December 2019 Board Minutes
December 10, 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 December 10, 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: Ron Coultas, Phyllis McGuire, Shanna Eddinger, Jody Clanton, Trista Freeman and Steve Moore. Bill Jacquot was absent. Also present were Superintendent Kevin Blankenship, WHS Principal Denny Vortman, WGS Principal Andy Stumpf, District Bookkeeper Angie Slagle and Administrative Assistant Becky Lashmett.
LEVY HEARING / ACTION
A public hearing was conducted on the proposed property tax levy which was first presented in November. There were minimal changes from the tentative draft, and no questions or comments from the audience. Freeman motioned, with a second from Clanton, to approve the levy as presented. Roll call vote resulted: Coultas, yea; McGuire, yea; Eddinger, yea; Clanton, yea; Freeman, yea and Moore, yea; there being six yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
MINUTES / FINANCIALS
Freeman motioned, with a second from Coultas, to approve the minutes of the November 12th regular meeting. Roll call vote resulted: Coultas, yea; McGuire, yea; Eddinger, yea; Clanton, yea; Freeman, yea and Moore, yea; there being six yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
Coultas motioned, with a second from Eddinger, to approve the financial reports and bills to be paid. Roll call vote resulted: Coultas, yea; McGuire, yea; Eddinger, yea; Clanton, yea; Freeman, yea and Moore, yea; there being six yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
ADMINISTRATORS REPORTS
The principals reported on building level activities and student accomplishments. Dr. Blankenship reported the ISBE will be opening up $50,000 matching fund maintenance grants. Noting some areas of the WGS roof are in need of replacement, he asked the board members to provide him with any other suggestions they may have so that he can research and compile a list of building needs.
CO-OP COMMITTEE
Representatives of both the Bluffs and Winchester boards have met and developed a proposed drug testing policy for any high school students who choose to participate in extracurricular activities. A first reading was conducted, with town hall type meetings planned for January in both communities, with possible action for the 2020-2021 school year to be taken in March.
IASB CONFERENCE REPORT
Freeman and Eddinger reported on the recent IASB conference they attended in Chicago. Suggestions stemming from this conference include having the mission statement on agenda, spending a major portion of each meeting on the mission / vision / goals, a policy for public participation and a listing of agenda items by month.
PLAN / POLICY ADOPTION
After a second reading of the proposed WGS Action Plan, Eddinger motioned to approve. Coultas seconded the motion and roll call vote resulted: Coultas, yea; McGuire, yea; Eddinger, yea; Clanton, yea; Freeman, yea and Moore, yea; there being six yeas and no nays, the motion passed
After a second reading of proposed new Policy #551 Targeted School Violence Prevention Program, Coultas motioned to adopt, with a second from McGuire. Roll call vote resulted: Coultas, yea; McGuire, yea; Eddinger, yea; Clanton, yea; Freeman, yea and Moore, yea; there being six yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
PROPERTY TAX RELIEF GRANT / ABATEMENT
Coultas motioned, with a second from Clanton, to submit an application to ISBE for a grant intended to offset a portion of the local taxpayers burden. An application was submitted last year, with only a small percentage of districts receiving funding, and it is anticipated that this year will be similar. Roll call vote resulted: Coultas, yea; McGuire, yea; Eddinger, yea; Clanton, yea; Freeman, yea and Moore, yea; there being six yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
Coultas motioned to abate $60,000 in property taxes designated for payment towards the building bond, and to instead utilize sales tax funds. Clanton seconded the motion and roll call vote resulted: Coultas, yea; McGuire, yea; Eddinger, yea; Clanton, yea; Freeman, yea and Moore, yea; there being six yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
WAIVER REQUEST
After conducting a public hearing earlier in the evening with no opposition, Freeman motioned to submit a request to the General Assembly allowing a waiver of the requirement to publish the Annual Statement of Affairs in a newspaper. Coultas seconded the motion and roll call vote resulted: Coultas, yea; McGuire, yea; Eddinger, yea; Clanton, yea; Freeman, yea and Moore, yea; there being six 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. President Moore asked for questions or comments from the audience, and there were none.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Coultas motioned at 7:25 PM to enter into closed session. Freeman seconded and roll call vote resulted: Coultas, yea; McGuire, 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 return to open session at 8:19 PM. Roll call vote resulted: Coultas, yea; McGuire, yea; Eddinger, yea; Clanton, yea; Freeman, yea and Moore, yea; there being six yeas and no nays, the motion passed. President Moore announced the purpose of the executive session was to discuss collective bargaining and personnel items.
PERSONNEL ACTION
Clanton motioned to approve Hannah Harbaugh as a junior high volleyball volunteer assistant coach. Freeman seconded the motion and roll call vote resulted: Coultas, yea; McGuire, yea; Eddinger, yea; Clanton, yea; Freeman, yea and Moore, yea; there being six yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
ANNOUNCEMENTS / ADJOURNMENT
President Moore announced the February 11th meeting will begin at 4:00 PM due to boys basketball Senior Night. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:24 PM.
