SE Illinois News

Edwards County Community Unit School District 1 Board met Sept. 21.

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 Band Room 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 (by phone).

APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA

Motion was made by Richard Wolfe and seconded by Andrew Spray to approve the following Consent Agenda items:

 Motion to approve the minutes of the open and closed sessions of the August 17, 2020 Regular 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

Speir, Rector, Spray, Wolfe, Buerster, Mewes and Woods voted yes. Motion passes

SPOTLIGHT

Spotlight ECHS FFA

Members of the FFA along with Advisor Michelle Wiseman were in attendance to discuss their nationally recognized National Milk Day project. They are 1 of 10 chapters in the nation to be recognized as a Premier Chapter in the Strengthening Agriculture Division.

APPROVE BUDGET

Motion was made by Brian Mewes and seconded by Andrew Spray to approve the Fiscal Year 2021 Budget as presented

The District presented a balanced budget with a surplus of $14,593. The operating funds have a surplus of $93,068.

Spray, Speir, Buerster, Wolfe, Rector, Mewes and Woods voted yes. Motion passes

PRESENTATION OF ADMINISTRATOR AND TEACHER SALARY AND BENEFITS REPORT

Presentation of the Annual Administrator and Teacher Salary and Benefits Report for the 2019-2020 (Fiscal Year 2020) school year.

This document will be available on the School District Website.

APPROVE P/C LIABILITY AND WORKMANS COMPENSATION RENEWAL

Motion was made by Andrew Spray and seconded by Brian Mewes to approve the P/C Liability and Workmans Compensation renewal through Scholastic Risk Management/Diamond Brothers in the amount of $134,996.00

Due to an increase in our WC premium, our overall premium has increased by $22,916.

Mewes, Speir, Buerster, Spray, Rector, Wolfe and Woods voted yes. Motion passes

APPROVE DONATIONS OVER $500.00

Motion was made by Jo Rector and seconded by Andrew Spray to approve the following donations over $500.00:

 The Wolfe Foundation has made a $89,125.25 donation for the purchase of laptops and chromebooks to assist with our 1:1 and Remote Learning initiatives

 The White Squirrel Cruisers Car Club Inc. has made a donation in the amount of $1,200.00 to go to the Automotive Department at ECHS

Speir, Rector, Mewes, Buerster, Spray and Woods voted yes. Wolfe abstained Motion passes

REVISE TEACHERS EVALUATION INSTRUMENT

Motion was made by Richard Wolfe and seconded by Jayare Buerster to revise the EC Teacher Evaluation Instrument (Unsatisfactory Rating Appeal)

Due to Public Act 101-591, a process has been added to the teachers evaluation process that will allow a teacher to appeal an unsatisfactory evaluation if they feel the rating is erroneous.

Spray, Speir, Wolfe, Rector, Mewes, Buerster and Woods voted yes. Motion passes

MOVE TO SIJHSAA

Motion was made by Andrew Spray and seconded by Richard Wolfe to move Jr. High Volleyball and Jr. High Girls Basketball to SIJHSAA for the 2020-2021 season

Due to conflicts between SIJHSAA and IESA, all junior high athletics will participate in the SIJHSAA. Seasons were adjusted because of COVID guidelines which created issues for girls’ basketball and volleyball. At the completion of the seasons, this topic will be reevaluated for the 2021-2022 season.

Buerster, Spray, Speir, Wolfe, Rector, Mewes and Woods voted yes. Motion passes

FIRST READING OF POLICIES

First Reading of the following policies:

 Policy 2:220 – School Board Meeting Procedure

The policy has been amended to address the Open Meetings Act. The amendments address board meetings in open or closed sessions by audio or video conference without the physical presence of a quorum as long as the board meets certain statutory conditions.

 Policy 2:260 – Uniform Grievance Procedure

This policy has been updated in response to Title IX regulations, and to explicitly direct any sexual harassment complaints involving Title IX to the new Policy 2.265, Title IX Sexual Harassment Grievance Procedure.

 Policy 2:265 – Title IX Sexual Harassment Grievance Procedure

This is a NEW policy created to facilitate implementation of Title IX regulations, which require districts to take a number of actions to respond to reports of sexual harassment in it’s education programs or activities.

 Policy 5:10 – Equal Employment Opportunity and Minority Recruitment

The policy is updated in response to Title IX regulations and to explicitly reference the Title IX Coordinator. There has been some discrimination language added to address equal employment opportunities as well.

 Policy 5:20 – Workplace Harassment Prohibited

The policy has been updated to reference the new Policy 2:265 Title IX Sexual Harassment Grievance and directly address the District Title IX Coordinator. The policy addresses the new annual training per State law. It adds language addressing nonemployees making a report or claim. Also, language has been added that addresses reports that involve alleged incidents of Sexual Abuse of a child by school personnel.

