SE Illinois News

Wabash Community Unit School District 348 Board of Education met March 18.

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 Monday, March 18, 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, Ellen Wall –MCJH Music Teacher, Music Students: Dani Arano, Lani Bailey, Violet Miller, Ty McCleave, Justice Toothman, Sarah Black, Madi Dawson, Annelise Garrison, Colbie Heinrich, Piper Wilson, Eli Baker, Luis Bohorquez-Atencio, Reece Macer, and Dane Perry, Kristinia Sloss

Guest, Dawn Drone –WCEA, Rachel Dawsen-Guest, Beau Belt –MCJH, and District Secretary Kim Zimmer.

President Schuler led the pledge of allegiance to the flag.

Consent Agenda

a. Minutes of Past Board Meetings

i. February 20, 2024 Regular Board Meeting

b. Monthly Bills

-Invoices Paid February 2024

-Bills Payable March 2024

c. Financial Reports

Cash Deposits     $    1,788,332.51

Investments         $ 13,316,008.58

4 Fund                 $ 11,882,097.00

5 Fund                 $ 12,919,548.00

Breakfast/Lunch  $          6,126.25

d. Correspondence

-Karen Dardeen resigning as Junior High Scholar Bowl Coach effective the end of the 2023-2024 school year

-Kristina Kelsey resigning as MCHS Girls’ Assistant Track Coach effective March 4, 2024.

-Mandy Riggs resigning as MCGS Homebound Instruction position effective February 28, 2024.

Approved by the Board of Education on April 15, 2024

e. Administrative Reports

∙ 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 Alka and seconded by Wood. A roll call vote was taken and all present voted AYE. Motion Carried.

Superintendent’s Comments

Dr. Bleyer announced the ribbon cutting ceremony/open house for the new all-purpose building has been set for April 2, 2024 starting at 4:00 p.m. He also mentioned that he had met with several state representative candidates and was pleased at their support for education in southern Illinois.

Ellen Wall – MCJH Music

Ms. Wall talked about the Junior High Varsity Singers and their many accomplishments. The Varsity Singers then performed a song called Choose Your Fighter from the Barbie movie.

Public Comments

There were no public comments.

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 7:14 p.m. a motion to go into closed session was made by Hocking and seconded by Peach. All present voted Aye. Motion Carried.

At 8:29 p.m. a motion to return to open session was made by Hocking and seconded by Alka. 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

IHSA Membership

A motion to approve renewing the IHSA membership was made by Hocking and seconded by Peach. A roll call vote was taken and all present voted AYE. Motion Carried.

Superintendent Contract

Alka motioned to approve a new 4-year contract (2024-2025 school year through 2027-2028 school year) for Dr. Bleyer. The motion was seconded by McCorkle. A roll call vote was taken and all present voted AYE. Motion Carried.

Approved by the Board of Education on April 15, 2024

Employment of Personnel

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

CERTIFIED

Amy Kling -MCJH Math Teacher beginning the start of the 2024-2025 school year

CERTIFIED TRANSFER

Christina Schuler -MCGS 3rd Grade Teacher beginning the start of the 2024-2025 school year

EXTRA-CURRICULAR

Eden Wankel -MCHS Assistant Girls’ Track Coach beginning March 18, 2024 Elliot Laws -MCHS Assistant Girls’ Track Coach beginning March 18, 2024 Elijah Laws -MCHS Assistant Girls’ Track Coach beginning March 18, 2024

VOLUNTEERS

Mackenzie Cooley -Volunteer Girls’ Soccer Coach beginning March 18, 2024 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 8:32 p.m.

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1091/Wabash_CUSD/4188648/2024_03_18_Regular_Board_Meeting_Minutes_Approved.pdf