South West Illinois News

Carmi White County Community Unit School District 5 Board of Education met August 21.

Here is the minutes as provided by the board:

The regular meeting of the board of education of Carmi-White County Community Unit

District No. 5 was held on Monday, August 21, 2017 at the Jefferson Attendance Center (new

building). The meeting was called to order by President Kelli M. Chapman at 7:00 p.m.

Recital of Pledge of Allegiance

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all present.

Those present were board members Acord, Chapman, Fulkerson, Hammell, Hoskins,

Mitchell, and Scates. Others present were Superintendent Brad Lee; Dr. Amy Dixon, Lincoln

and Jefferson Attendance Centers principal, Bart King, junior high school principal; Jarrod

Newell, high school principal; Lacey Moore, elementary dean of students, Bob Lamp, CWCEA

representative; Rachel Blazier, unit secretary; Scott Mareing (WROY); and Brandon Seigert

(The Carmi Chronicle).

Consent Agenda Items Approved

Consent agenda items were presented to the board for its approval as follows:

1. Minutes of the July 17, 2017 regular meeting and July 24, 2017 and August 10, 2017

special meetings of the board of education

2. FMLA Request

Brianne Douthitt has submitted a Family and Medical Leave Act request beginning

approximately September 22, 2017, with date subject to change due to unforeseen

circumstances. After utilizing all sick and personal days that she has accumulated,

she requests twenty (20) days at sub pay deduction. She plans to return to work on

January 2, 2018.

It was recommended that the board accept the Family and Medical Leave Act request

of Brianne Douthitt beginning approximately September 22, 2017, with date subject

to change due to unforeseen circumstances, utilizing all sick and personal days that

she has accumulated and twenty (20) days at sub pay deduction, with her planning to

return to work on January 2, 2018.

3. Proposed Changes in Board Policies 2:260, 6:80, 6:210, 7:275 and 8:70

Due to changes in Legislation and upon the recommendation of the Illinois

Association of School Boards (IASB), the district needs to update the following board

policies: 2:260 Board of Education, Uniform Grievance Procedure; 6:80 Instruction,

Teaching About Controversial Issues; 6:210 Instruction, Instructional Materials;

7:275 Students, Orders to Forgo Life-Sustaining Treatment; and 8:70 Community

Relations, Accommodating Individuals withy Disabilities.

It was recommended that board policies 2:260, 6:80, 6:210, 7:275, and 8:70 be

preliminarily adopted, as amended, with final action set for the regular September

meeting of the Board of Education.

Motion by Acord, second by Hammell, that recommendations for consent agenda items

as follows:

1. Minutes of the July 17, 2017 regular and July 24, 2017 and August 10, 2017

special meetings of the board of education

2. FMLA request

3. Proposed Changes to Board Policies 2:260, 6:80, 6:210, 7:275, and 8:70

be approved. Roll call vote: Fulkerson, yes; Hammell, yes; Hoskins, yes; Mitchell, yes;

Scates, yes; Acord, yes; and Chapman, yes. Motion carried.

Bills Approved

An additional listing of bills was presented to the board at the meeting for its

consideration and approval. Superintendent Lee said that if the board had any questions on the

bills, he would try to answer them.

Board member Acord asked if the Slay’s payment on the bill report was the final

payment. Mr. Lee said that it was and explained that the district pays vendors for work

performed during the summer in the month of July. Forty-two thousand dollars of Slay’s

payment is for work done at Brownsville Attendance Center. Payment is also included in this

month’s bill report for some of the building roof work that has been completed over the summer.

The payment for the high school track is not included in this report.

Motion by Scates, second by Fulkerson, that the bills for the month of July 2017 be

approved as listed. Roll call vote: Hammell, yes; Hoskins, yes; Mitchell, yes; Scates, yes;

Acord, yes; Fulkerson, yes; Chapman, yes. Motion carried.

Treasurer’s Report Read and Approved

The treasurer’s report for the month of July 2017 was read as follows: Education Fund,

$2,346,302; Building Fund, $495,921; Transportation Fund, $305,806; Municipal Retirement

Fund, $402,023; Imprest Fund, $7,254; Tort Fund, $223,691; Debt Service Fund, $487,480;

Working Cash Fund, $317,490; Fire Prevention and Safety Fund, $179,939; and Capital Projects,

$767,151. Investments by Fund: Municipal Retirement Fund, $100,000.

