SE Illinois News

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

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Board of Education of Wabash Community Unit School District #348, Wabash County, met in Special Session on Monday, April 21, 2025 in the Library of Mt. Carmel Elementary School.

President Schuler called the meeting to order at 6:45 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.

President Schuler read the certified election results from April 1, 2025.

Theresa Hocking (396)

Jessica Peter (339)

Tim Zimmer (378)

Mary Susan Wood (327)

Tim Schuler and Kyle Peach exited the meeting.

New board member, Jessica Peter joins the board and the members recite the Oath of Office together.

Tim Zimmer announces he cannot accept due to recent employment in District 348.

Appoint President Pro Tem

Alka motioned to appoint Theresa Hocking as President Pro Tem. The nomination was seconded by McCorkle. A roll call vote was taken and all present voted AYE.

Election of Board Officers and Establishment of Terms of Office

Wilcox nominated Jamie McCorkle for Board President. The motion was seconded by Alka. A roll call vote was taken and all present voted AYE. Motion Carried.

Wood nominated Greg Wilcox for Vice President. The motion was seconded by Hocking. A roll call vote was taken and all present voted AYE. Motion Carried.

Wood nominated Theresa Hocking for Secretary. The motion was seconded by Wilcox. A roll call vote was taken and all present voted AYE. Motion Carried.

Appointment of Board Member to Vacated Seat

Wood motioned to appoint Kyle Peach to fill the seat vacated by Tim Zimmer. The motion was seconded by Wilcox. A roll call vote was taken and all present voted AYE. Motion Carried. Peach then recited the board member oath of office.

Approved by the Board of Education on May 19, 2025

Establish Dates, Time, and Place of Regular Meetings

President McCorkle recommended that the future board meetings be held on the third Monday of each month at 5:00 p.m. Wilcox motioned to accept his recommendation. Wood seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken and all present voted AYE. Motion Carried.

Appoint School Treasurer

President McCorkle motioned to retain Darlene Underwood as School District Treasurer. The motion was seconded by Wood. A roll call vote was taken and all present voted AYE. Motion Carried.

Appoint District Committees

The following members were appointed to the following committees:

Finance -Jamie McCorkle, Gregg Wilcox, and Susie Wood

Building and Grounds -Jamie McCorkle, Janice Alka, and Theresa Hocking PLC-Jessica Peter and Kyle Peach as Alternate

Insurance - Jamie McCorkle

Adjournment

Hocking motioned to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Alka. All present voted AYE. Meeting adjourned at 7:09.

Regular Board Meeting

President McCorkle called the meeting to order at 7:11 p.m.

Secretary Theresa Hocking called the roll. In addition to the secretary, those present were Gregg Wilcox, Jamie McCorkle, Janice Alka, Susan Wood, Jessica Peter, 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, Dawn Drone-WCEA, Kyle Buss -A.D., and District Secretary Kim Zimmer.

President McCorkle led the pledge of allegiance to the flag.

Consent Agenda

a. Minutes of Past Board Meetings

i. March 19, 2025 Regular Board Meeting

b. Monthly Bills

-Invoices Paid March 2025

-Bills Payable April 2025

c. Financial Reports

Cash Deposits $ 1,533,186.16

Investments $ 11,930,922.78

4 Fund $ 10,283,760.00

5 Fund $ 11,267,924.00

Breakfast/Lunch $ -27,746.36

Approved by the Board of Education on May 19, 2025

d. Correspondence

-Justin Carpenter resigning as MCJHS Paraprofessional effective April 9, 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 Wood and seconded by Alka. A roll call vote was taken and all present voted AYE. Motion Carried.

Superintendent's Comments

Dr. Bleyer said he is watching what happens with Title funding. The budget could be affected according to what the state decides. He also mentioned the renovations are complete in the district office.

Public Comments

There were no comments.

New Business

Employment of Personnel

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

CERTIFIED

Michael Wright -MCHS Industrial Arts Teacher beginning August 1, 2025

TRANFERS

April Ross -MCGS Library Assistant beginning the start of the 2025-2026 school year

EXTRA-CURRICULARS

Mike Cheesman -MCHS Head Wrestling Coach beginning July 1, 2025

Kyle Buss -MCHS Head Basketball Coach Beginning April 22, 2025

Peyton Farmer -MCJHS Cheer Coach beginning August 11, 2025

VOLUNTEERS

Madisyn Etheridge -MCJHS Volunteer Cheer Coach beginning April 22, 2025

All present voted AYE. Motion Carried.

Adjournment

A motion to adjourn was made by Hocking and seconded by Alka. All present voted AYE. Motion Carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:19 p.m.

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1091/Wabash_CUSD/5671006/2025_05_19_Regular_Board_Meeting_Minutes_Approved.pdf