South Central Reporter

Hillsboro Community School District 3 Board of Education met Nov. 12.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

1) A regular meeting of the Board of Education was called to order by President Matt Lentz, at the Hillsboro Unit Office at 7:00 p.m. The following board members were present: Matt Lentz, Brian Patton, Blake Furness, Kassie Greenwood, Mike Cerutti, and Nathan Kirby. John Lentz arrived at 7:30 p.m.

2) Agenda Item 2.0. Good News Reports

Mrs. Heyen and Mr. Lipe shared multiple band and choir students will be representing the district at the ILMEA festival at Eastern Illinois University on November 23rd. Mr. Frailey announced 165 students had perfect first quarter attendance and absences were down 14.3%. Hope McBrain stated great progress is being made with all departments on the new grading policy.

3) Agenda Item 3.0 Consent Agenda

3.1 Approval of Special Meeting Minutes from October 6, 2024

President Lentz asked for additions or corrections to the October 6, 2024 Special Meeting Minutes. There were none.

3.2 Approval of Executive Meeting Minutes from October 6, 2024

President Lentz asked for additions or corrections to the October 6, 2024 Special Executive Meeting Minutes. There were none.

3.3 Approval of Regular Meeting Minutes from October 8, 2024

President Lentz asked for additions or corrections to the October 8, 2024 Regular Meeting Minutes. There were none.

3.4 Approval of Executive Meeting Minutes from October 8, 2024

President Lentz asked for additions or corrections to the October 8, 2024 Executive Meeting Minutes. There were none.

3.5 Approval of Special Meeting Minutes from October 29, 2024

President Lentz asked for additions or corrections to the October 29, 2024 Special Meeting Minutes. There were none.

3.6 Approval of Executive Meeting Minutes from October 29, 2024

President Lentz asked for additions or corrections to the October 29, 2024 Executive Meeting Minutes. There were none.

3.7 Review and Approval of Payables

President Lentz asked for questions or comments. Superintendent Powell asked for approval on pay request #12 to O'Shea Builders in the amount of $1,704,069.96.

3.8 Financial Report

President Lentz asked for questions or comments. There were none.

3.9 Consideration of Resolution Certifying Pedestrian Safety Hazard Areas Establishing Bus Transport Eligibility

Superintendent Powell reported there have been no changes from the previous resolution, annual approval is required.

Consent Agenda Vote.

Motion made by Nathan Kirby, seconded by Kassie Greenwood to approve the consent agenda as presented. On roll call the following voted yes:. Matt Lentz, Brian Patton, Blake Furness, Kassie Greenwood, Mike Cerutti, and Nathan Kirby. Motion carried 6-0.

4) Agenda Item 4.0 Presentation of Preliminary 2024 Tax Levy

Superintendent Powell presented two options to the board. Option one is to collect the full rate in the unrestricted funds. The tax rate would increase to $4.81 which is an 8.35 percent increase. Any increase of over 5 percent requires a Truth in Taxation hearing.

The second option would be to under levy in Tort and Social Security. The tax rate would drop to $4.68, keeping the percentage under 5 percent, avoiding a Truth in Taxation hearing. The board will take action at the regular meeting in December.

5) 5.0 New Business

5.1 Presentation of District and School Report Cards

Curriculum Director Hope McBrain presented the highlights and lowlights of the School Report Card.

5.2 Presentation of a Request to Create a Paid Jr. High Student Council Sponsor Position

Junior High Counselor Jen Anderson addressed the board to request that the Student Council Sponsor at the Junior High become a paid position. There is a lot of additional time and planning that takes place outside the normal working hours. She would like to see the position be compensated at the same rate as the High School Student Council Sponsor.

5.3 Consideration of FY25 School Maintenance Grant Application

Superintendent Powell is recommending applying for this $50,000 grant. It is a matching grant that will be used to help fund the Beckemeyer roof project.

Motion made by Nathan Kirby, seconded by John Lentz to approve the Maintenance Grant Application as presented. On roll call the following voted yes:. Matt Lentz, Brian Patton, John Lentz, Blake Furness, Kassie Greenwood, Mike Cerutti, and Nathan Kirby. Motion carried 7-0.

5.4 Consideration of Adding Teaching Assistant Support at HJHS

Principal VanGiesen asked the board to consider adding a Teaching Assistant at the Junior High. There has been an influx in the Special Education numbers and the students need the extra support.

Motion made by Nathan Kirby, seconded by John Lentz to approve the addition of a Teaching Assistant at Hillsboro Junior High. On roll call the following voted yes:. Matt Lentz, Brian Patton, John Lentz, Blake Furness, Kassie Greenwood, Mike Cerutti, and Nathan Kirby. Motion carried 7-0.

