SE Illinois News

Wabash Community Unit School District 348 Board of Education met March 19.

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 Wednesday, March 19, 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, MCES Principal Jake Newkirk, MCGS Principal Brianne Foster, Kevin Madden –WSJD, Xain Ballenger – Hometown Register, Gregg Henager -Citizen, Shelly Harris –Parent, Kendra Van Matre, Madison Stevens, Coach Julie Herman, Madeline Mann, Maycee Randall, Zoie Randall, Kristi Perry-WCTA, Alvia Peach, Evie Knapp, Coach Matt McCarty, Coach Joe Vargo, Leah Louis,

Madison Riggs, and District Secretary Kim Zimmer.

President Schuler led the pledge of allegiance to the flag.

Consent Agenda

a. Minutes of Past Board Meetings

i. February 18, 2025 Regular Board Meeting

b. Monthly Bills

-Invoices Paid February 2025

-Bills Payable March 2025

c. Financial Reports

Cash Deposits $ 1,448,541.52

Investments $ 9,220,617.81

4 Fund $ 8,267,067.00

5 Fund $ 8,941,443.00

Breakfast/Lunch $ -19,949.70

d. Correspondence

∙ Pat Johnson to retire as Bus Driver the end of the 2025-2026 school year ∙ Melony Healy to retire as MCGS Librarian the end of the 2025-2026 school year

∙ Sarah Dougherty to retire as MCJHS Science Teacher the end of the 2028-2029 school year

∙ Brianna Berger to resign as MCHS Art Teacher effective May 23, 2025

∙ Pat Harlson to resign from MCHS Custodian and Jr. High Gate Worker effective February 28, 2025

∙ Jennifer Schilb to resign as MCJHS 7th Grade Girls’ Coach effective February 20, 2025

∙ Ashley Kanipe to resign as MCJHS Cheer Coach effective the end of the 2024-2025 school year

∙ Kendra VanMatre to resign as MCGS Paraprofessional effective the end of the 2024-2025 school year

Approved by the Board of Education on April 21, 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

f. Consolidated District Plan

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

Visitors – MCHS Girls’ Basketball Team

Coach Matt McCarty spoke about the hard work and success of the team. The players introduced themselves to the board. Coach McCarty presented the 3rd place trophy to the board.

Superintendent’s Comments

Dr. Bleyer thanked the board for rescheduling the board meeting. He also said that property taxes were still coming in. Dr. Bleyer mentioned that SB2427 will be approved in Illinois which will prohibit cell phones for students during school. He will be updating the board on the details in the bill as they become available.

Public Comments

There were no 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 7:08 p.m. a motion to go into closed session was made by Hocking and seconded by Wood. All present voted Aye. Motion Carried.

At 7:31 p.m. a motion to return to open session was made by Peach and seconded by McCorkle. All present voted Aye. Motion Carried.

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

New Business

IHSA 2025-2026 Membership

A motion to approve the IHSA membership dues for 2025-2026 school year was made by Hocking and seconded by Wood. A roll call vote was taken and all present voted AYE. Motion Carried.

Administrative Salaries

A motion to approve the Finance Committee’s recommendation for 2025-2026 Administrative salaries was made by McCorkle and seconded by Alka. A roll call vote was taken and all present voted AYE. Motion Carried.

Approved by the Board of Education on April 21, 2025

2024-2025 School Calendar

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

Employment of Personnel

A motion to approve the following employment recommendations was made by Alka and seconded by Wood:

CERTIFIED

Kendra VanMatre -MCGS 3rd Grade Teacher beginning the start of the 2025-2026 school year

NON-CERTIFIED

Christopher Warren -MCJSHS Full Time Night Custodian beginning March 18, 2025 Tim Zimmer -GEAR UP District Coordinator beginning March 10, 2025

EXTRA-CURRICULARS

Ashley Seib -MCHS Math Department Chair beginning the start of the 2025-2026 school year All present voted AYE. Motion Carried.

Adjournment

A motion to adjourn was made by Hocking and seconded by Wood. All present voted AYE. Motion Carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:34 p.m.

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1091/Wabash_CUSD/5557313/2025_03_19__Regular_Board_Meeting_Minutes_Approved.pdf