SE Illinois News

Harrisburg Community Unit School District 3 Board of Education met Sept. 17.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The regular meeting of the Board of Education of Harrisburg Community Unit School District #3, Saline County, Illinois, was held at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, as announced by posted public notice and by mail. The following members of the Board were present: Mr. Billy Smith, Mr. Kevin Dowdy, Mr. Ryan Lambert, Mr. Jonathan Russell, Mr. Brandon Henshaw, and Mr. Steve Smothers.

The following administrators were present: Dr. Amy Dixon, Scott Dewar, Pam Rizkallah, Brady Mayer, Debbie McGowan, John Crabb, Lana Bell, Amanda Stone, Elizabeth Dawe, Jason Varner, and Andy Fehrenbacher. The following Unit #3 staff members were present: Keri Holland, Russell Hunt, Kyle Brames, Jennifer Irvin, and Joy Butler.

The following members of the public were present: Nathan Howton, Randy Smithpeters, and Tom DeNeal.

With a quorum of the members of the Board being present, President Smith called the meeting to order and declared the Board to be in session for the transaction of business.

President Smith led the Board, staff and attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance

PUBLIC HEARING – Tentative Budget

President Smith called for the Public Hearing to begin at 5:02 p.m. in regard to the Adoption of the Unit #3 2024- 2025 Budget.

Superintendent Dixon presented the Budget and updated information.

President Smith called for any public comments or questions in reference to the 2024-2025 Budget.

Mr. Lambert moved and Mr. Dowdy seconded the motion to adjourn the hearing. Upon a call of the President for a voice vote to be taken and the vote having been taken, it was determined the result of said motion carried.

The Public Hearing adjourned at 5:13 p.m.

Mr. Henshaw moved and Mr. Lambert seconded the motion to enter into Executive Session to discuss: A. The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees in an education setting. Act. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1).

B. The purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public body, including meetings held for the purpose of discussing whether a particular parcel should be acquired.

Upon a call of the President for a vote to be taken, it was determined the results of said motion carried. Board entered into Closed Session at 5:13 p.m.

Mr. Russell moved and Mr. Smothers seconded the motion to reconvene in open session at 5:57 p.m. Upon a call of the President for a voice vote to be taken, it was determined the results of said motion carried.

Public Comment - none

Mr. Dowdy moved and Mr. Russell seconded the motion to approve the minutes of the August 20, 2024 Regular Board Meeting. On a call of the roll, Mr. Dowdy, Mr. Lambert, Mr. Russell, Mr. Henshaw, and Mr. Smith voted yea. Mr. Smothers abstained. Motion carried.

Mr. Lambert moved and Mr. Henshaw seconded the motion to approve the minutes of the August 26, 2024 Special Board Meeting. On a call of the roll, the motion received a unanimous vote of yea.

Mr. Dowdy moved and Mr. Smothers seconded the motion to approve the Bills Due and Payable. On a call of the roll, the motion received a unanimous vote of yea.

Mr. Russell moved and Mr. Dowdy seconded the motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report. On a call of the roll, the motion received a unanimous vote of yea.

Mr. Russell moved and Mr. Smothers seconded the motion to approve the Expenditure and Revenue Reports. On a call of the roll, the motion received a unanimous vote of yea.

The Board of Education reviewed the monthly Activity Fund Summaries from each building.

ADMINISTRATOR/COORDINATOR REPORTS

Superintendent – Dr. Amy Dixon

▪ Thanked the District Insurance Committee, Business Office, and Farmers Insurance for all the help in expediting a change in insurance carriers.

BELA – Principal Alesha Allen

West Side Primary – Principal Scott Dewar

▪ West Side has been completing the necessary emergency drills.

East Side Intermediate - Principal Amanda Stone

Harrisburg Middle School - Principal Debbie McGowan

▪ Academic Enrichment is up and running. Students who are struggled last year as well as those who are falling behind academically this year are being seen for assistance.

Harrisburg High School - Principal John Crabb

▪ Enrollment numbers are down a little from last year so class sizes should not be an issue. Special Education – Brady Mayer

▪ Continuing to organize District-Wide Special Education information, numbers, policies, and compliance. Technology, Media, Grants, Curriculum – Natalie Fry

▪ Currently working with Tech Department to create a plan for ERATE monies to update one building per year over the next 5 years.

Transportation – Andy Fehrenbacher

Mr. Dowdy moved and Mr. Lambert seconded the motion to approve the 2024-2025 Budget. On a call of the roll, the motion received a unanimous vote of yea.

Mr. Henshaw moved and Mr. Smothers seconded the motion to approve Press Plus Issue 116, minus the Title IX changes due to Federal injunction. On a call of the roll, the motion received a unanimous vote of yea.

Mr. Lambert moved and Mr. Smothers seconded the motion to approve Nathan Howton to fill the open position on the Board of Education. On a call of the roll, the motion received a unanimous vote of yea.

