South Central Reporter

Southwestern Community Unit School District 9 Board of Education met March 19.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Southwestern Board of Education met in regular session on March 19, 2024, 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, Donna Loy, Jason Oertel, Andrew Ruyle, Nicholas Strohbeck, Dr. Kevin Bowman, Superintendent, and Kim Albert, Recording Secretary. Jacob Reno and Brad Schuchman were absent.

Public Comment: None

Correspondence and Recognition:

Dr. Bowman and the board recognized the IL State Scholars!! The IL State Scholars in attendance were Wyatt Akers, Matthew Arendell, and Carson Burns. Each student introduced themselves and informed the board of their future plans. Colin and Parker LeMarr, who are also IL State Scholars, were not present but congratulations to them as well.

Mrs. Ernst, Special Olympics Coach, shared with the board regarding A. Cox and C. Ruyle recent Special Olympic Basketball participation and their accomplishments. The students received 1st and 2nd in regionals and C. Ruyle advanced to state competition receiving a 3rd place there.

Administrator Reports:

Mrs. Renken, Special Education Coordinator, reported on IEP meetings. She also stated that the Regional Office of Education is holding a paraprofessional training soon. Also, six special education teachers will be attending an on-line training entitled Teach, Train, and Thrive soon.

High School Principal, Mark Bearley, was not in attendance, but Dr. Bowman reported that the spring sports are off to a good start in the high school. Also, the SAT will be given on 4/9/24. The HS play, Alice in Wonderland, will be presented to the public on March 22, 23, and 24th.

Mrs. Bowman was not in attendance, but it was mentioned that the Middle School band had done a great job recently at a competition!!

Mrs. Reed, Brighton North Principal, and Rhonda Wooldridge, Shipman Elementary Principal, reported on the recent Book Blast held at both schools. They showed a short video of the students receiving their books and indicated that the students really enjoy this program.

Medora Intermediate Principal, Mr. Baumberger, informed the board the IAR testing will begin on April 10th in Medora. Principal Baumberger also thanked the Southwestern Foundation for Educational Excellence for the recent grant to purchase a book vending machine for Medora students. The machine looks great, and students will begin using it on Monday, 3/25/24. Also, Mr. Baumberger reported that Carlinville National Bank is donating glasses for the entire Southwestern student body to capture the solar eclipse coming soon!!

Superintendent Report:

Superintendent Bowman gave the current enrollment report of 1166 students. Dr. Bowman updated the board on the recent discipline issues which were not many.

Dr. Bowman gave the board a district update reporting on the following:

· Congratulated A. Cox & C. Ruyle, Special Olympics winners. Thanked Mrs. Ernst for all her hard work this year regarding the Special Olympics.

· Good luck to spring sports participants!

· Dr. Bowman congratulated the following IL State Scholars for Southwestern High School: Wyatt Akers, Matthew Arendell, Carson Burns, Colin LeMarr, and Parker LeMarr

· Thanked Kevin Constable and Ron Plogger, Maintenance Dept., for planning/completing the new south gate at the high school. This is the second time this year due to vehicle accidents.

· Bid documents are now out for Summer 2024 construction projects. The pre-bid walkthrough was held March 19, 2024, and the bid opening will be held March 26th at 1pm.

· State testing will begin soon in the buildings.

Items for Discussion or Acknowledgement:

The board acknowledged the resignations of Kassey Black (HS Science Teacher), Jason Blankenship (Technology Director), and Susan Ruyle (HS Art Teacher).

A discussion was held regarding school fees.

Items Considered for Action…

Consent Agenda:

Items discussed in the consent agenda included the following…the financial report with balances as of February 29, 2024, as follows: Education Fund $7,643,982.00 Operations/Maintenance $1,472,389.00, Transportation $904,885.00, Working Cash $9,059,848.00, with the total being $19,081,104.00, County Schools Facilities Sales Tax Revenue for January was $56,322.53; March bills…Imprest bills…extra and substitute pay…substitute list…regular board meeting minutes from February 20, 2024, closed session minutes from February 20, 2024, Negotiations Comm. Minutes from March 12, 2024, as well as the Step-by-Step lease and the IL Valley Economic Development lease.

