SE Illinois News

Carmi-White County Community Unit District No. 5 Board of Education met Sept. 20.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The regular meeting of the board of education of Carmi-White County Community Unit District No. 5 was held at the Carmi-White County Junior/Senior High School cafeteria. The meeting was called to order by President Pete Fulkerson at 7:03 p.m.

RECITAL OF PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all present.

Those present were board members Ackerman, Acord, Fulkerson, Hammell, Mitchell, Scates and Westfall. Others present were Superintendent Brad Lee; Amy Atteberry, Washington Attendance Center principal; Dr. Amy Dixon, Jefferson and Lincoln Attendance Centers principal; Bart King, junior high school principal; Jarrod Newell, high school principal; Kathy Price, Brownsville principal; Lacey Moore, Elementary Dean of Students; Todd Haley, Junior/Senior High School Dean of Students; Corey Ackerman, CWCEA President; Dee Stone, Support Staff Association President; Tim Buss, Executive Search Consultant with IASB; Rachel Blazier, unit secretary; Scott Mareing (WROY), Robert Beskow (Carmi Hometown Register), Len Wells (The Carmi Chronicle), and Kathy Sands (The Villager’s Voice).

Others present were Officer David Agee, Brandy Brenner, Nicholas Brenner, Morgan Brown, Randy Bunting, Sergeant Dustin Buttry, Kaylee Carlton, Ryan Evans, Kelly Fulkerson, Carolyn Henson, David Henson, Ranelle Huebele, Ryan O’Daniel, Lora O’Daniel, Keshia Sisco, Minerva Lovell, Tammy Sisco, Carla Smith, Suzy Tomm, Stephanie Viger, Jackie Weber, Adam Willis, Adam Winkleman, and Jana Winkleman.

CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS APPROVED

Consent agenda items were presented to the board for its approval as follows: 1. Minutes of the August 16, 2021 regular board meeting

2. Serious safety hazard resolutions

Article 5/29-3 requires school boards with Illinois Department of Transportation serious safety hazard approvals to annually certify that the serious safety hazards still exist. A proposed resolution was presented for the board’s approval listing the district’s current serious safety hazard approvals. It was recommended that the board adopt the resolution.

Board of Education September 20, 2021

3, Resignation

Jean Nelson has submitted a letter of resignation as a Special Education

Individual Aide at Jefferson Attendance Center effective September 17, 2021.

It was recommended that the board accept the letter of resignation of Jean Nelson as a Special Education Individual Aide at Jefferson Attendance Center effective September 17, 2021.

4. Donation

Lincoln Attendance Center has been the recipient of the following donation in support of its programs:

Campbell Family Trucking LLC. ..............................................$100.00

TOTAL DONATION .................................................................$100.00

In line with board, policy it was recommended that the board of education accept the donation noted above.

Motion by Acord, second by Hammell, that recommendations for consent agenda items as follows:

1. Minutes of the August 16, 2021 regular board meeting

2. Serious safety hazard resolutions

3. Resignation

4. Donation

be approved. Roll call vote: Acord, yes; Hammell, yes; Mitchell, yes; Scates, yes; Westfall, yes; Ackerman, yes; Fulkerson, yes. Motion carried.

BILLS APPROVED

An additional listing of bills that came in late was presented to the board for its review and approval.

Motion by Mitchell second by Scates, that the bills for the month of August 2021 be approved as listed. Roll call vote: Hammell, yes; Mitchell, yes; Scates, yes; Westfall, yes; Ackerman, yes; Acord, yes; Fulkerson, yes. Motion carried.

TREASURER’S REPORT READ AND APPROVED

The treasurer’s report for the month of August 2021 was read as follows: Education Fund, $7,914,516; Operations/Maintenance Fund, $860,591; Bond & Interest Fund, $486,200; Transportation Fund, $539,531; IMRF/SS Fund, $417,185; Capital Projects, $2,230,098; Working Cash Fund, $610,465; Tort Fund, $429,593; and Health Life Safety Fund, $166,910.

Motion by Westfall, second by Hammell, that the treasurer’s report for the month of August 2021 be approved as read. Roll call vote: Mitchell, yes; Scates, yes; Westfall, yes; Ackerman, yes; Acord, yes; Hammell, yes; Fulkerson, yes. Motion carried.

SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH PROCESS

At the August 16, 2021 Board Meeting, the C-WC #5 board approved the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB) as the search consultant for the next Unit #5 superintendent vacancy. Mr. Tim Buss, an executive search consultant with IASB, discussed the stages of the process, results of the recent survey, and the next steps in the search process.

Mr. Buss’ report to the board included an aid in the development of search criteria, a resource for the board’s preparation for interviews with finalists, and an orientation document for the new superintendent. The summary of survey findings reported that 270 persons had completed the survey – board members, staff members, parents, and community members. The top five selections from each group were ranked for review. The bottom line from the surveys were:

∙ Acts with integrity, fairness and in an ethical manner.

∙ Ensures the management of the organization, operation, and resources for a safe, efficient, and effective learning environment.

∙ Advocates, nurtures, and sustains a school culture and instructional program conducive to student learning and staff professional goals.

∙ Promotes the success of every student by facilitating the development, articulation, implementation, and stewardship of a vision of learning that is shared by all stakeholders.

∙ Collaborates with the faculty and community members, responds to diverse community interests and needs, and mobilizes community resources.

∙ Proven abilities in human relations and communications.

∙ Has long range and short range district goals.

∙ Has the ability to interpret complex educational and financial data to the Board, staff, and community.

Mr. Buss provided a draft copy of the Announcement of Vacancy for Superintendent of Schools brochure. Information was finalized at tonight’s meeting of information that the board wanted on the brochure. A Superintendent Search Timeline was provided for the steps needing to be taken for the search.

PUBLIC COMMUNICATION WITH THE BOARD

Board President Fulkerson welcomed all attendees to tonight’s board meeting. He instructed all attendees that would be addressing the board tonight to give their name and that comments would be limited to five minutes per person. He also reminded the audience that public comments concerning personnel of the district should be made in closed session of the board.

Board Member Ackerman asked if the COVID tests that were used at Washington Attendance today had expired. Superintendent Lee said not that he was aware of.

Mrs. Suzy Tomm, third grade special education teacher at Jefferson Attendance Center, stated that the Occupational Safety and Health Act has established that 5,000 parts per million for CO2 is acceptable. She placed a CO2 monitor under her mask to gather CO2 readings. The reading began at 500 and increased to 8,281 particles per million. Mrs. Tomm stated that the increased CO2 particles per million has a negative effect on cognitive ability. She told the board that she was curious as to what they thought of the increased CO2 readings? She asked the board when the members were going to say that this is enough?

Ms. Minerva Lovell addressed the board regarding the spreading of germs. She told the board that she is asthmatic and feels that a mask is extremely hard for her to wear. She wonders what the long term side effects will be for wearing masks. She said that her daughter chooses to

wear a mask but has said that it is hard to breath while wearing a mask during p.e. class. Her daughter said that while wearing the masks, she feels a little light headed, but she gets in trouble for pulling her mask down. Ms. Lovell spoke to the board regarding germ exposure and said that she knows that they think wearing a mask is a preventive but that germs don’t stop at the mouth. She also said that the quarantine regulations don’t make sense – the whole classroom should be quarantined.

Mr. Ryan Evans addressed the board regarding mandatory vaccines. He said that he wanted to go on record that if vaccine mandates start happening, these problems are going to triple.

Mr. Nicholas Brenner told the board that he had searched different laws regarding what entities have the right to quarantine students – local health department and Illinois Department of Public Health. He said that schools cannot quarantine without a court order.

Board President Fulkerson thanked everyone who made presentations to the board.

REVIEW OF 2021-2022

RETURN TO SCHOOL PLAN

The board reviewed the 2021-2022 Return to School Plan. Board President Fulkerson provided information to the board members that he received from The Egyptian Health Department and the Illinois Department of Public Health that was specifically related to COVID in the school district (staff and students). In the first six weeks of this school year, the district had 52 staff (or 22.6%) and 360 students (or 26.7%) that tested positive and/or were quarantined. The highest week was August 30-September 3 with a total of 16. Schools are broken down as follows:

Brownsville -- Total of 26 during this six-week period with the highest being during the week of September 11-17.

