Wesclin Community Unit School District 3 Board of Education met Feb. 20.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
I. Regular Meeting
A. Roll Call
The Board of Education of Wesclin Community School District # 3, Clinton and St. Clair Counties, Illinois, met in a regular session on Tuesday, the 21st day of February 2023, at the hour of 6:00 p.m., at the Wesclin High School in said district.
At the above-named time and place there were present the following officers and members of the Board:
Members Present Members Absent
Aaron Hoerchler, President: ______x________ ______________
Paul Josias, Vice President: ______x________ ______________
Tina Litteken, Treasurer: ______x________ ______________
Connie Elmore, Secretary: ______x________ ______________
Matt Fridley: ______x________ ______________
Jeff Stroot: _______________ ______x_______
Zach Peters: ______x________ ______________
A quorum of the Board members being present, the current president called the meeting to order and declared the Board to be in session for the transaction of business.
Administrators present:
Jennifer Filyaw, Superintendent: _____x_______ _______________
Jamey Rahm: _____x_______ _______________
Angela Woll: _____x_______ _______________
Zack Huels: _____x_______ _______________
Patrick Weathers: _____x_______ _______________
Jamie Pence: _____x_______ _______________
B. Approval of Minutes
Minutes of the previous regular meeting and of the executive session of January 17, 2023 were approved on a motion by Matt Fridley seconded by Paul Josias.
Vote: Connie Elmore-aye, Matt Fridley-aye, Aaron Hoerchler-aye, Paul Josias-aye, Tina Litteken-aye, Zach Peters-aye. Motion passes 6-0
C. District Finances
Motion made by Tina Litteken, seconded by Connie Elmore to approve The Treasurer's Report and payment of payroll in the amount of $848,990.27 and bills in the amount of $549,275.17.
Vote: Connie Elmore-aye, Matt Fridley-aye, Aaron Hoerchler-aye, Paul Josias-aye, Tina Litteken-aye, Zach Peters-aye. Motion passes 6-0
Jeff Stroot arrives 6:01 pm
D. Agenda modification
Motion made by Paul Josias seconded by Tina Litteken to approve agenda as presented.
Vote: Connie Elmore-aye, Matt Fridley-aye, Aaron Hoerchler-aye, Paul Josias-aye, Tina Litteken-aye, Zach Peters-aye, Jeff Stroot-aye. Motion passes 7-0
Superintendent Report
Soccer Update – We only have 13 girls eligible to play. We will try to proceed with the season.
Lebanon Update – We are still in discussions about partnering for softball, girls’ basketball, girls’ soccer, golf, cross country and track. Non-negotiables for the merge are keeping Wesclin coaches, home games will be at Wesclin, team name will be warriors, and colors will be orange and black.
1% Facilities Tax – Presentations will be in early March. Large purchases like cars, trucks, boats, mobile home, groceries, drugs, services are not part of the 1% sales tax. Tax applies to fast food, purchase of personal/household goods. Amt of money received by school is based on pupil enrollment.
2023-2024 Calendar – two options for the school calendar are presented for review and discussion. Start of school will be August 14 with a Teacher Institute, half day of student attendance on August 15 and full day of student attendance on August 16.
Middle School Sewer/Lagoon – It is currently tested by the City of Trenton for all IEPA testing. We are looking into joining the sewer with the high school sewer line that feeds into New Baden and examining costs.
Clear and Present Danger Reporting Agreement – Using an Illinois State Police Portal to report when a student poses a clear and present danger to themselves or others and the legalities involved in doing so. Illinois State Police wants schools to indemnify them for claims arising out of these reports.
Dual Credit – Students earned 1239 college credit hours at Wesclin High School for free tuition. That is a savings of $189,567 to our students and families.
Wesclin Middle School HVAC Replacement – 8-10 HVAC units (up to $100,000) will be replaced over the summer.
Wesclin High School Cafetorium Lighting – Bid opening is the day of the board meeting and we hope to have a recommendation at the meeting. Work would be done over spring break.
Statement of Economic Interest – All Board Members and Administrators are required to complete this statement before May 1.
Club Sports – Swim, Bass Fishing and Robotics are currently club sports. We have been asked to financially assist these club sports
Exiting Process – We will be developing an exiting process where supplies, keys, outstanding accounts are settled and any other final details as well as an exit interview are completed before leaving the district.
Principals’ Report
WMS – Lillian Rensing was the school spelling bee winner. Knights of Columbus basketball tournament went well.
NB – Thank you to Doug Gruenke for being a guest reader. We had students make Valentines for Senior Citizens. Our Reach Across America event begins next week which will include a book fair and a family game night. Crosby Schmidt was chosen to attend the Illinois Principal Association breakfast.
WHS – on our last teacher institute we held a practice SAT test. Many thanks to Kellie Kunz and Danielle Schmidt for stepping up and helping students with counseling and scheduling guidance. This week is FFA week.
TE – Our PTG is really coming together and creating great activities for the students. Read Across America begins next week.
