March 2024 Board Minutes
March 12, 2024
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 March 12, 2024 at 6:30 PM in the Winchester Elementary School gymnasium.
President Steve Moore asked for a moment of silence for the Rushville School District in light of their tragic bus accident. He then called the meeting to order with the following members answering roll call: Bill Jacquot, Shanna Eddinger, Eric Peterson, Aaron Littig and Steve Moore. Trista Freeman and Thad Walker were absent. Also attending were Superintendent Kevin Blankenship, WGS Assistant Principal Nick ZuHone, WHS Principal Denny Vortman, and Administrative Assistant Becky Lashmett.
MINUTES / FINANCIALS
Jacquot motioned, with a second from Littig, to approve the minutes of the February 20, 2024 regular meeting. Roll call vote resulted: Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Peterson yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being five yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
Eddinger motioned, with a second from Peterson, to approve the financial reports and bills to be paid. Roll call vote resulted: Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Peterson yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being five yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
ADMINISTRATORS REPORTS
The building principals provided an update of student recognitions, activities and accomplishments. Superintendent Blankenship gave a ‘shout out’ to the students, parents and fans for their positive conduct at the recent state basketball tournament. He indicated he received many compliments from IHSA officials and other school districts. He noted the loan of a bus to Triopia CUSD, for the remainder of the term, with reimbursement of the lease payments.
BUILDING COMMITTEE REPORT
The planned staff presentation was postponed until March 13th. Dr. Blankenship made note of the fact ‘no decision has been made’ other than to seek community input.
APPROVE FY25 CONSOLIDATED DISTRICT PLAN
Littig motioned to approve the annual update of the Consolidated District Plan required for participation in the federal grant funding process. Eddinger seconded the motion and roll call vote resulted: Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Peterson yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being five yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
SENIOR CLASS TRIP
Peterson, with a second from Eddinger, motioned to approve the request of the Senior Class for an overnight trip to Pigeon Forge, TN. Roll call vote resulted: Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Peterson yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being five yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
IESA / IHSA RENEWALS
Jacquot motioned to renew membership in IESA and IHSA for the 2024-2025 school term. Littig seconded the motion and roll call vote resulted: Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Peterson yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being five yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
APPOINT TREASURER
Jacquot motioned, with a second by Littig, to appoint Kirsten Pratt as District Treasurer. Roll call vote resulted: Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Peterson yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being five yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUESTS / PUBLIC 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 7:01 PM to enter into closed session. Peterson seconded the motion and roll call vote resulted: Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Peterson yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being five yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
Eddinger motioned, with a second from Littig, to return to open session at 8:03 PM. Roll call vote resulted: Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Peterson yea; Littig, 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 student discipline and personnel matters.
PERSONNEL ACTION
Jacquot motioned to re-employ the following non-tenured teachers for 2024-2025: Alexis Carroll, Andrew Crivilare, Kendra Bass, Lisa HIleman, Dominic LaSalle, Hillary Breann Milam and Kaitlin Winks. Littig seconded the motion and roll call vote resulted: Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Peterson yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being five yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
Littig motioned to accept the following resignations: Addy Welborne / grade school track assistant and cross country, Kenny Mayner / Auto teacher, Kaitlin McDevitt / Junior High Science and Mackenzie Gieseke / District Art. Eddinger seconded the motion and roll call vote resulted: Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Peterson yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being five yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
Littig motioned, with a second from Jacquot, to approve coaches Annika Kaufmann / grade school track assistant and Michelle Weber / high school volleyball. Roll Call vote resulted: Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Peterson yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being five yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
ANNOUNCEMENTS / ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:08 PM.
APPROVED BY BOARD OF EDUCATION April 9, 2024
