SE Illinois News

Carrier Mills-Stonefort Community Unit School District #2 Board of Education met Nov. 18.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

I) Call to Order by: Mr. Scott Figg at 6:45 p.m.

II) Roll Call by: Mr. Clay Nolen

Present: Issac Craig, Rhonda Felty, Derek Field, Scott Figg, Clay Nolen, and Katie Whiting (arrived at 6:47 pm).

Absent: Ryan Lewis.

III) Recognition of Visitors: Mrs. Beth Horn.

IV) Approve Consent Agenda: Motion by Mr. Nolen, 2nd by Mrs. Felty.

Roll Call By: Mr. Nolen

Aye: Mr. Craig, Mrs. Felty, Mr. Field, Mr. Figg, Mr. Nolen, and Mrs. Whiting.

Nay: None.

Absent: Mr. Lewis.

V) Reports

A) High School Principal Report – Mr. Jerrell

Mr. Jerrell reported that seven steel doors and door frames need to be replaced at the Grade School and High School. Mr. Brian Walker, the head custodian, received a bid from Shoemaker Building Center for $38,800.00 to replace all of the doors and the door frames.

In student news, Mr. Jerrell reported that Senior JuJu Crisp was named Captain of the GEC All Conference 1st Team in Volleyball and Senior Tyli Harp was selected as a member of the GEC All Conference 1st Team in Volleyball. Mr. DeNeal and the FFA will compete in the FFA Dairy Contest on November 19. Mr. Klope and the Education Club will visit Murray State University on November 19. The Volleyball team finished their season playing for the Regional Championship (24-7 record). The Cross Country team advanced to the Sectional Meet. The team members that competed were: Nick Garcia, Skyler Collins, Easton Fowler, Tyler Skaggs, Byntley Hull, TJ Funaro, and Jaxon Layman. No team members advanced to the State Meet. Mrs. Craig and four students (Jacie Sais, Danika Skaggs, Chloee Culkin, and Madison Gwalteny) attended the 2024 Senator Dale Fowler Student Advisory Council on October 30. Junior Taylor Dombrow has competed in two Speech Tournaments this year. She received a 3rd Place in JV Special Occasion Speaking (SOS) and a 1st Place in Varsity Humorous Duet Acting (HDA) on November 2 and a 1st Place in JV SOS and a 6th Place in Varsity HDA on November 9.

Mr. Jerrell explained that he received a letter from the Illinois State Board of Education in regards to our Annual Summative Designation. The federal Every Student Succeeds Act requires all states to implement an accountability system that annually meaningfully differentiates the performance of all public elementary and secondary schools. These annual summative designations recognize schools with strong overall performance across a range of academic and student success indicators and identify schools to be placed in school improvement status. Illinois now has five annual summative designations (in previous years it was only four): Exemplary, Commendable, Targeted, Comprehensive, and Intensive. Exemplary recognizes the highest performing 10 percent of schools. Comprehensive identifies the lowest performing 5 percent of schools. Targeted identifies schools whose performance is overall above the lowest performing 5 percent of schools, but that have one or more individual student groups whose performance is on par with the lowest performing 5 percent of schools. Intensive, which is new this year, identifies school that have a full comprehensive support improvement cycle, but whose performance remains in the lowest-performing 5% Title I eligible schools in Illinois or a high school that has a graduation rate of less than 67% or less at the end of the four-year improvement cycle. Commendable identifies all other schools that are above the lowest performing 5 percent of schools, have no individual student groups whose performance is on par with the lowest 5 percent of schools, and is below the highest performing 10 percent of schools. Both the Grade School and High School received an annual summative designation of Commendable.

B) Grade School Principals Report - Mrs. Kuhlmann

Mrs. Kuhlmann reported that the Veteran’s program on Friday, November 8 was successful. We had 48 veterans in attendance. Chris Field was our veteran of the year and was very appreciative of his honor. The veterans enjoyed the student performances and ended the program with all veterans on the stage to be honored. The building leadership team met this month and began planning the Christmas festivities at the grade school. Students will attend the annual movie field trip, as well as the Christmas program, Christmas party, and Santa visit. The team also discussed the Young Authors Program that will kick off in January and the upcoming open house in March.

Mrs. Kuhlmann also reported that at the in-service on November 6, the writing team met to discuss updates to the writing program at the grade school. Teachers in grades K-12 discussed current changes in their classrooms to their writing programs, as well as which skills students need to be prepared for writing at the next grade level. Many teachers reported basic skills being the major obstacle to teaching writing, although everyone agreed these skills are taught across all grade levels. All teachers mentioned seeing improvements in students coming into their grade level from previous years as writing has been implemented and has been a major focus of the curriculum for the last few years.

