Southwestern Community Unit School District No. 9 Board of Education met Nov. 16.
Here are 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, Jenny Hanks, Donna Loy, Jason Oertel, Jacob Reno, Kyle Hacke, Superintendent, and Kim Albert, Recording Secretary. Andrew Bagley-President led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Public Comment:
Several questions were posed to the board from a member of the audience. A discussion ensued. Also, several public comments were made regarding the vaccination clinic that is to be held in the Middle School on November 18, 2021. Macoupin County Public Health Department is conducting this clinic from 2-4pm that day. Information was sent to parents’
emails, etc. regarding the vaccination clinic. A comment was made regarding the survey that was sent out regarding how the ESSER funds were possibly going to be spent; the person did not feel that the survey was a survey and would like the district to entertain the idea of hot spots on buses for students to use. Another attendee voiced concern regarding no transportation for sports on Saturdays. The superintendent addressed this concern. A lawsuit regarding the mask mandate was mentioned by a gentleman, and the board asked this person to get information regarding this and forward it to them.
Correspondence and Recognition: None
Administrators Reports:
Mrs. Renken, Special Education Director, mentioned that IEPs are moving along; she also distributed pictures of projects/activities that are happening in the special education classes. The department is working on Alternate Assessments which take place in the spring. There were no questions for Mrs. Renken.
High School Principal, Mark Bearley, recognized the Instructional Coaches on the good job they have been doing training staff, etc. He also mentioned how well the teachers are doing as well as the students. He said both the High School and the Middle School bands were sounding very good; several of the HS band members are competing in contests in the next few weeks. There has been a new High School Facebook page that showcases lots of accomplishments and talents of the students, and Mr. Bearley encouraged everyone to visit that. Mr. Bearley congratulated the Varsity Football team on making the playoffs. This is the first time for Southwestern to be in the playoffs since 2009. He said it was not the turnout they had wished for that day, but the students got to experience a great day.
Mrs. Bowman, Middle School Principal, was not in attendance, but Mr. Hacke gave her report. He reported that the MS staff have been doing a great job regarding attendance since there is such a shortage of substitutes. Also, the middle school students participated last Friday in a fun day with a movie & popcorn in the afternoon.
Shipman Elementary Principal, Ms. Wooldridge, gave a report on the After School program. She has 13 students attending and Math, Language Arts, and Reading are the focus each Tuesday. She also mentioned that transportation for the After School program has been going great. Shipman’s book fair is coming up soon. PBIS is going well and the students that earn 10 tickets get to help the principal with morning announcements. Ms. Wooldridge stated that her calendar is full for awhile with students signed up to help her. Parent/Teacher Conferences went well with many parents attending in person. Shipman recently held Red Ribbon week and the students enjoy participating in that. The principal also thanked the board for approving more counseling services; a counselor from Macoupin County Public Health is now coming to the Shipman Elementary School one day a week in addition to our school counselor. Any student that wishes and has a permission slip signed can visit the counselor.
Mrs. Reed, Brighton North Primary Principal, reported that 91% of the parents attended the Parent/Teacher Conferences. She reported that on the second night of PT Conferences, Pre-K held an open house with 80% of parents attending. A trunk or treat was held in conjunction with the book fair recently. She thanked the Brighton Fire Department for putting up a tent for the event to be held outside; unfortunately, due to rain, it was held inside but families were able to stand under the tent waiting their turn for admission. The book fair raised approximately $825 for the school’s use. The teachers were all dressed as dalmatians for the book fair.
Medora Intermediate Principal, Mr. Hopkins, reported that on the half day in-service his teachers stayed in the building and worked together with each other. 2nd quarter mid-term grades were sent out last Friday. The After School Program in Medora has approximately eight students that attend the study table each Tuesday. A new fence has been installed at Medora and Mr. Hopkins is very happy with that addition. Mr. Hopkins reported that Mrs. Brittany McAfee oversees social media and has been doing a great job pushing updates out for viewing. He said the District Improvement Team will be meeting Thursday to go over surveys and data. He hopes to have more information from that meeting in December.
Superintendent Report:
Superintendent Hacke reported that the enrollment was 1223 which is down again since last month. He stated that behavior has been good with only a few interventions.
Mr. Hacke reported that the Finance Committee met last night, November 15, 2021. Also, a new carport/shed has been put up at Brighton North in the bus lot for maintenance/bus repairs. He also mentioned the new fence in Medora. The old tower that IT used in Medora is now down and the new bigger tower has been installed. He also stated that our state school report card is not out yet.
Mr. Hacke mentioned that the tax levy hearing will be held prior to the December board meeting at the Middle School. There will also be a special board meeting November 22, 2021, to finish interviewing board candidates and to appoint a new member.
Items for Discussion or Acknowledgement:
Mr. Hacke informed the board that he has been contacted regarding the storage shed back behind the school in Medora by the ball diamond. This was discussed and one board member mentioned that the shed had been there since she was young and lived in town. Mr. Hacke stated that this building is used for storing items but will look into the request further.
The school nurse for Brighton North and Shipman Elementary schools has resigned.
