September 2023 Board Minutes
September 12, 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 September 12, 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: Thad Walker, Bill Jacquot, Shanna Eddinger, Trista Freeman, and Steve Moore. Aaron Littig was absent. Also attending were Superintendent Kevin Blankenship, WGS Principal Jessica Crawford, WHS Principal Denny Vortman, and Administrative Assistant Becky Lashmett.
FY24 BUDGET
A public hearing on the proposed FY24 budget was conducted, with no questions or comments from the audience. Walker motioned, with a second from Freeman to approve as presented. Roll call vote resulted: Walker, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; and Moore, yea; there being five yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
MINUTES / FINANCIALS
Eddinger motioned, with a second from Freeman, to approve the minutes of the August 15th regular meeting. Roll call vote resulted: Walker, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; and Moore, yea; there being five yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
Freeman motioned, with a second from Eddinger, to approve the financial reports and bills to be paid. Roll call vote resulted: Walker, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; and Moore, yea; there being five yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
ADMINISTRATORS REPORTS
The building principals provided an update of student activities and accomplishments. Superintendent Blankenship reported on maintenance projects, noting the issues with the quality of work by VICC on the elementary school drive were still unresolved and would be referred to legal counsel.
USE OF FACILITIES
Jacquot motioned to approve the request of IEC to again use the elementary facilities for their annual meeting in June, 2024. Freeman seconded the motion and roll call vote resulted: Walker, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; and Moore, yea; there being five yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
ROE SUBSTITUTE TEACHER TRAINING
Jacquot motioned, with a second from Freeman, to renew the agreement with the ROE to provide substitute teacher training for a five-year period. Roll call vote resulted: Walker, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; and Moore, yea; there being five yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
RISK MANAGEMENT
Walker motioned to approve the revised Risk Management Plan percentages as recommended by the district’s auditors. Jacquot seconded the motion and roll call vote resulted: Walker, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; and Moore, yea; there being five yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUESTS
President Moore asked the status of Freedom of Information requests, and Superintendent Blankenship reported one received earlier in the day that would be completed within the mandatory time frame.
QUESTIONS/COMMENTS
President Moore then asked for questions or comments from the audience, and there were none. Jacquot brought up that the local Blue Cross agent was not given the opportunity to ‘bid’ the employee health plan, and it was explained that the current broker was able to shop multiple providers and brought three bids to the committee - one of which was Blue Cross. The Board noted their desire to have the local agent provide a quote next year.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Freeman motioned at 7:45 PM to enter into closed session. Walker seconded the motion and roll call vote resulted: Walker, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; and Moore, yea; there being five yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
Jacquot motioned, with a second from Walker, to return to open session at 8:14 PM. Roll call vote resulted: Walker, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; and Moore, yea; there being five yeas and no nays, the motion passed. President Moore announced the purpose of the executive session was for personnel matters and board vacancy.
PERSONNEL ACTION
Freeman motioned to approve Andrew Crivilare as WGS yearbook sponsor. Eddinger seconded the motion and roll call vote resulted: Walker, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; and Moore, yea; there being seven yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
BOARD VACANCY
President Moore announced Molly Traw’s resignation from the Board due to no longer being a resident of the school district. Letters of interest from several applicants were distributed, with the Board to take action to appoint a new member in October.
ANNOUNCEMENTS / ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:15 PM.
