SE Illinois News

Carrier Mills-Stonefort Community Unit School District #2 Board of Education met Dec. 18.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

I) Call to Order by: Mr. Issac Craig at 7:00 p.m.

II) Roll Call by: Mr. Clay Nolen

Present: Issac Craig, Rhonda Felty, Derek Field, Ryan Lewis, Clay Nolen, Katie Whiting.

Absent: Scott Figg.

III) Recognition of Visitors: Mrs. Samantha Craig and Mrs. Devyn Kerley were in attendance.

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

Roll Call By: Mr. Nolen.

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

Nay: None.

Absent: Mr. Figg.

V) Reports

     A) High School Principal Report – Mr. Jerrell

Mr. Jerrell explained that Mrs. Craig, the Service Club, and several high school students, revamped the visiting locker room before the first home basketball game. The old urinal was removed, the old lockers and benches were removed, the walls and ceiling were painted, the floor was redone, and new benches were added.

Mr. Jerrell reported that Mr. Burke Wasson and a team of four students went to Carmi on December 1 for the ROE #20 Brain Games Competition. Brayden Kirk, Lilian Crawford, Jade Nalley, and Carson VanDyke finished in 8th Place out of 18 teams. This was the first year we participated in this event and next year we would like to send two teams to the competition. Mrs. Samantha Craig took Brianna Cullers and Kaylee Klope to Senator Fowler’s 2023 Fall Student Advisory Council at SIU-Carbondale on December 7.

Also, Mr. Jerrell reported that the High School Building Leadership Team (BLT) has met once a month since the beginning of school to promote the positive things we are doing at the high school and look at areas where we could make improvements. So far this year, the following topics have been discussed: The CMSF PTO Facebook Page, Pink Out Volleyball Game, Homeschool Students, Students in the Gym in the Morning, Student Lockers, PE Rules and Expectations, Carrier Mills Community Health Center, Student Tardies, Breakfast Procedures, Students out of Class, Mandated Trainings, Teacher In-Service Days, the Parking Lot, Students Being monitored at Lunch, STAR Reading and Math Tests, Closed Campus for Lunch, PBIS Events, Attendance Incentives, Semester Exam Policy, Dress Code Policy, Talent Show, and the Employee of the Month.

In PBIS news, Mr. Jerrell reported that Homeroom Challenge #5: The Cornhole Tournament took place on November 30. The Junior Class, Pappy’s Paralyzers, defeated the Senior Class, Craig’s Killers, 22-12 to win the championship. This is the second straight year that Nate Shafer and Carson VanDyke won the Cornhole Tournament and this is the fifth straight PBIS win for the Junior Class. After five PBIS Events the Junior Class is in 1st Place with 50 points, the Freshmen are in 2nd Place with 34 points, the Seniors are in 3rd Place with 28 points, and the Sophomore Class is in 4th Place with 26 points. The class with the most points after the final PBIS Event will get a pizza party on May 3rd. Our next PBIS Event will be Homeroom Challenge #6: The Spirit Wall Competition. The students will decorate a section of the gym for Homecoming on Friday, January 5th.

Mr. Jerrell also reported that Mr. Zack Street visited the seniors around 9:45 am on December 12. He gave 21 seniors in attendance a $100 bill ($2,100). That evening we held the Wildcat Free Throw Contest sponsored by Zack Street Plumbing. 16 students were chosen at random to shoot a free throw. If they missed the shot they received $100. If they made the shot they received $100 and advanced to the Championship Round for a chance at an additional $500 ($2,100). Ms. Olivia Hunt, a freshman, made both free throws to become the Wildcat Free Throw Champion. In addition, Mr. Street also gave 10 students in attendance a $100 bill ($1,000). Altogether, he donated $5,200 to our students.

