South Central Reporter

Southwestern Community Unit School District 9 Board of Education met May 20.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Southwestern Board of Education met in regular session on May 20, 2025, at 7p.m. in the Middle School Commons in Piasa, Illinois. Jason Oertel-President, called the meeting to order at 7p.m. and asked Board Secretary, Jenny Hanks, to call roll showing those members present as: Jenny Hanks, Donna Loy, Jason Oertel, Andrew Ruyle, Brad Schuchman, Dr. Kevin Bowman, Superintendent, and Kim Albert, Recording Secretary. Jacob Reno and Nicholas Strohbeck were absent.

Public Comment: None

Jenny Hanks was absent last month so she took her Oath of Office for her board member position tonight.

Correspondence and Recognition:

The board congratulated the Southwestern 7th Grade Olympiad Team. They received 1st place in the ROE #40 Olympiad. The team consisted of Ian Stassi, Klara Klohr, Jeffrey Bagley, Lilly Russell, Jax Kahl, Addison Grover, Caroline Rothe, and Mackenzie Matuska. CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Dr. Bearley updated the board on the district improvement plan, and he included all the principals to share their plans for their schools. Mrs. Reed explained about the Lexia LTRS program and how the teachers are in the training process. She is very excited about the program itself and what a good foundation it is laying going forward for the reading program and the students. Rhonda Wooldridge mentioned that she has two teachers also participating in the Lexia LTRS program and how excited she is about this program. She thinks this is very good for Southwestern in general. Ms. Wooldridge also mentioned that with the addition of the new physical education teacher, Shipman is adding P.E. minutes. Shipman Elementary is also implementing Freckle to hopefully increase math scores. Mr. Baumberger, Medora Intermediate Principal, mentioned that adding the physical education teacher has helped increase the girls that are interested in sports through a basketball camp recently and will help bring more girls into the athletic programs. Medora teachers will also be using the Freckle program to help improve the IAR math scores as well as restructuring the PBIS program to match the other schools. The teacher in charge of PBIS is retiring this year, but another teacher will be stepping into that role next year. The middle school will be adding RTI with math & English classes as well as working on discipline and social emotional programs in the classrooms as well per Mrs. Bowman, Principal. The social worker, Mrs. Moore, will be helping with these programs in the middle school also. After all the other principals finished speaking, Dr. Bearley presented the high schools improvement plans-the high school has switched from the SAT test to the ACT test and are also working to find studying guides, etc. to help the teachers and the students in the future; Dr. Bearley stated that they are in contact with the Director of the CTEI program in Madison county to add more classes for the Career & Technical Education program, and will continue to offer the Gold/Silver/Bronze card program next year.

Superintendent Bowman thanked all the principals for their continued investment in their schools and all their help.

Administrator Reports:

Shannon Bowman, Middle School Principal, reported that the middle school has three students who are advancing to the state track meet-Congratulations. She also stated two students received Best of Show at the Art Fair recently. And, again, 7th grade 1st place in the ROE #40 Olympiad was mentioned.

Ms. Wooldridge, Shipman Principal, presented the board with two playground options for a new playground that Shipman is in need of. Some of the existing equipment will be moved, the remaining will be removed, and new equipment installed. She thanked the Piasa Team for helping finance the new playground as well.

Mrs. Renken, Sp. Education Coordinator, reported on the 1% action program. She mentioned that she is working with the schools to plan the 2025-2026 schedules. Mrs. Renken and several of the special education teachers recently attended a seminar on autism and received many new ideas that some will be implementing in their classrooms soon. Mrs. Renken is excited that several of the special education teachers are participating in the LTRS training as well.

Medora Principal, Mr. Baumberger, reported that the 6th grade Medora Olympiad team had received 2nd place!! Congratulations to them! Mr. Baumberger also spoke about the graduate walk-thru that was held last Friday. He said the students enjoy this and that it gives them incentive to do well. The 4th grade students recently toured Medora Intermediate and the 6th grade students were their tour guides. The students done an excellent job per Mr. Baumberger!!

Superintendent Report:

Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week was held recently and went well. Thanks to everyone that assisted with that.

Congratulations to the 7th grade Olympiad team as well as the 6th grade team!

Dr. Bowman reported on the construction and that tile removal was started but was stopped. Tile removal will begin again as soon as possible. The pre-construction meeting was held May 13th and went well; district staff will soon begin moving items out of classrooms when possible. Thanks to staff for the help.

Items for Discussion or Acknowledgement:

Resignations/retirements acknowledged by the board included:

Van Driver-retirement end of 25-26 Leann Thornton

Food Service Director-retirement Cheryl Darr

Student Government Sponsor-resignation Heather Gustafson

BN Special Education Teacher-resignation Ashley DePue Ballard

Floating Custodian-resignation Samantha Sykes

Review Press Board Policy Issue #118

Review Bus Bids

Items Considered for Action…

Consent Agenda:

Items discussed in the consent agenda included the following…the financial report with balances as of April 30, 2025, as follows: Education Fund $7,515,965.00, Operations/Maintenance $1,540,251.00, Transportation Fund $886,472.00, Working Cash $3,577,151.00, with the total being $13,519,839.00, County Schools Facilities Sales Tax Revenue for April was down again at $53,824.05, May bills…Imprest bills…extra and substitute pay…substitute list…Special Board Meeting minutes from April 23, 2025…regular board meeting minutes from April 23, 2025…closed session minutes from April 23, 2025…and permission to prepare budget for FY2025.

