SE Illinois News

Carrier Mills-Stonefort Community Unit School District #2 Board of Education met July. 21.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

      I) Call to Order by:  Mr. Issac Craig at 6:51 p.m.

      II) Roll Call by: Mr. Clay Nolen

Present: Jason Cochran, Issac Craig, Phillip Dunn, Derek Field, Sky Fowler, and Clay Nolen.

Absent: Katie Whiting.

      III) Recognition of Visitors: Mr. Nick Lay.

      IV) Approve Consent Agenda:

Motion to approve the Consent Agenda by Mr. Dunn, 2nd by Mr. Cochran.

Roll Call By: Mr. Nolen

Aye: Mr. Cochran, Mr. Dunn, Mrs. Fowler, Mr. Nolen, Mr. Craig.

Nay: Mr. Field.

Absent: Mrs. Whiting.

      V) Reports

A)      High School Principal Report – Mr. Bryce K. Jerrell

Mr. Jerrell reported that all of the classrooms and hallways at the High School have been cleaned and the floors are all waxed. Mr. Kenny Myers resealed the Grade School gym floor on July 5 and the High School gym floor on July 12. Mr. Steve Venable, from Straight Line, will reseal the Grade School parking lot and repaint the parking spaces by August 7.

Mr. Jerrell also reported that Dr. David Klope will teach two Dual Credit Courses at the High School next year, Education 141 (Intro to Education) and Education 228 (Diversity of Schools). Our District Leadership Team (DLT; school improvement team) for the upcoming school year will be: Mrs. Bridget Bond, Mr. Noah Boon, Mrs. Samantha Craig, Ms. Leslie Davis, Mr. Josh Hall, Mrs. Beth Horn, Mrs. Molly Hughes, Mrs. Melanie Hustedde, Mr. Bryce K. Jerrell, Dr. David Klope, Mrs. Melissa Kuhlmann, Mrs. Jamie Phillips, Mrs. Hollie Pulley, Dr. Ben Vinyard, and Mrs. Andrea Waite.

Mr. Jerrell explained that we will continue our Co-Op with the High School Speech Team for this year. Mrs. Tina Mondino, the Speech Coach, visited the High School on April 10 to recruit students for the speech team and she held try-outs from April 22-May 2. High School Cross Country try-outs will be held on August 18 and High School Volleyball try-outs will be August 11. The Volleyball team will have a “Meet the Wildcats/Alumni Game” on Friday, August 15 at 6:00 pm. Student Registration will be held at the Grade School again this year: Monday, July 21 from 7:30 am-12:00 pm, Tuesday, July 22 from 7:30 am-12:00 pm, Wednesday, July 23 from 7:30 am-12:00 pm, Thursday, July 24 from 1:00-6:00 pm, and Friday, July 25 from 7:30-11:30 am.

Also, Mr. Jerrell reported that the state released several additional payments after the June 23rd School Board meeting. We received two Agriculture Education payments of $782.00 and $2,742.00, a State Free Lunch & Breakfast payment of $410.88, a Drivers’ Education payment of $756.96, a Regular Transportation payment of $22,586.99, a Special Education Transportation payment of $9,000.19, an Early Childhood payment of $10,063.00, a National School Lunch payment of $24,928.70, and a Breakfast payment of $13,606.67. Currently, we are still waiting to hear back from our DCEO Energy Transition Grant for the upcoming year.

Finally, Board President Issac Craig read a resignation letter from Mrs. Katie Whiting, Board Member. Mrs. Whiting has resigned from the School Board at this time. Mr. Jerrell explained that he has notified the ROE #20 Regional Superintendent Dr. Beth Rister and advertised for the open Board Seat in Section 10S-4E (Stonefort).

The Board will now have 60 days to fill the vacant seat left by Mrs. Whiting.

B)      Grade School Principals Report - Mrs. Melissa Kuhlmann

Mrs. Kuhlmann reported that the door project and ceiling tile projects are now completed. The custodians are still working on completing their summer list before the start of school.

      VI) Action Items

A) Consider Handbook Changes for 2025-2026.

