SE Illinois News

Edwards County Community Unit School District #1 Board of Education met April 15.

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 Band Room by President, Dale Woods. The following members were present: Wayne Doelling, Kayla Bell, Jayare Buerster, Jo Rector and Lawrence Speir Jr. Also present was Superintendent, David Cowger; ECHS Principal, Dale Schmittler; AGS Elementary Principal/Special Education Coordinator, Carrie Wells; AGS Jr. High Principal/Building and Grounds Director, Kris Duncan; WSGS Principal, Mark Beckel and Assistant Principal Joe Rivers. Board member Mark McDaniel was absent.

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

• Motion to approve the minutes of the open and closed session of the March 18, 2024 Regular School Board Meeting and the April 3, 2024 Special Board Meeting 

• 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

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

Consideration regarding a solar lease with Arrow Solar Development.

Motion was made by Jayare Buerster and seconded by Kayla Bell to approve the 2024-2025 Consolidated District Plan.

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

Motion was made by Jo Rector and seconded by Kayla Bell to approve the purchase of two 71-72 passenger busses and one 48 passenger bus with lift totaling $462,265.00 from Midwest Transit

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

Motion was made by Kayla Bell and seconded by Jayare Buerster to approve the bid from Johannes Construction for the outdoor classroom restroom – Base Bid and Alternate Bid 2 and Alternate Bid 3.

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

Motion was made by Jo Rector and seconded by Wayne Doelling to appoint Dale Woods as the Edwards County Community Unit School District #1 Governing Board Member effective for one year.

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

First Reading of the local wellness plan including the Triennial Assessment

The Administrators presented their reports on the following:

• David Cowger – Superintendent

Graduation/Baccalaureate

WSGS – 5/11/24 at 10:00 am

Baccalaureate – 5/11/24 at Noon

ECHS – 5/11/24 at 2:00 pm

AGS – 5/11/24 at 4:00 pm

Cafeteria Report

Sales Tax Report

Summer School (June 3-June28)

Statement of Economic Interest

HB 5617 Update (School Mascot)

• 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 – Edwards County K-12 Assistant Principal

Motion was made by Wayne Doelling and seconded by Jo Rector that a Closed Session be called at 8:02 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

• Collective negotiation matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives, or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees

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

Motion was made by Wayne Doelling and seconded by Jayare Buerster that the Board come out of Closed Session at 8:29 p.m.

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

Motion was made by Wayne Doelling and seconded by Jo Rector to employ the following:

• Summer Custodians

Ed Clodfelter and Russ Gerlach at WSGS 4 hours per day

Valerie Bunting at Edwards County K-12

Nathaniel Schmittler for Outdoor Maintenance

• Andrea Deisher as RTI Aide at WSGS for the 2024-2025 school year

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

Motion was made by Wayne Doelling and seconded by Jo Rector to employ Jamie Heindselman as ECHS Assistant Volleyball Coach

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

Motion was made by Wayne Doelling and seconded by Jo Rector to approve the following ECHS Volleyball Volunteer Assistant Coaches:

Annie Buckles, Rachel Arnold and Amie Neeley

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

Motion was made by Kayla Bell and seconded by Wayne Doelling to approve a Dual Credit Tuition Reimbursement Agreement.

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

Motion was made by Jo Rector and seconded by Wayne Doelling that a Closed Session be called at 8:34 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

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

Motion was made by Jo Rector and seconded by Jayare Buerster that the Board come out of Closed Session at 8:58 p.m.

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

Motion was made by Wayne Doelling and seconded by Jo Rector that the meeting be adjourned at 8:59 p.m.

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

https://cdnsm5-ss20.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_64932/File/School%20Board/Minutes/April%2015,%202024%20Minutes.pdf