SE Illinois News

Edwards County Community Unit School District #1 Board of Education met Oct. 21.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. in the Edwards County K-12 Band Room by President, Dale Woods. The following members were present: Lawrence Speir Jr., Mark McDaniel, Kayla Bell, Jo Rector, Wayne Doelling, and Jayare Buerster. Also present was Superintendent, David Cowger; ECHS Principal, Dale Schmittler; and AGS Elementary Principal/Special Education Coordinator, Carrie Wells. WSGS Principal, Mark Beckel; AGS Jr. High Principal/Building and Grounds Director, Kris Duncan and Assistant Principal Joe Rivers were absent.

APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA

Motion was made by Mark McDaniel and seconded by Jo Rector to approve the following Consent Agenda items: • October Board Agenda

• Motion to approve the minutes of the

September 19, 2024 Public Hearing and the open and closed session of the September 19, 2024 Regular School Board Meeting

• Motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report

• Motion to approve the Bill List with the exception of the ADG bill

The ADG bill will be taken back to them to see if the bill can be negotiated to a lesser amount considering the project came in higher than their original projections.

• Motion to destroy board meeting closed session audio recording older than 18 months per State code

• FOIA Report

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

APPROVE CURRICULUM

Motion was made by Mark McDaniel and seconded by Kayla Bell to approve the Biomedical Science curriculum addition beginning in the 2025-2026 school year.

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

APPROVE SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF POLICY

Motion was made by Jo Rector and seconded by Mark McDaniel wo approve the Second Reading and Adoption of Policy 7:60 – Residence

In this past this was handled through the ISBE Waiver process, however, laws have changed and moving forward districts must have a policy in place if they wish to continue the practice. This policy will allow fulltime personnel to bring out of district students to EC Schools tuition free. Nothing changes from what the District has been doing for a number of years, simply the ISBE Waiver has been replaced with a Board Policy.

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

APPROVE SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF POLICIES

Motion was made by Jayare Buerster and seconded by Kayla Bell to approve the Second Reading and Adoption of the following policies:

• Policy 2:260 – Uniform Grievance Procedure

The policy was revised to address alleged sex discrimination in the workplace. Harassment on the basis of race, color, or national origin was added. Finally, language was added addressing whether or not an investigation will be necessary as it pertains to Employee Ethics, Code of Professional Conduct; and Conflict of Interest.

• Policy 2:265 – Title IX Grievance Procedure

The policy was undated throughout to address new Title IX Federal Regulations which took effect July 1, 2024.

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

WAIVE LIMITATION OF ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS

Motion was made by Wayne Doelling and seconded by Kayla Bell to waive the Limitation of Administrative Costs for the 2024-2025 school year.

This will be a one year self-correction due to 100% of the Superintendent’s salary coming from the Education Fund. Previously, a small percent was budgeted in Transportation and this practice can no longer be done.

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

PRESENTATION

Presentation by Engie North America

Sharon Uslan of Engie was at the meeting to present on the company. Engie is a performance based company will conduct free audits of your facilities to see if there are any improvements necessary and how those may be a cost savings to the district. No action was taken.

FIRST READING OF CURRICULUM

First Reading of Social Emotional Curriculum

Chelsea Evans, School Social Worker, presented a SEL Curriculum to address ISBE SEL Learning Standards. The curriculum is called Character Strong. No action was taken.

APPROVE TENTATIVE TAX LEVY

Motion was made by Mark McDaniel and seconded by Kayla Bell to approve the 2024 Tentative Tax Levy payable in 2025 as presented

The Tentative Tax Levy was presented which reflects an estimated 14% growth to EAV. This would put the overall levy at an estimated $4,306,045 with an Aggregate Levy (minus bonds/interest) of $4,006,060. The projected tax rate would be $3.30 up slightly from the current $3.25. The reason for the slightly elevated rate is due to the fact the current EAV came in 5.3% higher than anticipated thus driving down the rate.

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

SET TRUTH IN TAXATION HEARING

Motion was made by Mark McDaniel and seconded by Wayne Doelling to set a Truth in Taxation Hearing on November 18, 2024 at 6:45 p.m.

The Aggregate Levy has exceeded the 105% threshold as compared to the 2025 Levy Extension thus requiring a Public Hearing prior to the meeting.

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

APPROVE RISK MANAGEMENT PLAN

Motion was made by Mark McDaniel and seconded by Wayne Doelling to approve the 2024-2025 Risk Management Plan.

No changes from the 2023-2024 plan. Plan was adopted and recognized for the 2024-2025 school year.

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

APPROVE FIELD TRIPS OVER 150 MILES

Motion was made by Mark McDaniel and seconded by Wayne Doelling to approve the following field trip over 150 miles at no cost to the District:

• ECHS Band to Clarksville, TN on November 16, 2024 This trip will be paid for by the group.

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

ADMINISTRATION REPORTS

The Administrators presented their reports on the following:

• David Cowger – Superintendent

Cafeteria Report

Sales Tax Report

School Board Member Appreciation Day

November 15, 2024

Annual LEA Determination

2024 Immunization Results

BOW Renewables Update

School Board Elections

FFA Grant Award

• 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

INTO CLOSED SESSION

Motion was made by Jo Rector and seconded by Mark McDaniel that a Closed Session be called at 8:46 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

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

OUT OF CLOSED SESSION

Motion was made by Mark McDaniel and seconded by

Wayne Doelling that the Board come out of Closed Session at 9:17 p.m.

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

EMPLOYMENT

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

• Lesa York – AGS Elementary Long Term Substitute

• Stacey Moore – AGS Elementary Long Term Substitute

• Sam Speir – ECHS Science Teacher 2025-2026 School Year

• Heather Young – Special Education Long Term Substitute

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

APPROVE VOLUNTEER ASSISTANT COACHES

Motion was made by Wayne Doelling and seconded by Jo Rector to approve the following Volunteer Assistant Coaches for the 2024-2025 school year:

• Kris Duncan – ECHS Baseball Volunteer Assistant

• Christian Cullison – ECHS Baseball Volunteer Assistant

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

EMPLOYMENT

Motion was made by Jayare Buerster and seconded by Mark McDaniel to employ Nickie Bailey as an Individual Aide for the 2024-2025 school year.

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

ADJOURN MEETING

Motion was made by Kayla Bell and seconded by Jayare Buerster that the meeting be adjourned at 9:19 p.m.

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

https://cdnsm5-ss20.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_64932/File/School%20Board/Minutes/October%2021,%202024%20minutes%20with%20comments.pdf