SE Illinois News

Carrier Mills-Stonefort Community Unit School District #2 Board of Education met Oct. 23.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

I) Call to Order by: Mr. Scott Figg at 6:45 p.m.

II) Roll Call by: Mr. Clay Nolen

Present: Issac Craig, Rhonda Felty, Derek Field, Scott Figg, Clay Nolen, Katie Whiting.

Absent: Ryan Lewis.

III) Recognition of Visitors: Mr. Anthony Henson from the Prairie Rivers Network, Mrs. Beth Horn, Mrs. Amanda Pankau from the Prairie Rivers Network, and Mr. Michael Pittman from Ameren Illinois.

IV) Approve Consent Agenda: Motion by Mr. Nolen, 2nd by Mrs. Whiting.

Roll Call By: Mr. Nolen.

Aye: Mr. Craig, Mrs. Felty, Mr. Field, Mr. Figg, Mr. Nolen, Mrs. Whiting.

Nay: None.

Absent: Mr. Lewis.

V) Reports

High School Principal Report – Mr. Jerrell

Mr. Jerrell reported that over Fall Break, Mr. Kenny Myers resealed both gym floors. Also, the custodians changed out the rest of the lights in the hallways and replaced them with LED lighting. Mr. Darin DeNeal, the Agriculture teacher and FFA sponsor, shopped around to find us the best deal on a new tractor with a front end loader. The best deal he could find was the M & S Implement Company for $20,000.00 (this includes the trade in of our John Deere 4200 tractor). We will use REAP funds to purchase this new tractor and it was delivered on Tuesday, October 17.

Mr. Jerrell explained that we held a half day teacher in-service day on Thursday, October 5 (12:00 pm student dismissal and 12:00-3:00 pm teacher in-service training). All faculty, staff, and administration were divided into one of seven groups, and the following topics were covered: IEP Writing, Math Vocabulary, RACE Writing, GS & HS School Safety, PE Curriculum, and Math Curriculum.

Mr. Jerrell also reported that the Lady Wildcats Volleyball team finished their regular season with a 23-9 record. They will begin IHSA Regional play the week of October 23 in the Gallatin County Regional. The Cross Country team competed in the IHSA Regional on October 21 in the Harrisburg Regional and the boys’ team has advanced to the Sectional next Saturday at Benton.

Mr. Jerrell reported that the first round of property tax money was delivered on August 30, 2023, and it was $11,969.27. The second round was due on October 5, so we will receive this second payment at any time. The third payment is due by November 9, 2023. The GEC is considering adding two more teams for the 2025-2026 season: Cobden and Elverado. The School Board did not have any issues with these additions. The co-op for extra-curricular sports with New Hope Christian Academy may be delayed. NHCA must be fully recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education before they can join the IHSA and SIJHSAA. They registered with the ISBE this fall, so the process to be recognized has begun.

Finally, Mr. Jerrell explained that before Fall Break he conducted a Student Sports Interest Survey at the High School. This is something we do every few years, just to gauge student interest in extra-curricular activities at the High School. Mr. Jerrell included all 8th grade through 12th grade students in this survey. The results were as follows: 58 boys and 74 girls took the survey (total of 132 students). 106 students expressed interest in extra-curricular activities and 26 students were not interested in extra-curricular activities. 59 chose Bass Fishing, 48 Volleyball, 46 Basketball, 34 Baseball, 30 Cross Country, 29 Softball, 28 Cheerleading, 26 Wrestling, 23 Bowling, 23 Track, and 17 Soccer. In the Other category, 5 students wrote in Pickleball, 2 Football, 2 Fencing, 2 Golf, 1 Archery, 1 Boxing, 1 Cornhole, 1 Trap Shooting, 1 Frisbee, and 1 Music.

Grade School Principals Report – Mrs. Kuhlmann

Mr. Kuhlmann reported that pressure washing was completed on the grade school building over fall break. The back playground is currently being leveled, all roots are being removed, and grass seed will be planted. Another tree needs to be removed from the back playground and concrete work has been scheduled to begin the pavilion area. This will replace the gazebo that was removed from the back. All light bulbs at the grade school have been replaced with LED bulbs.

Mrs. Kuhlmann explained that the building leadership team met on October 4. The members of the BLT finalized Veterans Day Program plans, as well as discussing events occurring this spring. They also discussed the current shortage of substitute teachers which has forced pulling title aides more often, as well as issues with the Rooms app. Star Testing was completed during the week of October 2. Students received popcorn and a soda for exceeding their first-round score and/or scoring at level on math and/or reading on October 19. Multi-Tier System of Support Meetings were held on Wednesday, October 4. These meetings are attended by Mrs. Phillips, Mrs. McGuire (WOVSED School Psychologist), the title aides, and the classroom teacher. At these meetings, both the title aides and teachers present students who are academically or behaviorally struggling in class. The title aides present the current plan being used to help these students and both Mrs. Phillips and Mrs. McGuire can then help the title aide and teacher decide if the student needs additional title services or an evaluation for special education. The title aides work diligently to provide data for these meetings, along with the classroom teachers. This program helps our students who need additional services beyond the classroom with both math and reading.

