SE Illinois News

Edwards County Community Unit School District #1 Board of Education met July. 21.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Edwards County K-12 Band Room by Vice President, Jayare Buerster. The following members were present: Kayla Bell, Mark McDaniel, and Wayne Doelling. Also present was Superintendent, David Cowger; ECHS Principal, Dale Schmittler; AGS Elementary Principal/Special Education Coordinator, Carrie Wells; WSGS Principal, Mark Beckel; AGS Jr. High Principal/Building and Grounds Director, Kris Duncan and Assistant Principal Joe Rivers. Board members Jo Rector and Dale Woods were absent. Board member Lawrence Speir Jr. entered the meeting at 7:25 p.m.

Motion was made by Mark McDaniel and seconded by Kayla Bell to approve the following Consent Agenda items:

• July Board Agenda

• Motion to approve the minutes of the open and closed session of the June 16, 2025 Regular Board Meeting.

• Motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report

• Motion to approve the Bill List

• Motion to destroy board meeting closed session audio recording older than 18 months per State code

• FOIA Report

Doelling, Bell, Buerster and McDaniel voted yes. Rector, Speir and Woods were absent. Motion passes

Discussion was held regarding the Vocational Building Project with possible action

ADG highlighted the project plans but was not at a point where they could request the board to authorize them to release bids. They will be back in August.

Motion was made by Mark McDaniel and seconded by Kayla Bell to approve the following handbooks/manuals: • Parent/Student Handbook

• Wellness Handbook

There were minimal changes in the handbooks and were the same as presented to the board in June.

McDaniel, Bell, Speir, Doelling and Buerster voted yes. Rector and Woods were absent. Motion passes

Motion was made by Wayne Doelling and seconded by Mark McDaniel to accept cafeteria food and milk bids for the 2025-2026 school year.

The district received 1 bid for food and 1 from milk. It was noted that milk is a little higher and as a result will need to adjust milk prices.

Buerster, McDaniel, Bell, Speir and Doelling voted yes. Rector and Woods were absent. Motion passes

Motion was made by Mark McDaniel and seconded by Wayne Doelling to approve the following Resolutions: • Review of “Hazardous Areas” as approved by the Illinois Department of Transportation

No changes from 2024-2025 resolution.

• Permanent Transfer of Working Cash Funds to the Transportation Fund To cover the deficit, $171,302.06 was transferred to balance the fund balance.

• Temporary Transfer of Working Cash Funds to the Transportation Fund

Funds will be transferred to cover optional costs until State and local funds are received.

McDaniel, Speir, Bell, Doelling and Buerster voted yes. Rector and Woods were absent. Motion passes

Motion was made by Mark McDaniel and seconded by Kayla Bell to approve the purchase of a cafeteria food warmer in the amount of $15,581.66

Sales tax receipts will be used to purchase the equipment.

McDaniel, Speir, Doelling, Bell and Buerster voted yes. Rector and Woods were absent. Motion passes.

Discussion was held regarding a fundraising request by National Honor Society and FBLA

Motion was made by Mark McDaniel and seconded by Kayla Bell to approve the Superintendent to move forward with the fundraiser request from the National Honor Society and FBLA

The Superintendent will work with legal counsel to ensure there would be no financial liability for the District.

Speir, McDaniel, Bell, Doelling and Buerster voted yes. Rector and Woods were absent. Motion passes

The Administrators presented their reports on the following:

• David Cowger – Superintendent

End of the Year Budget Review

Cafeteria End of the Year Report

Sales Tax Report

Teacher Evaluation (Student Growth)

• Dale Schmittler – ECHS Principal

• Carrie Wells – AGS Elementary Principal/Special Education Coordinator

• Kris Duncan – AGS Jr. High Principal/Building & Grounds Director

Summer Maintenance Update

• Mark Beckel – WSGS Principal

• Joe Rivers – Edwards County K-12 Assistant Principa

Motion was made by Wayne Doelling and seconded by Mark McDaniel that a Closed Session be called at 8:09 p.m. to discuss the following:

• Consider the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees of the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee to determine validity

Speir, McDaniel, Doelling, Bell and Buerster vote yes. Rector and Woods were absent. Motion passes

Motion was made by Mark McDaniel and seconded by Wayne Doelling that the Board come out of Closed Session at 8:13 p.m.

Doelling, McDaniel, Speir, Bell and Buerster voted yes. Rector and Woods were absent. Motion passes

Motion was made by Mark McDaniel and seconded by Kayla Bell to accept the Retirement Resignation of AGS Special Education Teacher, Lori Schmittler, effective the end of the 2027-2028 school year.

Speir, McDaniel, Doelling, Bell and Buerster voted yes. Rector and Woods were absent. Motion passes

Motion was made by Wayne Doelling and seconded by Kayla Bell to employ Aidrian Christie as Aide at the West Salem Grade School.

Speir, McDaniel, Bell, Doelling and Buerster voted yes. Rector and Woods were absent. Motion passes

Motion was made by Wayne Doelling and seconded by Kayla Bell to approve Kyle Munsey as ECHS Football Volunteer Assistant Coach for the 2025-2026 school year.

Doelling, McDaniel, Speir, Bell, and Buerster voted yes. Rector and Woods were absent. Motion passes

Motion was made by Mark McDaniel and seconded by Kayla Bell to keep past Closed Session Minutes closed.

Doelling, McDaniel, Speir, Bell and Buerster voted yes. Rector and Woods were absent. Motion passes

Motion was made by Mark McDaniel and seconded by Kayla Bell that the meeting be adjourned at 8:15 p.m.

McDaniel, Doelling, Bell, Speir and Buerster voted yes. Rector and Woods were absent. Motion passes

https://www.edwardscountyschools.org/cms/one.aspx?pageId=121415