SE Illinois News

Fairfield Public School District 112 Board of Education met March 17.

Here is the agenda provided by the board:

Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Board of Education of Fairfield Public School District No. 112, Wayne County, Illinois, held in the District Board Room, 200 West Center, Fairfield, Illinois, on Monday, March 17, 2025.

AGENDA #1 – Call to Order – The meeting was called to order at 6:00 P.M. by President Amy Sager, who directed the Secretary to call the roll.

AGENDA #2 – Roll Call – The Secretary called the roll and the following members answered to their names as called and were found to be present:

Jessica Oliver, Jason McCulley, Amy Sager, Brandon Berghaus, Jamie Jones, Caleb Higginbotham

Members absent: Erica Burris

There being a quorum present, the President declared the Board of Education to be in session for the transaction of business.

OTHERS PRESENT: Rhonda Clark, Center Street Principal; April Smith, North Side Principal

AGENDA #3 – Citizens Non-Agenda Items

AGENDA #4 – Approval of Minutes

4.1 A motion was made by member Jason McCulley that the Board of Education minutes for the Regular and Closed Session Meetings held Tuesday, February 18, 2025 be approved as prepared and made available to all Board of Education members. The motion was seconded by member Jamie Jones, and on a roll call vote the following members voted yea:

Jessica Oliver, Jason McCulley, Amy Sager, Brandon Berghaus, Jamie Jones, Caleb Higginbotham

Members absent: Erica Burris

The President declared the motion passed.

AGENDA #5 – Financial Reports

5.1 Treasurer’s Report – The Treasurer’s Report, dated February 28, 2025 was presented as follows:

Education Fund $2,354,159.65

Building Fund $982,379.08

Debt Services Fund $169,707.45

Transportation Fund $210,039.32

IMRF Fund $612,512.03

Capital Projects $0.00

Working Cash Fund $1,367,171.29

Tort Fund $457,559.78

Fire Prevention/Safety Fund $296,567.53

Total $6,450,096.13

There being no additions or corrections, the President declared the Treasurer’s Report will stand approved as presented.

5.2 Payroll – Member Jamie Jones made a motion that the salaries for the District for the month of March be approved and ordered paid. The motion was seconded by member Brandon Berghaus, and on a roll call vote the following members voted yea:

Jessica Oliver, Jason McCulley, Amy Sager, Brandon Berghaus, Jamie Jones, Caleb Higginbotham

Members absent: Erica Burris

The President declared the motion passed.

5.3 Monthly Bills – Current bills, as listed, were presented for payment. After examination of the listed bills, Jamie Jones made a motion to approve the bills for payment. The motion was seconded by member Brandon Berghaus, and on a roll call vote the following members voted yea:

Jessica Oliver, Jason McCulley, Amy Sager, Brandon Berghaus, Jamie Jones, Caleb Higginbotham

Members absent: Erica Burris

The President declared the motion passed.

AGENDA #6 – Superintendent’s Report

6.1 Revenue to Expense Report

6.2 Food Service Report

6.3 Transportation Report

6.4 Summer Registration

6.5 Student Handbook Amendment

6.6 Insurance

AGENDA #7 – Action Items

7.1 A motion was made by member Amy Sager to approve the Student Handbook Amendment as presented. The motion was seconded by member Jamie Jones, and on a roll call vote the following members voted yea:

Jessica Oliver, Jason McCulley, Amy Sager, Brandon Berghaus, Jamie Jones, Caleb Higginbotham

Members absent: Erica Burris

The President declared the motion passed.

7.2 A motion was made by member Jason McCulley to approve the Assessment Insurance Payment as presented. The motion was seconded by member Caleb Higginbotham, and on a roll call vote the following members voted yea:

Jessica Oliver, Jason McCulley, Amy Sager, Brandon Berghaus, Jamie Jones, Caleb Higginbotham

Members absent: Erica Burris

The President declared the motion passed.

AGENDA #8 – Principals’ Reports

8.1 Center Street

• 4th Grade Completed their electrical circuit unit. The items they made were very creative.

• Enrichment classes have been meeting and preparing for Regional Brain Games.

• JV Volleyball team won the Fairfield JV Tournament

• Kassidy, our social worker intern, gave a presentation on social media safety to the 8th grade students. This was a project she did for her degree.

• Band/Choir solo and ensemble contest was held. Our students performed very well. We had a dress like your favorite band/artist day to support them. We had 5 first superior ratings, 4 first place, 8 second place and one third place rating.

• Varsity Volleyball took 2nd place at the Hamilton County Tournament. And won the Fairfield Varsity Tournament.

• Our Book Blast concludes tomorrow. This is a program where the students send out emails seeking donations. All students will receive books from Books Are Fun.

• Scholastic Bowl has started. We are going to have a pretty good team this year.

• We hosted Chris Herren for the ROE. He was an NBA player who lost everything to addiction. We had a decent crowd. On Friday, they provided lunch to our staff for hosting the event.

• I took Mylee McConnaughhay and Chelsey Wilson to the IPA student recognition breakfast at Rend Lake. They were recognized for their high academic achievements and moral character.

• Whitney Buckles came and talked to our 7th-grade students about the importance of nutrition.

• The staff had an underground spirit week. We had fun watching the kids (and parents) trying to figure out what was going on. Monochrome Monday, Dress like a coach, anything but a cup, Alma Mater, and Fairfield Friday.

• Friday was the end of the 3rd quarter. It is hard to believe that we are already into the 4th quarter. We will have our 3rd quarter awards this Friday at 2:00

8.2 North Side

• Kids Heart Challenge – Raised $2,600 jumping rope.

