September 2021 Board Minutes
September 14, 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 September 14, 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, Trista Freeman, Molly Traw, Aaron Littig and Steve Moore. Also attending were Superintendent Kevin Blankenship, WHS Principal Denny Vortman, WGS Principal Andy Stumpf, Treasurer Angie Slagle and Administrative Assistant Becky Lashmett.
FY22 BUDGET HEARING
A public hearing on the proposed FY22 budget was conducted, after which Coultas motioned to approve as presented. Freeman 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.
MINUTES / FINANCIALS
Freeman motioned, with a second from Eddinger, to approve the minutes of the August 10th regular 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.
Littig motioned, with a second from Eddinger, 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
The building principals reported on the start of the 2021-2022 school year, as well as student activities and events. Superintendent Blankenship provided a brief update of legislative action and issues including the recently mandated vaccination / testing requirements for staff. He noted the activity bus had been delivered and is being utilized.
OLD BUSINESS - POLICY UPDATES
After a first reading of the proposed semi-annual updates to the PRESS policy manual in August, Coultas motioned to adopt the policy changes as recommended by the IASB. Littig 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.
USE OF FACILITIES
Freeman motioned, with a second from Littig, to approve the requests to use facilities by IEC in June 2022 for their annual meeting, and for the use by youth volleyball and basketball leagues. 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 / SCHOOL MAINTENANCE GRANT
Superintendent Blankenship presented his report on the use of ESSER funds and the school maintenance grant. Estimates for repairs to several roofs and the HVAC system are being obtained. Federal funding will be allotted as required for classroom updates and to address any ‘learning loss’.
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. Littig asked the status of any further meetings to discuss the feasibility study with Bluffs, and President Moore indicated the Bluffs President had suggested an initial discussion between two representatives of each district. Littig and Freeman volunteered to meet with representatives of Bluffs and will report back.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Freeman motioned at 7:35 PM to enter into closed session. 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.
Freeman motioned, with a second from Littig, to return to open session at 7:55 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 and collective bargaining.
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
Jacquot motioned, with a second from Eddinger, to approve the 4-year collective bargaining agreement with the non certified staff union. 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.
PERSONNEL ACTION
Freeman motioned, with a second from Littig, to accept the resignation of Adam Dutton as custodian. 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 employ Kessie Melanson / permanent substitute teacher, Kaitlin Cooper / certified aide and Kim Davison / custodian. 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 approve Amy Davis as WCC assistant volleyball coach. 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 7:58 PM.
