SE Illinois News

Edwards County Community Unit School District #1 Board of Education met May 20.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. in the West Salem Grade School Science Room by President, Dale Woods. The following members were present: Wayne Doelling, Kayla Bell, Jayare Buerster, Mark McDaniel and Jo Rector. 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 Lawrence Speir Jr. was absent.

Motion was made by Jo Rector and seconded by Kayla Bell to approve the following Consent Agenda items:

• May Board Agenda

• Motion to approve the minutes of the open and closed session of the April 15, 2024 Regular School 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

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

Spotlight

FFA Report

Motion was made by Mark McDaniel and seconded by Kayla Bell to accept the Solar Energy Lease and Easement Agreement as presented.

The District has entered into an option to lease agreement with Solar with Solar Arrow Agreement. If the project is approved to move forward a lease agreement will be entered.

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

Motion was made by Mark McDaniel and seconded by Kayla Bell to approve the Second Reading and Adoption of the District Wellness Plan and the Triennial Assessment.

The plan contains required components per ISBE’s requirements. The plan has been amended it address compliance standards.

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

Motion was made by Mark McDaniel and seconded by Jo Rector to approve Fees and Rates for the 2024-2025 school year as presented.

Book rental and fees will remain the same for the 24-25 school year. Lunch for paid lunches was increased by $0.10, mileage was increased to the IRS rate, and sub fees were adjusted to reflect the increase in minimum wage.

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

Motion was made by Wayne Doelling and seconded by Kayla Bell to approve an Edwards County Jr. High Cooperative Cross Country Team.

WSGS will be the host school and the cooperative will be for students in grades 6-8 while 5th graders will be considered in numbers are needed. The cooperative will be known as the EC Panthers.

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

Motion was made by Mark McDaniel and seconded by Kayla Bell to approve a Dual Credit Model Partnership Agreement with IECC.

This is a new annual agreement required of the State that high schools will be required to act on with those institutions who are providing dual credit opportunities.

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

Motion was made by Mark McDaniel and seconded by Kayla Bell to approve the following FBLA trips:

• National Leadership Conference in Orlando, Florida June 28-July 2, 2024

• ICCCTSO Training Seminar on July 25, 2024

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

Motion was made by Mark McDaniel and seconded by Wayne Doelling to approve an ECHS Softball Camp.

This camp will serve as a fund raiser for the ECHS Softball Team.

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

First Reading of Jr. High Health Books

The books will be on display until the next board meeting. Total cost of the textbooks and supplemental materials is $13,242.73.

First Reading of the following policies:

• Policy 2:270 – Discrimination and Harassment on the Basis of Race, Color and National Origin

The is a new policy which and one school districts are required to implement.

• Policy 4:190 – Targeted School Violence Program

Language has been added to address employees responsibility to contact proper officials when they have information about violence towards the school, community, or someone else. Schools are required to notify parents on how to respond when they have similar information as well.

The Administrators presented their reports on the following:

• David Cowger – Superintendent

Cafeteria Report

Sales Tax Report

Annual Crisis Meeting on May 22, 2024

Title IX Amendment

• 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 Jo Rector and seconded by Wayne Doelling that a Closed Session be called at 8:39 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

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

Motion was made by Mark McDaniel and seconded by Jo Rector that the Board come out of Closed Session at 9:02 p.m.

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

Motion was made by Mark McDaniel and seconded by Wayne Doelling to accept the following resignations:

• Kathy Smith – Retirment Resignation effective August 1, 2024

• Rebecca Clevenger – Elementary Teacher at AGS effective the end of the 2023-2024 school year on May 21, 2024

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

Motion was made by Mark McDaniel and seconded by Jo Rector to employ the following:

• Ora Lee Jefferson – Change of Status from Aide to Teacher

• Kelsey St. Ledger – ECHS English Teacher

• Michelle Wiseman – Freshman Class Sponsor

• Johnathan Henton – Sophomore Class Sponsor

• Michael Snidle – Junior Class Sponsor

• Larry Balding – Senior Class Sponsor

• Malia Schmittler – Educators Rising Sponsor

• Lacey Arnold – ECHS Yearbook Sponsor

• Bethany Rotramel Moore – FBLA Sponsor

• Rachel Rodgers – FCCLA Sponsor

• Michelle Wiseman and Steve Clodfelter – FFA Sponsors

• Sarah Swardstrom – National Honor Society

• Bethany Rotramel Moore – Pep Club

• Rachel Rodgers – Prom Sponsor

• Will Swardstrom – ECHS Varsity Scholastic Bowl Sponsor

• Sarah Swardstrom – ECHS Jr. Varsity Scholastic Bowl Sponsor

• Lacey Arnold – Science Club Sponsor

• Coen McDowell – Social Studies Club Sponsor

• Larry Balding – Spanish Club Sponsor

• Karla Moore – ECHS St. Council Sponsor

• Johnathan Henton – Weight Lifting Sponsor

• Johnathan Henton – Concession Stand Sponsor

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

Motion was made by Wayne Doelling and seconded by Kayla Bell to employ the following coaches:

• Kevin Schnicker – ECHS Head Boys Basketball Coach

• Eric St. Ledger – ECHS Assistant Boys Basketball Coach

• Johnathan Henton – ECHS Head Girls Basketball Coach

• HayleyKennard – ECHS Assistant Girls Basketball Coach (75% Stipend)

• Malia Schmittler – ECHS Assistant Girls Basketball Coach (25% Stipend)

• Coen McDowell – ECHS Golf Coach

• Nathaniel Schmittler – AGS Head Boys Basketball Coach

• Bobby Brake – AGS Assistant Boys Basketball Coach

• Shad McKinzie – AGS Head Volleyball Coach

• Erica Bishop – AGS Assistant Volleyball Coach

• Rebecca Brinkmann – EC Panthers Head Girls

Basketball Coach

• Mike Kirkpatrick – EC Panthers Assistant Girls Basketball Coach

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

Motion was made by Wayne Doelling and seconded by Mark McDaniel to approve the following Volunteer Assistant Coaches:

• Abby Ellis – ECHS Girls Basketball

• Sam Greathouse and Cameron Bare – WSGS Baseball

• Luke Shelby – WSGS Softball

• Joel Brinkmann – AGS Boys Basketball

• Shayla Potts and LindseyMcKinzie – AGS Volleyball

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

Motion was made by Wayne Doelling and seconded by Mark McDaniel to approve a Memorandum of Understanding Agreement with Edwards County Teachers Association regarding Jr. High Cross Country.

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

Motion was made by Wayne Doelling and seconded by Mark McDaniel that the meeting be adjourned at 9:10 p.m.

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

https://cdnsm5-ss20.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_64932/File/School%20Board/Minutes/May%2020,%202024%20Minutes%20with%20Comments.pdf