South West Illinois News

Duquoin Community Unit School District 300 Board met Oct. 17.

Here is the minutes provided by the Board:

Zach McPherson - President

Trent Waller - Vice President

Brian Rodely - Secretary

Crystal Harsy - Member

Patrick Riley - Member

Kevin West - Member

Mark Woodside - Member

Administrators in attendance: Matthew Hickam - Supt., Diana Rea - Elem. Principal/Director of Instructional Services, Aaron Hill - Middle School Principal, Tim McChristian - High School Principal, Denise Woodsides – High School Asst. Principal, Cory Robbins - Business Manager.

Representing the Du Quoin Ministerial Alliance - Danny Kirk. A prayer was offered prior to the opening of the meeting.

I. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 6:30 PM by President Zach McPherson.

II. Roll Call

Present - Harsy, McPherson, Riley, Rodely, Waller, West, and Woodside.

III. Reports

A. Building principals - Mrs. Rea, Mr. Hill, and Mr. McChristian shared the "Reasons We Are Proud" with the board. Each principal also provided a summary of planned school improvement efforts for the remainder of the school year. In specific reference to the high school, Mr. McChristian was asked to provide an update later in the year regarding curriculum/essential skill work planned to be completed.

B. Superintendent – The current enrollment data was shared. On behalf of the IASB, Mr. Hickam extended thanks to the board for hosting the Egyptian Division IASB meeting. He also shared the offer from the IASB regional representative to provide a presentation on the services available from IASB. Mr. Hickam finished by acknowledging the upcoming Principal Appreciation Week and expressed thanks to the principals for their work and leadership in their respective buildings.

IV. Consent Agenda

a. Approval of the minutes of the September 19, 2019 regular Board of Education meeting (including executive session minutes) and the minutes of the October 2, 2019 special Board of Education meeting;

b. Approval of the release of executive session minutes from April 2019 through September 2019 (with detached information).

A motion was made by Riley, seconded by Harsy to approve the consent agenda. Roll call vote: Yea - Harsy, McPherson, Riley, Rodely, Waller, West, and Woodside; Nay - none. Motion carried.

V. Financial Items

a. Approval of the payment of bill for September 2019

b. Approval of the September 2019 financial report

Discussion occurred based on the purchase of football uniforms. The discussion was regarding whether a rotation of purchasing athletic uniforms existed and how it was implemented. Mr. Hickam indicated that a rotation of 4 years was once in place but was not followed during times of inadequate funding. The booster club and teams began fundraising more. It was agreed that it is possible now to institute a 4-year rotation and budget accordingly. It was further agreed that is would be desirable to reduce fundraising efforts as a result.

A motion was made by Waller, seconded by West to approve the payment of bills and the financial report. Roll call vote: Yea - Harsy, McPherson, Riley, Rodely, Waller, West, and Woodside; Nay - none. Motion carried.

VI. Public Hearing

a. DEA Representative - No comments

b. Public - AJ Rice, current senior at DHS, asked about the possibility of SAT/ACT prep books being offered to interested students. Mrs. Rea expressed that this could be connected to the 21st Century grant for the high school. The board expressed support for idea.

VII. New or Unfinished Business

A. Review and approval of FY 2019 district audit as presented by Emling & Hoffman.

Don Hoffman was present to discuss the results of the district audit. It was noted that the district has achieved "Recognition” status which is the highest category of rating based on financial factors. The district last achieved this category in 2011. There were no significant findings or new suggestions for improvement.

A motion was made by Harsy, seconded by West to approve the district audit as presented. Roll call vote: Yea - Harsy, McPherson, Riley, Rodely, Waller, West, and Woodside; Nay - none. Motion carried.

B. Consideration of hiring policy addition – The suggested steps for the hiring process were shared as a first reading. It was noted that the policy addition would be an action item next month.

C. Re-scheduling of regular November meeting due to schedule conflict with IASB/IASA/IASBO conference.

A motion was made by Waller, seconded by Rodely to hold the regular November meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 19 at 6:30 PM. Roll call vote: Yea - Harsy, McPherson, Riley, Rodely, Waller, West, and Woodside; Nay - none. Motion carried.

D. 10-year Health/Life/Safety review of school buildings.

Mr. Robbins informed the board that our buildings are due for a required 10-year review/inspection as this task was last completed in 2009. He indicated that this task is led by an architect and we will be moving forward with making the necessary arrangements. In the context of this discussion, it was noted that some exterior doors at the K-8 building are in need of replacement.

E. Perry Co. Health Department outreach.

Mr. Hickam shared that the Perry Co. Health Department has expressed an interest in coming to the high school once/twice a month to offer services through a grant they have recently been awarded. He indicated that a meeting would be set up next with relevant high school staff and a memorandum of understanding would also be shared. Dr. Riley expressed his support of the idea and offered to assist with the facilitation.

VIII. Executive Session

To discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, and performance of specific employees in accordance with 5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(1).

A motion was made by Rodely, seconded by Waller to enter into executive session at 7:51 PM to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, and performance of specific employees in accordance with 5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(1). Roll call vote: Yea - Harsy, McPherson, Riley, Rodely, Waller, West, and Woodside; Nay - none. Motion carried.

The Board returned to open session at 8:31 PM.

IX. Resignations/Retirement

A. Jessica Rushing has submitted a letter of resignation as a special education teacher at the elementary school to be effective at the end of maternity leave on November 8, 2019.

A motion was made by Riley, seconded by Waller to accept Jessica Rushing's letter of resignation as a special education teacher at the elementary school to be effective at the end of maternity leave on November 8, 2019. Roll call vote: Yea - Harsy, McPherson, Riley, Rodely, Waller, West, and Woodside; Nay - none. Motion carried.

Employment of Personnel

A. Aide position

A motion was made by Rodely, seconded by Riley to employ Doris Kern as an EOC aide at the high school for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year. Roll call vote: Yea – Harsy, McPherson, Riley, Rodely, Waller, West, and Woodside; Nay - none. Motion carried.

B. Approval of winter sports volunteers

A motion was made by Riley, seconded by Waller to approve the winter sports volunteer list as presented. Roll call vote: Yea - Harsy, McPherson, Riley, Rodely, Waller, West, and Woodside; Nay - none. Motion carried.

Adjournment

Prior to adjournment, Dr. Riley asked if the recently proposed IASB resolutions could be added to the agenda in November to garner board opinion prior to the IASB delegate assembly at the annual IASB/IASA/IASBO joint conference. The agenda item was noted for addition.

A motion to adjourn at 8:35 PM was made by Riley, seconded by Waller. Motion carried without objection.

https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/522433/October_2019_minutes.pdf