     B) Grade School Principals Report - Mrs. Kuhlmann

Mrs. Kuhlmann reported that the tiles in the cafeteria are in poor condition. Mr. Jerrell has obtained a quote to remove the tile and epoxy the cafeteria floor. We are currently waiting on the panels above the gym to be replaced (these have been ordered by Marion Glass), the overhead covering for the back playground picnic area (waiting on a quote from Kyle Enz Construction and/or HE Mitchell Construction), a tree to be removed from the back playground, completion of the ground work on the back playground, as well as a quote on replacing ceiling tiles in junior high. Ceiling tiles in front of the office will be replaced after the panels above the gym are completed. The steam table in the cafeteria is overheating and may need to be replaced. A call has been made to Daniel and Sons from Carterville to get it fixed or tell us it needs to be replaced.

Mrs. Kuhlmann explained that the Building Leadership Team met on December 6 and finalized plans for Christmas celebrations at the school in December. These will include the Christmas program and parties, as well as the field trip to the Harrisburg Movie Theater sponsored by PTO and our annual grinch day activities. The team also discussed the upcoming young authors kick off in January. LeeAnn Buss, a children’s book author, will be kicking off the program by speaking to students about the writing process. The team worked through issues with the Rooms program, as well as changes for the veteran’s program for next year.

Mrs. Kuhlmann reported that on Wednesday, December 6, the group 4 Good Community blessed our school with a gift giveaway. All the gifts were non-returnable Amazon items. Some of the students were very creative in choosing the gifts as they were not all toys. Santa Claus was also at school on this day to kick off the Christmas season. The tutoring program ended on Thursday, November 30. Tutoring will begin again on Tuesday, January 16 and will run throughout the second semester. Tutors are compensated by a grant through SIC. We currently have 27 students signed up for tutoring in the spring. Star Testing was completed during the week of December 4-8. Students who score at grade level and/or increase their star score receive a donut on December 14. The Multi-Tier System of Support meetings were held on December 13. These meetings are attended by Mrs. Phillips, the classroom teacher, the title aide, and the school psychologist. The problem-solving meetings are used to aid both the classroom teacher and the title staff in understanding what interventions are needed for students who are struggling in either reading or math. The district currently has 13 open special education evaluations, most of which are early intervention students starting pre-kindergarten in the next year.

VI) Action Items

     A) Approve Board Policy (Adoption of Section 7: Students).

Mr. Jerrell explained that 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. Once these have been approved, Mr. Jerrell can then upload them to the school website.

Motion: To approve the Adoption of Board Policy Section 7: Students (Policy 7:10, 7:20, 7:50, 7:70, 7:100, 7:180, 7:190, 7:250, 7:270, 7:275, 7:285, 7:290, 7:305, 7:330, and 7:340).

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

Roll Call By: Mr. Nolen.

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

Nay: None.

Absent: Mr. Figg.

     B) Approve Board Policy (Adoption of Section 8: Community Relations).

Mr. Jerrell explained that this is to update Section 8: Community Relations.

Motion: To approve the Adoption of Board Policy Section 8: Community Relations (Policy 8:20, 8:25, and 8:95).

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

Roll Call By: Mr. Nolen.

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

Nay: None.

Absent: Mr. Figg.

     C) Consider High School Dress Code.

Mr. Jerrell explained that the High School would like to change their dress code to state the following:

#8: Jeans should not have holes above the knee.

#9: Students are not permitted to wear tights, spandex, leggings, or jeggings unless the student wears a top, shorts, or skirt that meets the length requirement for shorts as the outer garment (5 inches from the bend of the knee/mid-thigh).

Motion: To approve the High School Dress Code Policy.

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

Roll Call By: Mr. Nolen.

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

Nay: None.

Absent: Mr. Figg.

     D) Consider Grade School Cafeteria Project.

Mr. Jerrell explained that we have many floor tiles in the Grade School cafeteria that are cracked, need replaced, and have been replaced over the past several years. Mr. Jerrell would like to have the tiles removed and an epoxy applied, which will be similar to what we have done in the Grade School restrooms and to the ramp. The cost to remove the existing tiles, repair any cracks/spalling, grind the concrete and clean the floor for proper adhesion of the epoxy, apply a colored epoxy base coat with full broadcast of flakes, once dried to scrape the flakes and clean, and then apply a top polyaspartic clear coat is $24,000.00. I will put this on the December agenda for you to decide. If we move forward with this project it will be paid for out of sales tax money. Mr. Derek Field stated that as long as the company can provide proof of insurance he has no problem with them completing the work.

