South Central Reporter

Southwestern Community Unit School District 9 Board of Education met June 17.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Southwestern Board of Education met in regular session on June 17, 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 Recording Secretary, Kim Albert, to call roll showing those members present as: Donna Loy, Jason Oertel, Andrew Ruyle, Jacob Reno, Dr. Kevin Bowman, Superintendent, and Kim Albert, Recording Secretary. Jenny Hanks, Brad Schuchman and Nicholas Strohbeck were absent.

Public Comment: None

Correspondence and Recognition:

Nicole Nance spoke to the board regarding the PBIS recognition for each of the schools in the district. She congratulated everyone on a great job completing the Tiered Fidelity Inventory for the PBIS implementation.

The Southwestern Middle School Track State Qualifiers were present and celebrated their achievements. Their coaches, Amber Stewart, and Kathy Gwillim, spoke about each participant and their accomplishments. The qualifiers were Audrey Smith, Kolton Corby, and Chase Kallal. Chase Kallal beat the 1600M school record set in 1975 by L. Egelhoff. Congratulations to all three!!

Administrator Reports:

Dr. Mark Bearley, High School Principal, thanked the school board members, past board members, administration, teachers, etc. for all their help the last 25 years of his career at Southwestern. He has taken the Superintendent position at Freeburg Elementary School starting July 1, 2025. The board thanked him for his many dedicated years of service!!

Nicole Nance, Assistant HS/MS Principal, who will be the new HS principal starting July 1, 2025; she thanked Dr. Bearley for his help and mentoring the last few years. She also reported that the construction going on currently at the high school is proceeding very well.

Shannon Bowman, Middle School Principal, thanked Dr. Bearley for his help as well as mentoring her and as her former administrator. She also gave an update on the construction project.

Ms. Wooldridge, Shipman Principal, reported that part of the kitchen floor at the Shipman school building is being worked on. She also reported that summer school is going well with 22 students attending daily.

Mrs. Reed, Brighton North Primary Principal, mentioned how well the custodians were doing in her building getting the floors waxed, etc. She also reported that more funds have been awarded for the Pre-K program this year.

Mrs. Renken, Sp. Education Coordinator, reported that she is working on the Behavior Intervention Plan that is due in August.

Medora Principal, Mr. Baumberger, thanked Dr. Bearley for his help & guidance over the past years! He also thanked the PBIS team, Piasa Team, and the Safety Patrol leaders for a great year. He also stated that the administrators are all working towards the next year.

Superintendent Report:

Dr. Bowman gave the enrollment update of 1159 students at the end of May. The discipline records have shown a decrease this year.

Per Dr. Bowman, the high school and middle school renovation work is moving along well and is looking very nice. New doors were placed at the BN library, the bleacher steps at the high school gym are being worked on and will be painted this summer per Dr. Bowman.

Items for Discussion or Acknowledgement:

Dr. Bowman recommended not to approve the district participating in the Community Eligibility Provision as it would cost the district money.

Resignations/retirements acknowledged by the board included:

Cross Country Coach & Girls’ Track Coach Retirement-G. Bowker

3-Hour HS Lunchroom Worker Resignation-A. Pruiett

3-Hour HS Lunchroom Worker Resignation-S. Stilwell

2-Hour Lunchroom/Recess Monitor Shipman Resignation-A. Dunham-Curtis Medora Teacher Aide Resignation-M. Carter

Bus Driver Retirement-D. Harstad

A short Community Solar Authority Presentation took place by their representative, Dakota Malone. He explained how the district would receive credit on their energy bills by signing up to participate. No money would be spent by the district, but the district would receive money off their energy bills.

Items Considered for Action…

Consent Agenda:

Items discussed in the consent agenda included the following…the financial report with balances as of May 31, 2025, as follows: Education Fund $7,214,603.00, Operations/Maintenance $1,437,908.00, Transportation Fund $817,955.00, Working Cash $3,578,854.00, with the total being $13,049,320.00, County Schools Facilities Sales Tax Revenue for May was about the same as last month at $53,285.33, June bills…Imprest bills…extra and substitute pay…substitute list-none…regular board meeting minutes from May 20, 2025…closed session minutes from May 20, 2025…and to keep the closed session board meeting minutes from July 2023 through December 2023 closed.

