SE Illinois News

New Hope Consolidated Community School District #6 Board of Education met July 18.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The New Hope Board of Education met on July 18, 2023 at 7:00 P.M. in the work room of the school.

President Jeremy Vaughan called the meeting to order at 7:01 P.M.

Roll Call: Present: 

Dan Devous

Brandon Fry

Ryan Green

Tom Barton

Jeremy Vaughan

Absent: Jason Simpson

Jeremy Gray

Also Present: 

Julie Harrelson, Superintendent

Melanie Hill Jarrod Pruitt

Ryan Green made a motion to approve the June 20, 2023 regular meeting minutes with no corrections noted. Second by Tom Barton.

Voice Vote: Yea: Dan Devous, Brandon Fry, Tom Barton, Ryan Green, Jeremy Vaughan

Nay: None         Carried

Superintendent Julie Harrelson presented the Treasurer’s Report and current financial information. Bank balances as of June 30, 2023:

Fairfield National Bank Checking: $1,243,198.27

IPTIP: $986.34

Fairfield National Bank Money Market: $468,117.10

Fairfield National Bank CD: $500,000.00

Dan Devous made a motion to accept the treasurer’s report. Second by Brandon Fry.

Voice Vote: Yea: Ryan Green, Jeremy Vaughan, Dan Devous, Brandon Fry, Tom Barton

Nay: None         Carried

Tom Barton made a motion to pay the bills with no additions or exclusions noted. Second by Ryan Green.

Voice Vote: Yea: Jeremy Vaughan, Dan Devous, Brandon Fry, Tom Barton, Ryan Green

Nay: None         Carried

Mrs. Harrelson presented the Superintendent’s Report. Review of fiscal year 2023 expenditure and revenue reports. Audit fees increasing from $12,000 to $18,000-$20,000. Change in checking and money market accounts. The current interest rates are 0.25% for checking and 0.16 for money market. The change will increase the interest rates to 2.25% for checking and 3.25% for money market. The pavement work came in under the original cost of $102,880. Our cost was $89,444. The west restroom floors have been completed. Teacher institute days are August 9th, 10th, and 11th. Open house is scheduled for Thursday, August 10th from 6:00 P.M. to 7:30 P.M. The first day of school for students is Monday, August 14th. Dennis Gifford said that he has a bus driver interested that would increase us to 3 routes unless we wanted to stay at 2 routes. Our contract states we would have 3 routes and the board is not in favor of reducing to 2 routes. Registration was today and resulted in a good turn out.

New Business:

Jason Simpson arrived at 7:22 P.M.

1. Ryan Green made a motion to set board goals for 2023-2024. Second by Brandon Fry.

Voice Vote: Yea: Brandon Fry, Tom Barton, Ryan Green, Jeremy Vaughan, Jason Simpson, Dan Devous

Nay: None         Carried

2. Dan Devous made a motion to reinstate working cash fund. Second by Jason Simpson.

Voice Vote: Yea: Tom Barton, Ryan Green, Jeremy Vaughan, Jason Simpson, Dan Devous, Brandon Fry

Nay: None         Carried

3. Jason Simpson made a motion to authorize expenditures and display fiscal year 2024 tentative budget. Second by Ryan Green.

Voice Vote: Yea: Ryan Green, Jeremy Vaughan, Jason Simpson, Dan Devous, Brandon Fry, Tom Barton

Nay: None         Carried

Dan Devous made a motion to enter executive session at 7:28 P.M. for employment of legal counsel, personnel hiring and compensation. Second by Jason Simpson.

Voice Vote: Yea: Jason Simpson, Dan Devous, Brandon Fry, Tom Barton, Ryan Green, Jeremy Vaughan

Nay: None         Carried

Dan Devous made a motion to return to open session at 8:23 P.M. Second by Jason Simpson.

Voice Vote: Yea: Jason Simpson, Dan Devous, Brandon Fry, Tom Barton, Ryan Green, Jeremy Vaughan

Nay: None         Carried

4. Ryan Green made a motion to change school district attorney firm to Guin Mundorf. Second by Jason Simpson.

Voice Vote: Yea: Dan Devous, Brandon Fry, Tom Barton, Ryan Green, Jeremy Vaughan, Jason Simpson

Nay: None         Carried

5. Dan Devous made a motion to increase substitute teacher pay to $115 per day. Second by Tom Barton.

Voice Vote: Yea: Brandon Fry, Tom Barton, Ryan Green, Jeremy Vaughan, Jason Simpson, Dan Devous

Nay: None         Carried

6. Jason Simpson made a motion to hire Hillary Vaughan as assistant softball coach. Second by Ryan Green.

Voice Vote: Yea: Tom Barton, Ryan Green, Jason Simpson, Dan Devous, Brandon Fry

Nay: None

Abstain: Jeremy Vaughan Carried

7. Dan Devous made a motion to hire Adam Book as assistant baseball coach. Second by Tom Barton.

Voice Vote: Yea: Ryan Green, Jeremy Vaughan, Jason Simpson, Dan Devous, Brandon Fry, Tom Barton

Nay: None         Carried

Jason Simpson made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:27 P.M. Second by Dan Devous.

Voice Vote: Yea: Jason Simpson, Dan Devous, Brandon Fry, Tom Barton, Ryan Green, Jeremy Vaughan

Nay: None         Carried

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KB4Z_2Jxj6BBar-dpRtuKQ09LXZSXoxE/view