SE Illinois News

Harrisburg Community Unit School District 3 Board of Education met Dec. 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, December 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, and Mr. Brandon Henshaw. Mr. Steve Smothers, and Mr. Nathan Howton were absent.

The following administrators were present: Dr. Amy Dixon, Natalie Fry, Pam Rizkallah, Brady Mayer, Debbie McGowan, Alesha Allen, Amanda Stone, Elizabeth Dawe, and Andy Fehrenbacher.

The following Unit #3 staff members were present: Keri Holland, Russell Hunt, Kyle Brames, Jennifer Irvin, Joy Butler. The following members of the public were present: Pre-K students and parents, Randy Smithpeters, and Jeff Stroeder.

Mrs. Storms, Mrs. Booth and Mrs. Mayer had students working with the Bark and Brew to serve coffee to the Board and attendees before the meeting.

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.

Mrs. Alesha Allen and BELA Students led the Board, staff and attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Public Hearing – Tax Levy

President Smith called for the Public Hearing to begin at 5:05 p.m. in regards to the Unit #3 Tax Levy Superintendent Dixon presented the Tax Levy and updated information.

Mr. Smith called for any public comments or questions in reference to the Tax Levy.

With no comments or questions offered, Mr. Dowdy moved and Mr. Lambert seconded the motion to adjourn the hearing. The Public Hearing adjourned at 5:13 p.m.

Mr. Lambert moved and Mr. Henshaw seconded the motion to enter into Executive Session to discuss:

A. The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees and those working as independent contractors. Act. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1).

B. Security procedures and the use of personnel for safety.

C. Collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives, or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees.

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 5:14 p.m.

Mr. Dowdy moved and Mr. Henshaw seconded the motion to reconvene in open session at 5:44 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 - Jeff Stroeder reported on the district audit. A copy was provided for each Board member.

Mr. Russell moved and Mr. Dowdy seconded the motion to approve the minutes of the November 19, 2024 Regular Board Meeting. On a call of the roll, Mr. Dowdy, Mr. Russell, and Mr. Smith voted yea. Mr. Henshaw and Mr. Lambert abstained. Motion carried.

Mr. Dowdy moved and Mr. Henshaw 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. Lambert moved and Mr. Henshaw seconded the motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report. 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 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.

RECOGNITION OF DISTRICT 3 SUCCESSES

Superintendent – Dr. Amy Dixon

▪ Thanked the students, staff, and entire community for a very successful first semester. BELA – Principal Alesha Allen

▪ A half day class will be offered beginning in January.

West Side Primary – Principal Scott Dewar

East Side Intermediate - Principal Amanda Stone

Harrisburg Middle School - Principal Debbie McGowan

▪ The Special Olympic basketball athletes represented HMS well and returned with several medals.

Harrisburg High School - Principal John Crabb

Special Education – Brady Mayer

Technology, Media, Grants, Curriculum – Natalie Fry

▪ Discussed the State Report Card, an overall report of district data.

Transportation – Andy Fehrenbacher

▪ Looking at possibly replacing the older driver education van at the High School.

Mr. Russell moved and Mr. Dowdy seconded the motion to approve the estimate of the aggregate tax levy as presented. On a call of the roll, the motion received a unanimous vote of yea.

Mr. Henshaw moved and Mr. Lambert seconded the motion to approve Press Plus 117. On a call of the roll, the motion received a unanimous vote of yea.

Mr. Dowdy moved and Mr. Henshaw seconded the motion to approve the Resolution abating the taxes heretofore levied for the year 2024 to pay debt service General Obligation School Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source), Series 2016B, of Community Unit School District Number 3, Saline County, Illinois. On a call of the roll, the motion received a unanimous vote of yea.

Mr. Lambert moved and Mr. Henshaw seconded the motion to approve the 2024 Audit. 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 Executive Session minutes of the November 19, 2024 Regular Board Meeting, as amended. On a call of the roll, Mr. Dowdy, Mr. Russell, and Mr. Smith voted yea. Mr. Henshaw and Mr. Lambert abstained. Motion carried.

Mr. Lambert moved and Mr. Dowdy seconded the motion to approve the leave of absence of Mary Steinsultz Jones through the remainder of the school year. On a call of the roll, the motion received a unanimous vote of yea.

Mr. Dowdy moved and Mr. Henshaw seconded the motion to reassign Brady Mayer to HHS Special Education Teacher for the 25-26 school year. On a call of the roll, the motion received a unanimous vote of yea.

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

▪ Timothy Leonberger – West Side

▪ Stephanie Widener – West Side

▪ Destiny Blackwell – West Side

▪ Bryttan Ozment – Brownsville

▪ Amy Bourland - Brownsville

Mr. Dowdy moved and Mr. Lambert seconded the motion to reassign Angela Salus from EOC Aide to Classroom Paraprofessional at East Side. On a call of the roll, the motion received a unanimous vote of yea.

Mr. Lambert moved and Mr. Henshaw 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 6:28 p.m.

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