VI) Action Items

A) Consider Tax Levy 2024 Payable 2025.

Mr. Jerrell went through the tax levy process with the Board. He explained that school districts receiving funding from three sources: 1) Local Property Taxes, 2) State Funding, and 3) Federal Funding. The most reliable source of funding every year for any school district is property tax money. Mr. Jerrell gave a list of the actual tax rates over the past several years and explained that we have typically tried to keep the rate around 4.8. Last year, although our tax rate was set at 4.8419, the EAV went up, so our actual rate went down to 4.37595. This year, the rate will be set at 4.8488.

Motion: To approve the Tax Levy 2024 Payable 2025.

Motion by Mrs. Felty, 2nd by Mr. Nolen.

Roll Call By: Mr. Nolen

Aye: Mr. Craig, Mrs. Felty, Mr. Field, Mr. Figg, Mr. Nolen, and Mrs. Whiting.

Nay: None.

Absent: Mr. Lewis.

B) Consider 2024 Pay 2025 Certificate of Tax Levy and Required Resolution.

Mr. Jerrell explained that once we have approved the Levy, we have to approve the Certificate of Tax Levy and the Required Resolution.

Motion: To approve the 2024 Pay 2025 Certificate of Tax Levy and Required Resolution.

Motion by Mr. Craig, 2nd by Mrs. Felty.

Roll Call By: Mr. Nolen

Aye: Mr. Craig, Mrs. Felty, Mr. Field, Mr. Figg, Mr. Nolen, and Mrs. Whiting.

Nay: None.

Absent: Mr. Lewis.

C) Approve 2024-2025 Seniority List.

Mr. Jerrell explained that we do this each year in November. The teachers are given a seniority list which includes their name, the year they were hired, the year the achieved tenure, the number of years they have been tenured, a list of what they can teach, and their current teaching assignment. The teachers have all examined the list and initialed that the information is correct.

Motion: To approve the 2024-2025 Seniority List.

Motion by Mrs. Whiting, 2nd by Mr. Nolen.

Roll Call By: Mr. Nolen

Aye: Mr. Craig, Mrs. Felty, Mr. Field, Mr. Figg, Mr. Nolen, and Mrs. Whiting.

Nay: None.

Absent: Mr. Lewis.

D) Consider Board Policy (Adoption of Section 2: School Board).

Mr. Jerrell explained that he received the Policy Reference Education Subscription Service (PRESS) update for the month of October. So, we need to update our current Board Policy Manual. As laws change or new laws are added, PRESS releases the exact wording that you need to adopt. It is a lot like the updates we get for our student handbooks and extra-curricular handbooks each year. Once these have been approved, he can then upload them to the school website.

Motion: To approve the Adoption of Board Policy Section 2: School Board (Policy 2:105, 2:110, 2:120, and 2:140).

Motion by Mrs. Felty, 2nd by Mr. Nolen.

Roll Call By: Mr. Nolen

Aye: Mr. Craig, Mrs. Felty, Mr. Field, Mr. Figg, Mr. Nolen, and Mrs. Whiting.

Nay: None.

Absent: Mr. Lewis.

E) Consider Board Policy (Adoption of Section 4: Operational Services).

Same as Item D.

Motion: To approve the Adoption of Board Policy Section 4: Operational Services (Policy 4:10, 4:30, 4:40, 4:60, 4:150, 4:160, 4:170, and 4:190).

Motion by Mrs. Felty, 2nd by Mr. Nolen.

Roll Call By: Mr. Nolen

Aye: Mr. Craig, Mrs. Felty, Mr. Field, Mr. Figg, Mr. Nolen, and Mrs. Whiting.

Nay: None.

Absent: Mr. Lewis.

F) Consider Board Policy (Adoption of Section 5: Personnel).

Same as Item D.

Motion: To approve the Adoption of Board Policy Section 5: Personnel (Policy 5:10, 5:20, 5:30, 5:35, 5:90, 5:120, 5:150, and 5:230).

Motion by Mrs. Felty, 2nd by Mr. Nolen.

Roll Call By: Mr. Nolen

Aye: Mr. Craig, Mrs. Felty, Mr. Field, Mr. Figg, Mr. Nolen, and Mrs. Whiting.

Nay: None.

Absent: Mr. Lewis.

G) Consider Board Policy (Adoption of Section 6: Instruction).

Same as Item D.

Motion: To approve the Adoption of Board Policy Section 6: Instruction (Policy 6:20, 6:60, 6:65, 6:135, 6:270, and 6:340).

Motion by Mrs. Felty, 2nd by Mr. Nolen.

Roll Call By: Mr. Nolen

Aye: Mr. Craig, Mrs. Felty, Mr. Field, Mr. Figg, Mr. Nolen, and Mrs. Whiting.

