Edwards County Community Unit School District #1 Board of Education met April 21.
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., Richard Wolfe, Jo Rector and Andrew Spray. Also present was Superintendent, David Cowger; Principal, Dale Schmittler; Interim K-12 Principal/Special Education Coordinator, Carrie Wells; Interim K-12 Assistant Principal/Dean of Students, Joe Rivers and Principal to Be, Mark Beckel.
APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA
Motion was made by Richard Wolfe and seconded by Jayare Buerster to approve the following Consent Agenda items:
• Motion to approve the minutes of the open and closed sessions of the March 21, 2022 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, Wolfe, Spray, Buerster, Mewes and Woods voted yes. Motion passes
SPOTLIGHT
Spotlight Wabash General Hospital Sports Medicine
Dakota presented and highlighted what an athletic trainer does and the services WGH provides to the District and our student athletes.
APPROVE 2022-2023 CONSOLIDATED DISTRICT PLAN
Motion was made by Andrew Spray and seconded by Brian Mewes to approve the 2022-2023 Consolidated District Plan
This is an annual item required of ISBE so we can continue to receive Federal and State grants. The plan addresses many compliance issues required by both governments.
Spray, Speir, Mewes, Rector, Buerster, Wolfe and Woods voted yes. Motion passes
PURCHASE BUSSES
Motion was made by Brian Mewes and seconded by Jayare Buerster to approve the purchase of 2 full size busses
from Midwest Transit in the amount of $121,259.00 per bus trade value.
The District will trade in 2 buses for a trade in value of $1000 per bus dropping the price to $120,259 per unit. The units each contained air conditioning. Buses will be delivered sometime after July 1, 2022.
Mewes, Spray, Wolfe, Rector, Speir, Buerster and Woods voted yes. Motion passes
APPROVE PERMANENT TRANSFER FROM WORKING CASH TO BUILDING, OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE
Motion was made by Andrew Spray and seconded by Jayare Buerster to approve a Resolution to permanently transfer Working Cash Funds to the Building, Operations and Maintenance Fund in the amount of $40,797.13
The funds transferred continue to be part of the 2020 bond sale which was done for the purpose of completing maintenance projects.
Mewes, Spray, Wolfe, Speir, Buerster, Rector and Woods voted yes. Motion passes
FIRST READING OF TEXTBOOK/CURRICULUM
First Reading of Jr. High World Geography textbook/curriculum adoption
Mrs. Mitchell and Mr. Swardstrom are recommending the addition of World Geography texts to be incorporated into the junior high social science curriculum. This would serve to meet to the instructional learning standards which addresses World Geography.
APPROVE K-12 MULTIPURPOSE ROOM FLOORING PROJECT
Motion was made by Richard Wolfe and seconded by Andrew Spray to approve the K-12 Multipurpose Room Flooring Project with Dynamic Sports Construction in the amount of $44,286.00
This amounts reflects going with a thicker product for added durability. The product will go over the current tiles and encapsulate them in place.
Mewes, Spray, Speir, Buerster, Wolfe, Rector and Woods voted yes. Motion passes
APPROVE WSGS PARKING LOT PROJECT
Motion was made by Jayare Buerster and seconded by
Richard Wolfe to approve the WSGS Parking Lot Project with Colyer Construction’s Base Bid of $245,320.00 plus Alternate Bid AB-2 of $5,000.00
This project would turn the vacant lot South of the school into a parking lot. Price includes demolition of current structures that remain on the lot.
Buerster, Wolfe, Speir and Woods voted yes. Rector, Mewes and Spray voted no. Motion passes
APPROVE RESOLUTION AND AGREEMENT FOR PARTICIPATION IN TRS SUPPLEMENTAL SAVINGS PROGRAM
Motion was made by Andrew Spray and seconded by Richard Wolfe to approve the Resolution and Agreement for participation in the TRS Supplemental Savings Program
This is a new 457 savings program offered by TRS for its members. There are no costs to the District but we must make payroll deductions available to our employees if they select to participate.
Spray, Speir, Rector, Wolfe and Woods voted yes. Mewes voted present. Buerster voted no. Motion passes
FIRST READING OF WELLNESS POLICY
First Reading of the Wellness Policy
Language was added to address the 5 mental health days that students may utilize for excused absences. This began during the 2021-2022 school as a result of public act 102-0321.
APPROVE SPORTS CAMPS
Motion was made by Brian Mewes and seconded by Jo Rector to approve the following sports camps:
• 2022 Boys and Girls Lions Basketball Camp on May 31-June 2 for students in grades 1st-8th.
