Edwards County Unit School District #1 Board of Education met Jan. 20.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Edwards County K-12 Band Room by President, Dale Woods. The following members were present: Jayare Buerster, Brian Mewes, Lawrence Speir, Jr., Jo Rector and Andrew Spray. Also present was Superintendent, David Cowger; Principals, Preston Nelson and Dale Schmittler; Assistant Principal/Special Education Coordinator, Carrie Wells and Dean of Students, Joe Rivers. Board member Richard Wolfe was absent
Motion was made by Brian Mewes and seconded by
Andrew Spray to enter into a Public Hearing concerning the intent of the Board of Education of Community Unit School District #1, Edwards, Wabash, Wayne and Richland Counties, Illinois to sell $1,800,000 Working Cash Fund Bonds to increase the District Working Cash Fund.
Spray, Buerster, Speir, Rector, Mewes and Woods voted yes. Wolfe was absent. Motion passes
Discussion was held regarding the intent to sell $1,800,000 Working Cash Fund Bonds to increase the District’s Working Cash Fund
Nick Wiseman spoke up against the bond work and stated he felt there were broken promises in regards to the School Facility Sales Tax.
Motion was made by Jo Rector and seconded by Andrew Spray that the Public Hearing be adjourned at 7:06 p.m.
Mewes, Buerster, Rector, Speir, Spray and Woods voted yes. Wolfe was absent. Motion passes
Motion was made by Jayare Buerster and seconded by Brian Mewes to enter back into the Regular Board Meeting.
Mewes, Spray, Buerster, Speir, Rector and Woods voted yes. Wolfe was absent. Motion passes
Motion was made by Brian Mewes and seconded by Jayare Buerster to approve the following Consent Agenda items:
Motion to approve the minutes of the open and closed sessions of the December 16, 2019 Regular School
Board Meeting and the January 8, 2020 Special School
Board Meeting
Motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report
Motion to approve the Bill List
Motion to destroy board meeting closed session audio recording older than 18 months per State code
FOIA Report
Buerster, Speir, Rector, Spray, Mewes and Woods voted yes. Wolfe was absent. Motion passes
Motion was made by Andrew Spray and seconded by
Brian Mewes to approve a field trip over 150 miles round trip for the ECHS Science Club to the St. Louis Aquarium on February 28, 2020 at no cost to the District.
The trip is fully funded by the group and students.
Buerster, Mewes, Spray, Rector, Speir and Woods voted yes. Wolfe was absent. Motion passes
Motion was made by Andrew Spray and seconded by Jayare Buerster to approve memberships to IHSA, IMEA, IESA and SIJHSAA for the 2020-2021 school year
This is an annual action taken by the board to retain membership in the listed associations.
Mewes, Spray, Buerster, Speir, Rector and Woods voted yes. Wolfe was absent. Motion passes
Motion was made by Jayare Buerster and seconded by Jo Rector to release Fuel Bids and Van Bids.
Bids will be released so action may be taken at the next board meeting. Regarding the van, bids are being released for a 2020 Chrysler Voyager and Dodge Grand Caravan.
Speir, Buerster, Rector, Mewes, Spray and Woods voted yes. Wolfe was absent. Motion passes
The Administrators presented their reports on the following:
• David Cowger – Superintendent
State/District Budget Update
School Calendar 2020-2021
Bus Bids 2020-2021
2020 ISBE Financial Profile Designation Cafeteria Report
DCFS Mandated Reporting for Board Members ISBE Strategic Plan Sessions
Climate Survey
Preston Nelson – Edwards County K-12 Principal
• Dale Schmittler – West Salem Grade School Principal
Outdoor Educational Classroom
• Carrie Wells – Edwards County Special Education
Coordinator
• Joe Rivers – EC K-12 Dean of Students
Motion was made by Andrew Spray and seconded by Jayare Buerster that a Closed Session be called at 7:59 p.m. to discuss the following:
Consider the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees of the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee to determine validity
Collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees
Discussion regarding probable or imminent litigation
Consider Student Discipline
Buerster, Speir, Rector, Spray, Mewes and Woods voted yes. Wolfe was absent. Motion passes
Motion was made by Andrew Spray and seconded by Brian Mewes that the Board come out of Closed Session at 9:40 p.m.
Mewes, Spray, Rector, Speir, Buerster and Woods voted yes. Wolfe was absent. Motion passes
Motion was made by Andrew Spray and seconded by Jo Rector to accept the resignation of Gina Wissel as an Aide at the Brownsville School, effective January 27, 2020.
Rector, Mewes, Spray, Speir, Buerster, and Woods voted yes. Wolfe was absent. Motion passes
Motion was made by Andrew Spray and seconded by Brian Mewes to employ the following individuals:
ECHS Head Volleyball Coach for 2020-2021 school year – Jessica Knackmuhs Lear
AGS Baseball Coach for 2020-2021 school year – Kris Duncan
AGS Softball Coach for 2020-2021 school year – Jerry Beehn
AGS Cheerleading Coach for 2020-2021 school year – Morgan Jones
WSGS Baseball Coach for 2020-2021 school year – Daniel Luebbenhusen
WSGS Softball Coach for 2020-2021 school year – Brad Lake
Brownsville Individual Health Aide – Aneasa Wood, effective January 27, 2020
Mewes, Speir, Rector, Spray, Buerster and Woods voted yes. Wolfe was absent. Motion passes
Motion was made by Andrew Spray and seconded by Jo Rector to place student ECHS 2019-2020 #1 in an alternative placement.
Mewes, Speir, Spray, Rector, Buerster and Woods voted yes. Wolfe was absent. Motion passes
Motion was made by Jo Rector and seconded by Brian Mewes to approve the ECCUSD #1 Superintendent’s Contract.
Speir, Buerster, Mewes, Spray, Rector, and Woods voted yes. Wolfe was absent. Motion passes
Motion was made by Brian Mewes and seconded by Jo Rector that the meeting be adjourned at 9:45 p.m.
Spray, Mewes, Buerster, Rector, Speir and Woods voted yes. Wolfe was absent. Motion passes
http://www.edwardscountyschools.org/vimages/shared/vnews/stories/53fe5652386ae/January%2020%2C%202020%20Minutes%20with%20Comments%20%281%29.pdf
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