Harrisburg Community Unit School District 3 Board of Education met Nov. 18.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
The regular meeting of the Board of Education of Harrisburg Community Unit School District #3, Saline County, Illinois, was held at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, as announced by posted public notice and by mail. The following members of the Board were present: Mr. Billy Smith, Mr. Kevin Dowdy, Mr. Ryan Lambert, Mr. Brandon Henshaw, Mr. Steve Smothers, Mr. Nathan Howton and Mr. Randy Smithpeters.
The following administrators were present: Dr. Amy Dixon, Scott Dewar, Natalie Fry, Debbie McGowan, John Crabb, Alesha Allen, Lana Bell, Amanda Stone, Elizabeth Dawe, Jason Varner, and Whitney Tripp. Student Board Members: Ansley Crank and Sydnie Frailey.
The following Unit #3 staff members were present: Keri Holland, Kyle Brames, Jennifer Irvin, and Lenae Milam. The following members of the public were present: Tim King, and HHS State Scholar Students.
With a quorum of the members of the Board being present, President Smith called the meeting to order and declared the Board to be in session for the transaction of business.
President Smith led the Board, staff and attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance.
The Student Board members recognized the HHS State Scholars.
Tim King presented information to the Board regarding the District bonds.
Mr. Lambert moved and Mr. Smothers seconded the motion to enter into Executive Session to discuss: A. The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees in an educational setting Act. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1).
Upon a call of the President for a vote to be taken, it was determined the results of said motion carried. Board entered into Closed Session at 5:24 p.m.
Mr. Dowdy moved and Mr. Howton seconded the motion to reconvene in open session at 6:21 p.m. Upon a call of the President for a voice vote to be taken, it was determined the results of said motion carried.
Public Comment
Mr. Dowdy moved and Mr. Smothers seconded the motion to approve the minutes of the October 21, 2025 Regular Board Meeting. On a call of the roll, the motion received a unanimous vote of yea.
Mr. Lambert moved and Mr. Howton seconded the motion to approve the Bills Due and Payable. On a call of the roll, the motion received a unanimous vote of yea.
Mr. Smithpeters moved and Mr. Smothers seconded the motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report. On a call of the roll, the motion received a unanimous vote of yea.
Mr. Dowdy moved and Mr. Smothers seconded the motion to approve the Expenditure and Revenue Reports. On a call of the roll, the motion received a unanimous vote of yea.
The Board of Education reviewed the monthly Activity Fund Summaries from each building.
RECOGNITION OF DISTRICT 3 SUCCESSES
Student Board Member Report
▪ The Speech Team continues to excel in their competitions. We are proud of all of their accomplishments. Superintendent – Dr. Amy Dixon
â–ª President Smith and the Superintendent will travel to the Triple I Conference to participate in various professional development opportunities.
BELA – Principal Alesha Allen
â–ª The BELA Team achieved Gold Status, which is the highest rating given by the Illinois State Board of Education.
West Side Primary – Principal Scott Dewar
â–ª The Special Education students will have the opportunity to participate in the Special Olympics in December.
East Side Intermediate – Principal Amanda Stone
â–ª Mrs. Stewart and Mrs. West’s classes began their Hydroponic Gardening Journey with Illinois Extension.Â
Harrisburg Middle School – Principal Debbie McGowan
Harrisburg High School – Principal John Crabb
Special Education – Whitney Tripp
▪ Callie Medin, Sp. Ed. Secretary, wrote and received approval for a grant that will provide students with access to a washer and dryer on campus to help meet basic needs and support overall well-being. Technology, Media, Grants, Curriculum – Natalie Fry
â–ª Grant spending and goals are on target.
Transportation – Andy Fehrenbacher
UNFINISHED BUSINESS – NONE
Mr. Lambert moved and Mr. Smithpeters seconded the motion to approve the School Maintenance Project Grant. On a call of the roll, the motion received a unanimous vote of yea.
The first reading of Press Plus Issue 120 was presented.
Mr. Lambert moved and Mr. Howton seconded the motion to approve the Resolution declaring the intention to issue $1,500,000 Working Cash Fund Bonds of Community Unit School District Number 3, Saline County, Illinois, for the purpose of increasing the Working Cash Fund of said School District, and directing that notice of such intention be published in the manner provided by law. On a call of the roll, the motion received a unanimous vote of yea.
Mr. Smothers moved and Mr. Smithpeters seconded the motion to approve the Resolution regarding estimated amounts necessary to be levied for year 2025. On a call of the roll, the motion received a unanimous vote of yea.
Mr. Lambert moved and Mr. Dowdy seconded the motion to allow the Superintendent to take out a District line of credit with Farmers State Bank. On a call of the roll, the motion received a unanimous vote of yea.
Mr. Dowdy moved and Mr. Smothers seconded the motion to approve the Executive Session minutes of the October 21, 2025 Regular Board Meeting. On a call of the roll, the motion received a unanimous vote of yea.
Mr. Henshaw moved and Mr. Dowdy seconded the motion to approve the resignation of the following EOC Aides. On a call of the roll, the motion received a unanimous vote of yea.
â–ª Karen Fulkerson
â–ª Jasmine Boswell
Mr. Smothers moved and Mr. Howton seconded the motion to approve the resignation of Terry Blackman as Middle School Custodian, effective January 2, 2026. On a call of the roll, the motion received a unanimous vote of yea.
Mr. Lambert moved and Mr. Dowdy seconded the motion to approve the resignation of Matt Griffith as HHS Boys Assistant Track Coach (stipend). On a call of the roll, the motion received a unanimous vote of yea.
Mr. Dowdy moved and Mr. Smothers seconded the motion to employ Lane Shover as EOC Aide at West Side. On a call of the roll, the motion received a unanimous vote of yea.
Mr. Henshaw moved and Mr. Smithpeters seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting. Upon a call of the President for a voice vote to be taken, it was determined the result of said motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 7:10 p.m.
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