SE Illinois News

Wabash Community Unit School District 348 Board of Education met Jan. 21.

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 Tuesday, January 21, 2025 in the 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, MCJSH Assistant Principal Logan Crum, MCGS Principal Brianne Foster, MCES Principal Jake Newkirk, Transportation Director Sharon Thombleson, Kevin Madden –WSJD, Tim Zimmer –Citizen, Jared Price –Wabash #348 SRO, and District Secretary Kim Zimmer.

President Schuler led the pledge of allegiance to the flag.

Consent Agenda

a. Minutes of Past Board Meetings

i. December 16, 2024 Regular Board Meeting

b. Monthly Bills

-Invoices Paid December 2024

-Bills Payable January 2025

c. Financial Reports

Cash Deposits $ 1,739,277.61

Investments $ 7,856,361.54

4 Fund $ 7,665,388.00

5 Fund $ 8,240,967.00

Breakfast/Lunch $ -17,223.59

d. Correspondence

-Debra Nettleton retiring as MCES Paraprofessional effective the end of the 2024-2025 school year.

-Dawn Hedge resigning as MCES P/T Cook effective December 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

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

Approved by the Board of Education on February 18, 2025

Superintendent’s Comments

Dr. Bleyer said the buses have done well navigating on the slick country roads due to the snow and ice. He noted that there was damage to one of the carports at the bus barn during the snow storm. He also noted there was a leaking issue at the junior high school. This is being addressed. Dr. Bleyer introduced the new SRO Jared Price. Price thanked the board..

Reports – MCJSHS Principal Amy Duckworth

Duckworth talked about graduation day staying the same for the seniors. It is set for May 10, 2025. Prom is set for May 3, 2025. She said she had received positive feedback on the new School Resource Officer Jared Price.

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 7:07 p.m. a motion to go into closed session was made by Hocking and seconded by McCorkle. All present voted Aye. Motion Carried.

At 7:26 p.m. a motion to return to open session was made by Alka and seconded by Hocking. Motion Carried.

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

New Business

2024-2025 Revised School Calendar

A motion to approve the revised 24-25 school calendar was made by Kyle Peach and seconded by Hocking. All present voted Aye. Motion Carried.

Employment of Personnel

A motion to approve the following employment recommendations was made by Peach and seconded by Wilcox:

TRANSFERS

Ryan Potts –MCHS Classroom Assistant effective the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year

NON-CERTIFIED

Xahdier Rolan – MCJSH Full time Night Custodian starting January 22, 2025. Volunteers

Kathryn Blake –MCJH Volunteer Volleyball Coach starting January 1, 2025

Peyton Farmer –MCJH/MCGS Volunteer Cheer Coach starting January 20, 2025

All present voted AYE. Motion Carried.

Adjournment

A motion to adjourn was made by Alka and seconded by McCorkle. All present voted AYE. Motion Carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:28 p.m.

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1091/Wabash_CUSD/5318929/2025_01_21__Regular_Board_Meeting_Minutes_Approved.pdf