August 2023 Board Miniutes
August 15, 2023
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 15, 2023 at 6:30 PM in the Winchester Elementary School gymnasium.
President Steve Moore called the meeting to order with the following members answering roll call: Thad Walker, Bill Jacquot, Shanna Eddinger, Trista Freeman, Molly Traw, Aaron Littig and Steve Moore. Also attending were Superintendent Kevin Blankenship, WGS Principal Jessica Crawford, WHS Principal Denny Vortman, and Administrative Assistant Becky Lashmett.
MINUTES / FINANCIALS
Jacquot motioned, with a second from Traw, to approve the minutes of the June 13th regular meeting. Roll call vote resulted: Walker, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; Traw, yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being seven yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
Littig motioned, with a second from Freeman, to approve the financial reports and bills to be paid, including the necessary July bills. Roll call vote resulted: Walker, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; Traw, yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being seven yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
ADMINISTRATORS REPORTS
The building principals provided an update of student registration, summer projects and back to school plans and preparations. Superintendent Blankenship reported on summer maintenance projects and possible equipment upgrades.
POLICY UPDATES
Littig motioned to approve the revised PRESS policies as first presented in the June meeting. Walker seconded the motion and roll call vote resulted: Walker, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; Traw, yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being seven yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
FY24 BUDGET
Superintendent Blankenship presented the proposed Fy24 budget, and President Moore announced a hearing, followed by a vote, will be conducted September 12, 2023.
RISK MANAGEMENT
Littig motioned, with a second from Traw, to approve the FY24 Risk Management Plan with no changes from the previous year. Roll call vote resulted: Walker, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; Traw, yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being seven yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
THREAT ASSESSMENT TEAM
Littig motioned to approve the membership of the FY24 Threat Assessment Team. Traw seconded the motion and rRoll call vote resulted: Walker, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; Traw, yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being seven yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
ARCHITECT PROPOSAL
Freeman motioned, with a second from Littig, to approve the cost proposal of not to exceed $20,000 from Graham & Hyde to explore options for the high school. These options are expected to include projected costs for needed renovations and improvements as well as new construction. Roll call vote resulted: Walker, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; Traw, yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being seven yeas and no nays, the motion passed. A building committee of Eddinger, Littig and Walker was formed.
HEALTH INSURANCE
Due to an increase of 50% from current carrier Health Alliance, the insurance committee met to review all options available from our current broker who was able to shop from multiple providers. The recommended provider was blue Cross Blue Shield, and Eddinger motioned to accept the proposal with an inception date of September 1st. Traw seconded the motion and roll call vote resulted: Walker, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; Traw, yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being seven yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
USE OF FACILITIES
Jacquot motioned to approve the use of district athletic facilities by recognized youth organizations for the 2023-2024 school term, contingent upon scheduling with the athletic director. Littig seconded the motion and roll call vote resulted: Walker, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; Traw, yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being seven yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
SPORTSMANSHIP GUIDELINES
Jacquot motioned, with a second from Littig, to approve the proposed Sportsmanship Guidelines which outline repercussions for violations. Roll call vote resulted: Walker, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; Traw, yea; Littig, 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 the completion of one onerous request from a firm called SmartProcure regarding purchasing. President Moore then asked for questions or comments from the audience, and there were none.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Jacquot motioned at 8:13 PM to enter into closed session. Walker seconded the motion and roll call vote resulted: Walker, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; Traw, yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being seven yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
Freeman motioned, with a second from Eddinger, to return to open session at 9:05 PM. Roll call vote resulted: Walker, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; Traw, yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being seven yeas and no nays, the motion passed. President Moore announced the purpose of executive session was for personnel matters.
PERSONNEL ACTION
Jacquot motioned, with a second from Freeman, to accept the resignations of Amy Davis / Home Economics and HS Volleyball Assistant, Addy Welborne / Permanent Substitute, Vicky Winningham / Cook, Natasha Kuglar / Custodian, Travis Sievers / HS Boys Basketball Assistant, andTodd Chapman / GS Boys Basketball Assistant. Roll call vote resulted: Walker, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; Traw, yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being seven yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
Eddinger motioned, with a second from Freeman to employ Colleen Lovekamp / part-time Home Economics teacher, Amy McClenning / Cook, Lindsay Littig / Cook, Kim Gordley / Pre-K Bus Driver and Denny Vortman/ regular route driver. Roll call vote resulted: Walker, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; Traw, yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being seven yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
Walker motioned, with a second from Littig, to approve co-op coaches Ryan Link / GS Girls Basketball Assistant, April Littig / HS Volleyball Assistant, Ryan Shaw and Richard Snodgrass / Bass co-head coaches, Michelle Webber / Volunteer GS Softball Assistant, Dalton Hutton / Volunteer GS Baseball Student Assistant, and Emma Smith / HS VB volunteer. Roll call vote resulted: Walker, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea;
Freeman, yea; Traw, yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being seven yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
Walker motioned, with a second from Freeman, to approve a payment schedule for drivers of the activity buses - $50 for events and $25 for practices. Roll call vote resulted: Walker, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; Traw, yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being seven yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
Eddinger motioned, with a second from Littig, to approve the FY24 Stipend list as presented. Roll call vote resulted: Walker, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; Traw, yea; Littig, 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 9:09 PM.
