SE Illinois News

Edwards County Community Unit School District #1 Board of Education met June 17.

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: Lawrence Speir Jr., 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 and WSGS Principal, Mark Beckel. Assistant Principal Joe Rivers was absent.

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

• June Board Agenda

• Motion to approve the minutes of the open and closed session of the May 20, 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, Speir, Buerster, Bell and Woods voted yes. Motion passes

Motion was made by Mark McDaniel and seconded by Kayla Bell to approve the purchase of the Jr. High Health Books.

75 textbooks along with supplemental materials were approved with a cost of $13,242.73.

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

Motion was made by Mark McDaniel and seconded by Jayare Buerster to approve the following policies:

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

This is a new policy in response to Public Act 103-472 • Policy 4:190 – Targeted School Violence Program

The revised policy requires staff to report any expressed threats or behaviors that may represent a threat to the community, school, or self.

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

First Reading of the following 2024-2025 Handbooks and Manuals:

• Student/Parent Handbook

• Coaches Handbook

• District Employee Handbook

• Transportation Manual

• Security Manual

First Reading of the Edwards County Teachers

Evaluation Instrument

Language was added to address the ability of a teachers final evaluation to be waived if it is in their last year before retirement. Additional language was added to address the new tenure laws.

Motion was made by Wayne Doelling and seconded by Jayare Buerster to accept the following donations over $500: • WSGS PTO in the amount of $8,670.00 for the purchase of a motorized flag for the WSGS Gym and 2 steel outdoor basketball backboards for the playgroud • Wolfe Foundation in the amount of $55,069.00 for the purchase of Ipads, Chromebooks and Charging Carts

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

Motion was made by Mark McDaniel and seconded by Wayne Doelling to approve the following maintenance projects over $5,000.00:

• AGS and WSGS Playground Resurface ($14,397.00) • K-12 Art Room Floor ($14,400.00)

• K-12 Gym Floor Ventilation Baseboard ($5,079.92)

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

The Administrators presented their reports on the following:

• David Cowger – Superintendent

Cafeteria Report

Annual Crisis Meeting Update

Sales Tax Report

Vocational Project Phase 1 Update

• Dale Schmittler – ECHS Principal

• Carrie Wells – AGS Elementary Principal/Special Education Coordinator

• Kris Duncan – AGS Jr. High Principal/Building & Grounds Director

Summer Maintenance Update

• 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 7:44 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

• 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, Speir, Doelling, Buerster and Woods voted yes. Motion passes

Motion was made by Mark McDaniel and seconded by Wayne Doelling that the Board come out of Closed Session at 8:20 p.m.

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

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

• Tambree Krouse – Retirement Resignation at the end of the 2025-2026 school year

• Chris Shelton – AGS Softball Head Coach

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

Motion was made by Mark McDaniel and seconded by Wayne Doelling to rescind previous Board action regarding ECHS Class Sponsors

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

Motion was made by Wayne Doelling and seconded by Jayare Buerster to employ the following for the 2024-2025 school year:

• Larry Balding – Freshman Class Sponsor

• Michelle Wiseman – Sophomore Class Sponsor

• Johnathan Henton – Jr. Class Sponsor

• Michael Snidle – Senior Class Sponsor

• Whitney Short – Paraprofessional

• Kayla Wallace – Individual Health Aide

• John Michael Deisher – Edwards County Panthers Cross Country Coach

• Bill Thomason – WSGS Head Basketball Coach

• Dennis Mewes – WSGS Assistant Basketball Coach

• Andrea Shelby and Whitney Leek – WSGS

Cheerleading Coaches (50% Stipend Split)

• Rilee Vallette – WSGS Head Volleyball Coach

• Erica Kelsey – WSGS Assistant Volleyball Coach

• Brenda Balding – WSGS Scholastic Bowl Coach

• Jennifer Gawthorp – WSGS Band Director

• Jennifer Gawthorp – WSGS Summer Band Director

• Jennifer Gawthorp – WSGS Choir Director

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

Motion was made by Mark McDaniel and seconded by Jayare Buerster to approve Maggie Moore and Kelly Shelton as ECHS Cheerleading Volunteer Assistant Coaches

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

Motion was made by Wayne Doelling and seconded by Mark McDaniel that the meeting be adjourned at 8:26 p.m.

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

https://cdnsm5-ss20.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_64932/File/School%20Board/Minutes/June%2017,%202024%20Minutes%20with%20Comments.pdf