November 2022 Board Minutes
November 15, 2022
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 15, 2022 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 was absent. Also attending were Superintendent Kevin Blankenship, WGS Principal Andy Stumpf, WHS Principal Denny Vortman who arrived at 6:50 PM after attending the DAR Banquet, and Administrative Assistant Becky Lashmett.
MINUTES / FINANCIALS
Coultas motioned, with a second from Jacquot, to approve the minutes of the October 11th regular meeting. Roll call vote resulted: Coultas, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Traw, yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being six yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
Jacquot motioned, with a second from Littig, to approve the financial reports and bills to be paid. Roll call vote resulted: Coultas, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Traw, yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being six yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
AUDIT REPORT
The results of the annual audit were presented by Suzanne Steckel of Zumbahlen, Eyth, Surratt, Foote and Flynn. She reported the district again reached ‘Recognition’ status with a rating of 3.8. Coultas motioned, with a second from Littig, to approve the audit report. Roll call vote resulted: Coultas, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Traw, yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being six yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
ADMINISTRATORS REPORTS
Students of the Month were reported by the building principals, as well as an update of student activities and upcoming events. Superintendent Blankenship reported that bus bids were expected for the December meeting.
EARLY GRADUATION
Traw motioned, with a second from Eddinger, to approve the early graduation request of Madison Lindsey. Roll call vote resulted: Coultas, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Traw, yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being six yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
VEREGY ESTIMATES
The cost projections from Veregy (formerly CTS Group) for work at Winchester High School were reviewed, and a building committee meeting will be scheduled before the December 13th meeting for further consideration.
TENTATIVE TAX LEVY
The tentative tax levy was presented by Superintendent Blankenship, and Coultas motioned to approve. Littig seconded the motion and roll call vote resulted: Coultas, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Traw, yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being six yeas and no nays, the motion passed. The document will be on display until the hearing scheduled for December 13th, after which action will be taken.
PROPERTY TAX RELIEF GRANT
Littig motioned, with a second from Traw, to submit an application for the ISBE Property Tax Relief Grant. Roll call vote results: Coultas, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Traw, yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there
being six yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
SCHOOL MAINTENANCE GRANT
Eddinger motioned, with a second from Coultas, to submit an application for the ISBE School Maintenance Grant to provide security entrances for Winchester High School. Roll call vote results: Coultas, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Traw, yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being six yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
POLICY UPDATES
A first reading of the semi-annual updates to the PRESS policies as developed by the IASB was conducted, with a second reading and action slated for the December meeting.
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 Brian McKinney questioned the athletics budget and Booster projects. He also asked why no funding was being provided to the track, and was informed it no longer meets IESA/IHSA regulations for size.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Littig motioned at 7:53 PM to enter into closed session. Eddinger seconded the motion and roll call vote resulted: Coultas, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Traw, yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being six yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
Littig motioned, with a second from Traw, to return to open session at 8:45 PM. Roll call vote resulted: Coultas, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, 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 student discipline and personnel matters.
PERSONNEL ACTION
Jacquot motioned, with a second from Eddinger, to accept the resignations of Grace Duesterhaus / grade school volleyball coach and Jenna Lawson / aide, effective November 22, 2022. Roll call vote resulted: Coultas, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Traw, yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being six yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
Jacquot motioned to approve Kylie Slagle as a volunteer coach with the high school girls basketball program. Littig seconded the motion and roll call vote resulted: Coultas, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Traw, yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being six yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
ANNOUNCEMENTS / ADJOURNMENT
President Moore announced a Special Meeting for Tuesday November 29, 2022 at 3:45 PM for the purpose of student discipline. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:48 PM.
