South Central Reporter

Mt. Olive Community Unit School District 5 Board of Education met May 21.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Board of Education met in regular session on May 21, 2025, in the library. The meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m. by President David Brunnwoth. Present at roll call were Bertels, Brunnworth, Readenour, Remer, and Skertich. Also present were Principal Scheller, Principal Martin, Secretary Durbin, Jen Stockstill, Nikki Garrels, Ron Ryan, Dan Lesko and John Hanafin.

Motion by Remer, seconded by Skertich to adopt the agenda and approve the minutes of the regular board meeting of April 16th, 2025 and the special minutes of April 23, 2025 and April 30, 2025. All ayes. Motion carried.

Recognition, comments, and correspondence from employees and public:

Congratulations to Ms. Seely for Madison for the Madison Communications Teacher of the Year. Ms. Seely won $500 for her classroom and a pizza party for her students.

Congratulations to the Junior High Track state qualifiers

Thanks to Coach Loskot for hosting the Regional Bass Fishing Competition.

Thank you to the High School staff for their efforts in making the 2025 senior recognition night and graduation amazing.

Mr. Ron Ryan addressed the Board regarding a wrestling mat that was purchased by the District several years ago. He requested to donate the mat to Litchfield High School’s wrestling program. Mr. Ryan also stated that he will handle all arrangements for transporting the mat to Litchfield.

Motion by Skertich, seconded by Brunnworth to approve the bills and activity accounts as presented. Roll call: 5 ayes. Motion carried

Financial Report for April 2025:

Mr Martin reported the Education Fund is sitting at The Education fund is at $ 2,536,873.35 Building fund is at $ 841,928.32. Transportation fund is at $ 436,085.31. Working cash is at $238,490.20. Total operating funds are at $ 4,053,377.18

Budget Report: Revenues vs. Expenditures for April 2025:

Education Fund: 95% vs. 74%

Building Fund: 104% vs. 37%

Bond & Interest: 270% & 75%

Transportation Fund: 86% vs. 81%

IMRF: 101% vs. 70%

Site & Construction: 59% & 18%

Working Cash: 100% & 0%

Tort Immunity: 103% vs. 95%

Life Safety: 105% & 74%

Motion by Remer, seconded by Readenour to approve the financial report and the budget report for April 2025. All ayes. Motion carried.

Unfinished Business:

None

New Business:

Motion by Skertich, seconded by Bertels to approve the Intergovernmental agreement for shared Educational Services with the Panhandle School District. Roll call: 5 ayes. Motion Carried

Motion by Skertich, seconded by Readenour to approve Mt. Olive Elementary school in the IESA for the 2025-2026 school year. Roll call: 5 ayes. Motion carried.

Principals’ Reports:

Mr. Martin reported the following:

• We completed the last regular day of attendance today. We will have enrichments Thursday and Friday.
• Graduation and Senior Awards Night went well. We had 32 graduates this year. I want to thank Mrs. Monke, Mrs. Bertels, Mrs. Spudich, Mrs. Davis, Mr. Lesko, and Mr. Simmons for their contributions with these events.
• $100,000 for this coming year and $185,000 in renewable scholarship opportunities.
• The Macoupin County Health Department held a Dental Clinic on May 7th.
• Mr. Lesko’s dual credit class made the Lincoln Land Connection Newsletter this quarter. Highlight our educational partnership and collaboration with LLCC and the Panhandle (Raymond) School District.
• Mrs. Osmoe received an IEA (Major) Teaching Award on May 13th at the Lewis and Clark Satellite location in Edwardsville.
• Mrs. Close’s art class created little monsters from clay to represent the drawings of elementary students' imaginations. It was awesome!!! Check out the photos on the school app.
• Mrs. Spudich took two teams to the HS Science Olympiad, May 1st.
• The class of 1975 and class of 2025 Dedicated the tree on May 1st. I thought it was a very nice gesture and that the class of 1975 gave a very nice talk to our Senior class.
• Due to the rain and a few previously cancelled drills we finally completed our third fire drill for the year on May 14th. Our students and staff did an amazing job of vacating the building quickly and efficiently.
• Mr. Dunlap is collecting information for summer band opportunities and working to put together a summer band camp that also incorporates Marching in local parades. His willingness to step in and get started is a great sign.
• HS Track hosted their first home track meet May 6th.
• Boys Track is off at sectionals tonight.
• Chloe Green advanced to the state meet and will head to Eastern to compete tomorrow morning.
• Boys Baseball Coop is 5-4 in conference play. 20-14 overall. They are currently 5th in the conference.
• Girls Softball Coop is 2-6 in conference play. 10-17 overall. They are currently in 8th place in the conference.
• Girls Soccer Coop played Staunton last night and won 4-3. They are 8-0 in conference play and currently in 1st place. They are 19-3-2 overall. Sectionals at Greenville vs. Sacred Heart Griffin on May 24th at 10am.
• This year has gone well. I look forward to the possibilities for next year.