Motion: To approve the bid from Revived Asphalt & Concrete Coatings for the Grade School Cafeteria Project.

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

Roll Call By: Mr. Nolen.

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

Nay: None.

Absent: Mr. Figg.

     E) Approve Activity Fund Account.

Mr. Jerrell explained that the local Masonic Lodge have donated $500 to the school for students that need clothing. Also, Mr. Derek Field wrote a grant and has received $4,000 as well. This money will be used to purchase shoes, socks, coats, toiletry items, etc. for our students. We would like to create an activity fund account for this money. That way, if and when a student needs shoes, clothing, socks, a coat, a toothbrush, deodorant, etc. we will have a fund to purchase these items.

Motion: To approve the Activity Fund Account #56: Clothes for Kids.

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

Roll Call By: Mr. Nolen.

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

Nay: None.

Absent: Mr. Figg.

     F) Consider Trash Service Contract.

Mr. Jerrell explained that our 3-year contract with Perfect Solution Disposal ended on June 30, 2022. Two years ago, we approved a 1-year extension through the 2022-2023 school year. Last December, we extended the PSD contract through June 30, 2024. PSD has sent another proposal for a 1-year extension for the 2024-2025 school year. The 1-year proposal is for $550 a month. They will pick up two times a week at the high school (Monday and Thursday) and three times a week at the grade school (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday). The first three years we paid $275 a month, two years ago we paid $325 a month, and this year we paid $420 a month (we also added an additional trash bin). They have been great to work with, and they have their business located here in Carrier Mills.

Motion: To approve the 1-year Trash Service Contract with Perfect Solution Disposal for the 2024-2025 school year.

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

Roll Call By: Mr. Nolen.

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

Nay: Mr. Nolen.

Absent: Mr. Figg.

     G) Consider Mowing Proposal.

Mr. Jerrell reported that Mr. Dexter Parks has sent us a proposal for a 1-year contract for mowing. We need to decide if we want to accept his bid or if we want to place it up for bid. We have used Dexter’s Lawn Care since the 2017-2018 school year. Each year, he has charged us $250 to mow at the Grade School (including the Pre-K playground) and the High School. Last year he increased his price to $350. Mr. Parks charges us $150 to mow the Grade School, $200 for the High School and both fields, and he reseeds several areas free of charge each year. Also, Mr. Jerrell received a bid from Mr. William McKinney. The bid is for $155 to mow the Grade School, $340 to mow the High School and both the baseball and softball fields, and he will straw and reseed areas needed up to 200 square feet at no cost to the district. Mr. Parks total is $350 and Mr. McKinney’s total is $495. Mr. Parks does charge $100 for clipping collection at the ball fields and Mr. McKinney has yet to respond on his cost for clipping collection. The Board then discussed some concerns with extending the contract for another year with Dexter’s Lawn Care. Several members brought up concerns about the way we were billed, being billed in a timely manner, and getting board approval for certain projects.

Motion: To Table the Motion to Consider Mowing Proposal.

VII) Non Action Items

     A) Current Bond Payment.

Mr. Jerrell explained that the IHSA allows Basketball teams to play in three tournaments each year. Currently, we play in the Vienna Class Tournament in November, the Eldorado Holiday Tournament in December, and the GEC Conference Tournament in January. Our contract is up with Vienna this year, so we are looking into an alternative tournament (hopefully with teams that are more our size). Also, our contract is up with Eldorado this year, and we have decided to resign with the EHT for another three years. Next year, if Cobden and Elverado join the GEC, the tournament will have 10 teams instead of 8 teams, and it will be a single elimination tournament.

     B) Ameren Audit Update.

Mr. Jerrell reported that he spoke with Mr. Michael Pittman, the program manager for the Public School Carbon-Free Assessments from Ameren, that met with the Board a few months ago. Mr. Pittman informed Mr. Jerrell that the Ameren team will reach out to me before Christmas Break to provide me with a list of data that they will need to collect in advance of the assessment. They will then look to schedule our onsite portion of the assessment, which they believe will be sometime in February.