Mr. Jerrell reported that he and Dr. Vinyard made a few changes to the Student Handbook this year based on the recommendations from the Illinois Principal Association legal counsel. Also, we have changed calendar dates and teacher names/positions. Mr. Jerrell included those changes with your Board Packet. Mrs. Kuhlmann and Mrs. Horn have made changes to their handbook as well. Those changes have also been included with your Board Packets. Once you approve the handbooks, they will be posted online.

Motion: To approve the Handbook Changes for 2025-2026.

Motion by Mr Nolen,  2nd by Mr. Dunn.

Roll Call By: Mr. Nolen

Aye: Mr. Cochran, Mr. Dunn, Mr. Field, Mrs. Fowler, Mr. Nolen, Mr. Craig.

Nay: None.

Absent: Mrs. Whiting.

B) Consider School Board Meeting Dates.

Mr. Jerrell explained that our Board meetings are scheduled for the third Monday of each month. The third Monday in September is September 15th, however, the Tentative Budget must be on display for thirty days, so we need to move this meeting to the fourth Monday, September 22nd. The third Monday in October is the 20th, but this is the day after Fall Break, so we will move it to October 27th, the fourth Monday. The third Monday in January is January 19th, but it is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, and school will not be in session, so we will move the meeting to January 26th. The February 16th date is Presidents’ Day and school will not be in session, so we will move the meeting to February 23rd. For the June 15th date, we always move the June Board meeting to the end of June in order to accommodate all of our revenue and expenditures for the amended budget and to allow the amended budget to by filed by July 1st each year. So, we will move the meeting to June 29th.

Motion: To approve the 2025-2026 School Board Meeting Dates.

Motion by Mr. Cochran,  2nd by Mrs. Fowler.

Roll Call By: Mr. Nolen

Aye: Mr. Cochran, Mr. Dunn, Mr. Field, Mrs. Fowler, Mr. Nolen, Mr. Craig.

Nay: None.

Absent: Mrs. Whiting.

C) Approve Updated Board Policy.

Mr. Jerrell explained that PRESS stands for Policy Reference Education Subscription Service. He received a PRESS update in June of 2025, so we will need to update the policies listed below during the meeting.

Motion: To approve the Adoption of Board Policy 1:10, 1:20, 1:30, 2:10, 2:80, 2:130, 2:240, 3:30, 4:50, 4:55, 4:180, 7:40, 7:90, 7:130, 7:140, 7:300, 7:325, and 8:80.

Motion by Mr. Nolen,  2nd by Mr. Cochran.

Roll Call By: Mr. Nolen

Aye: Mr. Cochran, Mr. Dunn, Mr. Field, Mrs. Fowler, Mr. Nolen, Mr. Craig.

Nay: None.

Absent: Mrs. Whiting.

D) Semi Annual Review of Closed Session Minutes.

Mr. Jerrell has reviewed the Closed Session Minutes from the following Board Meetings: January 27, 2025, February 24, 2025, March 17, 2025, April 28, 2025, May 19, 2025, and June 23, 2025. He recommends that we leave all of these minutes closed. During these meetings we discussed students with IEP’s, student discipline issues, and truant students, so these closed session minutes should remain closed.

Motion: To keep the Closed Session Minutes for January 27, February 24, March 17, April 28, May 19, and June 23, 2025 closed.

Motion by Mrs. Fowler,  2nd by Mr. Cochran.

Roll Call By: Mr. Nolen

Aye: Mr. Cochran, Mr. Dunn, Mr. Field, Mrs. Fowler, Mr. Nolen, Mr. Craig.

Nay: None.

Absent: Mrs. Whiting.

E) Consider Food Service Bids to CRS OneSource and Prairie Farms for 2025-2026.

Mr. Jerrell explained that just like last month, our food service bids will look a little different this year compared to the last several years. At the January Board Meeting, the Board approved the Intergovernmental Agreement with the Southern Illinois School District Cooperative Buying Group. This co-op will solicit bids for the group, give us the best prices, and we can decide if we want to use that company or not. Basically, instead of a company giving us a bid for our 450 students, as part of a co-op, we get pricing for 1,500-2,000 students, which is cheaper. The food service bids we are approving tonight is for CRS OneSource and Prairie Farms. We will approve the Bread and Fresh Produce Bids separately in August when the bidding process has been completed.

