the employment or dismissal of personnel, and student discipline pursuant to the authority granted by 5ILCS 120/2(c)(1)(2) negotiations, and (9) of the Illinois Open Meetings Act was made by Member Able and seconded by Member Shule. 

Motion passed without dissent 

Return to Regular Session A motion to come out of Executive Session at 9:26 P.M was made by Member Koch and seconded by member Able. 

Motion passed without dissent 

Adjournment A motion to adjourn at 9:26 P.M. was made by Member Koch and seconded by Member Shule. 

Motion passed without dissent 

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/2169/CCUSD4/5666936/April_28__2025_Signed_Minutes.pdf