Mrs Scheller reported the following:

I want to congratulate Ms. Breanna Seely on her Madison Telco Teacher of the Year award. She is very deserving of this award.

I want to thank my teachers and paraprofessionals for all their hard work and dedication this year. They have had a lot on their plate but stood up and faced it like champions. I’m so proud to be able to work with each and every one of them.

I would like to thank Jeff Grider and the janitorial staff for all their work to keep our school clean and well-maintained. They go above and beyond.

Thank you to the cafeteria staff for the excellent lunches they prepared for students and staff all year. You ladies do a fantastic job.

Thank you to our bus drivers for transporting our students to and from school, sporting events, and field trips.

Congratulations to our JH state qualifiers. We had a little pep rally and send off for them.

JH sport awards ceremony was Monday. I want to thank Amanda Osmoe for all her hard work as our AD. The job of an AD takes a lot of time and energy. She has done a great job keeping our sports going this year.

The work with our learning partner wrapped up last week. We will continue to work with her again next year.

The students who attended the Grizzlies' game had a great time. The game was cut short due to bad weather, but not before our students got to see Mrs. Wargo’s son play.

The year's Final Title I Family Fun Night was a huge success. The STEAM Club did a fantastic job, and all students had a great time. The Steam Club students did a great job working with the younger students. Thank you, Ms. Moulton and Mrs. Heyen, for supporting our students in the area of STEAM.

Congratulations to Alena Graham on her State Championship in the 400 meters and for breaking the 400-meter school record previously held by her mother.

AR Recess Day took place today. Students got a minute of recess for every point they earned on AR reading tests. Thank you to all the staff for helping make this day a success for our students.

We will hold an AR Assembly to recognize all the hard work students have put into reading this year. It’s a great time for everyone to see each other's accomplishments.

Preschool graduation is tomorrow night at 6 in the HS Gym.

End of the Year Field Day is Friday. Thank staff and volunteers in advance for their help in making this last day of school a fun, successful day for our students.

The Junior High awards ceremony and 8th-grade promotion is on Friday morning at 8:15 in the HS Gym.

Superintendent’s Report:

Mr Martin reported the following:

Assured partners met with us regarding the health insurance renewal. The original renewal rate was 23% but assured partners negotiated the rate down to 12.5%. There are no plan changes to the benefits. Monthly premium will go from $690.82 to $779.63. The district covers 80%. The employee monthly premium will rise $17.76 per month. The district cost will be $619.70 per employee. Employees can opt out of insurance this contract.

Submitted SRSA grant (Small, Rural School Achievement Grant)

Looking into submitting COPS grant

Summer Credit Recovery will be proctored by a ROE 40 certified teacher at minimal cost to our district. ($1500) June 2-20

Entec HVAC automation control project final billing will be in June. Mr. Martin and Mr. Grider were trained on the ENTEC online program for HVAC automation on May 2nd.

