SE Illinois News

New Hope Consolidated Community School District #6 Board of Education met Aug. 19.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The New Hope Board of Education met on August 19, 2025 at 7:00 P.M. in the work room of the school.

Vice-President Jeremy Gray called the meeting to order at 7:01 P.M.

Roll Call: Present: 

Dan Devous 

Ryan Green

Jonathan Hase

Tom Barton

Jeremy Gray

Absent: Brandon Fry

Jeremy Vaughan

Also Present: 

Britany Pope, Superintendent

Melanie Hill 

Ardis Barbre

Carrie Rapp

Ryan Green made a motion to approve the consent agenda containing approval of July 15, 2025 regular meeting minutes, acceptance of the treasurer’s report, and approval to pay bills. Second by Tom Barton.

Voice Vote: Yea: Dan Devous, Tom Barton, Ryan Green, Jeremy Gray, Jonathan Hase

Nay: None Carried

Treasurer’s Report and current financial information. Bank balances as of July 31, 2025:

Fairfield National Bank Checking: $1,356,476.54

IPTIP: $1,095.63

Fairfield National Bank Money Market: $639,972.03

Fairfield National Bank CD: $545,272.21

Mrs. Pope presented the Superintendent’s Report: Enrollment is currently at 213 students. Due to the increase in students, additional chairs have been ordered. Summer AR & IXL reward trip went to Walther’s in Evansville. Seventy students qualified. In a building update, the HVAC units did not get here on time to do the work before students were in the building. The work is now scheduled to take place over Christmas break. We received a quote from ASC Pavement for asphalt resurfacing of the west parking lot coming in at just under $3000. Baysinger is now stating that they believe hydrolic cement to patch will fix the leak. Both Baysinger and Bevis have called up their attorneys. Our attorney is continuing to try to make sure any repairs do not cost the district money. Baysinger was here and found the leak. He is claiming Bevis is to blame. Ms. Richardson entered and won the Simple Modern contest again this year. Simple Modern will award 500 water bottles for students, 100 totes for teachers, $1000 to the school, and the teacher’s wishlist cleared. We have not really discussed what to do with the winnings. The PTO Back to School Splash was on Friday. There was a great turnout. Matta Gray has stepped down from PTO. Leanne Stauder and Deanne Hase have taken over. Track uniforms have been ordered. Cheer uniforms ordered last year are so fitted they do not fit as the girls grow. Additional uniforms have been ordered. If this continues to be an issue with new uniforms needed yearly, the cheerleaders will need to fundraise for the cost.

New Business:

1. First reading of board policy update issue 119. Second by Dan Devous.

Voice Vote: Yea: Ryan Green, Jeremy Gray, Jonathan Hase, Dan Devous, Tom Barton

Nay: None Carried

2. Tom Barton made a motion to accept Administrator and Teachers Salary and Benefits report. Second by Ryan Green.

Voice Vote: Yea: Jeremy Gray, Jonathan Hase, Dan Devous, Tom Barton, Ryan Green

Nay: None Carried

Jonathan Hase made a motion to enter executive session at 7:20 P.M. for personnel hiring, compensation, and placement of individual students. Second by Tom Barton.

Voice Vote: Yea: Jonathan Hase, Dan Devous, Tom Barton, Ryan Green, Jeremy Gray

Nay: None Carried

Dan Devous made a motion to return to open session at 7:49 P.M. Second by Tom Barton.

Voice Vote: Yea: Dan Devous, Tom Barton, Ryan Green, Jeremy Gray, Jonathan Hase

Nay: None Carried

3. Ryan Green made a motion to hire Diana Romero Calderon as paraprofessional for 2025-2026. Second by Tom Barton.

Voice Vote: Yea: Tom Barton, Ryan Green, Jeremy Gray, Jonathan Hase, Dan Devous

Nay: None Carried

4. Dan Devous made a motion to hire Melissa Curd for tutoring and mentoring for 2025-2026. Second by Jonathan Hase.

Voice Vote: Yea: Tom Barton, Ryan Green, Jeremy Gray, Jonathan Hase, Dan Devous

Nay: None Carried

5. Ryan Green made a motion to hire Leanne Stauder for cheerleading coach for 2025-2026. Second by Tom Barton.

Voice Vote: Yea: Ryan Green, Jeremy Gray, Dan Devous, Tom Barton

Nay: None

Abstain: Jonathan Hase Carried

6. Dan Devous made a motion to approve Shawna Weber as beta club sponsor for 2025-2026. Second by Ryan Green.

Voice Vote: Yea: Jeremy Gray, Jonathan Hase, Dan Devous, Tom Barton, Ryan Green

Nay: None Carried

Dan Devous made a motion adjourn the meeting at 7:52 P.M. Second by Jonathan Hase.

Voice Vote: Yea: Jonathan Hase, Dan Devous, Tom Barton, Ryan Green, Jeremy Gray

Nay: None Carried

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vJ6LqVPDQ3RXFscbAn06ZB5S-zdpIhXr/view