SE Illinois News

Edwards County Community Unit School District #1 Board of Education met June 21.

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 Room by President, Dale Woods. The following members were present: Brian Mewes, Jayare Buerster, Lawrence Speir, Jr., Richard Wolfe, Jo Rector and Andrew Spray. Also present was Superintendent, David Cowger; Principals, Preston Nelson and Dale Schmittler; Dean of Students, Joe Rivers. Assistant Principal/Special Education Coordinator was absent.

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 May 19, 2021 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, Wolfe, Rector, Spray, Buerster, Mewes and Woods voted yes. Motion passes

LESA SHILLING ADDRESSED THE BOARD

Lesa Shilling addressed the Board regarding athletics for home schooled students

Mrs. Shilling has asked the board to consider allowing homeschooled children the ability to participate is school athletics. No action was taken at this time.

SPOTLIGHT

Spotlight: Ag/FFA Annual Report

Mrs. Wiseman was present to give the annual FFA report.

APPROVE AMENDED BUDGET

Motion was made by Brian Mewes and seconded by Andrew Spray to approve the Amended FY 2021 School Budget.

End of the years projections were provided to the board.

Based upon expenses and anticipated receipts in June, the “Operational” budget could finish $340,365 in the black.

The overall budget reflected the following:

Revenues: $9,744,136

Expenses: $9,229,381

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

APPROVE DISTRICT WELLNESS BUDGET

Motion was made by Jayare Buerster and seconded by Richard Wolfe to approve the District Wellness Plan.

Additional language was added to address the mental health and wellbeing of students.

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

ESTABLISH FEES

Motion was made by Jo Rector and seconded by Brian Mewes to establish District Fees, Mileage Rates and Substitute Rates for the 2021-2022 school year

School fees have been adjusted slightly from the 2020-2021 school year. Mileage rates were set at the IRS levels. Noncertified sub positions were adjusted to reflect the increase in minimum wage and teacher sub pay was set at $100 per day.

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

APPROVE RESOLUTION FOR SALE OF SURPLUS EQUIPMENT

Motion was made by Andrew Spray and seconded by J Jo Rector to approve the Resolution allowing for the sale of the Ford Utility Mower by sealed bid.

Bid openings have been set for July 13th at 10:00 a.m.

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

APPROVE KEMPER CPA PROPOSAL

Motion was made by Richard Wolfe and seconded by Andrew Spray to approve the Kemper CPA 2021-2023 proposal as specified.

Yearly rates are as follows:

2021- $8,540

2022 - $8,835

2023 - $9,075

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

ADMINISTRATION REPORTS

The Administrators presented their reports on the following:

• David Cowger – Superintendent

Cafeteria Report

Summer Projects/Work Update

Prevailing Wage

Return to Learn 2021-2022

• Preston Nelson – Edwards County K-12 Principal

• Dale Schmittler – West Salem Grade School Principal

• Carrie Wells – Edwards County Special Education Coordinator

• Joe Rivers – K-12 Dean of Students

INTO CLOSED SESSION

Motion was made by Jo Rector and seconded by Brian Mewes that a Closed Session be called at 7:50 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

• Consider student discipline

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

OUT OF CLOSED SESSION

Motion was made by Richard Wolfe and seconded by Jo Rector that the Board come out of Closed Session at 8:58 p.m.

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

ACCEPT RESIGNATIONS

Motion was made by Andrew Spray and seconded by Richard Wolfe to accept the following resignations:

• Kelsey Margelin – Kindergarten Teacher at Albion Grade School

• Johnathan Henton – ECHS Assistant Football Coach Rector, Buerster, Mewes, Wolfe, Speir, Spray, and Woods voted yes. Motion passes

EMPLOYMENT

Motion was made by Andrew Spray and seconded by Jayare Buerster to employ the following:

 Monica McDaniel – Kindergarten Teacher at AGS

 Mandy Willett – Individual Aide at AGS

 Kerri Mosson – Special Education Teacher

 Lacey Arnold – Head Freshman Class Sponsor

 Julie Cowling – Head Sophomore Class Sponsor

 Will Swardstrom – Head Junior Class Sponsor

 Mary Sue Zellers – Head Senior Class Sponsor

 Michelle Wiseman – FFA Sponsor

 Steve Clodfelter – FFA Sponsor

 Karla Moore – ALPHA Sponsor

 Ashley Craig – Educators Rising Sponsor

 Bethany Rotramel – FBLA Sponsor

 Jennifer Kerr – FCLA Sponsor

 Sarah Swardstrom – National Honor Society

 Bethany Rotramel – Pep Club Sponsor

 Will Swardstrom – ECHS Varsity Scholastic Bowl Coach

 Sarah Swardstrom – ECHS Jr Varsity Scholastic Bowl Coach

 Lacey Arnold – ECHS Science Club

 Will Swardstrom – ECHS Social Studies Club

 Larry Balding – ECHS Spanish Club Sponsor

 Johnathan Henton – Weight Room Sponsor

 Morgan Jones – AGS Cheer Coach

 Tambree Krouse – AGS Quiz Bowl Coach

 Miranda Duncan – AGS St. Council Sponsor

 Shad McKinzie – AGS Volleyball Coach

 Erica Bishop – AGS Asst Volleyball Coach

 Kris Duncan – AGS Baseball Coach

 Jerry Beehn – AGS Sorftball Coach

 Rick Wolfe – AGS Asst Softball Coach

 Rebecca Brinkmann – EC Panthers Girls Basketball Coach

 Christy St Ledger – EC Panthers Girls Basketball Asst Coach

 Joel Brinkmann – AGS Boys Basketball Coach

 Nyk Lear – AGS Boys Basketball Asst Coach

 Russel Gerlach – ECHS Football Coach

 Michael Snidle – ECHS Asst Football Coach

 Jessica Lear – ECHS Volleyball Coach

 Cassie Nelson – ECHS Asst Volleyball Coach 70% Stipend

 Monica Terry – ECHS Asst Volleyball Coach 30% Stipend

 Tiffany Cowger – ECHS Cheer Coach 50% Stipend

 Gracie Perkins – ECHS Cheer Coach 50% Stipend

 Kevin Schnicker – ECHS Boys Basketball Coach

 Eric St Ledger – ECHS Boys Basketball Asst Coach

 Johnathan Henton – ECHS Girls Basketball Coach

 Rebecca Brinkmann – ECHS Girls Basketball Asst Coach

 Rilee Vallette – WSGS Volleyball Coach

 Bill Thomason – WSGS Boys Basketball Coach

 Brad Lake – WSGS Softball Coach

 Daniel Luebbehusen – WSGS Baseball Coach

 Brenda Balding – WSGS Quiz Bowl Coach

 Shauna Clodfelter – WSGS Student Council Sponsor

 David Glover – WSGS Safety Patrol Sponsor

 Tonya Weber – WSGS Asst Softball Coach

 Conway Kelly – WSGS Asst Baseball Coach

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

Motion was made by Brian Mewes and seconded by Andrew Spray to approve the following volunteer assistant coaches for the 2021-2022 school year.

APPROVE VOLUNTEER ASSISTANT COACHES

 Kerri McCaleb – AGS Volunteer Asst Cheer Coach

 Monica McDaniel – AGS Volunteer Asst Softball Coach

 Tara Michels – AGS Volunteer Asst Softball Coach

 Levi McDaniel – ECHS Volunteer Asst Football Coach

 Jason Bishop – ECHS Volunteer Asst Football Coach

 Bobby Brake – ECHS Volunteer Asst Football Coach

 Christy St Ledger – Panthers Girls Basketball Volunteer Asst Coach

 Abby Ellis – Panthers Girls Basketball Volunteer Asst Coach

 Allsion Wolfe – AGS Volunteer Asst Softball Coach Speir, Buerster, Rector, Mewes, Spray and Woods voted yes. Wolfe abstained Motion passes

Motion was made by Jo Rector and seconded by Andrew Spray that the meeting be adjourned at 9:02 p.m.

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

ADJOURN

MEETING

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