High school had a total of 90 with the highest during the week of August 16-22.

Junior high had a total of 36 with the highest during the weeks of August 23-29 and September 11-17, with 9 each week.

Washington Attendance Center had a total of 82 with the highest during the week of September 4-10.

Jefferson Attendance Center had a total of 54 with the highest during the week of August 23-29.

Lincoln Attendance Center had a total of 63 with the highest during the weeks of September 4-10 and September 11-17, with 14 each week.

All numbers have steadily increased during the six-week period.

Board President Fulkerson shared an e-mail that Superintendent Lee received on September 14, 2021, from Jamie Byrd with the Egyptian Health Department. Mr. Byrd said that White County is in the Orange for the 8th consecutive week with the latest weekly positivity rate at that time at 13.8%. When Mr. Byrd updated the information that morning, CWC had 48 COVID cases between the ages of 4-18 (as of 9/13/21 reporting).

Mr. Adam Willis said that looking at the past month’s numbers, masks didn’t work. He asked what if the board just ignored the mandate. Board President Fulkerson replied that masks are working. He can’t say if they were vaccinated or if they were wearing masks, but he feels that they were a deterring factor.

Mr. Ryan Evans asked how many students were turned away when they arrived at school with temperatures. Dr. Dixon said that none had been at Lincoln and Jefferson Attendance Centers. Mr. Evans said that if none have been turned away, how do we know it is going through the school.

Board President Fulkerson said that White County is presently above the 8% threshold. He asked if the board would like to add any comments or questions. He referenced Section 14 of the August 6, 2021 Plan for Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services – Plan Review. “Through September 30, 2023, this plan will be reviewed no less frequently than every six months and revised as appropriate after seeking and considering public input. Revisions will address the most recently updated safety recommendations by the CDC, provided in an alternative format accessible to parents who are individuals with a disability as defined by the ADA, and made publicly available on the district’s website.”

Motion by Scates, second by Mitchell, that the board continue the August 6, 2021 Plan for Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services. Roll call vote: Scates, yes; Westfall, yes; Ackerman, no; Acord, yes; Hammell, yes; Mitchell, yes; Fulkerson, yes. Motion carried.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT TO THE BOARD

1. SIXTH DAY ENROLLMENT

The district’s sixth day enrollment for the 2021-2022 school year was 1,348 – up 16 students from last year’s sixth day enrollment of 1,332.

2. NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM

On September 9, the Illinois State Board of Education announced that schools can continue to serve meals at no charge to all students throughout the 2021-2022 school year. This does not include any a la carte, extra milk or food items outside the standard meal.

3. HIGH SCHOOL SCIENCE LAB

The renovation of the high school science lab is scheduled to be completed by the end of October. We had hoped that it would have been completed sooner, but there was a delay in the cabinet production. This project is part of the FY21 School Maintenance Grant.

4. EXECUTIVE ORDER 2021-20

On August 26, 2021, the governor issued an Executive Order stating that all school personnel must provide proof of being fully vaccinated or submit to weekly testing. This order was initially set to become effective on September 5 but was extended by two weeks to September 19. We have this week to start testing school personnel who have not been fully vaccinated.

5 ADMINISTRATORS AND TEACHER COMPENSATION REPORT

The updated administrator and teacher compensation report will be on the district website by October 1, 2021.

6. FALL SPORTS UPDATE

C-WC Athletic Director Kurt Simon provided an update on all the fall sports programs in Unit #5. Coach Simon reviewed number of players, team record and team coaches of high school and junior high school fall teams.

Board President Fulkerson asked Coach Simon if he had received any questions related to COVID. Coach Simon said that some teams have been affected by quarantines but that it has not affected any of their games yet. He said that players are socially distanced as much as they can be and in door athletes wear masks.

7. ADMINISTRATOR REPORTS AND GOOD NEWS

Building principals gave an update on how the first four weeks of school has gone in their respective buildings.

Mr. Newell expressed thanks to his students, staff members and parents. He has been looking at grades and students are achieving in the classrooms. Students are working, staff are doing their part, and parents are supporting the programs. Homecoming is next week. He is looking forward to those activities and kids having the chance to show Bulldog Pride.