Spec Srvc – Access testing is complete. We are preparing for our annual reviews.
II. Public Comments:
Kayla Athmer handed a letter to all board members stating concerns about curriculum.
Matt Albat complimented all of our Trenton Elementary staff for the excellent job that they do with our students.
Ryan Evans questioned which sports are being mentioned for merging with Lebanon and whether it would change the school size competition level.
III. Celebration of Success
Renee Sinkler was nominated as “super custodian” for the Custodians are Key contest through Tennant Company.
Sodexo hosted a Future Chefs events at the middle school.
Trenton Elementary students participated in a Kids Heart Challenge along with an American Heart Association fundraiser where they raised $6,400 to donate to AHA, organized by Dawn Musenbrock.
Gianna Bilbruck broke the Lady Warriors single season record for 3 pt shots at 70 shots.
Robotics team Gearheads and Gearheads 2.0 reached the final four in regionals and will compete at state.
MS girls’ basketball team finished 3rd at state.
MS cheerleaders finished in the top 15 at state.
IV. Items Requiring Board of Education Action
Strength Training Activity Account
Motion by Tina Litteken seconded by Jeff Stroot to add a strength training account to the high school activity account.
Vote: Connie Elmore-aye, Matt Fridley-aye, Aaron Hoerchler-aye, Paul Josias-aye, Tina Litteken-aye, Zach Peters-aye, Jeff Stroot-aye. Motion passes 7-0
B. Cafetorium Lighting
Motion by Tina Litteken seconded by Connie Elmore to approve Barton Electric for $27,200 to replace the cafetorium lighting.
Vote: Connie Elmore-aye, Matt Fridley-aye, Aaron Hoerchler-aye, Paul Josias-aye, Tina Litteken-aye, Zach Peters-aye, Jeff Stroot-aye. Motion passes 7-0
C. Consent Agenda
Motion by Jeff Stroot seconded by Tina Litteken to approve the consent agenda as presented.
Hire
Jacob Bachman, middle school track coach
Tonya Fohne changes from a part time aide to a full time aide
Catherine Kinsman, substitute non-certified aide
Kelly Steenbergen, PALS director at Trenton Elementary
Mackenzie Biggins moves from a non-certified nurse to a certified school nurse.
Jarrod Tobin, co-assistant high school baseball coach
Kendyll Koester, assistant high school softball coach
Kayla Wright, 4th grade teacher
Tiffany Luis, 4th grade teacher
Brian Arentsen, high school head track coach
Retirement
Julie Boeckman, at the conclusion of the 25/26 school year
Lisa Bell, September 1, 2023
Resignation
Jarrod Tobin, 7th grade boys’ basketball coach
Carla Richter, aide and PALS director at Trenton Elementary
Corey Kruep, assistant football coach
Volunteer
Corey Kruep, volunteer football coach
Jacob Sopiars, volunteer football coach
Vote: Connie Elmore-aye, Matt Fridley-aye, Aaron Hoerchler-aye, Paul Josias-aye, Tina Litteken-aye, Zach Peters-aye, Jeff Stroot-aye. Motion passes 7-0
D. Closed Session for the purposes of discussing appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the Board or legal counsel for the Board, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee of the Board or against legal counsel for the Board to determine its validity pursuant to Section 2©(1) of the Open Meetings Act.
Motion by Tina Litteken seconded by Matt Fridley to move into closed session for the purposes of considering the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the Board or legal counsel for the Board, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee of the Board or against legal counsel for the Board to determine its validity pursuant to Section 2©(1) of the Open Meetings Act. 7:06 p.m.)
Vote: Connie Elmore-aye, Matt Fridley-aye, Aaron Hoerchler-aye, Paul Josias-aye, Tina Litteken-aye, Zach Peters-aye, Jeff Stroot-aye. Motion passes 7-0
Motion by Paul Josias seconded by Zach Peters to return from closed session into the regular meeting. 8:25 p.m.)
Vote: Connie Elmore-aye, Matt Fridley-aye, Aaron Hoerchler-aye, Paul Josias-aye, Tina Litteken-aye, Zach Peters-aye, Jeff Stroot-aye. Motion passes 7-0
E. Superintendent Contract Renewal
Motion by Matt Fridley seconded by Tina Litteken to approve the renewal of the superintendent’s contract.
Vote: Connie Elmore-aye, Matt Fridley-aye, Aaron Hoerchler-aye, Paul Josias-aye, Tina Litteken-aye, Zach Peters-no, Jeff Stroot-no. Motion passes 5-0 VI. Adjournment:
It was moved by Matt Fridley seconded by Jeff Stroot that the meeting be adjourned. Meeting was adjourned at 8:29 p.m.
Vote: Connie Elmore-aye, Matt Fridley-aye, Aaron Hoerchler-aye, Paul Josias-aye, Tina Litteken-aye, Zach Peters-aye, Jeff Stroot-aye. Motion passes 7-0
https://www.wesclin.org/vnews/display.v/SEC/Board%20of%20Education%7CAgenda%20and%20Minutes
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