South Central Reporter

Southwestern Community Unit School District 9 Board of Education met Aug. 20.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Southwestern Board of Education met in regular session on August 20, 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, Brad Schuchman, Dr. Kevin Bowman, Superintendent, and Kim Albert, Recording Secretary. Jacob Reno and Nicholas Strohbeck were absent.

Public Comment: None

Correspondence and Recognition:

The board members took a tour of the high school/middle school construction updates at the end of the meeting.

Administrator Reports:

Dr. Bearley, High School Principal, reported that it was a good summer at the high school, and it looks great! He thanked the maintenance team, custodians, and extra help on the phenomenal job each one done in getting the school ready for opening day as well as getting the school ready for the construction to begin, etc. Dr. Bearley also reported that the Green/Gold volleyball game would be Aug. 22nd at the high school and the green/gold football scrimmage would be held this year at Jerseyville high school football field. Rules have changed and the football team can now participate in a real scrimmage against another team.

Middle School Principal, Shannon Bowman, thanked the maintenance and custodial crew for all they have done over the summer. She also reported that the open house held recently was attending by 80% of the families. The middle school staff are also working hard on the RTI program.

Shipman Elementary Principal, Rhonda Wooldridge, also thanked everyone for their hard work over the summer getting the schools ready for opening day! Ms. Wooldridge reported that science curriculum would be the focus this year and that K-6 would be adding Generation Genius to the Mystery Science curriculum.

Brighton North Primary Principal, Kim Reed, reported that the Pre-K screenings held recently were a success, and there are no openings in the morning Pre-K classes and only a few in the afternoon class. She thanked Mrs. Hanold and Mrs. Day for their extra efforts in getting the students and bus routes perfected. Mrs. Reed also indicated that the teachers are working a lot on the PBIS information currently.

The Southwestern Foundation for Educational Excellence Dinner will be held March 8, 2025.

Special Education Coordinator, Mrs. Renken, said her department is getting ready to start 504 meetings as well as IEP’s. She also reported that all the special education teachers returned to Southwestern this year which is great.

Mr. Baumberger, Medora Intermediate School Principal, told the board that Medora Intermediate had a good turnout for open house as well. He also thanked the summer staff members for all they done. Students new to Medora are working on the rules and expectations of the school per Mr. Baumberger.

Superintendent Report:

Dr. Bowman thanked all the staff for their hard work over the summer as well as everyone’s help in getting the schools ready to start after the summer construction projects. Dr. Bowman also has someone arranged to examine the sound system in the gym and band room. He indicated that the construction project went very well and is almost complete.

Items for Discussion or Acknowledgement:

Superintendent Bowman presented the FY24 tentative budget to the board. He explained the budget in detail. He indicated that the district is in Tier 2 for EBF funding. Dr. Bowman reported that the district is in a solid financial state at this point and the budget is a conservative outline.

The Administrative Strategic Planning Targets were presented to the board. Dr. Bowman has added the Computer Science Equity Grant to the targets.

The board acknowledged the following resignations:

• B. Funk-3 hr. HS kitchen worker

• E. Sauzek-custodian

• L. Bates-Teacher Aide

• T. Seymour-IT Secretary

• M. Butts-HS full-time substitute teacher

Items Considered for Action…

Consent Agenda:

Items discussed in the consent agenda included the following…the financial report with balances as of July 31, 2024, as follows: Education Fund $5,880,773.00 Operations/Maintenance $1,136,821.00, Transportation $871,165.00, Working Cash $4,808,432.00, with the total being $12,697,191.00, County Schools Facilities Sales Tax Revenue for July was $54,849.41; August bills…Imprest bills…extra and substitute pay…substitute list…and regular board meeting minutes from July 16, 2024. Dr. Bowman gave the yearly total from County Schools Facilities Sales Tax Revenue FY24 as $668,929.97.

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 Schuchman

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Blue Cross/Blue Shield and MetLife will again by the insurance carriers for district employees after a short discussion was held. The health insurance raised again this year, but the vision and dental insurance had no increases. The district also added one more plan for employees to choose from. After the discussion, Andrew Ruyle made a motion to approve the health, dental, vision, and life insurance as presented. Brad Schuchman seconded the said motion.

Roll Call Vote:

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

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Pending a successful background check, EHR, and credential check, a motion was made by Jason Oertel and seconded by Donna Loy to hire Wilann Eyers as a BN 2-hour lunchroom/recess monitor.

Roll Call Vote:

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

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Pending a successful background check, EHR, and credential check, a motion was made by Brad Schuchman and seconded by Jenny Hanks to employ Melissa Kramer as a BN 2-hour lunchroom/recess monitor.

