SE Illinois News

Harrisburg Community Unit School District 3 Board of Education met Oct. 24.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Board of Education Minutes

Harrisburg Community Unit School District No. 3

The regular meeting of the Board of Education of Harrisburg Community Unit School District #3, Saline County, Illinois, was held at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, as announced by posted public notice and by mail. The following members of the Board were present: Mr. Chris Penrod, Mr. Kevin Dowdy, Mr. Ryan Lambert, Mr. Billy Smith, Mr. Brandon Henshaw, and Mr. Steve Smothers. Mr. Jonathan Russell was absent.

The following administrators were present: Dr. Amy Dixon, Scott Dewar, Kim Williams, Natalie Fry, Debbie McGowan, John Crabb, Eric McCollum, Alesha Allen, Lana Bell, Phil Nyberg, Elizabeth Dawe, and Andy Fehrenbacher.

The following Unit #3 staff members were present: Keri Holland, Russell Hunt, Julie Martin, Kyle Brames, Haleigh Mayer, Nikki Storms, Greg Langley, Travis Butler, Joy Butler, Hannah Nance, and Larra Booth. The following members of the public were present: Tim King, Randy Smithpeters, Andrew Rowland, Conner Davis and parent.

With a quorum of the members of the Board being present, President Penrod called the meeting to order and declared the Board to be in session for the transaction of business.

President Penrod led the Board, staff and attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mr. Lambert moved and Mr. Smith seconded the motion to enter into Executive Session to discuss A. The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees in an educational setting. Act. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1).

B. The purchase or lease of real property for the use of a public body, including meetings held for the purpose of discussing whether a particular parcel should be acquired. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5).

Upon a call of the President for a vote to be taken, it was determined the results of said motion carried. Board entered into Closed Session at 5:01 p.m.

Mr. Dowdy moved and Mr. Lambert seconded the motion to reconvene in open session at 5:49 p.m. Upon a call of the President for a voice vote to be taken, it was determined the results of said motion carried.

Public Comment – Hannah Nance, HHS Teacher, discussed an international travel program proposal for High School Students. The trip would take place in 2025 during spring break.

Mr. Smith moved and Mr. Henshaw seconded the motion to approve the minutes of the September 19, 2023 Regular Board Meeting. On a call of the roll, the motion received a unanimous vote of yea.

Mr. Dowdy moved and Mr. Smothers seconded the motion to approve the minutes of the October 11, 2023 Special Board Meeting. On a call of the roll, Mr. Henshaw, Mr. Dowdy, Mr. Smith, and Mr. Smothers voted yea. Mr. Lambert and Mr. Penrod abstained. Motion carried.

Mr. Smith moved and Mr. Henshaw seconded the motion to approve the Bills Due and Payable. On a call of the roll, the motion received a unanimous vote of yea.

Mr. Lambert moved and Mr. Dowdy seconded the motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report. On a call of the roll, the motion received a unanimous vote of yea.

Mr. Dowdy moved and Mr. Smothers seconded the motion to approve the Expenditure and Revenue Reports. On a call of the roll, the motion received a unanimous vote of yea.

The Board of Education reviewed the monthly Activity Fund Summaries from each building.

ADMINISTRATOR/COORDINATOR REPORTS

Superintendent – Dr. Amy Dixon

▪ New soccer uniforms were purchased for the High School soccer program with the donation from Dr. Roger Herrin’s family

BELA – Principal Alesha Allen

West Side Primary - Principal Phil Nyberg

▪ The old Pre-K portable buildings have been removed.

East Side Intermediate - Principal Eric McCollum

Harrisburg Middle School - Principal Debbie McGowan – (Nikki Storms Inclusion)

▪ Special Education class gave a presentation of some activities of their classroom.

Harrisburg High School - Principal Scott Dewar

▪ All necessary drills have been completed.

Special Education - Kim Williams

Technology, Media, Grants, Curriculum – Natalie Fry

▪ We are currently planning a steering committee to expand the bridge between school and community partnerships.

Transportation – Andy Fehrenbacher

Mr. Dowdy moved and Mr. Smith seconded the motion to approve the Resolution providing for the issue of not to exceed $7,000,000 General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2023A and not to exceed $7,000,000 General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2023 B, for the purpose of paying claims against the District and refunding certain outstanding bonds of the District, providing for the levy of taxes to pay said bonds, authorizing the execution of an escrow agreement in connection with the issuance of said bonds and authorizing the sale of said bonds to the purchaser thereof. On a call of the roll, the motion received a unanimous vote of yea.

