Edwards County Community Unit School District #1 Board of Education met April 20.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. in the Edwards County K-12 Grade School Cafeteria by President, Dale Woods. The following members were present: Brian Mewes, Richard Wolfe, Jayare Buerster, Lawrence Speir, Jr., Jo Rector and Andrew Spray. Also present was Superintendent, David Cowger; Principals, Dale Schmittler and Preston Nelson; Assistant Principal/Special Education Coordinator, Carrie Wells and Dean of Students, Joe Rivers.
Motion was made by Brian Mewes and seconded by Jo
Rector to approve the following Consent Agenda items:
Motion to approve the minutes of the open and closed sessions of the March 16, 2020 Regular School Board Meeting and the March 24, 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
Speir, Rector, Spray, Wolfe, Buerster, Mewes and Woods voted yes. Motion passes
Motion was made by Richard Wolfe and seconded by Brian Mewes to approve the Second Reading and Adoption of the following policies:
Vacancies on the School Board – Filling Vacancies
Boards now have 60 days versus 45 to fill a board vacancy. Also, there was a little housekeeping by changing some wording. Those who are interest filling the vacancy shall submit a “resume” versus an “application.”
2.100 Board Member Conflict of Interest
Language has been added addressing a conflict of interest in Federal and State Grant Awards.
2.105 Ethics and Gift Ban Act
The entire Gift Ban Section has been rewritten and has had many revisions. Also, a new section regarding complaints of sexual harassment made against board members by elected officials has been added addressing ethical behavior.
2.110 Qualifications, Term, and Duties of Board Members
A couple revisions to the policy under president duties are as follows: 1. Preside at all meetings & 12. Except when the board president is the subject of a complaint of sexual harassment, a witness, or otherwise conflicted, appoint a qualified outside investigator to conduct and independent review of allegations of sexual harassment made against a board member by another board member or elected official.
5.250 Leave of Absence
Under Sick and Bereavement Leave, 3) has been revised to state “a licensed advanced practice registered nurse”. Under School Visitation Leaves, a “behavioral” meeting has been added. Also, “gender violence” has been listed in the Leaves for Victims of Domestic Violence, Sexual Violence, or Gender Violence.
5.330 Sick Days, Vacation, Holidays, and Leaves
The policy has been revised to address instances where the District may want certification from an employee who has missed work after 3 days of personnel illness or 30 days for a birth or as the Board or Superintendent would require. There has been additional clarification regarding accumulation of sick day by showing the monthly accumulation.
5.50 Drug and Alcohol Free Workplace
This policy has been updated to address the prohibition of E- Cigarettes, Tobacco, and Cannabis in the workplace. A section was added which provides clarification to “District Premises.”
5.90 Abused and Neglected Child Reporting
Policy has been updated to reflect language added which addresses the Districts responsibility to notify the students’ parents/guardians as required by the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. Also, a new section was added which addresses Alleged Incidents of Sexual Abuse; Investigations.
6.15 School Accountability
School districts now are required to administer a climate survey on a yearly basis in grades 4-12.
Spray, Speir, Buerster, Wolfe, Mewes and Woods voted yes.
Rector voted no. Motion passes
Discussion was held regarding previously discussed maintenance work with possible action
Schneider Electric is rebidding some the work which had been previously sent out for bids in hopes more competitive bids come back. It is expected final information will be provided back to the District in time for the May board meeting.
Spray, Speir, Buerster, Wolfe, Rector, Mewes and Woods voted yes. Motion passes
Motion was made by Brian Mewes and seconded by Richard Wolfe to approve the 2020-2021 Consolidated District Plan.
This is an annual item which must be done annually prior to the District writing for any State and Federal Grants.
Spray, Speir, Buerster, Wolfe, Rector, Mewes and Woods voted yes. Motion passes
Motion was made by Andrew Spray and seconded by Brian Mewes to reject all 3 bids and accept an alternate bid from Midwest Transit for the 2018 model for $74,852.00 after trade in.
Midwest Transit came in with the lowest bid on the requested 2020 bus bids but also supplied an alternate bid. Midwest original bid was $98,098 compared to $103,334, and $105,601.
Mewes, Spray, Buerster, Speir, Wolfe, and Woods voted yes. Rector voted no. Motion passes
Motion was made by Jo Rector and seconded by Richard Wolfe to approve the ECHS Lions Basketball Camp, contingent upon the COVID-19 Pandemic.
The camp was approved just in case restrictions are lifted which would allow the camp to take place.
Rector, Mewes, Spray, Speir, Buerster, Wolfe and Woods voted yes. Motion passes
The Administrators presented their reports on the following:
• David Cowger – Superintendent
Graduation / Baccalaureate
Cafeteria Report
School Closure Meals
Preston Nelson – Edwards County K-12 Principal
• Dale Schmittler – West Salem Grade School Principal
• Carrie Wells – Edwards County Special Education Coordinator
• Joe Rivers – EC K-12 Dean of Students
Motion was made by Jo Rector and seconded by Brian Mewes that a Closed Session be called at 7:30 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
Wolfe, Speir, Rector, Buerster, Spray, Mewes and Woods voted yes. Motion passes
Motion was made by Brian Mewes and seconded by Jo Rector that the Board come out of Closed Session at 7:47 p.m.
Mewes, Buerter, Spray, Wolfe, Rector, Speir, and Woods voted yes. Motion passes
Motion was made by Brian Mewes and seconded by Jo Rector to employ Lindsey Summerfield as Cafeteria Manager for the District.
Rector, Buerster, Mewes, Speir, Spray, Wolfe, and Woods voted yes. Motion passes
Motion was made by Jo Rector and seconded by Brian Mewes to approve the following Leave of Absences:
Professional Leave for Kerri Mosson, aide at AGS from August 12, 2020 to October 30, 2020
FMLA Maternity Leave for Jessica Lear, teacher at ECHS, tentatively from August 31, 2020 to September 25, 2020
Mewes, Buerster, Speir, Spray, Rector, Wolfe, and Woods voted yes. Motion passes
Motion was made by Brian Mewes and seconded by Richard Wolfe that the meeting be adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
Spray, Buerster, Mewes, Wolfe, Rector, Speir and Woods voted yes. Motion passes
https://www.edwardscountyschools.org/vimages/shared/vnews/stories/53fe5652386ae/April%2020%2C%202020%20Minutes%20with%20Comments.pdf
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