Motion: To approve the Food Service Bids to CRS OneSource and Prairie Farms for 2025-2026.

Motion by Mr. Cochran,  2nd by Mrs. Fowler.

Roll Call By: Mr. Nolen

Aye: Mr. Cochran, Mr. Dunn, Mr. Field, Mrs. Fowler, Mr. Nolen, Mr. Craig.

Nay: None.

Absent: Mrs. Whiting.

F) Consider High School Gym Air Conditioning Project.

Mr. Jerrell reported that Mr. Mike Stone, from D&S Heating & Air, Incorporated, gave us a quote for putting air conditioning in the High School gym. The plan would be to install six three ton mini-split (AC/Heat Pump) units in the gym, with six wall hangers and two thermostats for $22,000 (it is actually $25,000, but the district will receive a $3,000 rebate from Ameren since we are an Ameren customer). This would save the integrity of the roof and be more efficient than the larger units. Also, Martin Electric gave us a bid of $7,900 to run electricity to the six units. Mr. Derek Field wanted to bid out the electric portion of the project, by including Carmean Electric and Sullivan Electric LTD. The Board members agreed to approve the D&S Heating & Air, Inc. portion of the bid and asked Mr. Jerrell to contact Carmean Electric and Sullivan Electric LTD.

Motion: To approve the D&S Heating & Air, Inc. High School Gym Air Conditioning Project.

Motion by Mr. Cochran,  2nd by Mr. Dunn.

Roll Call By: Mr. Nolen

Aye: Mr. Cochran, Mr. Dunn, Mr. Field, Mrs. Fowler, Mr. Nolen, Mr. Craig.

Nay: None.

Absent: Mrs. Whiting.

G) Consider Renewal of Commercial Package and School Board Legal Liability Insurance.

Mr. Jerrell explained that he contacted Mr. Nathan Ashby about our coverage with the Ramza Insurance Group. Selective Insurance, who normally provides this insurance, has not given us a renewal, but they have informed us that we should expect a 30% increase from last year. Mr. Ashby reviewed our Package Policy which includes: Property, General Liability, Auto, Inland Marine, Umbrella, Abuse/Molestation, Crime, Cyber Liability, and School Liability. The actual renewal date is September 18, 2024, so we typically renew in August ahead of the September deadline. However, because of the expected increase, he has bid this out and found a policy that provides us with more coverage and a cheaper rate. Three years ago we had a rate increase of $18,771 (23% increase), two years ago we had a $24,928 increase (25% increase), and last year, we had an increase of $24,935 (20% increase). Now, Selective Insurance is looking at a 30% increase. The rate Mr. Ashby secured from Illinois Counties Risk Management Trust (ICRMT) is for $109,082. We will renew tonight and our policy will go into effect on August 1, 2025.

Motion: To approve the Renewal of our Commercial Package and School Board Legal Liability Insurance with Illinois Counties Risk Management Trust (ICRMT).

Motion by Mr. Dunn,  2nd by Mr. Nolen.

Roll Call By: Mr. Nolen

Aye: Mr. Cochran, Mr. Dunn, Mr. Field, Mrs. Fowler, Mr. Nolen, Mr. Craig.

Nay: None.

Absent: Mrs. Whiting.

H) Consider Renewal of Workers Compensation Insurance.

Mr. Jerrell reported that we normally renew our workers compensation insurance in September for an October start date. Mr. Nathan Ashby would like to renew our policy now, so that it is on the same renewal cycle as our Commercial Package and School Board Legal Liability Insurance. ICRMT will provide the Workers Compensation Insurance for $50,160. This is a policy worth $2,500,000, instead of the Selective Insurance policy which provides us with only $500,000. The total for our Commercial Package and School Board Legal Liability Insurance and the Workers Compensation Insurance from ICRMT will be $159,242, which is less than just the School Board Legal Liability Insurance from Selective Insurance which does not even include the Work Comp insurance.

Motion: To approve the Renewal of our Workers Compensation Insurance with Illinois Counties Risk Management Trust (ICRMT).

