Edwards County Community Unit School District #1 Board of Education met Sept. 20.
Here are 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: Brian Mewes, Jayare Buerster, Lawrence Speir, Jr., Jo Rector and Andrew Spray. Also present was Superintendent, David Cowger; Principals, Preston Nelson and Dale Schmittler; and Dean of Students, Joe Rivers. Board member Richard Wolfe and Assistant Principal/Special Education Coordinator, Carrie Wells were absent.
Motion was made by Brian Mewes 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 21, 2021 Regular School Board Meeting and the open and closed sessions of the August 23, 2021 Emergency 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, Buerster, Mewes and Woods voted yes. Wolfe was absent. Motion passes
Motion was made by Brian Mewes and seconded by Jayare Buerster to approve the Fiscal Year 2022 Budget.
The budget reflects spending down the 2020 series bonds on maintenance projects that were earmarked for these funds. As a result, more expenditures will be reflected than revenues on this budget cycle.
The anticipated revenues are $10,525,117 compared to expenditures of $11,092,585 for a difference of $567,468 in the red.. Operating revenues are $9,345,598 compared to expenditures of $9,868,941 for a difference of a $523,343 in the red.
Rector, Speir, Spray, Mewes, Buerster and Woods voted yes. Wolfe was absent. Motion passes
The Fiscal Year 2021 Administrator and Teacher Salary and Benefits Report was presented to the Board
This is an annual matter the board is required to do. This report can be found on the District website.
Motion was made by Jayare Buerster and seconded by Andrew Spray to accept the following insurance bids:
• HCC Specialty for the P/C Package
• Berkley Insurance for the School Board Legal Liability, Employers for Worker’s Compensation
• HCC Net Guard for Cyber Liability in the amount of $97,398.00
This bid is 27.85% less than last year’s rates which equates to a $37,598 savings.
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 permanently transfer Working Cash funds to Buildings, Operations & Maintenance in the amount of $143,303.34
This transfer covers the following project costs:
• BCS (Phones) - $28,704.07
• Flush valves - $22,750
• Tuck Pointing - $20,968
• Ceiling Tile - $44,685
• HVAC/VAV - $16,396.27
• Art Room Sink Drains - $9,800
Speir, Buerster, Rector, Mewes, Spray and Woods voted yes. Wolfe was absent. Motion passes
Motion was made by Jo Rector and seconded by Brian Mewes to approve the following trip over 150 miles at no cost to the District:
• FFA to Indianapolis, Indiana, October 27, 2021 to October 30, 2021 to attend the National FFA Convention.
This trip comes at no cost to the District, trip is funded by the club and students.
Spray, Buerster, Mewes, Rector, Speir and Woods voted yes. Wolfe was absent. Motion passes
First reading of the revised Risk Management Program
The Administrators presented their reports on the following:
• David Cowger – Superintendent
Cafeteria Report
Sales Tax Report
Wabash Valley Division Meeting on October 5, 2021 in Olney, Illinois
Maintenance Projects Update
• 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
Motion was made by Jo Rector and seconded by Brian Mewes that a Closed Session be called at 7:18 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, Buerster, 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 8:11 p.m.
Mewes, Buerter, Wolfe, Spray, Rector, Speir, and Woods voted yes. Wolfe entered the meeting at 7:28 Motion passes
Motion was made by Jo Rector and seconded by Andrew Spray to accept the following resignations:
• Fleta Shepherd – Teacher at the Albion Grade School effective the end of the school day on September 10, 2021
• Julie Cowling – Teacher at Edwards County High School – Retiring at the end of the 2022-2023 school year
• Richard Wolfe – ECHS Head Softball Coach
Rector, Buerster, Mewes, Speir, Spray, and Woods voted yes. Wolfe abstained. Motion passes
Motion was made by Andrew Spray and seconded by Richard Wolfe to employ the following for the 2021-2022 school year:
• Heather Lane Cowling – Teacher at the Albion Grade School retroactive to September 13, 2021
• Bobby Brake – AGS Assistant Boys Basketball Coach
• David Glover – WSGS Assistant Boys Basketball Coach
• Kris Duncan – ECHS Head Baseball Coach
• Michael Snidle – ECHS Assistant Baseball Coach
Speir, Wolfe, Buerster, Rector, Mewes, and Spray voted yes. Woods abstained. Motion passes
Motion was made by Andrew Spray and seconded by Brian Mewes to approve the following Volunteer Assistant Coaches for the 2021-2022 school year:
• Matt Rhodes – AGS Boys Basketball
• Lexi McKinney – EC Panthers Basketball
• Kevin Smerdon – ECHS Baseball
Speir, Buerster, Wolfe, Rector, Mewes, Spray and Woods voted yes. Motion passes
Motion was made by Brian Mewes and seconded by Jayare Buerster to approve a FMLA Leave for Carla Munsey, Elementary Teacher at the Albion Grade School starting October 25, 2021
Buerster, Speir, Wolfe, Spray, Mewes, Rector and Woods voted yes. Motion passes
Motion was made by Jo Rector and seconded by Jayare Buerster that the meeting be adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
Spray, Buerster, Mewes, Wolfe, Rector, Speir and Woods voted yes. Motion passes
https://www.edwardscountyschools.org/cms/one.aspx?pageId=121415
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