 Policy 7:20 – Harassment of Students Prohibited

Policy updates have been made to the Sexual Harassment Prohibited section by simplifying the language but making it more encompassing rather than addressing specific items. Language has been added to allow a complaint to be filed with any employee with whom the student would be comfortable speaking with. Updates have captured language to address incidents by school personnel.

 Policy 7:190 – Student Behavior

The policy has been updated in response to the new ISBE permanent rules governing the use of isolated time out, time out, and physical restraint. This section has been added to the policy.

 Policy 7:340 – Student Records

Policy has been updated to address video and other electronic recordings and any information receiving from law enforcement officials of a student regarding student records. Also, the policy has eliminated specific directory references and simply states “as permitted by law” which keeps policy current as laws change.

 Policy 7:345 – Use of Educational Technologies; Students Data Privacy and Security

This is a NEW policy which has been created in response to public act 101-516 which requires districts to take a number of actions to protect online student data and to share general information about how student data is used.

ADMINISTRATION REPORTS

The Administrators presented their reports on the following:

• David Cowger – Superintendent

Cafeteria Report

School Board Elections

IASB Virtual Division Meeting

 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

INTO CLOSED SESSION

Motion was made by Richard Wolfe and seconded by Jayare Buerster that a Closed Session be called at 7:45 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

OUT OF CLOSED SESSION

Motion was made by Richard Wolfe and seconded by Andrew Spray that the Board come out of Closed Session at 8:59 p.m.

Mewes, Buerter, Spray, Wolfe, Rector, Speir, and Woods voted yes. Motion passes

RESIGNATION

Motion was made by Jo Rector and seconded by Brian Mewes to accept the resignation of Nick Toothman, Teacher at the Albion Grade School, effective October 9, 2020

Rector, Buerster, Mewes, Speir, Spray, Wolfe, and Woods voted yes. Motion passes

EMPLOYMENT

Motion was made by Richard Wolfe and seconded by Jayare Buerster to employ the following for the 2020-2021 school year:

 Bus Driver – Christy Harris

 Brownsville Individual Aide – Kylee Irvine

 Part Time Cafeteria Worker – Abby Ellis

 AGS Head Boys Basketball Coach – Joel Brinkmann

 AGS Assistant Boys Basketball Coach – Nyk Lear

 AGS Head Volleyball Coach – Shad McKinzie

 AGS Assistant Volleyball Coach – Erica Bishop

 AGS Band (Extra-Curricular) – Sarah Swardstrom

 AGS Summer Band – Sarah Swardstrom

 AGS Choir (Extra-Curricular) – Gracie Greenwood

 WSGS Assistant Boys Basketball Coach – Cheney Haycraft

 WSGS Head Volleyball Coach – Rilee Vallette

 WSGS Scholastic Bowl Coach – Brenda Balding

 WSGS Band (Extra-Curricular) – Jennifer Gawthorp

 WSGS Choir (Extra-Curricular) – Jennifer Gawthorp

 WSGS Summer Band – Jennifer Gawthorp

 ECHS Assistant Boys Basketball Coach (Split Stipend) – Michael Snidle and Eric St. Ledger

 ECHS Head Baseball Coach – Kris Duncan

 ECHS Assistant Baseball Coach – Kevin Smerdon

 ECHS Dinner Theater – Sarah Swardstrom

 ECHS Dinner Theater (Split Stipend) – Gracie Greenwood and Jennifer Gawthorp

 ECHS Band (Extra-Curricular) – Sarah Swardstrom

 ECHS Yearbook – Charlene Lynch

Spray, Speir, Buerster, Wolfe, Rector, Mewes and Woods voted yes. Motion passes

EMPLOY ECHS SOFTBALL COACH

Motion was made by Jo Rector and seconded by Jayare

Buerster to employ Rick Wolfe as ECHS Head Softball Coach for the 2020-2021 school year.

Speir, Rector, Buerster and Woods voted yes. Mewes and Spray voted no. Wolfe abstained. Motion passes

EMPLOY ECHS ASSISTANT SOFTBALL COACH

Motion was made by Jo Rector and seconded by Jayare Buerster to employ Preston Nelson as ECHS Assistant Softball Coach for the 2020-2021 school year.

Speir, Wolfe, Rector, Buerster and Woods voted yes. Spray and Mewes voted no. Motion passes

APPROVE SALARY INCREASE

Motion was made by Richard Wolfe and seconded by Andrew Spray to approve a 3% increase in Transportation Personnel salaries and an increase to $500.00 per month towards health insurance premium.

Wolfe, Rector, Mewes, Buerster, Spray, Speir and Woods voted yes. Motion passes

ADJOURN MEETING

Motion was made by Andrew Spray and seconded by Brian Mewes that the meeting be adjourned at 9:07 p.m.

Spray, Buerster, Mewes, Wolfe, Rector, Speir and Woods voted yes. Motion passes

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