South Central Reporter

Aviston Elementary School District 21 Board of Education met Nov. 20.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

1. Call to Order - 7:00 pm

a. Roll Call

a. Members present: Thole, Voss, Strubhart, Kapp, Arentsen, Holtmann

b. Members absent: Kohnen

c. Non-Members present: Superintendent Hamil, Principal Niemeyer, Tammy Kuper, Hannah Schmitz, Jenna Patterson

2. Public Comment/Recognition of Visitors/Good News Report

a. Public Comment: None

b. Good News Report: The cooks prepared a wonderful Thanksgiving meal that was enjoyed by the students and staff. The Teachers’ Institute Day included Special Education training and a demonstration of implementing movement in the learning process. The girls’ cross country team earned 1st place and the boys’ earned 2nd place at the state meet. Teachers Jamie Geary and Karlee Wilson have been awarded a scholarship from the ROE to attend a conference in Chicago next month. Aviston Elementary School earned “Exemplary School” status from the State Board of Education for 2023-2024.

3. Motion to Amend the Agenda (if necessary)

a. None

4. Consent Agenda

a. Approve Minutes of Regular October Meeting

b. Approve Payment of Bills

c. Treasurer’s Report

a. Motion by Voss, second by Strubhart to approve the consent agenda items.

b. Roll Call: Thole, aye; Voss, aye; Strubhart, aye; Kapp, aye; Arentsen, aye; Holtmann, aye. None opposed. Kohnen, absent.

5. Superintendent’s Report

a. K-2 Community Basketball League - Nick Hollenkamp submitted a written request for Saturday morning gym use this winter for a community basketball league serving K-2 Aviston students. The group has rented the facility for the previous two years and the Board agreed to continue to provide use of the gym and cafeteria facilities for the program.

6. Old Business

a. Building Addition - Front panels are being installed and the handrails for the new wing have been delivered. The entry system continues to be delayed while waiting for parts. Close contact is being kept with the vendor. Furniture is scheduled to arrive around the Thanksgiving holiday, however Hurricane Helene has caused manufacturing delays.

7. New Business

a. 2024 Tentative Levy Presentation

a. A levy proposal to consider a 20% growth in the District’s Estimated Assessed Valuation (EAV) was presented. The proposed total tax rate for the District is 2.50% with a 20% EAV growth estimation. A Truth-In-Taxation levy hearing was recommended to be held on December 18, 2024 at 7:00 pm.

b. Motion by Strubhart, second by Holtmann to set a levy hearing for December 18, 2024 at 7:00 pm.

c. Roll Call: Thole, aye; Voss, aye; Strubhart, aye; Kapp, aye; Arentsen, aye; Holtmann, aye. None opposed. Kohnen, absent.

b. Risk Management Plan

a. Motion by Holtmann, second by Kapp to approve the Risk Management Plan with no changes from the previous year.

b. Roll Call: Roll Call: Thole, aye; Voss, aye; Strubhart, aye; Kapp, aye; Arentsen, aye; Holtmann, aye. None opposed. Kohnen, absent.

c. Tort Budget - FY26

a. Motion by Kapp, second by Holtmann to accept the FY26 Tort Budget as presented.

b. Roll Call: Thole, aye; Voss, aye; Strubhart, aye; Kapp, aye; Arentsen, aye; Holtmann, aye. None opposed. Kohnen, absent.

d. Teacher Contract - A final contract was not available for discussion. No action taken.

e. School Maintenance Grant Authorization

a. Motion by Strubhart, second by Voss to authorize the School Maintenance Grant application for the purpose of building and grounds renovation.

b. Roll Call: Roll Call: Thole, aye; Voss, aye; Strubhart, aye; Kapp, aye; Arentsen, aye; Holtmann, aye. None opposed. Kohnen, absent.

f. Annual Financial Report

a. The District continues to have the highest “Financial Recognition” status with the Illinois State Board of Education. FY24 ended with healthy fund balances and 277 days of cash on hand.

b. Motion by Strubhart, second by Arentsen to approve the FY24 Annual Financial Report as presented.

c. Roll Call: Roll Call: Thole, aye; Voss, aye; Strubhart, aye; Kapp, aye; Arentsen, aye; Holtmann, aye. None opposed. Kohnen, absent.

g. Certified Staff Resignation

a. Motion by Holtmann, second by Strubhart to accept the resignation of Tracy Boeker as Pre-Kindergarten Teacher

b. All in favor. None opposed. Kohnen absent.

h. Consideration to Hire Non-Certified Staff

a. Motion by Voss, second by Strubhart to Hire Kayley DiMarco and Donna Markus as Paraprofessional Aides for the 2024-2025 school year.

b. Roll Call: Roll Call: Thole, aye; Voss, aye; Strubhart, aye; Kapp, aye; Arentsen, aye; Holtmann, aye. None opposed. Kohnen, absent.

8. Closed Session

a. Motion by Strubhart, second by Voss to enter closed session at 7:55 pm.

b. All in favor. None opposed. Kohnen absent.

c. Motion by Voss, second by Holtmann to return to open session at 8:45 pm.

d. All in favor. None opposed. Kohnen absent.

10. Adjournment

a. Motion by Strubhart, second by Holtmann to adjourn the November 20, 2024 meeting at 8:46 pm.

b. All in favor. None opposed. Kohnen absent.

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4622/avistonelem/5135687/November_20__2024_Minutes__1_.pdf