South Central Reporter

Mount Olive Community Unit School District 5 Board of Education met March 16.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The board of education met in regular session in the library. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by President Brunnworth. Present at roll call were Brunnworth, DeVries, Osmoe, Remer, and Skertich. Also present were Superintendent Murphy, Principal Baumberger, Principal Scheller, Secretary Butler, Marcia Schulte, John Hanafin, and Amanda Osmoe.

Motion by Remer, seconded by Osmoe to adopt the agenda and approve the minutes of the regular school board meeting of February 16, 2022. All ayes. Motion carried.

Teresa Swenson arrived at 7:02 p.m.

Motion by DeVries, seconded by Skertich to approve the bills and activity accounts as presented. Roll call: 5 ayes. Motion carried.

Financial Report for February 2022:

Mr. Murphy reported that the Education Fund balance is at $1,108,179.50. We received the last of our property tax revenue. Something to keep in mind is that we received 98% of our local revenue this year. This is the least we’ve received in the last couple of years. The Building Fund is sitting at $590,967.78. This fund is used for our electric bills. The Bond and Interest Fund, our copy lease account, is $14,782.02. The Transportation Fund balance is $288,406.55. We have two state payments left to receive by the end of the fiscal year. The IMRF Fund is at $148,997.52. Site and Construction, our one cent money, is at $61,782.51. As you can see we have been doing very well in this account. The only bill taken from this fund this month was for our new indoor batting cage. Working Cash Fund is at $158,796.37. Tort Immunity Fund balance is $96,978.65. All major expenses are out of this fund for the fiscal year. Life Safety balance is $128,463.33. The total of all funds is $2,597,354.30 and the Operating Fund balance is at $2,146,350.20.

Budget Report for February 2022:

Revenues vs. Expenses by fund: 75% vs. 67%

Ed Fund: 72% vs. 66%

O & M Fund: 101% vs. 77%

Tort Fund: 98% vs. 101%

Transportation Fund: 91% vs. 87%

IMRF: 98% vs. 69%

Motion by Osmoe, seconded by Remer to approve the financial report and the budget report for February 2022. All ayes. Motion carried.

Unfinished Business:

Motion by Skertich, seconded by DeVries to approve the 2022-2023 school calendar. All ayes. Motion carried.

New Business:

Motion by DeVries, seconded by Osmoe to have a regular attendance school day on Casimir

Pulaski Day (March 6, 2023). All ayes. Motion carried.

High school track possibilities were discussed. With only about 4-6 students interested in participating, we will not have a season this school year.

Motion by Remer, seconded by DeVries to accept the solar panel bid from IL Solar Inc., pending an insurance review. Roll call: 4 ayes, 1 nay. Motion passed.

Motion by Skertich, seconded by DeVries to accept the resignation of Meagan Colley effective March 3, 2022. All ayes. Motion carried.

Mr. Baumberger discussed updates in the high school handbook, coaching handbook, and extra curricular activity handbook.

Motion by Skertich, seconded by Remer to accept the M&M Service Company fuel bid for $3.354 and $3.579 for diesel fuel. Roll call: 5 ayes. Motion carried.

Principal’s Report:

Mrs. Scheller reported the following:

∙ 3rd grade will begin IAR testing the week of the 21st and 4th-8th will test the week of the 28th.

∙ State science assessments will be given to 5th and 8th grade students this year before spring break.

∙ I’d like to thank Focus5 for providing snacks to our students for IAR.

∙ Jr. High track season is underway. The first home meet is on the 22nd.

∙ I’d like to thank my teachers and teachers’ aides for all of their help and support this year. All of them have been a huge help in covering classrooms when needed.

Mr. Baumberger reported the following:

∙ I would like to thank the Academic Foundation for their contribution that allowed our junior high and high school to invite Mr. Sam Anthony Lucania to our school. Mr. Lucania shared his experiences in dealing with social-emotional trauma with our students. The assembly was very well received by our students

∙ I’d like to thank Mr. Harmon for providing our students with a New Orleans style band concert. Mr. Harmon was able to establish a relationship with SIUE that allowed our school to have the opportunity to experience brass band jazz. A special thanks is owed to Mr. Harmon, SIUE and their group of musicians for their participation. The concert was truly phenomenal.