Mr. Dowdy moved and Mr. Smothers seconded the motion to purchase the property at 919 S. Washington St. for $7,500. On a call of the roll, the motion received a unanimous vote of yea.

The contract with Egyptian Health Department was TABLED.

Mr. Lambert moved and Mr. Smothers seconded the motion to approve the pay for Basketball and Volleyball Officials at $75.00. On a call of the roll, Mr. Dowdy, Mr. Lambert, Mr. Russell, Mr. Smothers, and Mr. Smith voted yea. Mr. Henshaw abstained.

Mr. Dowdy moved and Mr. Henshaw seconded the motion to approve the Executive Session minutes of the August 20, 2024 Regular Board Meeting. On a call of the roll, Mr. Henshaw, Mr. Dowdy, Mr. Russell and Mr. Smith voted yea. Mr. Lambert and Mr. Smothers abstained. Motion carried.

Mr. Smothers moved and Mr. Henshaw seconded the motion to approve the Executive Session minutes of the August 26, 2024 Special Board Meeting. On a call of the roll, the motion received a unanimous vote of yea.

Mr. Dowdy moved and Mr. Russell seconded the motion to approve the retirement of Janet Hughes effective the end of the 26-27 School Year. She will be eligible for the 6% incentive. On a call of the roll, the motion received a unanimous vote of yea.

Mr. Lambert moved and Mr. Smothers seconded the motion to accept the resignations of the following: On a call of the roll, the motion received a unanimous vote of yea.

▪ Crystal Holbrook – HMS Cook

▪ Erin Thompson – HHS Paraprofessional

▪ Terri Absher – Sp. Ed. Secretary

▪ Angela Cox as ES Student Council Sponsor

Mr. Dowdy moved and Mr. Lambert seconded the motion to approve the Maternity Leave of Haleigh Mayer from January 3, 2025 – March 3, 2025. On a call of the roll, the motion received a unanimous vote of yea.

Mr. Smothers moved and Mr. Lambert seconded the motion to approve the Maternity Leave of Brandy Gulley from December 2, 2024 – March 7, 2025. On a call of the roll, the motion received a unanimous vote of yea.

Mr. Dowdy moved and Mr. Lambert seconded the motion to approve the Maternity Leave of Ashley Bartok from November 12, 2024 – February 7, 2025. On a call of the roll, the motion received a unanimous vote of yea.

Mr. Russell moved and Mr. Smothers seconded the motion to reassign Amanda Stovall from EOC Aide to BELA Classroom Aide. On a call of the roll, the motion received a unanimous vote of yea.

Mr. Dowdy moved and Mr. Smothers seconded the motion to employ Julia Horton as a 3rd Grade Title Math Aide. On a call of the roll, the motion received a unanimous vote of yea.

Mr. Lambert moved and Mr. Russell seconded the motion to employ Karen West and Katie Berry as East Side Student Council Co-Sponsors. On a call of the roll, the motion received a unanimous vote of yea.

Mr. Lambert moved and Mr. Smothers seconded the motion to employ the following EOC Aides. On a call of the roll, the motion received a unanimous vote of yea.

▪ Jamie Santana (placed at the Annex)

▪ Courtney Harrison (placed at WS)

▪ Jayln Ellison (placed at WS)

▪ Stephanie McGovern (placed at the Annex)

▪ Michelle Holloway (placed at BELA)

Mr. Dowdy moved and Mr. Smothers seconded the motion to employ Krystal Wilson for the HS Journalism stipend. On a call of the roll, the motion received a unanimous vote of yea.

Mr. Smothers moved and Mr. Lambert seconded the motion to reassign Bethany Colby from EOC Aide to HMS Classroom Aide. On a call of the roll, the motion received a unanimous vote of yea.

At this time the Oath of Office is administered to the newly appointed Board Member.

“I, Nathan Howton, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of member of the Board of Education of Harrisburg Community Unit School District No. 3, in accordance with the Constitution of the United States of Illinois, and the laws of the State of Illinois, to the best of my ability.

I further swear that:

I shall respect taxpayer interests by serving as a faithful protector of the school district’s assets;

I shall encourage and respect the free expression of opinion by my fellow board members and others who seek of hearing before the board, while respecting the privacy of students and employees;

I shall recognize that a board member has no legal authority as an individual and that decisions can be made only by a majority vote at a public board meeting; and

I shall abide by majority decisions of the board, while retaining the right to seek changes in such decisions through ethical and constructive channels.”

Mr. Dowdy moved and Mr. Smothers seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting. Upon a call of the President for a voice vote to be taken, it was determined the result of said motion carried.

The meeting adjourned at 6:35 p.m.

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/967/hbg3/4932602/9-17-24_Bd._Mtg._Minutes.pdf