SE Illinois News

Edwards County Community Unit School District #1 Board of Education met Jan. 23.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 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, Wayne Doelling, and Jayare Buerster. Also present was Superintendent, David Cowger; ECHS Principal, Dale Schmittler; 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. Board member Jo Rector was absent.

APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA

Motion was made by Mark McDaniel and seconded by Jayare Buerster to approve the following Consent Agenda items:

• January Board Agenda

• Motion to approve the minutes of the open and closed session of the December 16, 2024 Regular Board Meeting.

• Motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report

• Motion to approve the Bill List

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

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

DISCUSSION REGARDING SOLAR LEASE

Discussion was held regarding a proposed Option to Solar Energy Lease and Easement Agreement Amendment with possible action.

This was tabled as Andrew Weber was unable to be in attendance.

RELEASE FUEL BIDS

Motion was made by Wayne Doelling and seconded by Jayare Buerster to release fuel bids for the 2025-2026 school year.

Bids will be opened on 2/18/2025 @ 10:00 a.m. and acted upon at the February meeting.

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

APPROVE MAINTENANCE PROJECTS OVER $5,000

Motion was made by Mark McDaniel and seconded by Jayare Buerster to approve the following maintenance projects

over $5,000.00

• Gym 2 Restrooms Remodel - $15,000.00

• Gym 2 Floor Refinish and Miscellaneous Projects - $53,404.00

• Nurse’s Office Flooring and Cabinets - $5,220.00 • High School Main Entrance Makeover - $16,500.00

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

AMEND 2024-2025 SCHOOL CALENDAR

Motion was made by Mark McDaniel and seconded by Jayare Buerster to amend the 2024-2025 School Calendar

The District exceed it’s Emergency Days by 1 day with the recent snow storm. The board approved to apply for an “Act of God Day” for January 13th. If approved, the District will not need to make up the additional day.

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

APPROVE TRIPS OVER 150 MILES

Motion was made by Mark McDaniel and seconded by Kayla Bell to approve the following trips over 150 miles:

• AGS & WSGS Band/Choir trip to Holiday World on May 14, 2025

• AGS 7th Grade trip to Springfield, Illinois on May 12, 2025

• ECHS Band & Choir trip to Derby Dinner Playhouse in Clarksville, Indiana on April 30, 2025

• ECHS Girls Basketball Team to Indiana vs Nebraska Women’s Basketball game on February 2, 2025

The District will pay for the 7th Grade Springfield trip transportations costs with the other trips being paid for by the groups.

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

ADMINISTRATION REPORTS

The Administrators presented their reports on the following:

• David Cowger – Superintendent

2025-2026 School Calendar

Cafeteria Report

Sales Tax Report

Bus Bids

2024 School Maintenance Project Grand (50/50)

Title IX Regulations

• 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 ECHS Cheer Camp on February 7, 2025

INTO CLOSED SESSION

Motion was made by Wayne Doelling and seconded by Mark McDaniel that a Closed Session be called at 7:40 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

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

Speir, Bell, McDaniel, Doelling, Buerster and Woods voted yes. Rector was absent. 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 8:37 p.m.

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

APPROVE VOLUNTEER ASSISTANT COACHES

Motion was made by Wayne Doelling and seconded by Kayla Bell to approve the following Volunteer Assistant Coaches for the 2024-2025 school year.

• Mike Kirkpatrick – ECHS Baseball

• Lexi Harper, Lidia Kelsey and Kami Keener – WSGS Volleyball

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

APPROVE ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL PLACEMENT

Motion was made by Mark McDaniel and seconded by Kayla Bell to approve an Alternative School Placement for Student AGS #1 2024-2025

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

ADJOURN MEETING

Motion was made by Mark McDaniel and seconded by Wayne Doelling that the meeting be adjourned at 8:40 p.m.

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

https://cdnsm5-ss20.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_64932/File/School%20Board/Minutes/January%2023,%202025%20Minutes%20with%20Comments.pdf