NEW BUSINESS - None

Mr. Dowdy moved and Mr. Henshaw seconded the motion to approve the Executive Session minutes of the September 19, 2023 Regular Board Meeting. On a call of the roll, the motion received a unanimous vote of yea.

Mr. Smith moved and Mr. Henshaw seconded the motion to approve the Executive Session minutes of the October 11, 2023 Special Board Meeting. On a call of the roll, Mr. Henshaw, Mr. Dowdy, Mr. Smith, and Mr. Smothers voted yea. Mr. Lambert and Mr. Penrod abstained. Motion carried.

Mr. Dowdy moved and Mr. Henshaw seconded the motion to approve the maternity leave of Amanda Davidson from September 18, 2023 to November 27, 2023. On a call of the roll, the motion received a unanimous vote of yea.

Mr. Lambert moved and Mr. Smothers seconded the motion to approve the retirement of Desiree Rasch effective the end of the 2025-2026 school year with the 6% retirement incentives. On a call of the roll, the motion received a unanimous vote of yea.

Mr. Smith moved and Mr. Lambert seconded the motion to approve the retirement of Russell Hunt effective October 31, 2026 with the 6% retirement incentives. On a call of the roll, the motion received a unanimous vote of yea.

Mr. Smothers moved and Mr. Smith seconded the motion to approve the resignation of Jackie Davis as HHS Paraprofessional, effective October 17, 2023. On a call of the roll, the motion received a unanimous vote of yea.

Mr. Smith moved and Mr. Smothers seconded the motion to approve the resignation of Corinne Harris Cox as EOC Aide, effective October 17, 2023. On a call of the roll, the motion received a unanimous vote of yea.

Mr. Dowdy moved and Mr. Henshaw seconded the motion to approve the resignation of Phil Nyberg as West Side Principal, effective immediately. On a call of the roll, the motion received a unanimous vote of yea.

Mr. Henshaw moved and Mr. Smothers seconded the motion to approve Karissa Irlbeck as HHS Volunteer Bass Fishing Sponsor. On a call of the roll, the motion received a unanimous vote of yea.

Mr. Henshaw moved and Mr. Dowdy seconded the motion to approve Sara DeNeal and Nikki Storms as HMS Volunteer Builders Club Sponsors. On a call of the roll, the motion received a unanimous vote of yea.

Mr. Dowdy moved and Mr. Smothers seconded the motion to employ Katelyn Daugherty as EOC Aide at West Side. On a call of the roll, the motion received a unanimous vote of yea.

Mr. Smith moved and Mr. Dowdy seconded the motion to employ Jan Sullivan as HMS 6 hour cook. On a call of the roll, the motion received a unanimous vote of yea.

Mr. Smith moved and Mr. Smothers seconded the motion to employ Jeana Wheatcroft as HHS Paraprofessional. On a call of the roll, the motion received a unanimous vote of yea.

Mr. Smith moved and Mr. Henshaw seconded the motion to employ Emma Williams as a West Side Paraprofessional. On a call of the roll, the motion received a unanimous vote of yea.

Mr. Henshaw moved and Mr. Dowdy seconded the motion to appoint Natalie Fry as interim Principal at West Side School. On a call of the roll, the motion received a unanimous vote of yea.

Mr. Henshaw moved and Mr. Smith seconded the motion to post the following positions. On a call of the roll, the motion received a unanimous vote of yea.

(2) HHS Math Teachers

HHS Athletic Director

HMS Technology Teacher

HMS English Language Arts Teacher

HMS Math Teacher

HMS Academic Enrichment Teacher

Athletic Director Secretary

Special Education Coordinator

Purple Clarion (stipend)

Mr. Dowdy moved and Mr. Henshaw seconded the motion to give long term subs in a specific teaching position ten accumulated leave days that do not carry over and are not paid out at the end of the assignment. On a call of the roll, the motion received a unanimous vote of yea.

Mr. Dowdy moved and Mr. Henshaw seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting. Upon a call of the President for a voice vote to be taken, it was determined the result of said motion carried.

The meeting adjourned at 6:52 p.m.

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