Southwestern Community Unit School District 9 Board of Education Met Feb. 16.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
The Southwestern Board of Education met in regular session at 7:00 p.m. in the Middle School Commons in Piasa, Illinois. Andrew Bagley-President, called the meeting to order at 7:00p.m. and asked Randy Gallaher, Board Secretary, to call roll showing those members present as: Andrew Bagley, Randy Gallaher, Jason Oertel, Dara Simmons, Kyle Hacke-Superintendent, and Kim Albert-Recording Secretary. Board member, Tim Baker and Donna Loy were present via WebEx. Jacob Reno was absent.
Andrew Bagley-President, led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Public Comment:
None
Correspondence and Recognition:
A thank-you card was presented from the Dwight Bowman family.
Administrators Reports:
All school principals were in attendance by WebEx.
Mrs. Renken, Special Education Coordinator, stated that IEP’s are coming along well and that there is not much new going on in the Special Education Department.
Mr. Bearley, High School Principal, reported that he and the Athletic Trainer had been discussing young people’s suicide rates in conjunction with Covid 19; he mentioned that the counselors and social workers were busy staying in touch and helping any student in the high school that needed any kind of intervention. He also indicated that teachers are staying in contact with students also. Mr. Bearley said the coaches are doing a great job keeping the kids safe during practice/play. There have been no issues with athletes not wearing their masks at any time as well.
Shannon Bowman, Middle School Principal, reiterated Mr. Bearley’s comments regarding the counselors. She spoke about a Teenage Suicide video that was viewed in the Middle School. Mrs. Bowman reported that there were 85 applications for the Middle School Secretary position. Boys basketball and volleyball has begun in the Middle School. Teachers and students are doing well. Mrs. Bowman is working on district curriculum and moving forward in that department.
Mrs. Milner, Shipman Elementary and Brighton North Primary, stated that the students love being in school and things are going well at both buildings. She reported that each building had celebrated the 100th day of school and had also enjoyed a valentine party within each class.
Scott Hopkins, Medora Intermediate Principal, spoke and indicated that everything is going well at Medora Intermediate. Attendance has been good with only a few students being quarantined lately. He reported that he has started a Student Advisory group consisting of 8 6th graders. They have been meeting, discussing a few things that they would like changed or different, and that he is working to implement a few of their ideas. More color and banners in the schools will be recommended to the District Improvement Team. Mr. Hopkins will be meeting with the Food Service Manager regarding some changes to the lunch menu that the student advisory group had suggested.
Superintendent Report:
Mr. Hacke had nothing new to report regarding enrollment/discipline.
He gave a report on the district’s financial projections to the board. He indicated that he and the Financial Services Director always use the worst-case scenario. They estimate low on revenue and high on expenditures and normally it turns out well for the district. Mr. Hacke indicated that even if finances became bad in the area, the district is in good shape for a few years.
Mr. Hacke stated that bringing back athletics has been a boost for all especially the student athletes.
Items for Discussion or Acknowledgement…
An update regarding the Region III Special Education Cooperative was discussed. Jerseyville District petitioned the coop board regarding exiting the coop. A short discussion was held.
Tammy Graham submitted her resignation from the High School Cafeteria effective February 12, 2021.
Items Considered for Action…
Consent Agenda:
Items discussed in the consent agenda included the following…the financial report with balances as of January 31, 2021, being: Education Fund $4,421,470.00, Operations/Maintenance $1,223,102.00, Transportation $746,409.00, Working Cash $3,100,751.00, with the total being $9,491,732.00, and the County Schools Facilities Sales Tax Revenue was $43,196.54. The December County Schools Facilities Sales Tax was not available at the January meeting but it was received shortly after and that total was $44,089.05. January bills…Imprest bills…extra and substitute pay…substitute list… regular board meeting minutes from January 19, 2021…and Closed Session Board Meeting minutes from January 19, 2021, were presented in the consent agenda items.
Mr. Hacke spoke to the fact that the district is 58.3% thru the current fiscal year. Finances are in good shape per the superintendent. There were no questions regarding the Consent Agenda. Jason Oertel made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Dara Simmons made the second motion to approve.
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Baker, Gallaher, Loy, Oertel, Simmons, and Bagley
Nays: None
MOTION CARRIED.
Mr. Hacke presented the 10-Year Health Life Safety Survey. This report is sent to the State of IL. Items on this survey are recommendations that need to be updated/completed in each school such as replacing with GFI receptacles, replacing emergency light units, replacing doors with fire resistance rated doors, replacing faulty ceiling tiles, provide ADA compliant bathroom, test floor tiles for ACM’s, to remove and replace roofing. Many items on the list will be or have already been done by the school maintenance department. The next large improvement that has been scheduled will be replacing the roof on the MPR room at the high school. Another project that Mr. Hacke would like to see evaluated in the future would be the updating of the MS gym floor. There were no questions regarding the 10-Year Health Life Safety Survey.
Andrew Bagley made a motion to accept the 10-Year Health Life Safety Survey as presented and Jason Oertel seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Gallaher, Loy, Oertel, Simmons, Bagley, and Baker
Nays: None
MOTION CARRIED.
The annual Resolution Abating a Portion of Taxes was presented. This is done annually and is used to pay on bonds. 20% of the County Schools Facilities Sales Tax also is used to pay on the bonds. Dara Simmons made a motion to approve the said resolution. Tim Baker seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Loy, Oertel, Simmons, Bagley, Baker, and Gallaher
Nays: None
MOTION CARRIED.
Connie Sackman, Special Education Teacher, submitted her retirement effective the end of the 2024-2025 school year. Dara Simmons and Andrew Bagley made the respective motions to accept Mrs. Sackmans’ retirement.
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Oertel, Simmons, Bagley, Baker, Gallaher, and Loy
Nays: None
MOTION CARRIED.
Mr. Brian Hanslow was hired as the High School Athletic Director for the 2021-22 School Year. Andrew Bagley made the first motion and Donna Loy seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Simmons, Bagley, Baker, Gallaher, Loy, and Oertel
Nays: None
MOTION CARRIED.
Mr. Hacke discussed adjusting the Substitute Bus Driver’s Pay Schedule. The district is currently the lowest paying in the area and is having difficulty trying to obtain any sub drivers. After a brief discussion, Jason Oertel made a motion to increase the substitute bus driver and substitute van drivers pay schedule. Andrew Bagley made a second motion to adjust.
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Bagley, Baker, Gallaher, Loy, Oertel, and Simmons
Nays: None
MOTION CARRIED.
Andrew Bagley made a motion to move into closed session. Tim Baker seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Baker, Gallaher, Loy, Oertel, Simmons, and Bagley
Nays: None
MOTION CARRIED.
Time: 8:14p.m.
Randy Gallaher made a motion to move back into open session at 8:58p.m. Andrew Bagley seconded said motion.
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Gallaher, Loy, Oertel, Simmons, Bagley, and Baker
Nays: None
MOTION CARRIED.
There were no other items to discuss after the closed session. Being such, Jason Oertel made a motion to adjourn the meeting with Dara Simmons seconding said motion. Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Gallaher, Loy, Oertel, Simmons, Bagley, and Baker
Nays: None
MOTION CARRIED.
The meeting adjourned at 8:59p.m.
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