South Central Reporter

Southwestern Community Unit School District 9 Board of Education met Sept. 17.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Southwestern Board of Education met in regular session on September 17, 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, Brad Schuchman, Nicholas Strohbeck, Dr. Kevin Bowman, Superintendent, and Kim Albert, Recording Secretary. Jacob Reno and Andrew Ruyle were absent.

Public Comment: None

Correspondence and Recognition:

Stephanie Renken, Special Education Director, reported on the 2024 LEA Determination. She was very pleased with the report. The district received a score of 33 out of 36.

Administrator Reports:

Mrs. Renken reported that the IEP meetings will be starting September 18th. She also reported that the start of the school year has been good.

Dr. Bearley, High School Principal, reported on the recent college/career fair that was held at the high school for all senior students. There were 18 different stations that students could visit and learn about. He hopes next years college/career fair will be even bigger. Also, Homecoming week is next week with the parade being on Wednesday, September 25th, in Brighton and will start at 6pm with a bonfire to follow.

Middle School Principal, Shannon Bowman, explained a new program being implemented in the middle school called Weekly Kindness Challenge. She said the students have embraced this and it is going very well. Also, Spirit week will take place next week in conjunction with Homecoming week.

Shipman Elementary Principal, Rhonda Wooldridge, reported that Shipman students have been busy learning the new rules and procedures in the building and all about PBIS. She said that the third graders are making the necessary adjustments being in a new building with new rules and guidelines.

Brighton North Primary Principal, Kim Reed, also reported that Brighton North students have been working on bus safety, PBIS, and cafeteria rules. Bird Bucks are already being given away as rewards.

Mr. Baumberger, Medora Intermediate School Principal, thanked the band and cheerleaders for coming to his school recently and putting on a pep rally. He is happy to get the students interested in extra-curricular activities early on. He thanked Ms. Wray, Mrs. Gottschall, and Mrs. Campbell for arranging this. Fire Safety week is coming up at Medora Intermediate as well. Homecoming week will also be celebrated in Medora with different dress-up days, etc.

Superintendent Report:

Dr. Bowman reported that enrollment on the 6th day of school in August 2024 was at 1154 students. He also reported that only 2 In-School suspensions have been warranted. PBIS helps with discipline throughout the year along with the positive reinforcement.

Superintendent Bowman updated the board on the construction projects; Brighton Norths roof is not finished quite yet, and the high school has a few things being finished. The science lab will not be complete until mid-October hopefully. Medora roof is finished. Dr. Bowman reported that the fall sports are in full swing. He thanked Mrs. Andres, Financial Services

Director, for all her help with the audit and getting items ready for the audit. He also informed the board that a safety meeting is coming up on September 27th and new radios have been ordered to help with communication especially during emergencies. Dr. Bowman also wanted to acknowledge Jason Darr for moving a high school students’ car away from a burning car in the high school lot as well as thanking Dr. Bearley, Officer Ruyle, and Mr. Ballard for their help during the fire of the car.

Items for Discussion or Acknowledgement:

Superintendent Bowman presented the Administrative Strategic Planning targets to the board. He continues to tweak this as time goes along. He has added the LETRS program/training to the targets this year.

Press Issue 116 was presented as information only this month and will be voted upon next month.

Items Considered for Action…

Consent Agenda:

Items discussed in the consent agenda included the following…the financial report with balances as of August 31, 2024, as follows: Education Fund $7,630,079.00 Operations/Maintenance $1,1560,443.00, Transportation Fund $956,694.00, Working Cash $4,846,358.00, with the total being $14,993,574.00, County Schools Facilities Sales Tax Revenue for August was $61,891.37; September bills…Imprest bills…extra and substitute pay…substitute list…regular board meeting minutes from August 20, 2024…Serious Safety Hazards Resolution…Administrator and Teacher Salary and Benefits Report…PA-96-0434 Administrator Compensation Report…and PA-97-609 IMRF Total Compensation Report. Dr. Bowman said the sales tax is on target and that the district did receive their first tax distribution check from Macoupin County.