Roll Call Vote:

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

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Motions were made by Donna Loy and Jenny Hanks to hire Lisa Crader as a BN 5-hour kitchen worker.

Roll Call Vote:

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

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

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AUGUST 20, 2024

Jessie Dooley was approved to hire as a HS/MS 3-hour kitchen worker pending a successful background check, EHR, and credential check. Jason Oertel made the first motion to hire her, and Brad Schuchman made the second.

Roll Call Vote:

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

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Pending a successful background check, EHR, and credential check, Andrew Ruyle made the first motion with Donna Loy making the second motion to employ Brittany Settles as a custodian.

Roll Call Vote:

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

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Tiffani Bowan will be employed as a full-time elementary substitute teacher pending a successful background check, EHR, and credential check. Brad Schuchman made the first motion to hire Tiffani and Jason Oertel made the second motion to employ her.

Roll Call Vote:

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

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Marsha Davis will be employed as a Teacher Aide (ISS Monitor) pending a successful background check, EHR, and credential check. Donna Loy made the motion for such, and Brad Schuchman made the second motion.

Roll Call Vote:

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

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Pending a successful background check, EHR, and credential check Jason Oertel made a motion to employ Lindsey Bolin as a Lunchroom/Recess monitor. Jenny Hanks made the second motion to hire Lindsey Bolin.

Roll Call Vote:

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

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Megan Carter was hired as a Teacher Aide after Andrew Ruyle and Brad Schuchman made the said motions.

Roll Call Vote:

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

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Pending a successful background check, EHR, and credential check Jenny Hanks made a motion to employ Stacey Wolff as an Assistant MS Softball coach. Andrew Ruyle made a second motion to such.

Roll Call Vote:

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

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Nicholas Strohbeck will be hired as a volunteer assistant football coach pending a successful background check, EHR, and credential check. Motions to hire Mr. Strohbeck were made by Jason Oertel and Brad Schuchman.

Roll Call Vote:

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

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Butch Chapman will be hired as a volunteer assistant MS baseball coach pending a successful background check, EHR, and credential check. Brad Schuchman and Andrew Ruyle made the motions for such.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Ruyle Schuchman, Hanks, Loy, and Oertel

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

John Luca will be hired as a volunteer assistant cross country coach pending a successful background check, EHR, and credential check after Donna Loy made the first motion with Brad Schuchman making the second motion.

Roll Call Vote:

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

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

A MOU (memo of understanding) with the Southwestern ESP association was presented by Dr. Bowman. Changes were made regarding starting salaries/previous experience, sick/personal leave increase, and insurance benefit increase. Andrew Ruyle made a motion to approve the MOU with Donna Loy seconding to do so.

Roll Call Vote:

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

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Dr. Bearley spoke to the board about the Macoupin County CEO program that several high school seniors participate in each year. The students drive to Carlinville for class. The students meet with different staff, businesses, etc. Students are required to create a product through the program, promote the product, and eventually sell the product. Dr. Bearley asked the board to donate $1000 to the Macoupin County CEO program to help offset the program costs. Brad Schuchman made a motion to donate $1000 to the program and Donna Loy made the second motion to donate.

Roll Call Vote:

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

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Donna Loy made a motion to approve the Press Issue 115 with Jason Oertel seconding the motion to approve.

Roll Call Vote:

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

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Amy Tonsor submitted a request to retire early after the 24-25 School Year. Donna Loy made a motion to approve her request with Jenny Hanks seconding the motion to approve. Roll Call Vote:

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

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Pending successful background check, EHR, and credential check, Brad Schuchman made a motion to approve hiring Sherri Stilwell as a HS 3 hr. lunchroom worker. Jason Oertel made the second motion.

Roll Call Vote:

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

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Denise Baker will be hired as a district nurse pending a successful background check, EHR, and credential check. Andrew Ruyle made the first motion to employ Mrs. Baker and Donna Loy made the second motion for such.

Roll Call Vote:

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

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Andrew Ruyle and Brad Schuchman made the first and second motion to employ Megan Schrieber as a high school evening custodian pending a successful background check, EHR, and credential check.

Roll Call Vote:

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

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Rebecca Korte will be hired as a lunch/recess monitor pending a successful background check, EHR, and credential check per motions made consecutively by Donna Loy and Brade Schuchman.

Roll Call Vote:

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

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

As there were no issues to discuss in a closed session, Andrew Ruyle made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Brad Schuchman seconded to adjourn the meeting.

Roll Call Vote:

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

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Meeting adjourned at 8:03pm

The board members then toured the MS/HS construction sites.

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