Glandt Roofing, Architect Matt Loyet, and Jeff Grider will be doing a roof walk to find solutions for the roof leaks. There has been on-going conversation on this project. I will have a Board update on this when I return.

The final installment of the Olive Branch magazine will be out this summer. Interviews were concluded last week.

Motion by Remer, seconded by Brunnworth to enter into closed session at 7:38 p.m. for the following purposes as allowed under the Illinois Open Meetings Act (5 ILCS 120/1 et seq.): Discussion of the appointment, employment and dismissal of employees of the public body and collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives. Discussion of pending and probable litigation against, affecting, or on behalf of the Board of Education and the District. Roll call: 5 ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Bertels, seconded by Remer to return to open session at 9:19 p.m. Roll call: 5 ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Remer seconded by Skertich to hire Ron Durbin as assistant unpaid volunteer Bass Fishing Coach for the 25-26 school year pending successful background check. Roll call: 5 ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Skertich seconded by Bertels to accept the resignation of Adam Schulte as MOES Art Teacher effective August 1st. Roll call: 5 ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Skertich seconded by Remer to accept the resignation of Adam Schulte as MOJH Student Council sponsor effective August 1st. Roll call: 5 ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Readenour seconded by Bertels to accept the resignation of Cara Pence as MOJH assistant volleyball coach effective immediately. Roll call: 5 ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Remer seconded by Skertich to hire Cara Pence JH Head Volleyball Coach for the 25-26 school year. Roll call: 5 ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Brunnworth seconded by Readenour to hire Chelsey Schutt as a district paraprofessional for the 25-26 school year pending successful background check. Roll call: 5 ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Bertels seconded by Skertich to hire Linelle Viergge as an elementary special education paraprofessional for the 25-26 school year pending successful background check. Roll call: Roll call: 5 ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Skertich seconded by Bertels to hire Danielle Cox as PreK paraprofessional for the 25-26 school year pending successful background check. Roll call: 5 ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Readenour seconded by Brunnworth to hire Megan Bray as fifth grade teacher for the 25-26 school year pending successful background check. Roll call: 5 ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Readenour seconded by Skertich to approve Nick Simmons paternity leave for the 25-26 school year. Roll call: 5 ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Readenour seconded by Bertels to hire Alexis Mielke a summer care worker for 10 hours per week. The rate of pay will be $15 per hour. Roll call: 5 ayes. Motion Carried

Motion by Skertich seconded by Brunnworth to hire Ethan Ruemmler a summer maintenance worker for 15 hours per week. The rate of pay will be $15 per hour. Roll call: 5 ayes. Motion carried

Motion by Remer seconded by Bertels to hire Tucker Durbin a summer maintenance worker for 15 hours per week. The rate of pay will be $15 per hour. Roll call: 5 ayes. Motion carried

Motion by Readenour seconded by Brunnworth to approve the MOU agreement for James Bryant. Roll call: 5 ayes. Motion carried

Motion by Remer seconded by Brunnworth to approve Casey Davis maternity leave for the 25-26 school year. Roll call: 5 ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Skertich seconded by Bertels to hire Crystal Remer as JH cheer coach for the 25-26 school year pending successful background check. Roll call: 4 ayes. 1 present. Motion Carried

Motion by Remer seconded by Skertich to hire Kerri Stoltz as Elem/JH art teacher for the 25-26 school year pending successful background check. Roll call: 5 ayes. Motion Carried

Motion by Readenour seconded by Bertels to accept the resignation of Amy Moulton as MOJH Student Council sponsor effective May 27, 2025. Roll call: 5 ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Bertels seconded by Remer to turn all wrestling equipment over to LHS. Roll call: 5 ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Skertich seconded by Remer to hire Stepanie Cann as Interim Superintendent for the 25-26 school year. Roll call: 5 ayes. Motion Carried

The next regular board meeting will be at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, in the school library at 804 West Main St., Mt. Olive, IL.

Motion by Skertich, seconded by Bertels to adjourn at 9:29 p.m. All ayes. Motion carried.

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