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Wabash Community Unit School District 348 Board of Education met Dec. 16.

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, December 16, 2024 in Library of Mt. Carmel Elementary School.

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

Secretary Theresa Hocking called the roll. In addition to the secretary, those present were Tim Schuler, Gregg Wilcox, Jamie McCorkle, Janice Alka, Susan Wood, and Kyle Peach.

Also present were Superintendent Dr. Chuck Bleyer, MCJSH Principal Amy Duckworth, MCGS Principal Brianne Foster, MCES Principal Jake Newkirk, Transportation Director Sharon Thombleson, Kevin Madden –WSJD, Xain Ballenger –Hometown Register, District Treasurer Darlene Underwood, Mt. Carmel Mayor Joe Judge, and District Secretary Kim Zimmer.

President Schuler led the pledge of allegiance to the flag.

Consent Agenda

a. Minutes of Past Board Meetings

i. November 11, 2024 Regular Board Meeting

b. Monthly Bills

-Invoices Paid November 2024

-Bills Payable December 2024

c. Financial Reports

Cash Deposits $ 1,655,384.71

Investments $ 8,273,146.51

4 Fund $ 8,025,344.00

5 Fund $ 8,652,086.00

Breakfast/Lunch $ -25,228.45

d. Correspondence

-Laura McLemore resigning as MCHS English Teacher effective December 31, 2024

-Kevin Kruse resigning as MCHS Custodian effective November 20, 2024

-Jake Holcomb resigning as MCHS Asst. Baseball Coach effective December 16, 2024

-Brandon Rogowski resigning as MCHS Asst. Baseball Coach effective December 16, 2024

-Bryan Grant resigning as MCHS Asst. Baseball Coach effective December 16, 2024

-Freda Alka retiring as MCHS Special Education Asst. effective May 16, 2025

e. Administrative Reports

∙ District Curriculum/Grant Coordinator Michael Brewer

∙ Mt. Carmel Elementary School Principal Jake Newkirk

∙ Mt. Carmel Grade School Principal Brianne Foster

∙ Mt. Carmel Junior Senior High Principal Amy Duckworth

∙ Superintendent Dr. Chuck Bleyer

Approved by the Board of Education on January 21, 2025

f. Destruction of Executive Session audio tapes older than 18 months per provision of Section 2.06 of the Open Meetings Act

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

Kemper CPA Group -2023-2024 Audit Presentation

Michelle Smith from Kemper CPA Group presented the 2023-2024 audit findings. She commented there were no findings for the year.

Superintendent’s Comments

Dr. Bleyer commented there are many events being held at the schools. Among them are music concerts and sports activities.

Public Comments

No public 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 7:15 p.m. a motion to go into closed session was made by McCorkle and seconded by Hocking. All present voted Aye. Motion Carried.

At 8:00 p.m. a motion to return to open session was made by Alka and seconded by Wood. Motion Carried.

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

New Business

Tax Levy 2024 Payable in 2025

A motion to approve the 2024 Tax Levy payable in 2025 was made by Hocking and seconded by Peach. A roll call vote was taken and all present voted AYE.

2023-2024 Audit

A motion to approve the 2023-2024 audit as presented was made by Wood and seconded by Wilcox. A roll call vote was taken and all present voted AYE. Motion Carried.

Substitute Pay Increase

A motion to approve the substitute pay increase as recommended by Dr. Bleyer was made by Alka and seconded by McCorkle. A roll call vote was taken and all present voted AYE. Motion Carried.

Intergovernmental Agreement for School Resource Officer

A motion to approve a School Safety Officer agreement between the City of Mt. Carmel and Wabash CUSD #348 was made by Alka and seconded by Wood. A roll call vote was taken and all present voted AYE. Motion Carried.

Approved by the Board of Education on January 21, 2025

Employment of Personnel

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

TRANSFERS

Jamie Tolliver -MCGS Part Time Cook starting December 2, 2024

NON-CERTIFIED

Brenda Summerfield -MCGS Individual Assistant starting January 3, 2025 Heather Rose -MCES Paraprofessional starting January 3, 2025

EXTRA-CURRICULARS

Nathan Wheatley -MCHS Academic Challenge Coach starting December 2, 2024 Peyton Farmer -MCJHS Quiz Bowl Coach starting December 2, 2024

A roll call vote was taken and all present voted AYE. Motion Carried.

Adjournment

A motion to adjourn was made by Wood and seconded by Peach. All present voted AYE. Motion Carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:04 p.m.

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1091/Wabash_CUSD/5222107/2024_12_16__Regular_Board_Meeting_Minutes.pdf