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Wabash Community Unit School District 348 Board of Education met Aug. 19.

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, August 19, 2024 in the Mt. Carmel Grade School Cafetorium.

Vice President Peach called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

Janice Alka called the roll. Others present were Gregg Wilcox, Jamie McCorkle, Susan Wood, Kyle Peach, and Theresa Hocking via phone. Tim Schuler was absent.

Also present were Superintendent Dr. Chuck Bleyer, Sharon Thombleson –Transportation, Amy Duckworth –MCJSHS Principal, Brianne Foster –MCGS Principal, Jake Newkirk –MCES Principal, Kyle Buss – MCHS Athletic Director, Kevin Madden –WSJD, Xain Ballenger – Hometown Register, Dawn Drone –WCEA, Kristi Perry –WCTA, Laura Taylor –MCES Social Worker, Judy Wissel –Wabash County Health Department, Cathy Ruth –Wabash County Health Center, Shelley Harris–Parent, and District Secretary Kim Zimmer.

Vice President Peach led the pledge of allegiance to the flag.

Consent Agenda

a. Minutes of Past Board Meetings

i. July 15, 2024 Regular Board Meeting

ii. July 29, 2024 Special Board Meeting

iii. August 5, 2024 Special Board Meeting

b. Monthly Bills

-Invoices Paid July 2024

-Bills Payable August 2024

c. Financial Reports

Cash Deposits $ 403,896.34

Investments $ 12,671,197.43

4 Fund $ 9,804,809.00

5 Fund $ 10,737,113.00

d. Correspondence

-Michael Gordon retiring as MCHS Literature Teacher effective the end of school year 2028-2029 -Sarah Pearson resigning as the PI 0-3 Program Director effective August 25, 2024 -Samantha Tice resigning as MCES Individual Assistant effective August 7, 2024 -Ronda Banks resigning as MCES Individual Assistant effective August 2, 2024 -Ambre Norrick resigning as MCHS Individual Assistant effective August 7, 2024 -Kaelynn Thompson -MCGS Individual Assistant effective August 7, 2024

e. Administrative Reports

∙ Curriculum and Grant Coordinator Michael Brewer

∙ MCJSHS Principal Amy Duckworth

∙ MCGS Principal Brianne Foster

Approved by the Board of Education on September 16, 2024

∙ MCES Principal Jake Newkirk

∙ Superintendent Dr. Chuck Bleyer

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

Superintendent’s Comments

Dr. Bleyer mentioned that the 24-25 school year had started off well. Athletics are beginning to ramp up. A football scrimmage with Edwards County is set for August 23rd. Legends’ Fieldhouse was 100% functioning.

Reports –Kyle Buss

Buss addressed sports officials’ rate of pay. The Little Illini Conference teams have tried to align official pay to be the same at each school. Buss recommended that our school do the same.

Reports- Laura Tayler, Judy Wissel, and Cathy Ruth

Taylor, Wissel, and Ruth talked about a new program they were piloting at the elementary school this year. The program addresses mental health issues for children.

Public Comments

There were no 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 Alka and seconded by Wood. All present voted Aye. Motion Carried. Schuler was absent.

At 7:47 p.m. a motion to return to open session was made by Alka and seconded by McCorkle. All present voted Aye. Motion Carried. Schuler was absent.

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

New Business

2024-2025 Proposed School Budget

Dr. Bleyer explained that the 24-25 school budget will be displayed in the District office for a month.

Athletic Officials Rate of Pay

Wilcox motioned to approve the Athletic Officials Rate of Pay as presented by Kyle Buss and per the recommendation of Superintendent Bleyer. The motion was seconded by McCorkle. A roll call vote was taken and all present voted AYE. Motion Carried. Schuler was absent.

MCJSHS Student Handbook Updated

Kyle Buss explained the athletic policies for eligibility for both MCJHS and MCHS athletes. A motion to approve the updates as explained was made by Alka and seconded by McCorkle.

Approved by the Board of Education on September 16, 2024

Alka, Woodcock, McCorkle, Hocking, and Peach voted AYE. Wood voted NAY. Motion Carried. Schuler was absent.

Employment of Personnel

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

CERTIFIED

Nicole Kramer -Part-Time Private Title 1 Tutor (St. Marys’ School) beginning August 20, 2024

NON-CERTIFIED

Jamie Tolliver -MCGS Part Time Lunch/Recess Assistant beginning August 9, 2024 Samantha Tice -MCJHS Day Time Custodian beginning August 8, 2024

Amanda Denu -MCES Kindergarten Classroom Assistant beginning August 14, 2024 Molly Seals -MCJHS Individual Aide beginning August 9, 2024

Linda Michels -MCES Individual Aide beginning August 26, 2024

Christina Dickinson-Individual Aide at Brownsville Attendance Center beginning August 16, 2024

EXTRA-CURRICULAR

Luke Simmons -Co-MCJHS Athletic Director beginning August 19, 2024

Mathew McCarty -Co-MCJHS Athletic Director beginning August 19, 2024 Mathew McCarty -MCJHS Head Cross Country Coach beginning August 19, 2024

VOLUNTEERS

Samuel Zuber -MCJH Volunteer Junior High Baseball Coach beginning August 6, 2024 Eric Andrews -MCJH Volunteer Junior High Baseball Coach beginning August 6, 2024 Meagan Steckler -MCJH Volunteer Cheerleading Assistant beginning August 7, 2024

All present voted Aye. Motion Carried. Schuler was absent.

Adjournment

A motion to adjourn was made by Alka and seconded by McCorkle. All present voted AYE. Motion Carried. Schuler was absent. Meeting adjourned at 7:53 p.m.

Approved by the Board of Education on September 16, 2024

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1091/Wabash_CUSD/4844280/2024_08_19_Regular_Board_Meeting_Minutes_Approved.pdf