SE Illinois News

Edwards County Community Unit School District #1 Board of Education met Dec. 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 Cafeteria by President, Dale Woods. The following members were present: Wayne Doelling, Mark McDaniel, Kayla Bell, Jayare Buerster, Lawrence Speir Jr., and Jo Rector. Also present was Superintendent, David Cowger; AGS Elementary Principal/Special Education Coordinator, Carrie Wells; AGS Jr. High Principal/Building and Grounds Director, Kris Duncan and Assistant Principal Joe Rivers. ECHS Principal, Dale Schmittler and WSGS Principal, Mark Beckel were absent.

Motion was made by Wayne Doelling and seconded by Mark McDaniel to approve the following Consent Agenda items:

• December Board Agenda

• Motion to approve the minutes of the November 20, 2023 Public Hearing-Truth in Taxation Hearing; the open and closed session of the November 20, 2023 Regular School Board Meeting and the December 6, 2023 Disciplinary Hearing

• 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

• FOIA Report

Speir, Doelling, Rector, McDaniel, Buerster, Bell and Woods voted yes. Motion passes

Spotlight AGS 3-5 Enrichment Program

Mrs. Krouse presented to the board regarding the new after school enrichment program that will be beginning in January. Students will be selected for the program based upon academic achievements.

Discussion was held regarding the Vocational

Renovation Project Phase 1 with possible action

Kale Calvert of ADG was at the meeting to discuss the drawings of the proposed new bus barn. It is estimated the project will be approximately $1.2 million.

Motion was made by Mark McDaniel and seconded by Wayne Doelling to authorize the next phase of planning for a new bus maintenance facility

After Kale’s presentation, the board authorized him to move forward with survey work which needs to be completed so drawings can be finalized.

Rector, McDaniel, Bell, Speir, Buerster, Doelling and Woods voted yes. Motion passes

Presentation from CAISA over Erin’s Law Sexual Abuse curriculum with possible action

Darien Lee of CAISA presented the curriculum that will be taught at the schools regarding sexual abuse. This is a requirement under Erin’s Law. A permission slip will be sent home to all students and parents have the option to review the curriculum and opt their students out as well.

Motion was made by Mark McDaniel and seconded by Jayare Buerster to allow CAISA to provide curriculum over Erin’s Law Sexual Abuse to K-12 students.

Moving forward, any changes to the curriculum will be highlighted and provided to the District for review.

McDaniel, Bell, Speir, Buerster, Doelling and Woods voted yes. Rector voted no. Motion passes

Motion was made by Mark McDaniel and seconded by Jayare Buerster to approve the following projects over $5,000.00

• K-12 Water Softener - $32,900

• ECHS Gymnasium Refinish - $28,528

• ECHS Gym Lobby Upgrades – Estimated @ $36,000 • ECHS Gym Upgrades – Estimated @ $18,000

Projects will be funded with sales tax receipts.

McDaniel, Bell, Speir, Rector, Doelling, Buerster and Woods voted yes. Motion passes

Motion was made by Mark McDaniel and seconded by Wayne Doelling to approve an ECHS Cheer Camp Fundraiser for Grades K-5

The camp will be for WSGS and AGS K-5th grade students, cost will be $20 per camper. Participants will perform at the January 12th basketball game.

Buerster, McDaniel, Bell, Speir, Rector, Doelling and Woods voted yes. Motion passes

Motion was made by Wayne Doelling and seconded by Jayare Buerster to approve the following field trips over 150 miles:

• AGS 7th Grade to Springfield, Illinois on May 13, 2024 • AGS Band/Choir to Holiday World on May 16, 2024 at no cost to the District

The District will pay for the transportation cost of the Springfield trip.

Rector, Buerster, McDaniel, Bell, Speir, Doelling and Woods voted yes. Motion passes

First Reading of ECHS proposed curriculum changes

The high school is requesting to add a Forensic Science Class which will be a semester long class and offered every other year.

First Reading of the following textbook requests:

• ECHS Technology for Success Microsoft 365 & Office 2021 – 6 year plan @ a cost of $9,179.40

• Responsive Web Design with HTML 5 & CSS – 6 year plan @ a cost of $9,478.70

Motion was made by Mark McDaniel and seconded by Wayne Doelling to move the Jr. High Softball Teams from SIJHSAA to IESA athletic association

This will allow for a better transition from softball to basketball. As it is now, due to when the seasons start with the different associations, softball overlaps with basketball which causes the basketball season to lose approximately 2 weeks. This change will resolve this issue.

Bell, Rector, Buerster, McDaniel, Speir, Doelling and Woods voted yes. Motion passes

Motion was made by Jayare Buerster and seconded by

Mark McDaniel to update the Crisis Plan (Rapid Entry) Because of new legislation, a rapid entry plan had to be in place in the Crisis Plan by January 1st. The District basically already had the measures in place but it needed to be officially approved as part of the overall Crisis Plan.

Doelling, Bell, Rector, Buerster, McDaniel, Speir and Woods voted yes. Motion passes

The Administrators presented their reports on the following:

• David Cowger – Superintendent

Cafeteria Report

Sales Tax Report

ISBE Audit Report

• Dale Schmittler – ECHS Principal

• Carrie Wells – AGS Elementary Principal/Special Education Coordinator

• Kris Duncan – AGS Jr. High Principal/Building & Grounds Director

• Mark Beckel – WSGS Principal

• Joe Rivers – K-12 Assistant Principal

Motion was made by Wayne Doelling and seconded by Mark McDaniel that a Closed Session be called at 9:25 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

Motion was made by Mark McDaniel and seconded by Wayne Doelling that the Board come out of Closed Session at 10:20 p.m.

Buerster, Doelling, McDaniel, Rector, Speir, Bell and Woods voted yes. Motion passes

Motion was made by Wayne Doelling and seconded by Jayare Buerster that the meeting be adjourned at 10:20 p.m.

McDaniel, Bell, Buerster, Rector, Doelling, Speir and Woods voted yes. Motion passes

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