South Central Reporter

Hillsboro Community Unit School District 3 Board of Education met March 11.

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

Principal Heyen congratulated Sadie Houchlie and Rumer Lemon. Their art show entry was accepted to the 2025 Annual High School Art Exhibition hosted by SIUE Department of Art and Design. Mrs. Heyen also read a letter she received from Mark York. He praised Mr. Drake and Mrs. Lemons for the amazing programs they are running at the Junior High and High School.

Curriculum Director Hope McBrain shared a letter from parent Kelly Mullen. Ms. Mullen praised high school English teacher Beth Gonzalez for her remarkable teaching abilities.

Principal Frailey thanked Whitetails Unlimited for their generous donation of archery equipment. The elementary students really enjoyed it.

Prek Director Gutierrez announced the PreK program received a grant from the Hillsboro Sertoma to help fund the speech therapy program. The grant helped fund the speech therapy program. They were able to make 500 bags to send home with families to assist with language activities at home.

3) Agenda Item 3.0 Consent Agenda

3.1 Approval of Regular Session Minutes from February 11, 2025

President Lentz asked for additions or corrections to the February 11, 2025

Regular Meeting Minutes. There were none.

3.2 Approval of Executive Session Minutes from February 11, 2025

President Lentz asked for additions or corrections to the February 11, 2025

Executive Session Meeting Minutes. There were none.

3.3 Approval of Special Meeting Minutes from February 27, 2025

President Lentz asked for additions or corrections to the February 27, 2025

Special Meeting Minutes. There were none.

3.4 Approval of Special Meeting Executive Session Minutes from February 27, 2025 President Lentz asked for additions or corrections to the February 27, 2025 Executive Session Special Meeting Minutes. There were none.

3.5 Renewal of IHSA Membership

President Lentz asked for questions or comments. There were none 3.6 Review and Approval of Payables

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

3.7 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 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.

4) Agenda Item 4.0 New Business

4.1 School Resource Officer Report

School Resource Officer Kenny reported that interactions with buildings have been positive. There are a significant number of stop arm violations in the district, particularly on highways. The district will continue to increase awareness, add signage, and look into possibly purchasing LED stop arms.

4.2 Consideration of Adding HHS Color Guard to Marching Band

Band Director Daniel Drake presented a request to add HHS Color Guard to the Marching Band. In 2021, the color guard took a hiatus to focus on the band program. The band program is growing and doing well. Now is a great time to bring back Color Guard as there are many students interested.

Motion made by Mike Cerutti, seconded by Nathan Kirby to add HHS color guard to the marching band. 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.

4.3 Consideration of Bids for Purchase of New School Buses

Transportation Director Adam Gregg presented a request to add 3 more buses to the current fleet. Bids were received from Central Bus Sales and Midwest Bus Sales.

Motion made by Nathan Kirby, seconded by John Lentz to purchase 3 Bluebird 83 passenger gasoline buses from Central States Bus Sales. 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 Recognition of Audience No cards submitted

6) Agenda Item 6.0 Communication. There was none.

7) Agenda Item 7.0 Executive Session

Motion made by Nathan Kirby and seconded by John Lentz to move into Executive Session at 7:45 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 Mike Cerutti and seconded by Nathan Kirby to move out of Executive session at 9:01 p.m. Voice Vote. Motion carried.

8) Agenda Item 8.0 Action Items Resulting from Executive Session

8.1 Employment of Elementary Teacher

Motion made by Nathan Kirby, seconded by John Lentz to approve the employment of Chloe Beck as an Elementary Teacher. 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.

8.2 Acceptance of Letter of Intent to Retire from Licensed Teacher

Motion made by Nathan Kirby, seconded by John Lentz to approve the retirement of Licensed Teacher Debbie Atkins at the conclusion of the 2028/2029 school year. 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

8.3 Acceptance of Letter of Intent to Retire from Human Resource Director

Motion made by Nathan Kirby, seconded by John Lentz to approve the retirement of Human Resource Director Laura Butler effective July 31, 2027. 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

8.4 Acceptance of Resignation from Licensed Teacher

Motion made by Nathan Kirby, seconded by John Lentz to accept the resignation of Licensed Teacher Elizabeth Steiniger at the conclusion of the school year. Voice vote. Motion carried.

8.5 Employment of Special Education Teacher

Motion made by Nathan Kirby, seconded by John Lentz to approve the employment of Olivia Heetderks as a Special Education Teacher at Hillsboro High School. 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) Agenda Item 9.0 Adjournment.

Motion by Nathan Kirby, seconded by John Lentz to adjourn the meeting at 9:04 p.m. Voice vote. Motion carried.

https://www.hillsboroschools.net/cms/lib/IL01904713/Centricity/Domain/292/3.11.25%20REGULAR%20MIN.pdf