Southwestern Community Unit School District 9 Board of Education met Aug. 15.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
The Southwestern Board of Education met in regular session on August 15, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. in the Middle School Commons in Piasa, Illinois. Jason Oertel, President, called the meeting to order at 7:00p.m. and asked Jenny Hanks, Board Secretary, to call roll showing those members present as: Jenny Hanks, Jason Oertel, Andrew Ruyle (arrived at 7:20p.m.), Brad Schuchman, Nicholas Strohbeck, Dr. Kevin Bowman, Superintendent, and Kim Albert, Recording Secretary. Board members absent included Donna Loy and Jacob Reno.
Public Comment: None
Correspondence and Recognition:
Bob Ruyle, Maintenance Director, spoke to the board regarding the new maintenance employee, Ron Plogger, and thanked them for hiring him and mentioned how well he is working out. Mr. Ruyle also thanked the board for being such an involved board. He also gave an update regarding construction and projected timeline for finishing the projects.
Also, he informed the board that the Middle School scoreboard, which was donated by the Southwestern Foundation for Educational Excellence, has been put in place and looks great! Thank you to the Foundation for their continued support.
Dr. Bowman gave the board members a tour to view the updates in the MS & HS gyms. They both look great, and the air conditioning will be finished in a few months as the units have not arrived yet.
Also, the MS gym wood floor will not be put down until the air conditioning has been put in as it must be laid in a controlled environment.
Administrator Reports:
High School Principal, Mark Bearley, spoke first and gave a big thank you to Mrs. Shannon Bowman, Curriculum Director 7th-12th grade, for all that she has done updating some of the curriculum and mentioned how time consuming this is. He thanked all the departments who have been involved during the summer months for getting everything ready for the first day of school tomorrow. Mr. Bearley also mentioned that he has two new secretaries in the High School, and they are doing a great job.
Mrs. Bowman, Middle School Principal, thanked Mrs. Seymour for helping train the new secretary in the middle school. She thanked the staff of the Middle School for helping with Open House; it was a great turnout. Baseball and softball have started in the Middle School per Mrs. Bowman. Principal Bowman reported to the board that the new Language Arts Curriculum will be implemented this year. The curriculum will be loaded onto each student’s laptop for their use. She also reported that the teachers had a 2-hour training today presented by the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt staff instructing them on using the new Literature curriculum.
Shipman Principal, Rhonda Wooldridge, updated the board on the Open House held last week, and she reported how good the building looks. Ms. Wooldridge reported that she has a new Special Education Teacher, Amy Smith. Principal Wooldridge is the K-6 Curriculum Director and mentioned that second grade will begin using a new writing curriculum and that a representative will be at the school in October to train the teachers how to use the curriculum effectively. Also, there will be a new science curriculum piloted on-line this year.
Kim Reed, Brighton North Primary Principal, gave the board the numbers as of today for classes at Brighton North-Kindergarten 70, first grade 82, second grade 75, and Pre-K program 34 in the a.m. class and 27 in the p.m. class. Mrs. Reed reported that the bathroom renovations were being finished as she spoke; but assured the board that they would be ready by tomorrow morning. Principal Reed reported that the custodians at Brighton North had performed miracles cleaning the building this summer with all the construction going on; she thanked them for doing an amazing job! Mrs. Reed also thanked her secretary, Kari, for all her dedication and support.
Mrs. Stephanie Renken, Special Education Coordinator, updated the board on several new teachers as well as teacher aides and secretaries in her department. Mrs. Renken informed the board that the on-line speech services have increased this year; but she is still searching for a speech pathologist to hire. She reported that she had a department meeting today with her staff and that there are 12 new students with IEP’s thus far and approximately eight students had moved out of district.
Medora Intermediate’s new principal, Jon Baumberger, thanked the administrative team for all their help and camaraderie since his arrival. He reported that 70% of the students/families attended Medora’s Open House. He thanked the custodial staff as he said the building looks great and is very inviting. Mr. Baumberger mentioned how happy he is to be here as the principal and is ready for opening day!
Superintendent Report:
Superintendent Bowman thanked all the custodians and maintenance staff for all the hard work being done this summer. He also mentioned that each department is ready for the start of school and how the good employees help make this happen (transportation, guidance, cafeteria, sports, secretaries, technology, utility, nurses, custodians, maintenance, district office staff, teachers, teacher aides, and administrative staff).
Dr. Bowman gave a short update on the construction during the tour.
Items for Discussion or Acknowledgement:
FY23 Tentative Budget presentation was given by Superintendent, Dr. Bowman. He explained the budget in detail and answered questions that were asked. Dr. Bowman mentioned that this budget will more than likely be amended later in the year as this is a guesstimate. The Superintendent thanked Mrs. Andres for all her hard work and the many hours she has put into making this budget.
Dr. Bowman explained to the board regarding the Administrative Strategic Planning Targets that he has been working on as well. Administration has developed short and long-term targets as a guidance document to follow. The goal is for the targets to foster discussions about continuous school improvement that will take place all around the community.
SCHOOL DISTRICT PHILOSOPHY & MISSION STATEMENT
Passionately Pursuing Excellence; Academically, Creatively, and Socially.
The board acknowledged the following resignations this month: MS Secretary-Jamie Harrop, Computer Lab Aide-Chrissy Strack, HS Secretary-Naomi Richey, and MS Teacher Aide Tiffany Tutterow.
