SE Illinois News

Wabash Community Unit School District 348 Board of Education met Feb. 18.

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, February 18, 2025 in the Cafetorium of Mt. Carmel Grade 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 via phone, Susan Wood, and Kyle Peach.

Also present were Superintendent Dr. Chuck Bleyer, MCJSH Assistant Principal Logan Crum, MCES Principal Jake Newkirk, MCGS Assistant Principal Kevin Kling, Athletic Director Kyle Buss, Transportation Director Sharon Thombleson, Kevin Madden –WSJD, Xain Ballenger – Hometown Register, Gregg Henager -Citizen, Justin Carpenter -Paraprofessional, Jeffrey Besing - Citizen, and District Secretary Kim Zimmer.

President Schuler led the pledge of allegiance to the flag.

Consent Agenda

a. Minutes of Past Board Meetings

i. January 21, 2025 Regular Board Meeting

b. Monthly Bills

-Invoices Paid January 2025

-Bills Payable February 2025

c. Financial Reports

Cash Deposits    $ 1,570,213.15

Investments        $ 7,845,526.13

4 Fund                $ 7,459,295.00

5 Fund                $ 7,983,382.00

Breakfast/Lunch $     -22,317.10

d. Correspondence

Aaron Winter -MCHS Industrial Ars Teacher effective January 31, 2025

Brady Decker -MCHS Girls’ Assistant Soccer Coach effective February 18, 2025

Jocelyn Marble -MCJSH Custodian effective March 14, 2025

Justin Carpenter -MCHS Boys’ Basketball Head Coach effective February 5, 2025

Brock Plassman -MCJHS Paraprofessional effective February 28, 2025

Andrew Cheesman -MCHS Wrestling Head Coach effective January 24, 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 March 19, 2025

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

Superintendent’s Comments

Dr. Bleyer noted that the district office was closed temporarily due to flooding issues. He said he was monitoring the weather due to snow in case school would need to be cancelled.

Public Comments

Jeffrey Besing along with Justin Carpenter asked to address the board in closed session. The Board consented to their request.

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 7:09 p.m. a motion to go into closed session was made by Hocking and seconded by Peach. All present voted Aye. Motion Carried.

At 7:56 p.m. a motion to return to open session was made by Peach and seconded by McCorkle. Motion Carried.

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

New Business

Bus Bid

A motion to approve the bus bid recommended by the Finance Committee was made by Peach and seconded by Wood. A roll call vote was taken and all present voted AYE. Motion Carried.

2025-2026 School Calendar

A motion to approve the 2025-2026 proposed school calendar as presented was made by Hocking and seconded by McCorkle. All present voted Aye. Motion Carried.

Employment of Personnel

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

CERTIFIED

Seamus Smith -MCHS Math Teacher beginning the start of the 2025-2026 School Year

Bret Doan -MCHS History Teacher beginning the start of the 2025-2026 School Year

Justin Glover -MCGS 4th Grade Teacher beginning the start of the 2025-2026 School Year

TRANSFERS

Brittany Weiss - MCGS 4th Grade Teacher beginning the start of the 2025-2026 School Year

NON-CERTIFIED

Jennifer Stephenson -MCES Part Time Kitchen Worker beginning February 10, 2025

Approved by the Board of Education on March 19, 2025

EXTRA-CURRICULARS

Sione Militoni -MCHS Assistant Girls’ Soccer Coach beginning February 18, 2025

Anthony Peach -MCHS Assistant Boys’ Baseball Coach beginning February 18, 2025

Levi Johnson - MCHS Assistant Boys’ Baseball Coach beginning February 18,

VOLUNTEERS

Jesse Hinderliter –Baseball 

Elijah Laws -Track

Preston Will –Baseball 

Amber Moore -Track

Billy Stinson –Softball 

Elliot Laws -Track

Jayla Smith -Girls’ Soccer 

Madelyn Young –Girls’ Golf

Amanda Berberich –Girls’ Soccer

Jennifer Young –Girls’ Golf 

Patty Bramlet –Boys’ Tennis

Chase Bramlet -Boys’ Tennis

All present voted AYE. Motion Carried.

Adjournment

A motion to adjourn was made by Hocking and seconded by Wilcox. All present voted AYE. Motion Carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:01 p.m.

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1091/Wabash_CUSD/5439690/2025_02_18__Regular_Board_Meeting_Minutes_Approved.pdf