There were no questions regarding the consent agenda. Andrew Ruyle made a motion to accept the consent agenda as presented and Donna Loy seconded the motion to accept the consent agenda.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Hanks, Loy, Oertel, Ruyle, and Strohbeck

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Superintendent, Dr. Bowman, presented the 2024-2025 Public School Calendar for adoption. Jason Oertel made a motion to adopt the calendar as presented with Jenny Hanks seconding the motion to approve.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Loy, Oertel, Ruyle, Strohbeck, and Hanks

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Jenny Hanks made a motion to approve the final 2023-24 school calendar. Jenny Hanks made a motion to approve the 2023-24 school calendar with Donna Loy seconding the motion.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Oertel, Ruyle, Strohbeck, Hanks, and Loy

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Andrew Ruyle made a motion to approve the school fees as discussed for the 2024-2025 school year. Jason Oertel made the second motion to approve the school fees.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Ruyle, Strohbeck, Hanks, Loy, and Oertel

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

The board approved the IHSA membership renewal for the 2024-2025 school term after Andrew Ruyle made a motion for such and Donna Loy seconded the motion.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Strohbeck, Hanks, Loy, Oertel, and Ruyle

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

S. McDaniels was approved as a volunteer bus rider for the girls’ soccer team. Jason Oertel made a motion to approve with Jenny Hanks seconding the motion.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Hanks, Loy, Oertel, Ruyle, and Strohbeck

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Board Policy 4:40 AP was presented. This needs to be added per the bond company. Donna Loy made a motion to approve the policy and Nicholas Strohbeck seconded to approve.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Loy, Oertel, Ruyle, Strohbeck, and Hanks

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

The board approved a leave of absence for a current ESP employee. Andrew Ruyle and Jason Oertel made the motions.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Oertel, Ruyle, Strohbeck, Hanks, and Loy

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Dr. Bowman discussed hiring Bushue HR Services to assist the district HR Department with new laws, background checks, unemployment services, etc. After several questions, Andrew Ruyle made a motion to hire Bushue HR Services with Nicholas Strohbeck making the second motion.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Ruyle, Strohbeck, Hanks, Loy, and Oertel

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

J. Fessler will be hired as a full-time substitute teacher. Nicholas Strohbeck made a motion to hire J. Fessler, and Donna Loy made the second motion to hire her.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Strohbeck, Hanks, Loy, Oertel, and Ruyle

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Jenny Hanks made a motion to employ J. Zinkan as a Teacher Aide, and Andrew Ruyle made a second motion to hire J. Zinkan.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Hanks, Loy, Oertel, Ruyle, and Strohbeck

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Donna Loy made a motion to employ J. Cottingham as the District Registrar. Nicholas Strohbeck made the second motion to hire J. Cottingham.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Loy, Oertel, Ruyle, Strohbeck, and Hanks

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Mr. Hasquin requested that the board approve the Scholar Bowl team taking the trip to Nationals competition to be held in Chicago in April and for the team to go to the Art Institute prior to the start of the competition. Nicholas Strohbeck made the first motion to approve the trip with Donna Loy making the second motion for such.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Oertel, Ruyle, Strohbeck, Hanks, and Loy

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

The board approved a loan for the new buses from Farmers State Bank of Medora for $575,840. This will be a 4-year loan. Andrew Ruyle made the motion to approve the loan and Jason Oertel seconded the motion to approve the loan.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Ruyle, Strohbeck, Hanks, Loy, and Oertel

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Andrew Ruyle made a motion to move into closed session with Jason Oertel making the second motion for such.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Strohbeck, Hanks, Loy, Oertel, and Ruyle

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

TIME: 7:52PM

Andrew Ruyle made a motion to move back into open session with Donna Loy making the second motion to do so.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Hanks, Loy, Oertel, Ruyle, and Strohbeck

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

TIME: 8:24PM

As there were no other items for discussion, Andrew Ruyle made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Jenny Hanks seconded to adjourn the meeting.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Loy, Oertel, Ruyle, Strohbeck, and Hanks

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Meeting adjourned at 8:26PM

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