October 2021 Board Minutes
October 12, 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 October 13, 2021 at 6:35 PM in the Winchester Elementary School gymnasium.
President Steve Moore called the meeting to order with the following members answering roll call: Bill Jacquot, Shanna Eddinger, Trista Freeman, Molly Traw, Aaron Littig and Steve Moore. Ron Coultas was absent. Also attending were Superintendent Kevin Blankenship, WHS Principal Denny Vortman, WGS Principal Andy Stumpf, Treasurer Angie Slagle and Administrative Assistant Becky Lashmett.
MINUTES / FINANCIALS
Jacquot motioned, with a second from Freeman, to approve the minutes of the September 14th regular meeting. Roll call vote resulted: Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; Traw, yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being six 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: Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; Traw, yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being six yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
ADMINISTRATORS REPORTS
Curriculum Director Jessica Crawford explained her duties and future goals toward aligning the curriculum from between grade levels and in respect to State standards.
WHS Principal Vortman introduced senior students who are requesting early graduation, and Freeman motioned to approve the nine requests. Eddinger seconded the motion and roll call vote resulted: Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; Traw, yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being six yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
The building principals reported on student activities and events. Superintendent Blankenship provided an update of legislative action and issues including the mandated vaccination / testing requirements for staff. He noted the formation of a staff committee to review options on the district’s health insurance plan for FY23.
OLD BUSINESS - FEASIBILITY STUDY
Freeman and Littig reported on their recent informal meeting with two representatives of the Bluffs CUSD #2. The Bluffs representatives had brought forth their concerns, but have agreed to report back to their Board and subsequently schedule a second informal meeting.
CLOSED SESSION MINUTES
Freeman motioned, with a second from Littig, to make public the closed session minutes from January through June 2021. Roll call vote resulted: Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; Traw, yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being six yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
SURPLUS PROPERTY
Freeman motioned, with a second from Eddinger, to seek sealed bids for the purchase of the 2003 Bluebird bus that is no longer needed. Roll call vote resulted: Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; Traw, yea; Littig, 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 then asked for questions or comments from the audience, and there were none.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Freeman motioned at 8:03 PM to enter into closed session. Eddinger seconded the motion and roll call vote resulted: Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; Traw, yea; Littig, 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 8:34 PM. Roll call vote resulted: Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; Traw, yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being six yeas and no nays, the motion passed. President Moore announced the purpose of the executive session was for personnel matters.
PERSONNEL ACTION
Jacquot motioned, with a second from Littig, to accept the resignation of Megan Davis as WHS PE teacher and Melinda Waid as WGS custodian. Roll call vote resulted: Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; Traw, yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being six yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
Eddinger motioned, with a second from Freeman, to employ Baine Buhlig as WGS evening custodian. Roll call vote resulted: Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; Traw, yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being six yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
Freeman motioned, with a second from Eddinger to increase substitute bus driver pay to $90 per day. Roll call vote resulted: Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; Traw, yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, abstain; there being five yeas, one abstention and no nays, the motion passed.
ANNOUNCEMENTS / ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:39 PM.