There were no questions regarding the consent agenda. Jason Oertel made a motion to accept the consent agenda as presented and Brad Schuchman seconded the motion to accept the consent agenda.

Roll Call Vote:

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

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Tyler Jackson, Supervisor, Scheffel Boyle, was in attendance and gave the report on their recent audit of the district. The district had four clean opinions which was good all around. The firm tested the Education Stabilization Fund and the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs. There were no federal award findings nor any compliance findings. The district’s total profile score given was 3.90 out of 4.0. The district’s financial profile designation is listed as recognition.

As required by 105 ILCS 5/17-1.3, Superintendent Bowman reviewed the districts cash reserve balances of all funds from June 2024 and August 2024.

Donna Loy made a motion to approve the FY2024 Annual Financial Report and Shared Services Report with Nicholas Strohbeck making the second motion.

Roll Call Vote:

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

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

There were no questions regarding the FY2025 Annual Budget that was presented last month. Brad Schuchman made a motion to approve the FY2025 annual budget with Donna Loy making the second motion to approve.

Roll Call Vote:

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

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

A resolution to effect abatement of working cash fund was presented to the board. Jason Oertel made a motion to approve the resolution to effect abatement of working cash fund with Jenny Hanks seconding the said motion.

Roll Call Vote:

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

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

The board was presented with an ESP experience chart that was recently made. Brad Schuchman made a motion to approve the ESP experience chart as presented, and Donna Loy made the second motion to approve the chart.

Roll Call Vote:

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

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Nicholas Strohbeck made a motion to approve the Unit Secretary additional duties and pay. Donna Loy made the second motion to approve.

Roll Call Vote:

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

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Pending a successful background check, EHR, and credential check, a motion was made by Brad Schuchman and seconded by Nicholas Strohbeck to hire Rusty Mitchell as a HS/MS lunchroom monitor.

Roll Call Vote:

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

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Pending a successful background check, EHR, and credential check, a motion was made by Donna Loy and seconded by Jason Oertel to approve Abigail Brooks as a Volunteer Flag Corps (Color Guard) Assistant Coach.

Roll Call Vote:

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

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Nicholas Strohbeck made a motion to approve a Leave of Absence for Employee A. Brad Schuchman made the second motion to approve the Leave of Absence for Employee A. Roll Call Vote:

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

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

7.10 Consideration and action to approve Computer Maintenance Course for HS was tabled for the time being after Nicholas Strohbeck made a motion for such with Donna Loy seconding the motion.

Roll Call Vote:

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

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Dr. Bowman presented the board with a bid proposal for the HS generator quote from Pointer Electric. It was recommended to approve a larger generator which would also cover the bus garage. The cost would be $30,824.00. Brad Schuchman made a motion to approve the generator proposal from Pointer Electric. Nicholas Strohbeck made the second motion to approve the proposal.

Roll Call Vote:

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

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Derek Dempsey turned in a request to the board to approve his 5-year notice of retirement at the end of the school year 2028-2029. Jenny Hanks made a motion to approve his request for 5-year notice of retirement with Donna Loy seconding the said motion to approve. Roll Call Vote:

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

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

The board approved for students and teacher to attend the IETC trip after Nicholas Strohbeck made the first motion for such and Jason Oertel made the second motion. Roll Call Vote:

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

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Layna Hanold was approved to hire as a Brighton North Teacher Aide pending a successful background check, EHR, and credential check. Jenny Hanks made the first motion to hire her, and Donna Loy made the second.

Roll Call Vote:

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

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Donna Loy made a motion to approve Nic Beilsmith as a volunteer assistant cross country coach with Jason Oertel seconding the motion to approve.

Roll Call Vote:

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

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

As there were no issues to discuss in a closed session, Jenny Hanks made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Nicholas Strohbeck seconded to adjourn the meeting.

Roll Call Vote:

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

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Meeting adjourned at 7:53pm

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