South Central Reporter

Hillsboro Community Unit School District 3 Board of Education met Dec. 10.

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, John Lentz, Blake Furness, Kassie Greenwood, Mike Cerutti, and Nathan Kirby..

2) Agenda Item 2.0. Good News Reports

The HHS Chamber Choir gave an amazing vocal performance with three holiday carols. Choir Director Lemons announced that 11 high school students and 5 junior high students were selected for ILMEA All-State Choir and one high school student was selected for All-State Band.

3) Agenda Item 3.0 Consent Agenda

3.1 Approval of Regular Session Minutes from November 12, 2024

President Lentz asked for additions or corrections to the November 12, 2024

Regular Meeting Minutes. There were none.

3.2 Approval of Executive Session Minutes from November 12, 2024

President Lentz asked for additions or corrections to the November 12, 2024 Executive Session Meeting Minutes. There were none.

3.3 Review and Approval of Payables

President Lentz asked for questions or comments. Superintendent Powell asked for approval on pay request #13 to O'Shea Builders in the amount of $1,024,806.34.

3.4 Financial Report

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

Consent Agenda Vote.

Motion made by Nathan Kirby, seconded by John Lentz to approve consent agenda items 3.1 through 3.4 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.

FY 24 Audit

Andrea Suhre of Scheffel Boyle gave the preliminary audit presentation with a clean opinion. The final report will be approved at the regular scheduled meeting next month.

4) Agenda Item 4.0 Presentation and Adoption of 2024 Tax Levy

Superintendent Powell stated there have been no substantial changes since presented in November, the EAV estimate did not change. Recommending board approval to move forward with under levying as previously discussed.

Motion made by Nathan Kirby, seconded by John Lentz to approve the 2024 Tax Levy. 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) Agenda Item 5.0 Old Business

5.1 Consideration of Creating Jr. High Student Council Sponsor Position

Superintendent Powell stated there is no new information to present and is recommending approval.

Motion made by Nathan Kirby, seconded by John Lentz to approve the request as presented pending successful negotiation of the stipend with HUEA. 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 New Business

6.1 Presentation on District Special Education Services

Superintendent Powell introduced Special Education Coordinator Brandy Buske. Mrs. Buske went over the identification process as well as the process of students moving from general education to special education. Eligibility is determined by a team based on evaluation data and criteria. She presented the percentage of students identified with IEPS in comparison to the state average as well as a comparison to surrounding districts.

Superintendent Powell shared the district's current alternative placements counts as well as last years.

6.2 Discussion of Certified Staff Level at Beckemeyer

Beckemyer Principal Frailey addressed the board with a request to add an additional certified teacher at the elementary school. Adding another teacher would give each grade level five sections. If approved, class size would be more manageable and there would be more consistency in curriculum.

6.3 Consideration of Overnight HHS Choir Trip

HHS Band and Choir Directors requested approval for a trip to New York City for the music department. The team would leave June 1, 2026 and return June 6, 2026. The estimated cost per traveler is approximately $1,450.

Motion made by Nathan Kirby, seconded by John Lentz to approve the overnight HHS Choir Trip. 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.

6.4 Consideration of Resolution Abating the Tax Levy to Pay Debt Service on General Obligation School Bonds (alternate revenue source)

Superintendent Powell stated this Resolution is a procedural matter requested by the County Clerks.

Motion made by Nathan Kirby, seconded by John Lentz to approve the Resolution Abating the Tax Levy to Pay Debt Service on General Obligation School Bonds (alternate revenue source). 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.

7) Agenda Item 7.0 Recognition of Audience

No cards submitted.

8) Agenda Item 8.0 Communication

There was none.

9) Agenda Item 9.0 Executive Session

Motion made by Nathan Kirby and seconded by John Lentz to move into Executive Session at 7:54 p.m. for the purpose of considering the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees and student discipline. Voice vote. Motion carried.

Motion made by Nathan Kirby and seconded by John Lentz to move out of Executive session at 9:42 p.m. Voice Vote. Motion carried.

10) Agenda Item 10.0 Action Items Resulting from Executive Session

10.1 Acceptance of Administrator Letter of Intent to Retire

Motion made by Nathan Kirby, seconded by Kassie Greenwood to approve the Letter of Intent to Retire from Administrator Michelle Reeves at the conclusion of the

2028/2029 school year. Voice vote. Motion carried.

10.2 Resignation of CNA Instructor

Motion made by Nathan Kirby, seconded by Kassie Greenwood to approve the resignation of CNA Instructor Ashley Greenwalt effective 12/18/2024. Voice vote. Motion carried.

10.3 Resignation of Licensed Teacher

Motion made by Nathan Kirby, seconded by Kassie Greenwood to approve the resignation of Junior High Science Teacher Morgan Cawthon at the conclusion of the school year. Voice vote. Motion carried.

10.4 Employment of CNA Instructor

No action taken.

10.5 Resignation of Teachers Aide

Motion made by Nathan Kirby, seconded by Kassie Greenwood to approve the resignation of Teachers Aide Jamie Holbert effective immediately. Voice vote. Motion carried.

10.6 Employment of Teachers' Aides

Motion made by Nathan Kirby, seconded by Kassie Greenwood to approve the employment of McKenna Moore and Jennifer Carron as Teachers Aides. 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.

10.7 Employment of Part Time Nurse

No action taken.

10.8 Employment of Custodian

Motion made by Nathan Kirby, seconded by Kassie Greenwood to approve the employment of Don Downs as Custodian. 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.

10.9 Re-employment of Fall Season Coaches

Motion made by Nathan Kirby, seconded by Kassie Greenwood to approve the employment of Assistant Football Coach Bill Reed. On roll call the following voted yes:. Matt Lentz, Brian Patton, John Lentz, Blake Furness, Kassie Greenwood and Nathan Kirby. Mike Cerutti voted no. Motion carried 6-1.

Motion made by Nathan Kirby, seconded by Kassie Greenwood to approve the re-employment of all remaining fall coaches 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.

10.10 Employment of High School Softball Coach

Motion made by Nathan Kirby, seconded by Kassie Greenwood to approve the employment of Head Softball Coach Heather Lessman and Associate Head Softball Coach Amber Connor. 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.

11) Agenda Item 11.0 Adjournment.

Motion by Nathan Kirby, seconded by Brian Patton to adjourn the meeting at 9:45 p.m. Voice vote. Motion carried.

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