May 2021 Board Minutes
May 11, 2021
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 May 11, 2021 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, Bill Jacquot, Shanna Eddinger, Molly Traw, Aaron Littig and Steve Moore. Trista Freeman entered at 6:31 PM. Also attending were Superintendent Kevin Blankenship, WHS Principal Denny Vortman, WGS Principal Andy Stumpf and Administrative Assistant Becky Lashmett.
MINUTES / FINANCIALS
Coultas motioned, with a second from Jacquot, to approve the minutes of the April 13th regular meeting and the April 15th special meeting. Roll call vote resulted: Coultas, 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 approve the financial reports and bills to be paid. Roll call vote resulted: Coultas, 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
Representatives from the Two Rivers region of the Illinois Principals Association presented Andy Stumpf with the Regional Principal of the Year award, a precursor to the State Principal of the Year he had previously been awarded.
The building principals reported on student accomplishments and noted upcoming end of the year events. Superintendent Blankenship provided a brief update of legislative issues and noted he was awaiting better interest rates before continuing with the bond refinancing.
OLD BUSINESS
Freeman motioned, with a second from Coultas, to approve the WHS 2021-2022 handbook changes as presented for first reading in April. Roll call vote resulted: Coultas, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; Traw, yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being seven yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
Superintendent Blankenship asked the board to be thinking about potential Committee of Ten members, with further discussion coming at the June meeting,
FIRST READINGS
A first reading of the updated Wellness Policy and the proposed changes to the WGS 2021-2022 handbook was conducted, with action slated for the June meeting.
FEDERAL GRANTS
Freeman motioned to approve as presented the District Consolidated Plan, a requirement of federal grants. Eddinger seconded the motion and roll call vote resulted: Coultas, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; Traw, yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being seven yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
IESA/IHSA MEMBERSHIP
Jacquot motioned, with a second from Freeman to approve membership in IESA and IHSA for 2021-2022. Roll call vote resulted: Coultas, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; Traw, yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being seven yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
May 11, 2021 Page 2
It has been proposed to start a dance team at ‘little to no cost’ and a trap shooting team at ‘no cost’ at the high school level. Student interest is being gauged on both activities and the district’s attorney is reviewing any potential liability issues with the trap shooting team. Further consideration of these activities, as well as the status of bass fishing, will be placed on the June agenda.
RETURN TO SCHOOL
Jacquot motioned to approve the required Return to School Plan for 2021-2022, with a second from Freeman.
Roll call vote resulted: Coultas, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; Traw, yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being seven yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
ESSER
Superintendent Blankenship reported that the ESSER 2 Grant application was being prepared and will focus on air filtration and a possible transport vehicle for food and educational materials. HVAC at the high school and upgraded promethean boards will be considered for the ESSER 3 submission.
FY21 BUDGET AMENDMENT
Freeman motioned to approve the tentative amendment to the FY21 budget, with a second from Coultas. Roll call vote resulted: Coultas, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; Traw, yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being seven yeas and no nays, the motion passed. The amendment will be placed on display and a public hearing will be conducted during the June 15th meeting, with action to follow.
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 then asked for questions or comments from the audience, and there were none.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Jacquot motioned at 7:41 PM to enter into closed session. Coultas seconded the motion and roll call vote resulted: Coultas, 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 Littig, to return to open session at 8:34 PM. Roll call vote resulted: Coultas, 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 the executive session was for personnel matters, student discipline and collective bargaining. .
PERSONNEL ACTION
Jacquot motioned, with a second from Freeman, to accept the resignations of Robin Varner, Jacob Schumacher and Norvin Adams. Roll call vote resulted: Coultas, 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 post the Head Cook stipend position for FY22. Roll call vote resulted: Coultas, 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 8:41 PM.