Items Considered for Action…
Consent Agenda:
Items discussed in the consent agenda included the following…the financial report with balances as of October 30, 2021, being: Education Fund $4,490,451.00, Operations/Maintenance $1,061,318.00, Transportation $920,407.00, Working Cash $3,166,086.00, with the total being $9,638,262.00, and the County Schools Facilities Sales Tax Revenue has not been received as of this meeting, October bills…Imprest bills…extra and substitute pay…substitute list… regular board meeting minutes from October 19, 2021…closed session minutes from October 19, 2021…Finance Committee Meeting Minutes November 15, 2021….and 2-Year Review and Approval of Policy 7:180.
The local tax payment from Macoupin County was late coming in so the financial report did not reflect that this month. The district is one-third of the way thru the fiscal year. No questions/concerns were voiced regarding the Consent Agenda. Andrew Bagley made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Donna Loy made the second motion to approve
the consent agenda.
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Bagley, Gallaher, Hanks, Loy, Oertel, and Reno
Nays: None
MOTION CARRIED.
Mr. Hacke, Superintendent, gave a preliminary 2021 levy presentation. Southwestern CUSD #9 is listed under Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (PTELL). He explained the formula that is used to determine the levy. He also explained “ballooning” the levy to capture all the funds the district is legally due. Once the levy has been submitted to the county by the district, each county assessor determines tax rate based on firm numbers determined in the spring and we are notified then. A truth in taxation hearing is required if the levy the board adopts increased by 5% or more from the prior year’s levy extension. The district will hold a truth and taxation hearing at 6:45pm prior to the December 21st board meeting which begins at 7pm.
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Gallaher, Hanks, Loy, Oertel, Reno, and Bagley
Nays: None
MOTION CARRIED.
Mr. Blankenship, Technology Director, was present to request the board approve the purchase of fiber cleaning equipment to be used to detect faulty fibers. One item is a camera and the other is a measuring tool. Donna Loy made a motion to purchase the items with Jason Oertel seconding the motion.
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Hanks, Loy, Oertel, Reno, Bagley, and Gallaher
Nays: None
MOTION CARRIED.
Substitute teachers are in high demand, and Mr. Hacke requested that the board approve raising the sub teacher pay from $90 per day to $110 per day. Another district close to Southwestern is currently paying sub teachers $125 per day. Southwestern does pay the teachers retirement whereas some districts do not. Donna Loy suggested looking into hiring one or two permanent subs for the district. Mr. Hacke will explore that option as well. Andrew Bagley made a motion to approve increasing the substitute teacher pay to $110 per day with Donna Loy seconding the said motion.
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Loy, Oertel, Reno, Bagley, and Gallaher
Nays: None
Abstain: Hanks
MOTION CARRIED.
Shawn Watson was recommended to be a Volunteer Boys Basketball Coach for 2021-22 School Year. Andrew Bagley made a motion to approve of him volunteering and Randy Gallaher seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Oertel, Reno, Bagley, Gallaher, Hanks, and Loy
Nays: None
MOTION CARRIED.
A motion to approve a resolution of Notice to Remedy for Tenured Teacher was approved after Donna Loy made the first motion to accept. Randy Gallaher made a second motion to approve.
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Reno, Bagley, Gallaher, Hanks, Loy, and Oertel
Nays: None
MOTION CARRIED.
A motion to approve the appointment of the individuals in Exhibit A to the corresponding fall extra-curricular activities therein for the 2022-2023 school year was made by Jason Oertel with Jacob Reno seconding the motion.
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Bagley, Gallaher, Hanks, Loy, Oertel, and Reno
Nays: None
MOTION CARRIED.
There were no non-appointments recommended in Exhibit B to the corresponding fall extra curricular activities therein for the 2022-2023 school year. No motion or voting needed.
Debra Rowlee will be employed as a 3-hour Lunchroom/Recess monitor at the HS for the 2021-22 school year after Andrew Bagley made a motion and Jason Oertel seconded.
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Gallaher, Hanks, Loy, Oertel, Reno, and Bagley
Nays: None
MOTION CARRIED.
Board member, Donna Loy, made a late comment prior to the members going into closed session regarding the 2-Year Review and Approval of Policy 7:180; she wanted it mentioned that she had read the information passed out at the October board meeting concerning this policy. She states that our current policy covers more issues/concerns than the provided sample. Mr. Hacke and several other members who read the sample also agreed with Mrs. Loy. So noted.
Andrew Bagley made a motion to move into closed session with Donna Loy seconding the motion.
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Hanks, Loy, Oertel, Reno, Bagley, and Gallaher
Nays: None
MOTION CARRIED.
TIME: 8:17pm
Jason Oertel made a motion to move back into open session with Donna Loy seconding such.
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Loy, Oertel, Reno, Bagley, Gallaher, and Hanks
Nays: None
MOTION CARRIED.
TIME: 9:12pm
Being no other items for discussion, Andrew Bagley made a motion to adjourn the meeting with Jenny Hanks seconding the motion to adjourn.
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Bagley, Gallaher, Hanks, Loy, Oertel, and Reno
Nays: None
MOTION CARRIED.
Meeting adjourned at 9:13pm.
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