New Hope Community Consolidated School District 6 Board of Education met Aug. 18.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
The New Hope Board of Education met on August 18, 2020 at 7:00 P.M. in work room of the school.
President Jason Simpson called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.
Roll Call: Present: Dan Devous
Jason Simpson
Derek Smothers
Nate Carter
Ryan Green
Rhonda Clark
Ryan Duckworth
Absent: None
Also Present: Julie Harrelson, Superintendent
Melanie Hill Britany Pope Rachel Nobles
Ardis Barbre DuWayne Nobles Jennifer Harvey
Rhonda Clark made a motion to approve the July 21, 2020 regular meeting minutes with no corrections noted. Second by Derek Smothers.
Voice Vote:
Yea: Dan Devous, Jason Simpson, Derek Smothers, Ryan Duckworth, Nate Carter, Ryan Green, Rhonda Clark
Nay: None Carried
DuWayne Nobles praised the board for the work they are doing, the phenomenal staff that work here, and Mrs. Harrelson for always protecting the students. He mentioned the parent survey sent out requesting feedback on the mask mandate and pointed out that 77% were not in favor. If the board decided to go against the majority of those who spoke out against the mandate, his child would not return to school in the morning. He asked the board to take in consideration the feeling of the majority.
Jennifer Harvey presented the board reasons why she is against mandating masks all day. She spoke of various health concerns related to mask wearing. She asked the board to consider supporting the parent’s right to decide for their own children when making their decision.
Superintendent Julie Harrelson presented the Treasurer’s Report and current financial information. Bank balances as of June 30, 2020.
Fairfield National Bank Checking:$892,579.48
IPTIP:$947.43
Fairfield National Bank Money Market:$624,810.87
Dan Devous made a motion to accept the treasurer’s report. Second by Nate Carter.
Voice Vote:
Yea: Ryan Green, Rhonda Clark, Dan Devous, Jason Simpson, Derek Smothers, Ryan Duckworth, Nate Carter
Nay: None Carried
Derek Smothers made a motion to pay the bills with no additions or exclusions noted. Second by Ryan Duckworth.
Voice Vote:
Yea: Rhonda Clark, Dan Devous, Jason Simpson, Derek Smothers, Ryan Duckworth, Nate Carter, Ryan Green
Nay: None Carried
No committee reports given.
Superintendent Report: Open house will be held Tuesday, August 25th from 6:00 P.M.-7:30 P.M. It will be come and go. Ice cream will still be served in the cafeteria keeping with the 50 or less mandate. Terry Smith made a donation on behalf of Modern Woodmen for $500 for the outside tent being used for classes and lunch. Wabash Valley donated reusable water bottles for each student to keep usage of water fountains to a minimum. Mrs. Barbre has planned a Christmas program for kindergarten through 2nd grade and a spring musical for 3rd through 5th grades. The building project has been completed. Mrs. Harrelson said the statement made on Friday regarding our reopening plans is the strongest statement she has ever sent. We do not know who the complainant was but the FOIA officer at ISBE is to release that information to us. Even though she requested from ISBE to wait until after our board meeting to release the statement, ISBE responded that it had to go out that day stating that we will be enforcing the mask mandate. If we do not comply, we could ultimately receive a one-time fine of up to $2,500. Mrs. Harrelson said that a parent has already contacted her offering to pay the fine should we receive it and stated that she is willing to pay it herself. The fine would come through States Attorney Kevin Kakac but Wayne County Health Department Clark Griffith said he will be in contact before that would happen. The staff at New Hope would like guidance from the board on what they are expecting. Remote learning requires 5 hours of school work to be completed each day. That time must be accounted for, attendance taken, and grades reported.
Unfinished Business:
1. Derek Smothers made a motion to adopt board policy update issue 104. Second by Dan Devous.
Voice Vote:
Yea: Ryan Duckworth, Nate Carter, Ryan Green, Rhonda Clark, Dan Devous, Jason Simpson, Derek Smothers
Nay: None Carried
2. Rhonda Clark made a motion to adopt removing board policy limiting years of experience for new teachers. Second by Nate Carter.
Voice Vote:
Yea: Nate Carter, Ryan Green, Rhonda Clark, Dan Devous, Jason Simpson, Derek Smothers, Ryan Duckworth
Nay: None Carried
Dan Devous made a motion to enter executive session at 7:38 P.M. for personnel appointment, performance, and compensation. Second by Ryan Duckworth.
Voice Vote:
Yea:Ryan Green, Rhonda Clark, Dan Devous, Jason Simpson, Derek Smothers, Ryan Duckworth, Nate Carter
Nay:None Carried
Derek Smothers made a motion to return to open session at 8:05 P.M. Second by Nate Carter.
Voice Vote:
Yea: Dan Devous, Jason Simpson, Derek Smothers, Ryan Duckworth, Nate Carter, Ryan Green, Rhonda Clark
Nay: None Carried
New Business:
1. Rhonda Clark made a motion to approve the administrator and teacher salary and benefit report. Second by Nate Carter.
Voice Vote:
Yea:Jason Simpson, Derek Smothers, Ryan Duckworth, Nate Carter, Ryan Green, Rhonda Clark, Dan Devous
Nay:None Carried
2. Nate Carter made a motion to approve Tim Smith as softball assistant coach. Second by Derek Smothers.
Voice Vote:
Yea: Derek Smothers, Ryan Duckworth, Nate Carter, Ryan Green, Rhonda Clark, Dan Devous, Jason Simpson
Nay: None Carried
3. Rhonda Clark made a motion to pay extra-curricular stipends when the duty is served and prorate it if district goes to remote learning with the exception of athletic director being paid in full. Second by Dan Devous.
Voice Vote:
Yea: Ryan Duckworth, Nate Carter, Ryan Green, Rhonda Clark, Dan Devous, Jason Simpson, Derek Smothers
Nay: None Carried
Dan Devous made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:10 P.M. Second by Ryan Duckworth.
Voice Vote:
Yea: Nate Carter, Ryan Green, Rhonda Clark, Dan Devous, Jason Simpson, Derek Smothers, Ryan Duckworth
Nay: None Carried
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