November 2021 Board Minutes
November 9, 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 November 9th, 2021 at 6:30 PM in the Winchester High School Home Economics Room.
President Steve Moore called the meeting to order with the following members answering roll call: Ron Coultas, Shanna Eddinger, Trista Freeman, Molly Traw, Aaron Littig and Steve Moore. Bill Jacquot was absent. 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 Freeman, to approve the minutes of the October 12th regular meeting. Roll call vote resulted: Coultas, 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 Littig, to approve the financial reports and bills to be paid. Roll call vote resulted: Coultas, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; Traw, yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being six yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
ADMINISTRATORS REPORTS
The building principals reported on student activities and upcoming events. Superintendent Blankenship provided an update of the Strategic Plan review and recent legislative action and issues. He noted a $300 donation to be split evenly between the activity accounts of the WGS / WHS Art departments.
TENTATIVE LEVY
The tentative December 2021 levy was presented, with Superintendent Blankenship noting the Scott County Assessor has increased farmland values substantially. The increased Equalized Assessed Valuation (EAV) will result in a lower tax rate than last year for the district. The tentative levy will be placed on display and a hearing will be held at 6:30 PM at the December 14th meeting.
BORG SCHOLARSHIP
In 1995, Jean Borg (WHS Class of 1946) purchased a $146,000 life insurance policy naming the District as beneficiary, with the monies to be used to fund a scholarship in memory of her mother. Until this time, Ms. Borg has paid the annual $3,000 premiums, however has notified the district she will no longer be able to do so.
Coultas motioned to authorize Superintendent Blankenship to pay the annual premiums with district funds, with repayment upon receipt of the proceeds. Freeman seconded the motion and roll call vote resulted: Coultas, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; Traw, yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being six yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN
Coultas motioned, with a second from Freeman, to approve the recently updated School Improvement Plan as presented. Roll call vote resulted: Coultas, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; Traw, yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being six yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
ROOF REPAIRS
Littig motioned, with a second from Coultas, to authorize release of bid documents by the district architect for roof repairs/replacement throughout the district. Roll call vote resulted: Coultas, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; Traw, yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being six yeas and no nays, the motion passed. Once bids are received and one is accepted, the project will be funded by the ESSER 2 and 3 grants, as well as the School Maintenance Grant.
PROPERTY TAX RELIEF GRANT
Coultas motioned, with a second from Freeman, to again apply for the Property Tax Relief Grant, even though the district is very low on the eligibility list. Roll call vote resulted: Coultas, 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
Coultas motioned at 7:10 PM to enter into closed session. Littig seconded the motion and roll call vote resulted: Coultas, 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 8:14 PM. Roll call vote resulted: Coultas, 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
Freeman motioned, with a second from Eddinger, to approve Junior High Volleyball coaches Grace Deusterhaus / Head Coach and Amy Davis / Assistant Coach. Roll call vote resulted: Coultas, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; Traw, yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being six yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
ANNOUNCEMENTS / ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:16 PM.