Items Considered for Action…
Consent Agenda:
Items discussed in the consent agenda included the following…the financial report with balances as of July 31, 2023, as follows: Education Fund $5,107,275.00, Operations/Maintenance $937,624.00, Transportation $791,380.00, Working Cash $3,281,184.00, with the total being $10,117,463.00, County Schools Facilities Sales Tax Revenue for July was up slightly at $55,623.33; August bills…Imprest bills…extra and substitute pay…substitute list…regular board meeting minutes from July 19, 2023.
Superintendent Bowman gave the financial report update. There were no questions regarding the consent agenda. Andrew Ruyle made a motion to accept the consent agenda as presented and Jenny Hanks seconded the motion to accept the consent agenda.
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Hanks, Oertel, Ruyle, Schuchman, and Strohbeck
Nays: None
MOTION CARRIED.
Dr. Bowman reported to the board regarding the district employee’s health, dental, vision, and life insurance recommendations. The recommendation was to continue the insurance with Blue Cross/Blue Shield and dental/vision/basic life with Guardian. The health insurance rates have gone up this year. Andrew Ruyle made a motion to approve the recommendations for insurance and Brad Schuchman seconded the said motion.
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Oertel, Ruyle, Schuchman, Strohbeck, and Hanks
Nays: None
MOTION CARRIED.
LuAnn Roth was employed as a 3-Hour Lunchroom Worker after motions by Jenny Hanks and Jason Oertel and such was approved.
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Ruyle, Schuchman, Strohbeck, Hanks, and Oertel
Nays: None
MOTION CARRIED.
Brad Schuchman made a motion to hire Amy Smith as a Special Education Teacher at Shipman Elementary. Nicholas Strohbeck seconded the motion to hire Ms. Smith.
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Schuchman, Strohbeck, Hanks, Oertel, and Ruyle
Nays: None
MOTION CARRIED.
Jenny Hanks made the first motion with Andrew Ruyle making the second motion to employ Jana Reno as a High School Secretary.
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Strohbeck, Hanks, Oertel, Ruyle, and Schuchman
Nays: None
MOTION CARRIED.
Teddie Porter’s employment as the Middle School Secretary was approved with Andrew Ruyle making a motion and Jason Oertel making the second motion for such.
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Hanks, Oertel, Ruyle, Schuchman, and Strohbeck
Nays: None
MOTION CARRIED.
Jason Oertel made a motion to hire LuAnn Roth as a full-time substitute bus driver with Nicholas Strohbeck making the second motion to hire Ms. Roth.
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Oertel, Ruyle, Schuchman, Strohbeck, and Hanks
Nays: None
MOTION CARRIED.
Louise Oleson gave her 3-year notice of retirement request. Nicholas Strohbeck made a motion to accept her retirement request and Brad Schuchman seconded the motion to accept.
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Ruyle, Schuchman, Strohbeck, Hanks, and Oertel
Nays: None
MOTION CARRIED.
Nicholas Strohbeck made a motion to accept Treena Lemons 5-year retirement request. Jenny Hanks seconded the motion to accept Mrs. Lemons retirement request.
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Schuchman, Strohbeck, Hanks, Oertel, and Ruyle
Nays: None
MOTION CARRIED.
The board approved the disposal of FACS sewing machines. Alton High employee Regina Burch did take six of the sewing machines as well as our Special Education department in the High School kept a few. Nicholas Strohbeck made a motion to dispose of the sewing machines with Andrew Ruyle seconding the motion to dispose of them.
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Strohbeck, Hanks, Oertel, Ruyle, and Schuchman
Nays: None
MOTION CARRIED.
Cathy Sellers will be reassigned to the Computer Lab Aide from a Teacher Aide position after Nicholas Strohbeck and Brade Schuchman made motions for such.
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Hanks, Oertel, Ruyle, Schuchman, and Strohbeck
Nays: None
MOTION CARRIED.
Jenny Hanks made a motion to reassign Jill Darr from Special Education Secretary to High School Secretary. Andrew Ruyle seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Oertel, Ruyle, Schuchman, Strohbeck, and Hanks
Nays: None
MOTION CARRIED.
Andrew Ruyle made a motion to employ Mary Butts as a High School Teacher Aide with Jason Oertel seconding the said motion.
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Ruyle, Schuchman, Strohbeck, Hanks, and Oertel
Nays: None
MOTION CARRIED.
Heather Gustafson will now be the High School’s Student Government Co-Sponsor. Motions to ok this were made by Andrew Ruyle and Nicholas Strohbeck respectively.
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Schuchman, Strohbeck, Hanks, Oertel, and Ruyle
Nays: None
MOTION CARRIED.
The Southwestern High School Band trip to New Orleans was cancelled previously due to Covid. The band has requested permission to reschedule the trip for the Summer of 2024. Nicholas Strohbeck made a motion to grant permission for the band to travel to New Orleans in the summer of 2024, and Andrew Ruyle made the second motion for them to travel.
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Strohbeck, Hanks, Oertel, Ruyle, and Schuchman
Nays: None
MOTION CARRIED.
There was no need for a closed session this month. Andrew Ruyle made a motion to adjourn the meeting with Brad Schuchman seconding the motion to adjourn.
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Hanks, Oertel, Ruyle, Schuchman, and Strohbeck
Nays: None
MOTION CARRIED.
Meeting adjourned at 8:15 pm.
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