Nay: None.

Absent: Mr. Lewis.

H) Consider Board Policy (Adoption of Section 7: Students).

Same as Item D.

Motion: To approve the Adoption of Board Policy Section 7: Students (Policy 7:10, 7:100, 7:160, 7:165, 7:180, and 7:200).

Motion by Mrs. Felty, 2nd by Mr. Nolen.

Roll Call By: Mr. Nolen

Aye: Mr. Craig, Mrs. Felty, Mr. Field, Mr. Figg, Mr. Nolen, and Mrs. Whiting.

Nay: None.

Absent: Mr. Lewis.

I) Consider Board Policy (Adoption of Section 8: Community Relations).

Same as Item D.

Motion: To approve the Adoption of Board Policy Section 8: Community Relations (Policy 8:10).

Motion by Mrs. Felty, 2nd by Mr. Nolen.

Roll Call By: Mr. Nolen

Aye: Mr. Craig, Mrs. Felty, Mr. Field, Mr. Figg, Mr. Nolen, and Mrs. Whiting.

Nay: None.

Absent: Mr. Lewis.

J) Consider FY24 Annual Financial Report.

Mr. Jerrell reported that the Kemper CPA Group, LLP are still working on their annual audit of our school district. Since the final AFR is not yet complete, we will need to table this motion until next month.

Motion: To Table This Motion.

K) Consider Engagement Letter with Kemper CPA Group, LLP.

Mr. Jerrell explained that since the Kemper CPA Group, LLP has not yet completed the Annual Financial Report, we will table this motion until next month.

Motion: To Table This Motion.

VII) Non Action Items

A) Upcoming Retirements/Positions Available within the District.

Mr. Jerrell reviewed the upcoming retirements within the district. We have no one retiring at the end of the 2024-2025 school year. Mrs. Cindy Simmons, Mr. Gary Ryan, and Mrs. Karen Cowger will retire at the end of the 2025-2026 school year, Mrs. Julie Emery will retire at the end of the 2026-2027 school year, and Mrs. Leah Deuel, Mrs. Donna Robinson, and Ms. Melissa Williams will retire at the end of the 2027-2028 school year).

B) Property Tax Payments.

Mr. Jerrell updated the Board on the property tax payments. We received our first payment for Saline County property taxes in September for $10,795.51 and our second payment in October for $735,547.79. We received our first payment for Williamson County property taxes in October for $36,612.86. The final payment will be due November 21, 2024, so we should receive that payment in December.

C) Next Board Meeting: Monday, December 16, 2024 at 7:00 pm.

Mr. Jerrell reminded the Board that the next School Board meeting will be held on the third Monday in December. We will have our Board Christmas Dinner from 5:30-6:45 pm at the Grade School and then the Board Meeting will follow at 7:00 pm at the High School.

VIII) Closed Session

Closed Session

Motion to move to closed session at 7:00 pm for #1, 2, 9, 10, and 14 from the closed meetings act (see attached) by Mr. Craig, 2nd by Mrs. Whiting.

Roll Call By: Mr. Nolen

Aye: Mr. Craig, Mrs. Felty, Mr. Field, Mr. Figg, Mr. Nolen, and Mrs. Whiting.

Nay: None.

Absent: Mr. Lewis.

Move to Closed Session Minutes

Motion to return to open session at 7:09 pm by Mr. Craig, 2nd by Mrs. Whiting.

Roll Call By: Mr. Nolen

Aye: Mr. Craig, Mrs. Felty, Mr. Field, Mr. Figg, Mr. Nolen, and Mrs. Whiting.

Nay: None.

Absent: Mr. Lewis.

Motion to approve the closed meeting minutes as read by Mr. Craig, 2nd by Mrs. Felty.

Roll Call By: Mr. Nolen

Aye: Mr. Craig, Mrs. Felty, Mr. Field, Mr. Figg, Mr. Nolen, and Mrs. Whiting.

Nay: None.

Absent: Mr. Lewis.

IX) Action on Closed Session Items

A) Motion: Tabled the Motion to accept resignations (no resignations this month).

B) Motion: To hire Mr. Phillip Dunn as the Junior High Softball Coach for 2024-2025.

Motion by Mr. Craig, 2nd by Mr. Field.

Roll Call By: Mr. Nolen

Aye: Mr. Craig, Mrs. Felty, Mr. Field, Mr. Figg, Mr. Nolen, and Mrs. Whiting.

Nay: None.

Absent: Mr. Lewis.

X) Adjourn

Motion: To Adjourn at 7:11 p.m. by Mr. Craig, 2nd by Mr. Field.

Voice Vote: All approved Motion Passed

https://www.cmsfcats.org/documents/board-documents/board-minutes/minutes-2024-2025/680123