Superintendent Lee reported that there was not a lot of revenue to report for the month of

July. The district doesn’t receive any General State Aid in July. The district did receive

$223,000 in the education fund and $56,800 in the 1% Sales Tax. Out of the 1% Sales Tax that

was received, $37,866 went into Capital Outlay and $18,933 into Debt Services. The district did

receive third quarter categorical payments of $265,000 which will be reflected on the August

report. The State still owes the district $265,000.

Motion by Hoskins, second by Mitchell, that the treasurer’s report for the month of July

2017 be approved as read. Roll call vote: Hoskins, yes; Mitchell, yes; Scates, yes; Acord, yes;

Fulkerson, yes; Hammell, yes; Chapman, yes. Motion carried.

Superintendent’s Report to the Board

Superintendent Lee reported the following items to the board:

1. Opening of School

On Monday, August 14, a breakfast for all staff and a staff meeting was

conducted in the junior/senior high school cafeteria. After welcoming remarks by

the superintendent, building principals introduced new staff members and gave

building updates. CWCEA Vice-President Bob Lamp then welcomed back staff

and introduced the officers and building representatives. Mr. Brian Schwartz,

attorney for the Illinois Principal Association (IPA), was the district’s presentor.

Following the meeting, the staff members then returned to their respective

buildings for various meetings. Staff activities for Tuesday, August 15, were

designated by building administrators in preparation for the first full day of

school.

Students were dismissed 50 minutes early on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday

in order for the younger students to become acclimated to school and for staff to

continue beginning of the year meetings and preparation. This practice has been

utilized over the past several years and has been successful during the first week

of school.

2. Back-To-School Nights

“Back-to-School Nights” continued again this year in an effort to better inform

the parents/guardians of the programs that are available to students and grade

level expectations. These Back-to-School Nights were held last week, giving

staff members an opportunity to review goals and objectives of each class and

share other important information. Parents/guardians also had an opportunity to

provide input pertaining to the district’s programs, which can be used for the

school improvement process.

3. Compliments to Summer Employees

The building custodians have, as always, done an outstanding job in preparing

district buildings for the beginning of the year. Their efforts in providing a

comfortable, well-maintained teaching and learning environment are certainly

appreciated.

Also, office staff members and custodians who work during the summer to

process and deliver instructional materials and supplies to the various attendance

centers are to be commended for their fine work. Their efforts allow us to begin

the school year with the necessary supplies and materials.

4. WOVSED Governing Board Meeting

A WOVSED Governing Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, August 22, at

6:30 p.m. at the WOVSED offices in Norris City. Board member Kelli M.

Chapman is the district’s representative on this board.

5. Illinois Association of School Boards Fall Dinner Meeting

The Egyptian Division of the IASB will hold its fall dinner meeting on Tuesday,

October 3, 2017, at Mt. Vernon SD #80 in Mt. Vernon, IL. If any board member

is interested in attending, they are asked to notify the central office by Monday,

September 25.

6. Certified Athletic Trainer for Home Athletic Events

Wabash General Hospital in Mt. Carmel will, once again, furnish a certified

athletic trainer for home high school athletic events throughout the school year.

7. Facilities Update

The roof work at Lincoln, Jefferson and Washington has been completed. The

kitchen renovation at Brownsville has also been completed, along with the track

resurfacing at the Junior/Senior High School. The district anticipates that the new

concession stand at the football field will be completed by the first home game on

Friday, August 25. The district appreciates the Booster Club and private donors

for funding the new concession stand project.

8. SB 1 Update

To date, the State still does not have a funding mechanism in place to distribute

money to public schools. The district has already missed two General State

payments, which for Unit #5 is approximately $400,000. SB 1, an Evidence

Based Funding Model, was approved by the House and Senate but was

Amendatory Vetoed by the Governor. The Senate overrode the Governor’s veto

and the House is due to take action on it this Wednesday. It needs a 3/5 vote to

pass. If it fails, they will have until August 29 to reconsider the vote and try

again.

Superintendent Lee said that everything that he has read and seen indicates that if

SB 1 doesn’t pass the House that it will be included in some type of trailer bill.