Mr. King reported on the new letterman program. They have been trying to come up with a program to get kids involved, which was presented to the board previously. Last week, they had an all school meeting. They had kids out in the football stands and discussed this program with them, whether it is FFA, FCA, band, fine arts, sports. The Print Shop now sells lettermen jackets. About six students already had jackets. The Print Shop came to the school and took 49 orders. They want to promote unity within the school. Multiple community members and organizations have reached out and said that if there is any student that cannot afford a jacket, they are willing to help.

Mrs. Atteberry restated just how good it is to be back in school. Last week 300 students were bused to the Flora Hall to be sized for shoes provided by the Carmi Elves and Shoe Sensation, received certificates for haircuts and bulldog gear. She said that students came back with so much pride. A Monster Truck was at the school last week and the kids really enjoyed it. She wanted to recognize Ashley Walls and Leanett Lovell (school social workers) for helping to plan this event.

Mrs. Price informed the board that Swinerton Renewable Energy will be funding the fencing around the new playground at Brownsville Attendance Center. She said that the kids are excited because they are working on the float for the Corn Day Parade.

Dr. Dixon said that she has the best job in the world. A week doesn’t go by that a community member doesn’t reach out to see if they can do something. Lincoln Attendance Center is planning a Pumpkin Patch Trip. Jefferson Attendance Center’s Open House will be held outdoors on October 7. The young students are looking forward to the Homecoming Parade.

BUDGET HEARING AND ADOPTION OF FY22 BUDGET

Attached is the line item budget for FY22. The figures vary slightly from those presented in August due to some revenue and expenditure changes and audit adjustments.

The education fund budget has projected receipts of $13,156,881 and expenditures of $13,419,570. The cash balance for July 1, 2022 is projected to be $8,216,770.

The operations/maintenance fund begins the year at $954,268 and is projected to complete the year at $981,758.

The bond and interest fund begins at $437,234 and is projected to finish the year at $430,649 as the district continues to pay down existing school district bonds. This includes $220,000 in revenue from the 1% sales tax that the district has projected to receive in 2021-2022.

The transportation fund begins with a cash balance of $578,672 and is projected to complete the year with a balance of $696,670.

The IMRF/SS budget begins the year with a $476,174 cash balance and is projected to complete the year with a balance of $544,085.

The Capital Projects fund begins with a cash balance of $2,145,250 and is projected to complete the year with a balance of $2,495,250.

The working cash fund starts the year with $610,204 and is projected to end the year with $685,204.

The tort fund begins with a cash balance of $621,337 and is projected to end the year with a $620,954 balance. Each year the district levies for these dollars that are used to fund risk management costs to the district such as insurance and other related expenditures.

The health life safety fund shows a beginning balance of $166,838 and is projected to end the year with a project balance of $161,838.

Total receipts for all funds are projected at $17,353,881 with expenditures of $16,990,179. This results in a 2021-2022 projected balance of $14,833,179 for all fund accounts.

This budget continues to allow the district to maintain the programs that are expected from the community while providing dollars to maintain the positive teaching and learning environment that our teachers and students deserve.

Motion by Acord, second by Scates, that the FY22 budget for Carmi-White County Community Unit District No. 5 be adopted. Roll call vote: Westfall, yes; Ackerman, yes; Acord, yes; Hammell, yes; Mitchell, yes; Scates, yes; Fulkerson, yes. Motion carried.

FY22 SCHOOL MAINTENANCE PROJECT GRANT

The School Maintenance Project Grant is a dollar for dollar state matching grant program providing awards up to $50,000 to grantees exclusively for the maintenance or upkeep of buildings or structures for educational purposes. There is no limit to the cost of a project; however, grant awards shall not exceed $50,000 per grant award, and applicants shall provide a match from local funds equal to the grant amount requested.

The district’s Director of Building and Maintenance, Mr. Warrick, and Superintendent Lee would meet with the architect to review possible projects and prioritize the district’s needs. It was recommended that the board approve the district’s architect to submit an application for the FY22 School Maintenance Project Grant.