• Preschool – Dental Health Week - Hygienist visit with fun activities

• First Grade – Attended the FCHS AG Petting Zoo on March 3rd.

• Held Kindergarten Pre-registration – Estimating around 56 as of now.

• Dr. Seuss Week – Many activities including Read Across Fairfield with local business/ community members.

• IPA Student Recognition Breakfast: Recognized Aubree Atteberry and Brantley Finn.

• Book Blast – A school-wide/community campaign to get new books into the homes of our students while promoting literacy and a love for reading. Current: 50% participation and $11,800.00 donations.

• Holding Retention Meetings, if needed, by the end of March.

• Friday, March 21st – National Down Syndrome Day! Rock Your Socks!

• PTO – March 28th, BINGA Event

AGENDA #9 – Board Members Request/Report

AGENDA #10 – Closed Session to Discuss Information Regarding Appointment, Employment, Retirement or Dismissal of an Employee, Labor Relations, Collective Negotiations, Litigation, Public Office Vacancy and Student Discipline (5ILCS 120/2a)

10.1 A motion was made by member Jason McCulley that the Board enter Closed Session at the hour of 6:22 P.M. The motion was seconded by Brandon Berghaus, and on a roll call vote the following members voted yea:

Jessica Oliver, Amy Sager, Jason McCulley, Brandon Berghaus, Jamie Jones, Caleb Higginbotham

Members absent: Erica Burris

The President declared the motion passed.

10.2 A motion was made by member Jason McCulley that the Board end the Closed Session at the hour of 6:47 P.M. The motion was seconded by member Jamie Jones, and on a roll call vote the following members voted yea:

Jessica Oliver, Amy Sager, Brandon Berghaus, Jason McCulley, Jamie Jones, Caleb Higginbotham

Members absent: Erica Burris

The President declared the motion passed.

AGENDA #11 – Action Items

11.1 A motion was made by member Amy Sager to re-hire Kelsey Brendal as long-term substitute for the months of April and May. The motion was seconded by member Caleb Higginbotham, and on a roll call vote the following members voted yea:

Jessica Oliver, Amy Sager, Brandon Berghaus, Jason McCulley, Jamie Jones, Caleb Higginbotham

Members absent: Erica Burris

The President declared the motion passed.

11.2 A motion was made by member Jason McCulley to accept the resignation of Delilah White as 8th grade girls’ basketball coach. The motion was seconded by member Caleb Higginbotham, and on a roll call vote the following members voted yea:

Jessica Oliver, Amy Sager, Brandon Berghaus, Jason McCulley, Jamie Jones, Caleb Higginbotham

Members absent: Erica Burris

The President declared the motion passed.

11.3.1 A motion was made by member Amy Sager to re-employ non-tenured certified personnel for FY26 placing Heather Laird, Brittany Titzer, Kylie Stewart, Jozie Glover, Hannah Vandergraph, Sierra Esmon, John Wicker, and Julie Hutson at second year probationary status. The motion was seconded by member Brandon Berghaus, and on a roll call vote the following members voted yea:

Jessica Oliver, Amy Sager, Brandon Berghaus, Jason McCulley, Jamie Jones, Caleb Higginbotham

Members absent: Erica Burris

The President declared the motion passed.

11.3.2 A motion was made by member Jamie Jones to re-employ non-tenured certified personnel for FY26 placing Sadie Powell, Grace Pollard, Audrey Jay, and Cheryl Bagwell at third year probationary status. The motion was seconded by member Amy Sager, and on a roll call vote the following members voted yea:

Jessica Oliver, Amy Sager, Brandon Berghaus, Jason McCulley, Jamie Jones, Caleb Higginbotham

Members absent: Erica Burris

The President declared the motion passed.

11.3.3 A motion was made by member Brandon Berghaus to re-employ non-tenured certified personnel for FY26 placing Jennifer Hackney, Erin Moehn, and Laura Balding at fourth year probationary status. The motion was seconded by member Jamie Jones, and on a roll call vote the following members voted yea:

Jessica Oliver, Amy Sager, Brandon Berghaus, Jason McCulley, Jamie Jones, Caleb Higginbotham

Members absent: Erica Burris

The President declared the motion passed.

11.3.4 A motion was made by member Jason McCulley to re-employ non-tenured certified personnel for FY26 granting Sarah Mayberry Estrada, Delilah White, Heather Jake, Emily Braden, Luke Ahlfield, and Stacey Lane tenured status. The motion was seconded by member Jamie Jones, and on a roll call vote the following members voted yea:

Jessica Oliver, Amy Sager, Brandon Berghaus, Jason McCulley, Jamie Jones, Caleb Higginbotham

Members absent: Erica Burris

The President declared the motion passed.

11.4 A motion was made by member Amy Sager to accept the Intent to Retire at the end of the 2028 – 2029 school year from Rhonda Clark. The motion was seconded by member Jamie Jones, and on a roll call vote the following members voted yea:

Jessica Oliver, Amy Sager, Brandon Berghaus, Jason McCulley, Jamie Jones, Caleb Higginbotham

Members absent: Erica Burris

The President declared the motion passed.

AGENDA #12 – Informational Items

AGENDA #13 – Adjournment – A motion was made by member Brandon Berghaus that the meeting adjourn at 6:54 P.M. The motion was seconded by member Jamie Jones, and on a roll call vote the following members voted yea:

Jessica Oliver, Jason McCulley, Amy Sager, Brandon Berghaus, Jamie Jones, Caleb Higginbotham

Members absent: Erica Burris

The President declared the motion passed.

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