Buerster, Wolfe, Rector, Mewes, Spray, Speir and Woods voted yes. Motion passes
ADMINISTRATION REPORTS
The Administrators presented their reports on the following:
• David Cowger – Superintendent
Graduation/Baccalaureate
Baccalaureate on Friday, May 20m, 2022 at 7:00 p.m.
WSGS Graduation on Saturday, May 21, 2022 at 10:00 a.m.
AGS Graduation on Saturday, May 21, 2022 at 1:00 p.m.
ECHS Graduation on Saturday, May 21, 2022 at 4:00 p.m.
Cafeteria Report
FFA Alumni Donation
ECHS Vocational Committee
HB 1167 (Administrative Leave Days)
EC Farm Bureau
• Carrie Wells – Edwards County K-12 Interim Principal/Special Education Coordinator
• Dale Schmittler – West Salem Grade School Principal • Joe Rivers – Edwards County K-12 Interim Assistant Principal/Dean of Students
INTO CLOSED SESSION
Motion was made by Jo Rector and seconded by Brian Mewes that a Closed Session be called at 7:40 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
Speir, Rector, Wolfe, Buerster, Spray, Mewes and Woods voted yes. Motion passes
OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
Motion was made by Brian Mewes and seconded by Richard Wolfe that the Board come out of Closed Session at 8:25 p.m.
Mewes, Buerster, Wolfe, Spray, Rector, Speir, and Woods voted yes. Motion passes
EMPLOY NON- CERTIFIED PERSONNEL
Motion was made by Andrew Spray and seconded by Richard Wolfe to employ Non-Certified Personnel for the 2022-2023 school year per attached list.
Rector, Wolfe, Buerster, Speir, Spray, and Woods voted yes. Mewes voted present. Motion passes
MOTION TO MAKE AGS SECRETARIES 12 MONTH EMPLOYEES
Motion was made by Richard Wolfe and seconded by Andrew Spray to make Albion Grade School Secretaries 12 month employees
Speir, Buerster, Rector, Wolfe, Mewes, Spray and Woods voted yes. Motion passes
GRANT ACCELERATED TENURE
Motion was made by Richard Wolfe and seconded by Jo Rector to grant Accelerated Tenure to Emma Garcia per Accelerated Tenure Component.
Rector, Mewes, Buerster, Wolfe, Spray, Speir and Woods voted yes. Motion passes
EMPLOY ECHS SOCIAL SCIENCE TEACHER
Motion was made by Brian Mewes and seconded by Jayare Buerster to employ Coen McDowell for ECHS Social Science Teacher for the 2022-2023 school year.
Rector, Mewes, Speir, Buerster, Wolfe and Woods voted yes. Spray abstained. Motion passes
EMPLOY CERTIFIED PERSONNEL
Motion was made by Jo Rector and seconded by
Richard Wolfe to employ the following for the 2022-2023 school year:
• Nathaniel Schmittler – ECHS Drivers Education Teacher
• Riley Neihaus – AGS Elementary Teacher
Wolfe, Rector, Mewes, Spray, Speir, Buerster and Woods voted yes. Motion passes
EMPLOY STUDENT SUMMER CUSTODIAN
Motion was made by Brian Mewes and seconded by Andrew Spray to employ Matthew Ellis as Student Summer Custodian for the Summer of 2022
Buerster, Wolfe, Rector, Mewes, Spray, Speir and Woods voted yes. Motion passes
EMPLOY COACHES/SPONSORS
Motion was made by Richard Wolfe and seconded by Andrew Spray to employ the following coaches/sponsors for the 2022-2023 school year:
• Johnny Compton – AGS Softball Assistant Coach
• Shad McKinzie – AGS Head Volleyball Coach
• Erica Bishop – AGS Assistant Volleyball Coach
• Lindsay Summerfield – WSGS Cheer Coach
• Bill Thomason – WSGS Head Basketball Coach
• David Glover – WSGS Assistant Basketball Coach
• Rilee Vallette – WSGS Head Volleyball Coach
• Brenda Balding – WSGS Quiz Bowl Coach
• Shauna Clodfelter – WSGS Student Council Sponsor
• Hayley Kennard – EC Panthers Jr. High Girls Basketball Head Coach
Speir, Wolfe, Mewes, Rector, Spray and Woods voted yes. Buerster abstained. Motion passes
RECOGNIZE VOLUNTEER COACHES
Motion was made by Brian Mewes and seconded by Jo Rector to recognize Allison Stephens as WSGS Volunteer Assistant Cheer Coach for the 2022-2023 school year.
Spray, Speir, Buerster, Wolfe, Rector, Mewes and Woods voted yes. Motion passes
ADJOURN MEETING
Motion was made by Andrew Spray and seconded by Richard Wolfe that the meeting be adjourned at 8:33 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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