Motion by Mitchell, second by Fulkerson, authorizing the district’s architect to apply for the FY22 School Maintenance Project Grant not to exceed $50,000 with the board contributing $50,000 from local funds. Roll call vote: Ackerman, yes; Acord, yes; Hammell, yes; Mitchell, yes; Scates, yes; Westfall, yes; Fulkerson, yes. Motion carried.

REVIEW OF BOARD POLICY 7:180 PREVENTION OF AND RESPONSE TO BULLYING, INTIMIDATION AND HARASSMENT

Attached is Board Policy 7:180 Prevention of and Response to Bullying, Intimidation and Harassment as recommended by the Illinois Association of School Boards. The Illinois School Code requires that these policies be reviewed every two years.

It was recommended that the board review and re-evaluate the policy with no changes deemed necessary.

Motion by Hammell, second by Acord, that the board of education has reviewed and re evaluated Board Policy 7:180 Prevention of and Response to Bullying, Intimidation, and Harassment, and deemed no changes are to be made. Roll call vote: Acord, yes; Hammell, yes; Mitchell, yes; Scates, yes; Westfall, yes; Ackerman, yes; Fulkerson, yes. Motion carried.

CLOSED SESSION

Motion by Acord, second by Hammell, that the board meet in closed session at 8:33 p.m. for purposes of discussing the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of an employee or officer. Roll call vote: Hammell, yes; Mitchell, yes; Scates, yes; Westfall, yes; Ackerman, yes; Acord, yes; Fulkerson, yes. Motion carried.

Motion by Acord, second by Hammell, that the board return to open session at 9:42 p.m. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

CLOSED SESSION MINUTES APPROVED

Motion by Scates, second by Acord, that the board approve closed session minutes of the August 16, 2021 regular board meeting. Roll call vote: Westfall, yes; Ackerman, yes; Acord, yes; Hammell, yes; Mitchell, yes; Scates, yes; Fulkerson, yes. Motion carried.

COLIN MEADE EMPLOYED AS SPECIAL EDUCATION INDIVIDUAL AIDE AT BROWNSVILLE ATTENDANCE CENTER

Motion by Mitchell, second by Westfall, that the board employee Colin Meade as a Special Education Individual Aide at Brownsville Attendance Center for the 2021-2022 school year to fill the vacancy created by the reassignment of June Rushing. Roll call vote: Ackerman, yes; Acord, yes; Hammell, yes; Mitchell, yes; Scates, yes; Westfall, yes; Fulkerson, yes. Motion carried.

ALEXA CHURCHWELL EMPLOYED AS A BREAKFAST AND NOON STUDENT SUPERVISOR AT LINCOLN ATTENDANCE CENTER

Motion by Fulkerson, second by Hammell, that Alexa Churchwell be employed as a Breakfast and Noon Student Supervisor at Lincoln Attendance Center for the 2021-2022 school year to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Melinda Newman (breakfast supervisor) and Janet Childers (noon supervisor). Roll call vote: Acord, yes; Hammell, yes; Mitchell, yes; Scates, yes; Westfall, yes; Ackerman, yes; Fulkerson, yes. Motion carried.

HOLLY LINDSEY EMPLOYED AS A SPECIAL EDUCATION INDIVIDUAL AIDE AT LINCOLN ATTENDANCE CENTER

Motion by Acord, second by Mitchell, that Holly Lindsey be employed as a Special Education Individual Aide at Lincoln Attendance Center for the 2021-2022 school year. Roll call vote: Hammell, yes; Mitchell, yes; Scates, yes; Westfall, yes; Ackerman, yes; Acord, yes; Fulkerson, yes. Motion carried.

KAYLA MESSAMORE EMPLOYED AS A SPECIAL EDUCATION INDIVIDUAL AIDE AT CARMI-WHITE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL

Motion by Fulkerson, second by Scates, that Kayla Messamore be employed as a Special Education Individual Aide at Carmi-White County High School for the 2021-2022 school year to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Hilary Terrell. Roll call vote: Scates, yes; Westfall, yes; Ackerman, yes; Acord, yes; Hammell, yes; Mitchell, yes; Fulkerson, yes. Motion carried.

ADJOURN

Motion by Acord, second by Scates, that the meeting be adjourned at 9:50 p.m. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1576043/September_20__2021_-_Regular.pdf