     C) Grade School Girls’ Basketball Survey.

Mr. Jerrell reported that Dr. Vinyard completed the 4th-7th Grade survey in regards to girls’ basketball. The results were as follows: 4th Grade- 14 Yes and 4 No, 5th Grade- 3 Yes and 3 No, 6th Grade- 5 Yes and 9 No, and 7th Grade- 6 Yes and 6 No. So, we have 28 out of 50 4th-7th Grade girls that say they might be interested in playing basketball. Mr. Jerrell suggested an intramural program next year to see how many girls are really interested in participating in a basketball program. Board member Katie Whiting suggested a summer camp as well. Mr. Jerrell will reach out to the Park Board and Mr. Ryan Beck to see if they are interested in running an intramural program next year.

     D) January Board Meeting: January 23, 2023 at 6:45 pm.

Mr. Jerrell reminded the Board that due to the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday on January 15, the January School Board meeting will be held on the fourth Monday instead of the third Monday; January 22, 2024.

VIII) Closed Session

Closed Session

Motion to move to closed session at 7:55 pm for #1, 2, 9, 10, and 14 from the closed meetings act (see attached) by Mrs. Felty, 2nd by Mr. Lewis.

Roll Call By: Mr. Nolen.

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

Nay: None.

Absent: Mr. Figg.

Move to Closed Session Minutes

Motion to return to open session at 8:59 pm by Mrs. Felty, 2nd by Mr. Field.

Roll Call By: Mr. Nolen.

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

Nay: None.

Absent: Mr. Figg.

Motion to approve the closed meeting minutes as read by Mr. Nolen, 2nd by Mr. Craig.

Roll Call By: Mr. Nolen.

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

Nay: None.

Absent: Mr. Figg.

IX) Action on Closed Session Items

     A.1) Motion: To accept the resignation of Mrs. Jennifer Anderson as a High School English teacher at the end of the 2023-2024 school year.

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

Roll Call By: Mr. Nolen.

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

Nay: None.

Absent: Mr. Figg.

     A.2) Motion: To accept the resignation of Mr. Cliff Dombrow as a 5th/6th Grade Basketball Coach.

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

Roll Call By: Mr. Nolen.

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

Nay: None.

Absent: Mr. Figg.

     A.3) Motion: To accept the resignation of Mrs. Tabatha Sherrells as a Grade School paraprofessional.

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

Roll Call By: Mr. Nolen.

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

Nay: None.

Absent: Mr. Figg.

     B.1) Motion: To hire Ms. Bailey Childers as a 2nd Grade teacher for the 2024-2025 school year.

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

Roll Call By: Mr. Nolen.

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

Nay: Mrs. Felty.

Absent: Mr. Figg.

     B.2) Motion: To reassign Ms. Mollie Emery as a 5th Grade teacher for the 2024-2025 school year.

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

Roll Call By: Mr. Nolen.

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

Nay: None.

Absent: Mr. Figg.

     B.3) Motion: To hire Mrs. Stephanie Davis as a full time cook for the 2024-2025 school year.

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

Roll Call By: Mr. Nolen.

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

Nay: None.

Absent: Mr. Figg.

     B.4) Motion: To Table the Motion to hire a 5th/6th Grade Basketball Coach for the 2023-2024 school year.

B.5) Motion: To hire Mrs. Laura Dombrow as a High School Student Council Sponsor for the 2024-2025 school year.

Motion by Mrs. Whiting, 2nd by Mrs. Felty.

Roll Call By: Mr. Nolen.

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

Nay: None.

Absent: Mr. Figg.

     C) Motion: To approve the Non-Certified Personnel Description of Salary and Benefits.

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

Roll Call By: Mr. Nolen.

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

Nay: None.

Absent: Mr. Figg.

X) Adjourn

Motion: To Adjourn at 9:06 pm by Mr. Nolen, 2nd by Mr. Lewis.

Voice Vote: All approved Motion Passed