∙ Tonight we are hosting the Fine Arts Festival. The junior high and high school steam clubs, high school spring play group, art department, and band are conducting performances, displays, and activities for our students and community. I’d like to recognize Ms. Gallia, Mr. Schulte, Mr. Harmon, Ms. Spudich, Mrs. Heyen, and Ms. Moulton for their contributions.

∙ We would like to recognize the high school student council for their recent cooperation in presenting the spring blood drive. I am happy to announce that our school reached our goal for donations.

∙ The high school conducted its annual new student orientation. The evening included information regarding class offerings, medical requirements for the fall, and extracurricular offerings. We also included a tour of the high school and completed the evening with a Q&A segment. I want to thank our guidance counselor, Taryn Markezich, school nurse, Chelsea Gill, math teacher, Casey Hannah, and NHS students Lexi Bollman and Sarah Korunka for their assistance that evening.

∙ Friday marked the end of the third quarter. Report cards were distributed to students Monday.

∙ SAT testing will begin next week for our juniors. PSAT testing will begin after spring break.

Superintendent’s Report:

Mr. Murphy reported the following:

1. Upcoming Events

The NHS Ceremony will be on April 5th. Six students will be honored at the Silver Medallion Ceremony on April 28th. The high school spring play will be on April 29th. A spring band concert will be held on May 4th. High school graduation will take place on May 7th.

2. Statement of Economic Interests

Board members and administration are to complete the statement of economic interests and return them to me tonight.

3. Summer School

The district will be having summer school and summer camps again this summer. The majority of it will occur in June. We will bring forth participation numbers next month. 4. 2022 Community Partnership Grant

The district applied for a social-emotional grant and we got approved. We will have $188,000 to spend over the next two years, per year, to aide in social-emotional needs for both students and staff. Part of this will include having two social workers in our school district.

5. Library Grant

Annually we receive a library grant. This year we received $850.

6. Van Purchase

The district recently bought a new 2021 Chrysler Pacifica van for $34,505. This purchase is covered by one of our ESSR grants. Toby helped in searching for this vehicle for the school.

Motion by DeVries, seconded by Remer to enter into closed session at 8:05 p.m. for the following purposes as allowed under the Illinois Open Meetings Act (5 ILCS 120/1 et seq.): Discussion of the appointment, employment and dismissal of employees of the public body and collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives. Roll call: 5 ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Skertich, seconded by Osmoe to return to open session at 9:04 p.m. Roll call: 5 ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Osmoe, seconded by DeVries to hire spring coaches for the 2022 and 2023 school year. All ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Skertich, seconded by Remer to hire fall coaches for the 2022-2023 school year. All ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Osmoe, seconded by Remer to hire winter coaches for the 2022-2023 school year. All

ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by DeVries, seconded by Osmoe to hire Daniel Lesko for the high school English teaching position for the 2022-2023 school year, pending certification. All ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Remer, seconded by DeVries to hire Alex Wood for the high school business/technology position for the 2022-2023 school year, pending certification. All ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Skertich, seconded by DeVries to hire Breanna Seely for the Kindergarten position for the 2022-2023 school year. All ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Osmoe, seconded by DeVries to authorize non-reemployment of probationary teacher, Julie Whittington. Roll call: 5 ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by DeVries, seconded by Remer to approve the independent contractor agreement between the Mt. Olive School District #5 and Matt Warren for technology support and maintenance. Roll call: 5 ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Skertich, seconded by Remer to extend the bookkeeper’s contract by one year. Roll call: 5 ayes. Motion carried.

The next board meeting will be held on Wednesday April 20, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. in the school library at 804 West Main St, Mt. Olive, IL.

Motion by Skertich, seconded by Osmoe to adjourn at 9:11 p.m. All ayes. Motion carried.

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