Edwards County Community Unit School District #1 Board of Education met Sept. 18.
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: Wayne Doelling, Jayare Buerster, Mark McDaniel, Lawrence Speir Jr., Kayla Bell and Jo Rector. Also present was Superintendent, David Cowger; ECHS Principal, Dale Schmittler; WSGS Principal, Mark Beckel; AGS Jr. High Principal/Building and Grounds Director, Kris Duncan; AGS Principal/Special Education Coordinator, Carrie Wells and Assistant Principal Joe Rivers.
APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA
Motion was made by Jayare Buerster and seconded by Mark McDaniel to approve the following Consent Agenda items:
Motion to approve the minutes of the open and closed session of the August 21, 2023 Regular School Board Meeting and the September 7, 2023 Special 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, Buerster, Bell, Doelling, Rector, McDaniel and Woods voted yes. Motion passes
SPOTLIGHT
Spotlight Lindsay Summerfield will give a cafeteria overview
APPROVE BUDGET
Motion was made by Mark McDaniel and seconded by Wayne Doelling to approve the Edwards County Community Unit School District #1 Fiscal Year 2024 Budget as presented.
The budget reflects the following projections:
Revenues: $11,680,051
Expenditures: $11,406,418
Overall Difference: $273,633
Operating Difference: $125,767
Speir, Doelling, Rector, Buerster, McDaniel, Bell and Woods voted yes. Motion passes
APPROVE SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF FAN/SPECTATOR CODE OF CONDUCT
Motion was made by Mark McDaniel and seconded by Jayare Buerster to approve the second reading and adoption of the Fan/Spectator Code of Conduct.
The policy addresses ejections and removal from extracurricular events. In the event a fan is ejected or removed, there will be additional event suspensions and sanctions. The policy aligns with new guidelines released by SIJHSAA.
Buerster, McDaniel, Bell, Speir, Doelling and Woods voted yes. Rector voted no. Motion passes
PRESENTATION OF ADMINISTRATOR AND TEACHER SALARY AND BENEFIT REPORT
Presentation of the Annual Administrator and Teacher Salary and Benefit Report for the 2022-2023 school year.
This is an annual item which must be presented to the board for review.
APPROVE DONATIONS OVER $500
Motion was made by Jo Rector and seconded by Wayne Doelling to approve the following donations over $500.00
$725.00 donation in Memory of Rick Etzkorn
WSGS PTO Digital Sign with an approximate value of $24,000
EC Athletic Boosters $893.00 donation to the ECHS Golf Program
Levi and Samantha McDaniel $5,000.00 donation to the ECHS Football Program
Speir, Doelling, Rector, Bell, Buerster, McDaniel and Woods voted yes. Motion passes
APPROVE INSURANCE RENEWAL
Motion was made by Mark McDaniel and seconded by Wayne Doelling to approve the renewal of P/C/Liability & Workmans Compensation Insurance
Rates increased $14,413 which mainly reflects the current industry standard. The District also opted not increase the earthquake coverage which was decreased by the carrier from $10,000,000 to $5,000,000.
Buerster, Bell, Speir, Doelling, Rector, McDaniel and Woods voted yes. Motion passes
FIRST READING OF POLICIES
First Reading of Policy 4.15 and Policy 4.60 – Operational Services
Policy 4.15 – Identity Protection: Language was added addressing that the policy must be made available to employees after any revisions.
Policy 4.60 – Purchases and Contracts: Language was added addressing the new Employee History Review requirement for contractors.
APPROVE RESOLUTION
Motion was made by Mark McDaniel and seconded by Jo Rector to approve a Resolution regarding Operational Procedures.
A resolution was passed stating how it would operate under a COVID-19 or any other pandemic related event. The District will not participate in any mandates that have been deemed to have a negative effect on the social wellbeing and educational advancement of students. The District would only enforce mandates that it is lawfully authorized to do and those that are in the best interest of the faculty, staff, and students.
McDaniel, Buerster, Bell, Speir, Doelling, Rector and Woods voted yes. Motion passes
ADMINISTRATION REPORTS
The Administrators presented their reports on the following:
David Cowger – Superintendent
Cafeteria Report
Sales Tax Report
IASB Wabash Valley Dinner Meeting on October 17, 2023
After Prom Request
Capital Watch & Legal Back to School Updates
Equal Pay Act Amendment (1/01/2025)
New Teacher Tenure Laws
Board Goals
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 Wayne Doelling and seconded by Mark McDaniel that a Closed Session be called at 8:24 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
Consider student discipline
Speir, Rector, McDaniel, Bell, Doelling, Buerster and Woods voted yes. Motion passes
OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
Motion was made by Jayare Buerster and seconded by Wayne Doelling that the Board come out of Closed Session at 8:35 p.m.
Doelling, McDaniel, Rector, Speir, Bell, Buerster and Woods voted yes. Motion passes
ACCEPT RESIGNATION
Motion was made by Jo Rector and seconded by Mark McDaniel to accept the resignation of Charlene Lynchm aide at ECHS.
Rector, Doelling, Buerster, McDaniel, Bell, Speir and Woods voted yes. Motion passes
ACCEPT RESIGNATION
Motion was made by Jo Rector and seconded by Mark McDaniel to accept the resignation of Randy Funkhouser, bus driver, effective September 21, 2023
Rector, Doelling, Buerster, Speir, McDaniel, Bell and Woods voted yes. Motion passes
EMPLOYMENT
Motion was made by Wayne Doelling and seconded by Jo Rector to employ the following for the 2023-2024 school year:
Ora Lee Jefferson and Heather Young – Long Term Substitute Teachers
Lacey Arnold – ECHS Yearbook Sponsor
Dennis Mewes – WSGS Assistant Basketball Coach
Sarah Smiley – Jr. High English Language Arts Teacher at Albion Grade School, retroactive to August 22, 2023
Bell, Speir, Doelling, Rector, Buerster, and McDaniel voted yes. Woods abstained. Motion passes.
APPROVE VOLUNTEER ASSISTANT COACH
Motion was made by Jayare Buerster and seconded by Mark McDaniel to approve Logan Correll as ECH Football Volunteer Assistant Coach for the 2023-2024 school year.
McDaniel, Bell, Speir, Rector, Doelling, Buerster and Woods voted yes. Motion passes
ADJOURN MEETING
Motion was made by Mark McDaniel and seconded by Jayare Buerster that the meeting be adjourned at 8:42 p.m.
McDaniel, Buerster, Rector, Doelling, Speir, Bell and Woods voted yes. Motion passes
https://www.edwardscountyschools.org/cms/one.aspx?pageId=121415
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