Motion by Mrs. Fowler,  2nd by Mr. Cochran.

Roll Call By: Mr. Nolen

Aye: Mr. Cochran, Mr. Dunn, Mr. Field, Mrs. Fowler, Mr. Nolen, Mr. Craig.

Nay: None.

Absent: Mrs. Whiting.

      VII) Non Action Items

A)      First Day of School is Thursday, August 7, 2025.

Mr. Jerrell reported that the first Teacher In-Service day is scheduled for Thursday, August 7, the High School Meet Your Teacher Night is 5:00 pm-6:00 pm on August 7, a second Teacher In-Service Day is August 8, the Grade School Meet Your Teacher Night is 4:00 pm-5:00 pm on August 8, the Back-2-School Bash is 5:00 pm-7:00 pm on August 8, and the students will report to school on Monday, August 11 from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm.

B) Next Board Meeting is Monday, August 21, 2023 at 6:45 pm.

Mr. Jerrell reminded the Board that the next meeting will be held on the third Monday of the month, August 18, 2025.

      VIII) Closed Session

Closed Session

Motion to move to closed session at 7:05 pm for #1, 2, 9, 10, 11, and 14 from the closed meetings act (see attached) by Mrs. Fowler, 2nd by Mr. Cochran.

Roll Call By: Mr. Nolen

Aye: Mr. Cochran, Mr. Dunn, Mr. Field, Mrs. Fowler, Mr. Nolen, Mr. Craig.

Nay: None.

Absent: Mrs. Whiting.

Move to Closed Session Minutes

Motion to return to open session at 8:03 pm by Mr. Cochran,   2nd by Mrs. Fowler.

Roll Call By: Mr. Nolen

Aye: Mr. Cochran, Mr. Dunn, Mr. Field, Mrs. Fowler, Mr. Nolen, Mr. Craig.

Nay: None.

Absent: Mrs. Whiting.

Motion to approve the closed meeting minutes as read by Mr. Dunn, 2nd by Mrs. Fowler.

Roll Call By: Mr. Nolen

Aye: Mr. Cochran, Mr. Dunn, Mr. Field, Mrs. Fowler, Mr. Nolen, Mr. Craig.

Nay: None.

Absent: Mrs. Whiting.

      IX)  Action on Closed Session Items

A) Motion: To accept the resignation of Mrs. Kayla Brasher as the High School Pep Club Sponsor.

Motion by Mr. Cochran,  2nd by Mr. Nolen.

Roll Call By: Mr. Nolen

Aye: Mr. Cochran, Mr. Dunn, Mr. Field, Mrs. Fowler, Mr. Nolen, Mr. Craig.

Nay: None.

Absent: Mrs. Whiting.

B) Motion: To Table the Motion for consideration and action on dismissal of educational support personnel (none at this time).

C) Motion: To Table the Motion for employment (none at this time).

D) Motion: To approve Ms. Mollie Emery, Ms. Emily Scott, Mrs. Leia White, Mr. Jerry Choat, Mr. David Betz, Mrs. Abbey Reeves, and Mrs. Shayla Ferrell as Athletic Assistants for Fall Sports.

Motion by Mr. Nolen,  2nd by Mr. Cochran.

Roll Call By: Mr. Nolen

Aye: Mr. Cochran, Mr. Dunn, Mr. Field, Mrs. Fowler, Mr. Nolen, Mr. Craig.

Nay: None.

Absent: Mrs. Whiting.

E) Motion: To approve the Non-Certified Personnel Description of Salary and Benefits.

Motion by Mr. Cochran,  2nd by Mr. Nolen.

Roll Call By: Mr. Nolen

Aye: Mr. Cochran, Mr. Dunn, Mr. Field, Mrs. Fowler, Mr. Nolen, Mr. Craig.

Nay: None.

Absent: Mrs. Whiting.

      X)  Adjourn

Motion: To Adjourn at 8:07 p.m. by Mrs. Fowler, 2nd by Mr. Nolen.

Voice Vote:  All approved              Motion Passed

https://www.cmsfcats.org/documents/board-documents/board-minutes/137038