December 2020 Board Minutes
December 15, 2020
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 15, 2020 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: Ron Coultas, Phyliss McGuire, Bill Jacquot, Shanna Eddinger, Trista Freeman and Steve Moore. Jody Clanton was absent. Also attending were Superintendent Kevin Blankenship, WHS Principal Denny Vortman, District Bookkeeper Angie Slagle and Administrative Assistant Becky Lashmett. WGS Principal Andy Stumpf was absent.
LEVY HEARING / ACTION
The proposed tax levy was presented, with an increase of 4.17% over the previous year’s levy. A hearing was conducted, with there being no public questions or comments. Coultas motioned to approve the submission of the levy, with a second from McGuire. Roll call vote resulted: Coultas, yea; McGuire, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, 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 10th regular meeting. Roll call vote resulted: Coultas, yea; McGuire, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, 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; Freeman, yea and Moore, yea; there being six yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
ADMINISTRATORS REPORTS
WGS students of the month were reported by Dr. Blankenship, as well as successful completion of NISL training by staff members Karen Daniels, Megan Little and Katie Maul. Mr. Vortman presented early graduation requests (action item below), and reported on Key Club activities and the number of WHS students in remote learning. Superintendent Blankenship provided an update of COVID-related staff absences, IHSA’s postponement of action on fall/winter sports and the anticipated receipt of the feasibility study results in January.
EARLY GRADUATION
Eddinger motioned to approve the requests for early graduation from Braxton Beavers, Morgan Hall and Kari Still. Freeman seconded the motion and roll call vote resulted: Coultas, yea; McGuire, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea and Moore, yea; there being six yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
PROPERTY TAX ABATEMENT
Coultas motioned to approve abatement of $60,000 in property taxes and to transfer $60,000 from the Sales Tax Fund to the Bond & Interest Fund. Freeman seconded the motion and roll call vote resulted: Coultas, yea; McGuire, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea and Moore, yea; there being six yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
EMPLOYMENT
Freeman motioned, with a second from McGuire, to employ Katie Dutton as Certified Aide (assigned to 1-on-1 duties) beginning January 4, 2021. Roll call vote resulted: Coultas, yea; McGuire, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, 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.
ANNOUNCEMENTS / ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:05 PM.