In PBIS news, the reward for October was a treat of apples and caramel for grades K-2, while the 6-8 grade students participated in a whiffle ball tournament on September 29 with the 8th graders taking the win. For October, the PBIS reward is the annual hayride on October 18.

Mrs. Kuhlmann also reported that on October 4, junior high students watched a presentation by Mrs. Kuhlmann, Officer Gary Stark, and Officer Scott Issacs on Intruder Training. The presentation included information specific to our school system and the procedure in place in case of an intruder, as well as information on school shootings and why we prepare using this kind of drill. On Thursday, October 5, the entire grade school participated in the drill. The drill helps us view key issues within our buildings that could become a problem in the event of an intruder. The students did a great job taking the drill very seriously and moving quickly into their designated area in the classroom quickly and getting quiet as directed. At the grade school, all students cleared the hall and were quiet within a few seconds of calling the drill. On Thursday, October 5, students were dismissed at 12:00 and teachers had an in-service in the afternoon. I worked with teachers on RACE Writing. Two years ago, the district adopted RACE as the writing procedure taught from grades K-12 grade. RACE Writing materials were passed out at the beginning of last school year and teachers were encouraged to begin using this in their classrooms. The in-service allowed a group of teachers to review IAR Scores from last year in the area of writing and determine their current curriculum needs, while also determining what each grade level does to encourage RACE Writing in their classrooms. Teachers also learned about what other grade levels are doing in their classrooms to promote writing.

VI) Action Items

A) Approve the Extension of Kemper CPA Group, LLP.

Mr. Jerrell explained that in a normal year, the Kemper CPA Group would have our annual audit completed by the October Board meeting. Each year we have an Action Item accepting their Annual Financial Report. Although the audit is in the review process right now, they are not sure if it will be completed before the October 23 meeting, so they have asked for an extension. The Board will vote on the original motion at the November Meeting.

Motion: To approve the Extension of Kemper CPA Group, LLP for 60 days.

Motion by Mr. Craig, 2nd by Mrs. Felty.

Roll Call By: Mr. Nolen.

Aye: Mr. Craig, Mrs. Felty, Mr. Field, Mr. Figg, Mr. Nolen, Mrs. Whiting.

Nay: None.

Absent: Mr. Lewis.

B) Review Crisis Management Plan, School Safety Plans, and Drills.

Mr. Jerrell reported that we do this in the Fall each year, and held our annual review for our Crisis Management Plan on August 8. Now that we have completed the plan, printed it, and distributed it to the faculty, staff, and administration, we need to approve it along with the Grade School and High School plans and our drill schedule, which includes three fire drills, one active shooter drill, one weather in-place drill, and a bus evacuation drill.

Motion: To approve the Crisis Management Plan, School Safety Plans, and Drills.

Motion by Mr. Craig, 2nd by Mr. Nolen.

Roll Call By: Mr. Nolen.

Aye: Mr. Craig, Mrs. Felty, Mr. Field, Mr. Figg, Mr. Nolen, Mrs. Whiting.

Nay: None.

Absent: Mr. Lewis.

C) Approve Board Policy (Adoption of Section 4: Operational Services).

Mr. Jerrell explained that just like we did last month, we need to update our current Board Policy Manual. As laws change or new laws are added, PRESS (Policy Reference Education Subscription Service) releases the exact wording that you need to adopt. It is a lot like the updates we get for our student handbooks and extra-curricular handbooks each year. Copies of all of the updates were included in the Board Packet.

Motion: To approve the Adoption of Board Policy Section 4: Operational Services (Policy 4:10, 4:45, 4:60, 4:100, 4:120, 4:140, 4:165, and 4:190).

Motion by Mrs. Felty, 2nd by Mr. Nolen.

Roll Call By: Mr. Nolen.

Aye: Mr. Craig, Mrs. Felty, Mr. Field, Mr. Figg, Mr. Nolen, Mrs. Whiting.

Nay: None.

Absent: Mr. Lewis.

D) Approve Board Policy (Adoption of Section 5: Personnel).

Just like the motion above, this is Section 5: Personnel for our updated Board Policy.

Motion: To approve the Adoption of Board Policy Section 5: Personnel (Policy 5:10, 5:20, 5:30, 5:90, 5:120, 5:125, 5:150, 5:170, 5:190, and 5:200).