He said that something has to happen very quickly or some schools will not be

able to open their doors for very long. He encouraged everyone to contact

legislatures regarding the vote on SB 1. He said that in order for SB 1 to pass, it

will take a bi-partisan vote.

Grayville Request to CO-Op in Girls’ Basketball

The administration from the Grayville School District contacted the district to see if it

would be interested in allowing junior high and high school girls in Grayville to participate in

basketball in Carmi. This would require an intergovernmental agreement to establish a

cooperative girls’ basketball program between the two districts. The cooperative that Grayville

has been participating in expired at the end of last year for the high school and will expire at the

end of this year for the junior high.

After consideration of a co-op with Grayville in girls’ basketball, the board was in

agreement not to pursue a co-op with Grayville in girls’ basketball at this time.

Closed Session

Motion by Scates, second by Acord, that the board meet in closed session at 7:20 p.m. for

purposes of discussing appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or

dismissal of an employee or officer. Roll call vote: Scates, yes; Acord, yes; Fulkerson, yes;

Hammell, yes; Hoskins, yes; Mitchell, yes; Chapman, yes. Motion carried.

Motion by Mitchell, second by Hammell, that the board return to open session at 8:10

p.m. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

Closed Session Minutes Approved

Motion by Scates, second by Acord, that the board approve closed session minutes of the

July 17, 2017 regular board meeting and July 24, 2017 and August 10, 2017 special board

meetings of the board of education. Roll call vote: Acord, yes; Fulkerson, yes; Hammell, yes;

Hoskins, yes; Mitchell, yes; Scates, yes; Chapman, yes. Motion carried.

Separation Agreement with Scott Conner

Motion by Scates, second by Hoskins, that the board approve a Separation Agreement

with Scott Conner. Roll call vote: Fulkerson, yes; Hammell, yes; Hoskins, yes; Mitchell, yes;

Scates, yes; Acord, yes; Chapman, yes. Motion carried.

William Knight Employed as Junior High School Assistant

Baseball Coach

Motion by Fulkerson, second by Acord, that William Knight be employed as the Junior

High School Assistant Baseball Coach for the 2017-2018 school year to fill the vacancy created

by the resignation of John Choate. Roll call vote: Hammell, yes; Hoskins, yes; Mitchell, yes;

Scates, yes; Acord, yes; Fulkerson, yes; Chapman, yes. Motion carried.

Valarie Reed-Johnson Employed as Bus Stop Aide

Motion by Hoskins, second by Mitchell, that Valarie Reed-Johnson be employed as the

Bus Stop Supervisor for the 2017-2018 school year to fill the vacancy created by the resignation

of Shirley Ritsch. Roll call vote: Hoskins, yes; Mitchell, yes; Scates, yes; Acord, yes;

Fulkerson, yes; Hammell, yes; Chapman, yes. Motion carried.

Jeremy Smiddie Approved as Volunteer Archery Coach for the

2017-2018 School Year

Motion by Fulkerson, second by Hammell, that Jeremy Smiddie be approved as a

volunteer archery coach for the 2017-2018 school year. Roll call vote: Mitchell, yes; Scates,

yes; Acord, yes; Fulkerson, yes; Hammell, yes; Hoskins, yes; Chapman, yes. Motion carried.

Luke Simmons Approved as a High School Volunteer Football

Coach for the 2017-2018 School Year

Motion by Mitchell, second by Hoskins, that Luke Simmons be approved as a high

school volunteer football coach for the 2017-2018 school year. Roll call vote: Scates, yes;

Acord, yes; Fulkerson, yes; Hammell, yes; Hoskins, yes; Scates, yes; Chapman, yes. Motion

carried.

John Choate Approved as a Junior High School Volunteer

Baseball Coach for the 2017-2018 School Year

Motion by Acord, second by Mitchell, that John Choate be approved as a junior high

school volunteer baseball coach for the 2017-2018 school year. Roll call vote: Acord, yes;

Fulkerson, yes; Hammell, yes; Hoskins, yes; Mitchell, yes; Scates, yes; Chapman, yes. Motion

carried.

Adjourn

Motion by Scates, second by Acord, that the meeting be adjourned at 8:15 p.m. Motion

carried by unanimous voice vote.

http://www.carmischools.org/images/pdf/minutes/augmin.pdf