SE Illinois News

Wabash Community Unit School District 348 Board of Education met Jan. 16.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Board of Education of Wabash Community Unit School District #348, Wabash County, met in Regular Session on Tuesday, January 16, 2024 in the Cafetorium of Mt. Carmel Grade School.

President Schuler called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

Secretary Theresa Hocking called the roll. In addition to the secretary, those present were Tim Schuler, Gregg Wilcox via phone, Jamie McCorkle, Janice Alka, Susan Wood and Kyle Peach.

Also present were Superintendent Dr. Chuck Bleyer, MCJSH Principal Andrew Shelby, MCGS Principal Brianne Foster, MCJSH COO Steve Holt, Chandler Madden –WSJD, Shelley Harris -Parent and District Secretary Kim Zimmer.

President Schuler led the pledge of allegiance to the flag.

Consent Agenda

a. Minutes of Past Board Meetings

i. December 18, 2023 Regular Board Meeting

b. Monthly Bills

-Invoices Paid December 2023

-Bills Payable January 2024

c. Financial Reports

Cash Deposits $ 1,904,945.38

Investments $ 7,425,382.40

4 Fund $ 7,424,741.00

5 Fund $ 7,853,216.00

Breakfast/Lunch $ -29,496.68

d. Correspondence

-Phyllis James retiring May 23, 2024

-David James resigning May 23, 2024

-Christina Schuler requesting maternity leave beginning March 29, 2024 through the end of the school year

e. Administrative Reports

∙ Mt. Carmel Junior Senior High School Chief Operations Officer Steve Holt

∙ District Curriculum/Grant Coordinator Michael Brewer

∙ Mt. Carmel Elementary School Principal Jake Newkirk

∙ Mt. Carmel Grade School Principal Brianne Foster

∙ Mt. Carmel Junior Senior High Principal Andrew Shelby

∙ Superintendent Dr. Chuck Bleyer

f. Review of Board Policy 7:180

A motion to approve the consent agenda was made by Alka and seconded by Wood. A roll call vote was taken and all present voted AYE. Motion Carried.

Reports –Andrew Shelby – MCJSH Principal

Approved by the Board of Education on February 20, 2024

Shelby told the board that attendance at the high school was up 83%. He also noted that 268 students received A’s on their final exam at the end of the first semester and 108 students received B’s. Shelby said that their graduation success rate had also increased significantly.

Superintendent’s Comments

Dr. Bleyer noted that the buses and building had experienced no issues during the frigid weather. He also mentioned that the district website had a link to “Name the Building” for the new concession building at the stadium.

Public Comments

Shelley Harris asked the board if the MCHS parking pass procedure had been updated yet. Andrew Shelby told her that there was a committee working on it but it was not yet finished. He also said the new procedure would be published when it was completed.

Executive Session pursuant to Section 2 (C)(1) of the Open Meetings Act:

“The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees”.

There was no executive session.

New Business

Abatement Resolution

President Schuler read the Abatement Resolution to the board: “Resolution abating the tax heretofore levied for the year 2023 to pay debt service on General Obligation School Bonds (alternate Revenue Source) Series 2022, of Community Unit School District Number 348, Wabash County Illinois.” A motion to approve the abatement resolution as read by President Schuler was made by McCorkle and seconded by Hocking. A roll call vote was taken. All present voted AYE. Motion Carried.

Employment of Personnel

A motion to approve the following employment recommendations was made by Wood and seconded by Peach:

Certified

Matthew McCarty-MCJSH Academic Support Instructor beginning January 16, 2024 Rebekah Hocking-MCHS Special Education Teacher beginning January 3, 2024

Non-Certified

Tye Kanipe-Speech Therapist Paraprofessional beginning January 16, 2024

Volunteers

Elijah Laws -Volunteer 5th and 6th Boys’ Basketball Coach

All present voted Aye. Motion Carried.

Adjournment

A motion to adjourn was made by Hocking and seconded by Alka. All present voted AYE. Motion Carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:18 p.m.

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1091/Wabash_CUSD/4022079/2024_01_16__Regular_Board_Meeting_Minutes_Approved.pdf