April 2023 Board Minutes
April 18, 2023
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 April 19, 2023 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: Bill Jacquot, Molly Traw, Aaron Littig and Steve Moore. Also attending were Superintendent Kevin Blankenship, WGS Principal Andy Stumpf, WHS Principal Denny Vortman, and Administrative Assistant Becky Lashmett.
MINUTES / FINANCIALS
Jacquot motioned, with a second from Littig, to approve the minutes of the March 14th regular meeting. Roll call vote resulted: Jacquot, yea; Traw, yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being four yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
Littig motioned, with a second from Traw, to approve the financial reports and bills to be paid. Roll call vote resulted: Jacquot, yea; Traw, yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being four 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 and staff activities and upcoming events. Superintendent Blankenship reported a recent Consultation Committee meeting which he noted is a good means to keep the lines of communication open.
EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES
Jacquot motioned, with a second from Littig, to keep closed the minutes of executive session from July through December, 2022. Roll call vote resulted: Jacquot, yea; Traw, yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being four yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
USE OF FACILITIES
Traw motioned, with a second from Littig, to approve the use of district facilities for spring and summer youth leagues and for Emily’s Dance Studio on May 31st and June 1st. Roll call vote resulted: Jacquot, yea; Traw, yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being four yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
WHS ENTRANCES
Jacquot motioned to approve the low bid of Neff-Colvin for $105,670.00, utilizing Maintenance Grant funds, for three secure entrances at WHS which will include a camera and buzzer system. The only door not included is the northwest door, which will be replaced, but will not be equipped with the electronics. Roll call vote resulted: Jacquot, yea; Traw, yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being four yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
POLICY UPDATES
A first reading was conducted on the semi-annual PRESS revisions, as well as the proposed changes to the WHS handbook. WHS student Kyli Brown spoke in opposition to the dress code changes regarding ‘leggings’. A second reading and action is slated for the May meeting.
CONSOLIDATED DISTRICT PLAN
Littig motioned to approve the FY24 Consolidated District Plan as required for federal grants. Jacquot seconded the motion and roll call vote resulted: Jacquot, yea; Traw, yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being four 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
Jacquot motioned at 7:16 PM to enter into closed session. Littig seconded the motion and roll call vote resulted: Jacquot, yea; Traw, yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being four yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
Littig motioned, with a second from Traw, to return to open session at 7:46 PM. Roll call vote resulted: Jacquot, yea; Traw, yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being four 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 Littig, to approve the personnel recommendations; accepted the retirement of Julie Short / bus driver and the resignation of Allyson Huffman May / special education teacher at the end of the current term, approved Delany Fearneyhough as play assistant and Alana Brown as high school cheer sponsor. Roll call vote resulted: Jacquot, yea; Traw, yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being four yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
ANNOUNCEMENTS / ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:50 PM.