There were no questions regarding the consent agenda that was presented. Jacob Reno made a motion to accept the consent agenda as presented and Donna Loy seconded the motion to accept the consent agenda.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Loy, Oertel, Reno, and Ruyle

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Andrew Ruyle made a motion to approve the appointment of the individuals identified in the attached list marked Exhibit A to the corresponding spring extra-curricular activities therein for the 25-26 school year. Jason Oertel seconded the motion for such.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Oertel, Reno, Ruyle, and Loy

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Donna Loy made a motion to approve the bread bid from Kohls Wholesale for the 25-26 school year with Jacob Reno seconding the approval.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Reno, Ruyle, Loy, and Oertel

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Prairie Farms was awarded the milk bid for the 25-26 school year with the low bid after Jason Oertel made the motion with Andrew Ruyle seconding the motion.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Ruyle, Loy, Oertel, and Reno

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

The food and non-food bid was awarded to Kohls Wholesale again for the 25-26 school year. Andrew Ruyle made a motion to accept the bid with Donna Loy seconding the approval. Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Loy, Oertel, Reno, and Ruyle

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

There were four fuel bids submitted with Piasa Motor Fuels being the lowest. Andrew Ruyle made a motion to approve their low bid with Jacob Reno seconding the motion. Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Oertel, Reno, Ruyle, and Loy

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Community Sanitation was awarded the trash bid for the 25-26 school year. Jacob Reno made a motion to approve their bid with Donna Loy seconding to approve.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Reno, Ruyle, Loy, and Oertel

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Jacob Reno made a motion to not approve the district participating in the CEP program. Andrew Ruyle seconded to not participate.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Ruyle, Loy, Oertel, and Reno

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Andrew Ruyle made a motion to approve the Non-union and Administrative salaries for the 25-26 school year. Donna Loy made the second motion to approve the salaries. Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Loy, Oertel, Reno, and Ruyle

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Jacob Reno made a motion to table the decision whether to approve the Community Solar Authority proposal until next month when more board members were present and Andrew Ruyle seconded to wait.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Oertel, Reno, Ruyle, and Loy

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Jacob Reno made the first motion and Donna Loy seconded to approve hiring Kevin Goodbrake as an Assistant Boys’ Soccer Coach pending a successful background check, EHR, and a credential check.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Reno, Ruyle, Loy, and Oertel

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Dan DeLong, HS teacher, requested approval of his 5-year Notice of Retirement. Donna Loy made a motion to approve such with Andrew Ruyle seconding for the approval. Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Ruyle, Loy, Oertel, and Reno

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Jacob Reno made a motion to approve the 5-year Notice of Retirement submitted by Renee (Kelly) Goetten. Jason Oertel seconded the motion.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Loy, Oertel, Reno, and Ruyle

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Donna Loy made the first motion with Jacob Reno making the second motion to hire Breanne Carter pending a successful background check, EHR, and a credential check as the Full-time HS/MS substitute teacher for the 2025-2026 school year.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Oertel, Reno, Ruyle, and Loy

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Jacob Reno made a motion to employ Jenna Millard as the HS Girls’ Head Track Coach. Jason Oertel made the second motion for the hire.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Reno, Ruyle, Loy, and Oertel

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Andrew Ruyle made a motion to approve the Press Issue 118 with Donna Loy seconding the motion to approve.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Ruyle, Loy, Oertel, and Reno

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Stephanie Hall was approved to be hired pending a successful background check, EHR, and a credential check as a Full-time Sub Special Education Teacher at Brighton North for the 1st semester of 25-26 and then to be a Full-time Special Education Teacher at BN the second

semester. Donna Loy made the motion to approve with Jason Oertel seconding the approval. Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Loy, Oertel, Reno, and Ruyle

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Sandra Powers was recommended to be hired as the new Food Service Director for the 2025- 2026 school year. Donna Loy made a motion to approve this hire with Jacob Reno making the second motion for such.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Oertel, Reno, Ruyle, and Loy

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Andrew Ruyle made the first motion to approve Josie Bouillon to volunteer as the MS Girls’ Basketball Assistant Coach for 25-26 school year with Jason Oertel seconding the motion to approve.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Reno, Ruyle, Loy, and Oertel

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Jason Oertel made a motion to approve Seth Alexander to be hired as the Elementary Full time Substitute Teacher pending a successful background check, EHR, and a credential check. Jacob Reno seconded the motion.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Ruyle, Loy, Oertel, and Reno

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

The Cross-Country Head Coaches for the 25-26 school year will be Amber Stewart and Kathy Gwillim after motions to approve were made by Donna Loy and Jacob Reno, respectively.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Loy, Oertel, Reno, and Ruyle

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Andrew Ruyle made a motion to adjourn the meeting as no closed session was needed this evening. Donna Loy made the second motion to adjourn.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Oertel, Reno, Ruyle, and Loy

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Meeting adjourned at 7:53pm

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