There were no questions regarding the consent agenda that was presented. Andrew Ruyle made a motion to accept the consent agenda as presented and Brad Schuchman seconded the motion to accept the consent agenda.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Hanks, Loy, Oertel, Ruyle, and Schuchman

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Brad Schuchman made a motion to approve the Consolidated District Plan as presented. Donna Loy made the second motion to approve the plan.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Loy, Oertel, Ruyle, Schuchman, and Hanks

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Andrew Ruyle made a motion to approve the 2025-2026 Board Meeting dates that Dr. Bowman presented with Jason Oertel making the second motion to approve. The board meetings are scheduled for the third Tuesday of each month.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Oertel, Ruyle, Schuchman, Hanks, and Loy

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Dr. Bowman mentioned a few updates, fees changes, page number adjustments, and index corrections had been made to the 2025-2026 Student Handbook by Mrs. Nance. Donna Loy made the first motion to approve the updated 2025-2026 student handbook with Brad Schuchman making the second motion for such.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Ruyle, Schuchman, Hanks, Loy, and Oertel

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

A motion was made by Brad Schuchman and seconded by Donna Loy to hire the same summer helpers as last year, Quinn Hasquin, Blake Belangee, and Matthew Curtis.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Schuchman, Hanks, Loy, Oertel, and Ruyle

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

It was recommended to hire a recent graduate, Aaron Gunning, for the summer mowing position pending a successful background check, EHR, and credential check. Brad Schuchman made a motion to hire Mr. Gunning with Jenny Hanks seconding the motion.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Hanks, Loy, Oertel, Ruyle, and Schuchman

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

After the bus bid opening on April 25, 2025; the low bid came in from Midwest Bus Sales at $622,458.00 for five new vehicles. Jason Oertel made a motion approve the bid from Midwest Bus Sales with Andrew Ruyle making the second motion.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Loy, Oertel, Ruyle, Schuchman, and Hanks

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

The Risk Management Plan was reviewed with no additions or corrections. Donna Loy made a motion to approve the plan with Andrew Ruyle seconding the motion to approve.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Oertel, Ruyle, Schuchman, Hanks, and Loy

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

It was recommended to approve HS Assistant Volleyball Coaches, Kristen Ross and Michelle Walden for the 2025-2026 season. Andrew Ruyle made a motion to approve this with Brad Schuchman seconding such.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Ruyle, Schuchman, Hanks, Loy, and Oertel

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

The Ag Three Circles Grant with an additional teacher added was recommended to the board. Donna Loy made a motion to approve the recommendation. Jenny Hanks seconded the motion for approval.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Schuchman, Hanks, Loy, Oertel, and Ruyle

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Rhett Hancock has been recommended to employ as the new Ag Industrial Technology Teacher. Brad Schuchman made a motion to employ Mr. Hancock pending a successful background check, EHR, and credential check. Donna Loy seconded the motion.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Hanks, Loy, Oertel, Ruyle, and Schuchman

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Ellie Thomas will be hired pending a successful background check, EHR, and credential check for the position of HS/MS Assistant Principal. Andrew Ruyle and Donna Loy made the motions to hire her.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Loy, Oertel, Ruyle, Schuchman, and Hanks

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Brad Schuchman made a motion to employ Aaron Bowman as the 7th grade boys’ basketball coach pending a successful background check, EHR, and credential check. Andrew Ruyle seconded the motion.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Oertel, Ruyle, Schuchman, Hanks, and Loy

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Shain Bates will be hired as a volunteer HS wrestling coach pending a successful background check, EHR, and credential check after Donna Loy made a motion for such. Brad Schuchman seconded the motion.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Ruyle, Schuchman, Hanks, Loy, and Oertel

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Andrew Ruyle made a motion to employ Neal Owens as a volunteer HS wrestling coach pending a successful background check, EHR, and credential check. Donna Loy made the second motion for the pending hire.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Schuchman, Hanks, Loy, Oertel, and Ruyle

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Joe Durham has volunteered and is being recommended to be an HS girls’ basketball coach. Brad Schuchman made a motion to approve this, and Donna Loy seconded the motion.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Hanks, Loy, Oertel, Ruyle, and Schuchman

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

It was recommended by Dr. Bearley to approve Student Government Co-Sponsors, Kassidy Gaither and Amber Stewart. Donna Loy made a motion to approve this, and Brad Schuchman made the second motion to approve.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Loy, Oertel, Ruyle, Schuchman, and Hanks

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Andrew Ruyle made a motion to move into closed session with Donna Loy seconding to move into closed session.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Oertel, Ruyle, Schuchman, Hanks, and Loy

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

TIME: 8:17pm

Donna Loy made a motion to move back into open session with Jason Oertel seconding to do so as well.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Ruyle, Schuchman, Hanks, Loy, and Oertel

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

TIME: 8:43pm

Brad Schuchman made a motion to adjourn the meeting with Andrew Ruyle making the second motion to adjourn.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Schuchman, Hanks, Loy, Oertel, and Ruyle

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Meeting adjourned at 8:44pm

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