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August 13, 2019 Board Meeting Minutes

By Lashmett, Becky on September 11, 2019

August 13, 2019            

The Board of Education, Community Unit School District No. 1, 149 South Elm Street, Winchester, Illinois counties of Scott, Morgan and Greene, met in regular session on Tuesday August 13, 2019 at 6:30 PM in the Board of Education office located at 149 South Elm Street in Winchester, Illinois.

President Steve Moore called the meeting to order with the following members answering roll call: Phyllis McGuire, Bill Jacquot, Shanna Eddinger, Jody Clanton, Trista Freeman and Steve Moore.  Ron Coultas entered at 6:31.  Also present were Superintendent Kevin Blankenship, WHS Principal Denny Vortman, WGS Principal Andy Stumpf, District Bookkeeper Angie Slagle and Administrative Assistant Becky Lashmett.

MINUTES / FINANCIALS

McGuire motioned, with a second from Jacquot, to approve the minutes of the June 11th regular meeting and the July 15th special meeting.  Roll call vote resulted: McGuire, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Clanton, yea; Freeman, yea; and Moore, yea; there being six yeas and no nays, the motion passed.

Freeman motioned, with a second from Eddinger, to approve the financial reports and bills to be paid.  Roll call vote resulted: Coultas, yea; McGuire, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Clanton, yea; Freeman, yea and Moore, yea; there being seven yeas and no nays, the motion passed.

ADMINISTRATORS REPORTS

The principals provided information on the Strategic Planning team sessions from which vision and mission statements have been developed, as well as core values and priorities.  The next step is application for a grant to provide coordination of curriculum.  Mr. Blankenship reported four student residency issues were being investigated, and the Pre-K program will operate four half-day classes serving approximately 80 students.

PROPOSED FY20 BUDGET

The tentative budget was presented, and is on public display.  A hearing and action to adopt is slated for September 10, 2019 during the regular Board meeting beginning at 6:30 PM.

YOUTH FOOTBALL  

Coultas motioned to approve the annual request to use facilities by the Youth Football League.  Freeman seconded the motion and roll call vote resulted: Coultas, yea; McGuire, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Clanton, yea; Freeman, yea and Moore, yea; there being seven yeas and no nays, the motion passed.

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUESTS /  QUESTIONS/COMMENTS  

President Moore asked the status of Freedom of Information requests, and Superintendent Blankenship reported there were none outstanding and one which was denied months earlier was again denied as being onerous.   President Moore asked for questions or comments from the audience, and there were none, but board members questioned why athletic fees and admissions differ between Winchester and Bluffs schools.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Jacquot motioned at 7:16 PM to enter into executive session for personnel matters.  Clanton seconded the motion and roll call vote resulted:  Coultas, yea; McGuire, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Clanton, yea; Freeman, yea and Moore, yea; there being seven yeas and no nays, the motion passed.

McGuire motioned at 7:53 PM to return to open session, with a second from Eddinger.  Roll call vote resulted: Coultas, yea; McGuire, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Clanton, yea; Freeman, yea and Moore, yea; there being seven yeas and no nays, the motion passed.  President Moore announced the purpose of the session was personnel matters

PERSONNEL ACTION

Jacquot motioned to accept the resignation of Austin Wilson as band teacher, with a second from McGuire.Roll call vote resulted: Coultas, yea; McGuire, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Clanton, yea; Freeman, yea and Moore, yea; there being seven yeas and no nays, the motion passed.  

Coultas motioned to employ Megan Davis / WHS PE, Rusty Monroe / JH Math, and Jimme Bruns / bus driver.  McGuire seconded the motion and roll call vote resulted: Coultas, yea; McGuire, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Clanton, yea; Freeman, yea and Moore, yea; there being seven yeas and no nays, the motion passed.

Coultas motioned, with a second from Clanton, to re-employ all remaining RIFd employees; Norvin Adams / bus driver, John Peters / part-time custodian, Jackie Blanton / Part-time cook, Dianne Potter / LPN aide, and certified aides Tina Brown, Ann Jones, Kessie Melanson and Jenna Lawson.  Roll call vote resulted: Coultas, yea; McGuire, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Clanton, yea; Freeman, yea and Moore, yea; there being seven yeas and no nays, the motion passed.

Eddinger, with a second from Freeman, motioned to approve the FY20 stipend list.  Roll call vote resulted: Coultas, yea; McGuire, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Clanton, yea; Freeman, yea and Moore, yea; there being seven yeas and no nays, the motion passed.

Coultas motioned to grant the administration authorization to employ a bus monitor, pre-K bus driver, special trip bus driver and a band teacher.  Eddinger seconded the motion and roll call vote resulted: Coultas, yea; McGuire, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Clanton, yea; Freeman, yea and Moore, yea; there being seven yeas and no nays, the motion passed.

ANNOUNCEMENTS / ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:59 PM.