Wabash Community Unit School District #348 Board of Education met Feb. 14.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
The Board of Education of Wabash Community Unit School District #348, Wabash County, met for a Bond Hearing in the Cafetorium of Mt. Carmel Grade School.
President Tim Schuler called the Hearing to order at 7:00 p.m.
Secretary Janice Alka called the roll. In addition to the secretary, those present were Tim Schuler, Neil Earnest, Kyle Peach, Theresa Hocking, and Susan Wood. Ryan Peter was absent.
Also present were Superintendent Dr. Chuck Bleyer, MCJSH Principal Andrew Shelby, MCGS Principal Brianne Foster, MCJSH COO Steve Holt, MCES Principal Jake Newkirk, Curriculum and Grant Coordinator Michael Brewer, Betsy Ross –WCTA, Kevin Madden – WSJD, Vicki Valencia –MCES, Jamie McCorkle –Parent, and District Secretary Kim Zimmer.
President Schuler explained the Hearing was to receive public comment on the bond proposal to sell bonds in the amount of $750,000 for the purpose of increasing the working cash fund of the district.
There were no comments or questions from the Board or the public.
A special board meeting to adopt the resolution to sell the bonds was set for February 23, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. to be held at the District Office in the conference room.
A motion to adjourn was made by Hocking and seconded by Alka. A roll call vote was taken. All present voted AYE. Motion Carried. Peter was absent.
Meeting adjourned at 7:02 p.m.
Regular Meeting
President Tim Schuler called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
President Schuler led the pledge of allegiance to the flag.
President Schuler noted: “After the ruling in Sangamon County on due process and numerous communications with school attorneys, the Board directed our superintendent to end the mask mandate in our District. This ruling gave us the opportunity to end our previous policy and return to our initial 2021-22 Return to School Policy that did not require masking in the buildings. We greatly appreciate the efforts made by the students, faculty, staff, and the community to navigate through these unprecedented times. Our goal now is to focus on the future of Wabash County Community Schools.”
Approved by the Board of Education on March 21, 2022
Consent Agenda
a. Minutes of Past Board Meetings
-January 10, 2022 Regular Board Meeting
b. Monthly Bills
-Invoices Paid January 2022
-Bills Payable February 2022
c. Financial Reports
Cash Deposits $ 612,354.03
Investments $ 8,992,210.61
4 Fund $ 8,390,696.00
5 Fund $ 9,185,738.00
Breakfast/Lunch $ 106,481.61
d. Correspondence
- Brittany Bittner resigning as MCGS Individual Assistant effective February 14, 2022
-Rachel Galatas resigning as MCJSH Secretary effective February 11, 2022
e. Administrative Reports
-District Curriculum/Grant Coordinator Michael Brewer
-Mt. Carmel Junior High/High School Chief Operations Officer Steve Holt
-Mt. Carmel Elementary School Principal Jake Newkirk
-Mt. Carmel Grade School Principal Brianne Foster
-Mt. Carmel Junior Senior High Principal Andrew Shelby
-Superintendent Dr. Chuck Bleyer
A motion to approve the consent agenda was made by Alka and seconded by Earnest. A roll call vote was taken and all present voted AYE. Motion Carried.
Reports – Jake Newkirk
Newkirk talked about the English Language Learner program. He noted there was a big need in the district for these services for several students. He also introduced Vicki Valencia who was the first instructor hired to be an ELL Instructor.
Public Comment
No public comment.
Executive Session pursuant to Section 2 (C)(1) of the Open Meetings Act: “The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees”.
President Schuler noted there was no need for Closed Session.
Approved by the Board of Education on March 21, 2022
New Business
Resolution to adopt the Teachers’ Retirement System Supplement Savings Plan Vice President Peach read aloud a resolution to adopt the Teachers’ Retirement System of the State of Illinois Supplement Savings Plan. A motion to adopt the resolution as read was made by Peach and seconded by Alka. A roll call vote was taken. All present voted AYE. Motion Carried. Peter was absent.
Athletic Complex Renovation
Dr. Bleyer spoke about the MCHS Athletic Complex Renovation project proposal. He noted it would be a multi-sport complex with a new scoreboard and press box. If approved, the project would be completed summer of 2022. A recommendation from the District Building and Grounds Committee to approve the project was made by Peach. A motion to approve the recommendation was made by Earnest and seconded by Peach. A roll call vote was taken and voting AYE were: Hocking, Peach, Earnest, Alka, and Schuler. Voting NAY was Wood. Motion Carried. Peter was absent.
Employment of Personnel
A motion to approve the following employment recommendations was made by Alka and seconded by Hocking.
NON-CERTIFIED
Robin Jones -MCES Individual Assistant beginning January 10, 2022 Vicki Valencia -MCES English Language Learner Instructor beginning January 2022 Alexia Villaran - MCES English Language Learner Instructor beginning January 2022
EXTRA-CURRICULAR
Nick Toothman -MCJHS Boys’ Golf Coach beginning February 14, 2022 Karin Kelsey -MCJHS Girls’ Golf Coach beginning February 14, 2022 Joe Vargo -MCHS Girls’ Track Coach beginning February 14, 2022
All present voted AYE. Motion Carried. Peter was absent.
Adjournment
A motion to adjourn was made by Alka and seconded by Peach. All present voted aye. Motion Carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:42 p.m.
https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1946406/2022_02_14__Hearing_and_Regular_Board_Meeting_Minutes_Approved.pdf
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