6) Agenda Item 6.0 Communication

There was none.

7) Agenda Item 7.0 Recognition of Audience

No cards submitted.

8) Agenda Item 8.0 Executive Session

Motion made by Nathan Kirby and seconded by John Lentz to move into Executive Session at 8:11 p.m. for the purpose of considering the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees. Voice vote. Motion carried.

Motion made by Nathan Kirby and seconded by John Lentz to move out of Executive Session at 9:34 p.m. Voice Vote. Motion carried.

9) Agenda Item 9.0 Action Items Resulting from Executive Session

9.1 Resignation of Special Education Teacher

Motion made by Nathan Kirby, seconded by John Lentz to approve the resignation of Special Education Teacher Danielle Pope. Voice vote. Motion carried 7-0.

9.2 Resignation of Coffeen Nurse

Motion made by Nathan Kirby, seconded by Kassie Greenwood to approve the resignation of Coffeen Nurse Amanda Cloe. Voice vote. Motion carried 7-0.

9.3 Resignation of Food Service Worker

Motion made by Nathan Kirby, seconded by John Lentz to approve the resignation of Food Service Worker Kellea Passariello. Voice vote. Motion carried 7-0.

9.4 Resignation of Girls Tennis

Motion made by Nathan Kirby, seconded by John Lentz to approve the resignation of Girls Tennis Coach Marian Williams. Voice vote. Motion carried 7-0.

9.5 Resignation of Custodian

Motion made by Nathan Kirby, seconded by John Lentz to approve the resignation of Custodian Zach Rhodes. Voice vote. Motion carried 7-0.

9.6 Acceptance of Licensed Teacher Letter of Intent to Retire

Motion made by Nathan Kirby, seconded by John Lentz to approve the Letter of Intent to Retire from Ann Tester at the conclusion of the 2028-2029 SY. On roll call the following voted yes: Matt Lentz, Brian Patton, John Lentz, Blake Furness, Kassie Greenwood, Mike Cerutti, and Nathan Kirby. Motion carried 7-0.

9.7 Employment of Food Service Worker

Motion made by Nathan Kirby, seconded by John Lentz to approve the employment of Food Service Worker Martina Aguilar. On roll call the following voted yes: Matt Lentz, Brian Patton, John Lentz, Blake Furness, Kassie Greenwood, Mike Cerutti, and Nathan Kirby. Motion carried 7-0.

9.8 Employment of Teaching Assistant

Motion made by Nathan Kirby, seconded by John Lentz to approve the employment of Teaching Assistant Taylor Meyers. On roll call the following voted yes: Matt Lentz, Brian Patton, John Lentz, Blake Furness, Kassie Greenwood, Mike Cerutti, and Nathan Kirby. Motion carried 7-0.

9.9 Employment of Special Education Teacher

Motion made by Nathan Kirby, seconded by John Lentz to approve the employment of Special Education Teacher Vanessa Compton pending successful completion of all state and local requirements. On roll call the following voted yes: Matt Lentz, Brian Patton, John Lentz, Blake Furness, Kassie Greenwood, Mike Cerutti, and Nathan Kirby. Motion carried 7- 0.

9.10 Consideration of Teaching Assistant Leave of Absence

Motion made by Nathan Kirby, seconded by John Lentz to approve the Leave of Absence for Teaching Assistant Katelyn Davis. On roll call the following voted yes: Matt Lentz, Brian Patton, John Lentz, Blake Furness, Kassie Greenwood, Mike Cerutti, and Nathan Kirby. Motion carried 7-0.

9.11 Approval of Volunteer Assistant Wrestling Coach

Motion made by Nathan Kirby, seconded by John Lentz to approve Dan Rogers as a Volunteer Assistant Wrestling Coach. On roll call the following voted yes: Matt Lentz, Brian Patton, John Lentz, Blake Furness, Kassie Greenwood, Mike Cerutti, and Nathan Kirby. Motion carried 7-0.

9.12 Employment of Superintendent

Motion made by Nathan Kirby, seconded by John Lentz to approve the employment of Hope McBrain as Superintendent beginning July 1, 2025. On roll call the following voted yes: Matt Lentz, Brian Patton, John Lentz, Blake Furness, Kassie Greenwood, Mike Cerutti, and Nathan Kirby. Motion carried 7-0.

10) Agenda Item 10.0 Adjournment.

Motion by Nathan Kirby, seconded by John Lentz to adjourn the meeting at 9:38 p.m. Voice vote. Motion carried.

https://www.hillsboroschools.net/cms/lib/IL01904713/Centricity/Domain/292/REG%20MIN%20NOV%2024.pdf