SE Illinois News

Wabash Community Unit School District 348 Board of Education met Feb. 20.

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, February 20, 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, 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, MCES Principal Jake Newkirk, Transportation Director Sharon Thombleson, Kevin Madden –WSJD, Kevin Kling, Amy Kling, Jackson Kling, Kristi Perry –WCTA, Rebekah Hocking –MCHS, Matt McCarty, Kelly McCarty, Susan Zimmerman, April Mills, Blake Witsman, Maryann Krup, Elizabeth Dunkle, Sam Buss, Craig Keepes, Nichol Smith –MCHS, Rick Johnston, Gregg Henager, Yvette Henager, Tyson Meador, Morgan Meador, Sione Militoni, Josh Keepes, Luke Drone, Luke Laws, and District Secretary Kim Zimmer.

President Schuler led the pledge of allegiance to the flag.

Consent Agenda

a. Minutes of Past Board Meetings

i. January 16, 2024 Regular Board Meeting

b. Monthly Bills

-Invoices Paid January 2024

-Bills Payable February 2024

c. Financial Reports

Cash Deposits $ 1,926,889.16

Investments $ 12,406,234.69

4 Fund $ 11,309,057.00

5 Fund $ 12,235,584.00

Breakfast/Lunch $ 8,972.12

d. Correspondence

-Kristi Wright retiring at the end of the 2027-2028 school year

-Matt McCarty resigning as MJHS PE Assistant effective January 23, 2024

-Teresa Urfer resigning as MCHS Individual Assistant effective January 22, 2024

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

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

Superintendent’s Comments

Dr. Bleyer noted that a ribbon cutting ceremony date would be set soon. The name of the new multi use building will be announced at that time. Also, there will be a gate put in place by the new track for walkers to enter through.

Caring Closet – Rebekah Hocking

Ms. Hocking spoke about a project at the high school called the Caring Closet. It is totally run by students. They are learning life skills and the satisfaction of giving back to their fellow students.

Public Comments

Rick Johnston addressed the board regarding his suggestions for the updated facility use procedure.

Executive Session pursuant to Section 2 (C)(1) of the Open Meetings Act: “The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees”.

At 7:21 p.m. a motion to go into closed session was made by Hocking and seconded by McCorkle. All present voted Aye. Motion Carried.

At 8:07 p.m. a motion to return to open session was made by Alka and seconded by Hocking. All present voted Aye. Motion Carried.

A motion to approve the minutes as read in closed session was made by Alka and seconded by Peach. All present voted Aye. Motion Carried.

New Business

2023-2024 School Calendar

A motion to approve Dr. Bleyer’s recommendation to amend the 23-24 school calendar by making April 1, 2024 an attendance day and April 8, 2024 a non-attendance day was made by Wood and seconded by McCorkle. All present voted Aye. Motion Carried.

2024-2025 School Calendar

A motion to approve the proposed school calendar for the 24-25 school year was made by Hocking and seconded by Wood. All present voted Aye. Motion Carried.

Facility Usage Procedure

A motion to approve the updated Facility Usage Procedure as presented by Dr. Bleyer was made by Alka and seconded by Peach. A roll call vote was taken and all present voted AYE. Motion Carried.

Employment of Personnel

A motion to approve the following employment recommendations was made by Hocking and seconded by Alka:

CERTIFIED TRANSFER

Karen Dardeen -MCJH 7th Grade Science Teacher (transferring from 7th Grade Math) effective the 2024-2025 school year

CERTIFIED

Mandy Riggs -Special Education Teacher for Homebound Student effective February 8, 2024

ADMINISTRATIVE

Kevin Kling -MCGS Assistant Principal beginning July 29, 2024

NON-CERTIFIED

Nichol Smith -MCJSH Part Time Kitchen Worker beginning February 20, 2024

EXTRA-CURRICULAR

Brady Decker -MCHS Girls Soccer Assistant Coach starting February 20, 2024 Josh Keepes -MCHS Assistant Softball Coach starting February 20, 2024 Ed Drone -MCHS Assistant Softball Coach starting February 20, 2024 Brandon Rogowski -MCHS Assistant Baseball Coach starting February 20, 2024 All present voted Aye. Motion Carried.

Adjournment

A motion to adjourn was made by Hocking and seconded by Alka. All present voted

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1091/Wabash_CUSD/4100847/2024_02_20__Regular_Board_Meeting_Minutes_Approved.pdf