Motion by Mr. Craig, 2nd by Mrs. Whiting.

Roll Call By: Mr. Nolen.

Aye: Mr. Craig, Mrs. Felty, Mr. Field, Mr. Figg, Mr. Nolen, Mrs. Whiting.

Nay: None.

Absent: Mr. Lewis.

VII) Non Action Items

A) Ameren Illinois: Carbon Free Assessment.

Mr. Jerrell introduced two guest speakers, Mrs. Amanda Pankau, the Energy Campaign Manager for the Prairie Rivers Network, and Mr. Michael Pittman, the Program Manager for Ameren’s new Public Schools Carbon-Free Assessment Program. Mrs. Pankau discussed several grants, including the one the Village of Carrier Mills successfully applied for last year for $100,000. Mr. Pittman discussed the assessments, provided free of charge to the school district, to analyze the following: 1) Energy efficiency savings opportunities, 2) Solar energy potential, 3) Infrastructure required to support electrification of the facility’s space heating and water heating needs, 4) Infrastructure requirements to support electrification of a school’s transportation needs, and more. The School Board agreed to allow Ameren to complete the assessment of the Grade School and High School.

B) Review Tax Extension 2022 Payable 2023 and Levy 2023 Payable 2024.

Mr. Jerrell briefly reviewed the tax levy which will be voted on in November. Mr. Jerrell explained that school districts receive funding from three different sources: 1) State Funds, 2) Federal Funds, and 3) Local Funds. In Illinois, school districts receive most of their funding from the State Funds and Local Funds (around 94%) and receive a small amount from Federal Funds (around 6%). Mr. Jerrell has almost completed the Tax Levy for this year. The way this works is that he uses what we received from 2022-2023, to ask for an amount in 2023-2024, that we will receive in 2024-2025. We actually approve the levy next month, but Mr. Jerrell wanted to give the Board an update, so he included a chart of the Tax Extension since 2010. That way you can compare each fund over the past several years. Last year’s tax bills have been mailed out, and the first round of taxes were due on October 5 and the second round will be due on November 9.

C) Next Board Meeting: Monday, November 20, 2023 at 6:45 pm.

Mr. Jerrell reminded the Board that the next meeting is scheduled for the third Monday of the month; November 20, 2023 at 6:45 pm.

VIII) Closed Session

Closed Session

Motion to move to closed session at 7:43 pm for #1, 2, 9, 10, and 14 from the closed meetings act (see attached) by Mrs. Felty, 2nd by Mr. Nolen.

Roll Call By: Mr. Nolen.

Aye: Mr. Craig, Mrs. Felty, Mr. Field, Mr. Figg, Mr. Nolen, Mrs. Whiting.

Nay: None.

Absent: Mr. Lewis.

Move to Closed Session Minutes

Motion to return to open session at 7:52 pm by Mr. Craig, 2nd by Mr. Field.

Roll Call By: Mr. Nolen.

Aye: Mr. Craig, Mrs. Felty, Mr. Field, Mr. Figg, Mr. Nolen, Mrs. Whiting.

Nay: None.

Absent: Mr. Lewis.

Motion to approve the closed meeting minutes as read by Mrs. Whiting, 2nd by Mrs. Felty.

Roll Call By: Mr. Nolen.

Aye: Mr. Craig, Mrs. Felty, Mr. Field, Mr. Figg, Mr. Nolen, Mrs. Whiting.

Nay: None.

Absent: Mr. Lewis.

IX) Action on Closed Session Items

A) Motion: To Table the motion to accept resignations (none at this time).

B.1) Motion: To hire Ms. Jillian Crisp as a Grade School Paraprofessional for the 2023-2024 school year.

Motion by Mr. Craig, 2nd by Mr. Nolen.

Roll Call By: Mr. Nolen.

Aye: Mr. Craig, Mrs. Felty, Mr. Field, Mr. Figg, Mr. Nolen, Mrs. Whiting.

Nay: None.

Absent: Mr. Lewis.

B.2) Motion: To hire Mr. Eddie Hill as a 7th Grade Basketball Coach for the 2023-2024 school year.

Motion by Mr. Craig, 2nd by Mr. Field.

Roll Call By: Mr. Nolen.

Aye: Mr. Craig, Mrs. Felty, Mr. Field, Mr. Nolen, Mrs. Whiting.

Nay: None.

Present: Mr. Figg.

Absent: Mr. Lewis.

X) Adjourn

Motion: To Adjourn at 7:50 p.m. by Mr. Nolen, 2nd by Mrs. Whiting.

Voice Vote: All approved Motion Passed

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