Edwards County Community Unit School District #1 Board of Education met Sept. 19.
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: Lawrence Speir, Jr., Jayare Buerster, Richard Wolfe, and Andrew Spray. Also present was Superintendent, David Cowger; ECHS Principal, Dale Schmittler; AGS Elementary Principal/Special Education Coordinator, Carrie Wells; WSGS Principal, Mark Beckel; and Assistant Principal, Joe Rivers. AGS Jr. High Principal/Building and Grounds Director, Kris Duncan and Board Members Jo Rector and Brian Mewes were 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 August 22, 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, Wolfe, Spray, Buerster and Woods voted yes. Rector and Mewes were absent. Motion passes
APPROVE FISCAL YEAR 2023 BUDGET
Motion was made by Richard Wolfe and seconded by Andrew Spray to approve the Fiscal Year 2023 Budget as presented.
The working budget is projected to be $917 in the black while the overall budget is projected to be $29,170 to the good as well.
Wolfe, Spray, Speir, Buerster and Woods voted yes. Rector and Mewes were absent. Motion passes
ANNUAL ADMINISTRATOR AND TEACHER SALARY AND BENEFITS REPORT
Presentation of the Annual Administrator and Teacher Salary and Benefits Report for the 2021-2022 (FY22) school year
This is an annual item required of the District. The report is posted on the District website @ www.edwardscountyschools.org.
SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF BACK TO SCHOOL-RETURN TO LEARN PLAN
Motion was made by Jayare Buerster and seconded by Richard Wolfe to approve the Second Reading and Adoption of the 2022-2023 Back to School-Return to Learn Plan.
This plan is required to be eligible to receive the ESSER grants. The plans consists mainly of recommendations as it pertains to COVID.
Buerster, Wolfe, Speir and Woods voted yes. Spray voted no. Mewes and Rector were absent. Motion passes
APPROVE DONATION OVER $500
Motion was made by Andrew Spray and seconded by Jayare Buerster to approve a donation in the amount of $3,000.00 from the First Christian Church of Albion
The funds will be used for the students at the K-12. Building level administrators will oversee the disbursement of funds.
Speir, Buerster, Wolfe, Spray and Woods voted yes. Rector and Mewes were absent. Motion passes
DISCUSSION REGARDING EC PANTHERS BASKETBALL
Discussion was held regarding adding a 5th/6th Grade Season to EC Panthers Basketball
DISCUSSION REGARDING EC PANTHERS BASKETBALL
Motion was made by Richard Wolfe and seconded by Andrew Spray to approve a EC Panthers Basketball 5th/6th Grade season.
The Panthers will add 5th and 6th seasons and will be treated similarly to that of the boys programs. The participants will be charged the athletic fee to help offset the costs of officials and traveling expenses.
Spray, Speir, Buerster, Rector, Wolfe, and Woods voted yes. Mewes was absent. Motion passes
DISCUSSION REGARDING USDA COMMUNITY ELIGIBILITY PROVISION
Discussion was held regarding the USDA Community Eligibility Provision (CEP)
Due to the District not being fully eligible and the projected financial loss, the District will not pursue this for the 22-23 school year. This will be reviewed Spring/Summer for the 23-24 school year. If the District agrees to participate, there is a 3 year commitment.
RENEW P/C/LIABILITY AND WC INSURANCE
Motion was made by Richard Wolfe and seconded by Andrew Spray to renew P/C/Liability and WC Insurance with Scholastic Risk Management & Gallagher
Rates compared to the 21-22 school year increased by 28.65%. The annual premium for the next October to September cycle will be $128,614. This amount covers decreasing the Cyber Liability claim amount.
Rector, Wolfe, Spray, Speir, Buerster and Woods voted yes. Mewes was absent. Motion passes
FIRST READING OF POLICIES
First Reading of the following policies:
Policy 4:110 – Transportation
Language has been added addressing the Streetgang Terrorism Omnibus Prevention Act which would expand transportation opportunities.
Policy 4:160 – Environmental Quality of Buildings and Grounds
Language has been added addressing the Coal Tar Sealant Disclosure Act and the Illinois Pesticide Act.
Policy 4:165 – Awareness and Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse and Grooming Behaviors
This is a new policy in response to 105 ILCS 5/10-23.13 (Erin’s Law)
Policy 4:170 & Exhibit 4.170-AP2, E5 – Safety
Language has been added in response to public act 102-395 which requires schools to notify and allow parents/guardians to opt their children out of lockdown drills involving student participation.
Policy 5:50 – Drug and Alcohol Free Workplace; E-Cigarette, Tobacco, and Cannabis Prohibition
Language has been added in response to public act 102-192 requiring districts to educate students about the prevention and avoidance of drug abuse and the dangers of opioid and substance abuse.
