Galesburg Reporter

Mercer County School District 404 Board of Education met June 25

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 at the Mercer County Junior High School Music Room, 1002 SW 6th Street, Aledo, IL Wednesday, June 25, 2025 at 6:30 PM.

ATTENDANCE

Board members present upon roll call: Smock, Nelson, Lower, Yates. A quorum was present. Frick arrived at 7:48 p.m.

Absent: Monson.

Administrators present: Superintendent Tim Farquer, Principals McPeek, Robertson and Sedam.

Also in Attendance: See attached list, Leanne McDermott, Recording Secretary

Reporters: Ty Taylor of WRMJ.

CONSENT AGENDA

1. There was a motion by Yates, seconded by Balmer to approve the following items on the consent agenda:

a. Regular Meeting May 21, 2025

b. Bill List and addition

C. Treasurer's Report

d. Imprest Report

e. P-Card Report

f. BCBS Health Insurance Account Statement

g. Annual Prevailing Wage Resolutions

FY26 Non-Union Employee Wages

Roll Call: 5 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried.

FY26 REGISTRATION PRICES AND FEES

2. There was a motion by Yates, seconded by Lower, to approve the FY26 registration prices and fees.

Roll Call: 5 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried.

2025-2026 STUDENT HANDBOOK

3. There was a motion by Yates, seconded by Nelson, to approve all the Mercer County School's 25/26 Student Handbooks as amended with an addendum regarding dances for the High School.

Voice: Majority of Ayes. Motion carried.

FY26 DISTRICT GOALS

4. There was a motion by Yates, seconded by Balmer, to approve FY26 Board of Education Goals.

Voice: Majority of Ayes. Motion carried.

CLOSED SESSION

5. There was a motion by Yates, seconded by Nelson to go into Closed Session at 7:30 p.m.

Roll Call: 5 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried.

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.

OPEN SESSION

6. There was a motion by Balmer, seconded by Yates to come out of closed session.

Voice: Majority of Ayes. Motion carried.

PERSONNEL REPORT

7. There was a motion by Yates, seconded by Frick, to approve the Personnel Report as presented:

Resignations of:

Kylee Busch - NBE Paraprofessional

Teresa Ibouhouten - NBE Principal

Kyrstin Plohr - NBE Teacher (1st grade)

Kylie Olson - JV Softball Coach and 7th Grade Volleyball Coach

Sam Salmon - JH Assistant Football Coach

Hire:

Cheyanne McCann - New Boston Elementary Principal

Darren Winsor - Full-time Fleet & Route Manager

Devin Fuqua - Full-time Elementary Teacher (NBE placement)

Miranda Nimrick - Building Transfer (from NBE to MCJH, assigned to 6th grade Math)

Re-hire MCJH fall sports:

Softball Hannah Baker - Head Coach, Dani Ganpat - Assistant Coach

Cross Country Sam Whan - Head Coach, Angie Millar - Volunteer Assistant Coach

Football Jeremy Finch - 8th grade Head Coach, Monte Smith - 7th grade Coach

Tristan Finch - Assistant Coach

Girls Basketball Emma Skovronski - Head 8th Grade Coach, Holly Staker - Head 7th Grade Coach

Kate Engwall - Volunteer Assistant Coach (maternity leave coverage)

Cheer Caitlyn Zeigenhorn

Roll Call: 6 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried.

ADJOURN

8. There was a motion by Balmer, seconded by Yates, to adjourn the meeting at 9:40 p.m.

Voice: Majority of Ayes. Motion carried.

OTHER REPORTS AND DISCUSSIONS:

PUBLIC COMMENT: 1. Crystal Simpson supports the teachers reaching a MCEA Labor Agreement.

BOARD COMMENTS: 2. None.

CORRESPONDENCE: 3. New Boston Elementary employees acknowledged their appreciation to the board for supplying lunch during Teacher Appreciation Week.

BUILDING AND GROUNDS COMMITTEE: 4. Health Life Safety was discussed. Mrs. Lori Nelson expressed concern regarding moving forward with landscaping when there are many additional high school needs that were not included in the high school renovations.

FOIA REQUESTS: 4. None.

ADDITION OF HS GIRLS WRESTLING: 5. The district has one female wrestler. Girls associate with our boys team and wrestle against girls, when available. Girls wrestle as individuals during the state series. The recommendation is to continue operating as is for the 25/26 school year and monitor interest.

ADDITION TO MCHS STUDENT HANDBOOK: 6. There is further clarification/information regarding school attendance, disqualification, dance attendance and students and their dates entering and leaving the dance together in the 25/26 MCHS Student handbook. Both students who attend a dance will need their principal's approval and said student will be asked for identification at the door.

FY26 DISTRICT GOALS: 7. There were 108 responses received regarding FY26 goals.

Curriculum, instruction, student safety and building improvement goals appear to garner the most support. It is recommended to remain dedicated to achieve existing goals.

ADMINISTRATION REPORTS: 8. Mrs. Becky McPeek stated that 32 screenings have been done so far. Mr. Chad Robertson stated that the local masons donated a bike to be raffled and the rotary/peace prize was given.

DISTRICT OFFICE REPORT (FUND-BASED ACCOUNTING): 9. The district operates within a nine fund structure. The ED fund accounts for about 60% of our financial activity. These funds support our kids, classrooms, teachers and educational support staff.. The district reduced ED Fund expenditures by 1.2%, but still ran a deficit. The district taxes our local tax payers about as much as we are allowed. The district will continue to monitor and plan for any additional losses in revenue, find ways to increase operational efficiencies and strategically invest in the areas that provide the greatest return on investment. It is also noted that the district lost ESSER funding and corporate money which was part of the ED fund.

https://www.mercerschools.org/_files/ugd/61ee79_883124dde24e47a5b5548ed20f9ca13a.pdf