Policy 5:90 – Abused and Neglected Child Reporting
Language has been added in response to public act 102-172, requiring districts to provide special education services to students with disabilities who turn 22 during the school year for the remainder of that school year. Also, information has been added addressing the training component addressing sexual abuse, grooming behaviors, and boundary violations.
Policy 5:100 – Staff Development Program
Language has been addressing training on the Awareness and Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse and Grooming Behaviors, and Abused and Neglected Reporting. (Erin’s Law)
Policy 5:120 – Employee Ethics; Conduct; and Conflict of Interest
The policy has been overhauled and went from a 2 page policy to a 4 page one. Much of the educator misconduct revolves around Erin’s law which is the sexual abuse and grooming behaviors that have been listed in other policies.
Policy 5:125 – Personal Technology and Social Media
Language has been added addressing Erin’s law in items #4, 5, & 6 on page 1.
Policy 5:150 – Personnel Records
Language has been added addressing access to personnel records and prospective employer inquiries concerning a current or former employee job performance.
Policy 5:185 – Family and Medical Leave
Language has been added due to public act 102-335, lowering the threshold for FMLA eligibility for school employees to 1000 hours worked in the preceding 12 months from 1250 hours.
Policy 5:250 – Leaves of Absence
The policy has been update allowing employees to take up to 30 days of paid sick leave for birth, without medical certification, any time within one year following the birth, and for adoption, placement for adoption, or acceptance of a child in need of foster case.
Policy 5:330 – Sick Days, Vacation, Holidays, and Leaves
The policy has been updated as specified in the above 5.250 policy, designating 2022 Election Day as a school holiday, and designating Juneteenth as a holiday.
Policy 6:50 – School Wellness
The policy has been updated addressing the requirement of developing a food sharing plan since with participate in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs.
Policy 6:120 – Education of Children with Disabilities
The policy has been revised to address the availability of services for children with disabilities who turn 22 years old during the school year are eligible for such services through the end of the school year.
ADMINISTRATION REPORTS
The Administrators presented their reports on the following:
David Cowger – Superintendent
Cafeteria Report
Sales Tax Report
ECHS Vocational Steering Committee
20233 School Maintenance Project Grant ($50,000 50/50 Match)
ARP IDEA Flow Through Grant
Dale Schmittler – ECHS Principal
Carrie Wells – AGS Elementary Principal/Special Education Coordinator
Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR)
Kris Duncan – AGS Jr. High Principal/Building & Grounds Director
Mark Beckel – WSGS Principal
Joe Rivers – K-12 Assistant Principal
INTO CLOSED SESSION
Motion was made by Jo Rector and seconded by Andrew Spray that a Closed Session be called at 7:43 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
The setting of a price for sale or lease of property owned by the public body
Consider student discipline
Speir, Rector, Buerster, Spray, Wolfe and Woods voted yes. Mewes was absent. Motion passes
OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
Motion was made by Andrew Spray and seconded by Jayare Buerster that the Board come out of Closed Session at 8:55 p.m.
Spray, Wolfe, Rector, Speir, Buerster and Woods voted yes. Mewes was absent. Motion passes
ACCEPT RESIGNATION
Motion was made by Andrew Spray and seconded by Jayare Buerster to accept the resignation of Kris Duncan as ECHS Baseball Coach for the 2022-2023 school year.
Wolfe, Buerster, Rector, Spray, Speir and Woods voted yes. Mewes was absent. Motion passes
EMPLOYMENT
Motion was made by Andrew Spray and seconded by Richard Wolfe to employ the following:
Amanda Crabtree – Individual Aide at Albion Grade School
Rachel Hawf – Individual Aide at Brownsville School
Buerster, Wolfe, Rector, Spray, Speir and Woods voted yes. Mewes was absent. Motion passes
RECOGNIZE VOLUNTEERS
Motion was made by Jo Rector and seconded by Andrew Spray to recognize Angela Sagar and Darla Bradham as Volunteers for West Salem Grade School.
Spray, Speir, Buerster, Rector, Wolfe and Woods voted yes. Mewes was absent. Motion passes
APPROVE MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENTS
Motion was made by Andrew Spray and seconded by Richard Wolfe to approve an Insurance Memorandum of Agreement with the Edwards County Teacher Association and Edwards County Support Personnel.
Rector, Wolfe, Spray, Speir, and Woods voted yes. Buerster abstained. Mewes was absent. Motion passes
ADJOURN MEETING
Motion was made by Jo Rector and seconded by Andrew Spray that the meeting be adjourned at 9:02 p.m.
Wolfe, Buerster, Rector, Speir, Spray and Woods voted yes. Mewes was absent. Motion passes
https://www.edwardscountyschools.org/cms/one.aspx?pageId=121415
Alerts Sign-up