Columbia Community Unit School District No. 4 Board of Education met Feb. 10.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
Present: Absent:
Karen Anderson
Tammy Hines
John Long
Greg Meyer
Scott Middelkamp
Greg O’Connor
Lisa Schumacher
Dr. Victor C. Buehler, Superintendent
Dr. Courtney Castelli, Assistant Superintendent
Mr. David Ackerman, Columbia Middle School Assistant Principal
The Board recognized the winners of the Young Authors contest in the Parkview Library. Students were presented with a certificate by President Middelkamp. The students recognized were: Mason Embick, Elliana Mize, Violet Shrader, Olivia Brandenberger, Hayes Wilkins, Eleanor Duke, Eve Martin, Isabella Gregoire, Morgan Hesterberg, Elizabeth Edwards, Maddie Nowak, Zac Maue, Campbell Ottwell, Kalya Evans, Adysen Lyon, Josephina Riemann, Kaylin Toon, Alexandra Behrmann, Lillian McKay, Madeline Brundenburger, Carly Chambers, Thomas Toolen, Noah Boyer-Edwards, Allison Meise, Casey Barnard, Elle Martin, Lucia James, Lilah Vandever, Grace Nowak, Dean Lyon, Madeline Frein, Eve Pittman, and Kaylea Bieber.
I. Call to Order/ Roll Call
President Middelkamp called the regular meeting to order at 7:14 p.m. in the District Office Board Room.
Visitor(s) Visitor(s) present: Carla Wantuck, Erica Kane, Becky Present Alexander, David Ackerman, James Moss, Mary Adams, Kelly Briesacher, Jan Turley, Jeanne Goacher, Carleigh Ottwell, Karl Nowak, Chad Watkins, Linda Schmersahl, Tiffany Dill, Jessica Imm, Angela Huels, Denise Cogo, Chris Grode, Lisa Grode, and Brian Reeves.
II. Welcome Visitors/Public Comments
President Middelkamp welcomed the public. There were no public comments.
III. Correspondence
Correspondence was passed around to the board members.
APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA (Items IV. and V.)
IV. Minutes and Finance
Motion to approve the following consent agenda items (Item IV. Minutes and Finance and Item V. Personnel Items), as presented and as amended, by Interim Superintendent Buehler:
A. Approval of Minutes –
1. Open Session(s)
a. Special Meeting – January 8, 2020
b. Regular Meeting – January 16, 2020
c. Special Meeting – January 18, 2020
d. Special Meeting – January 27, 2020
e. Focus Group Committee Meeting – January 27, 2020
2. Executive Session(s) –
a. Special Meeting – January 8, 2020 (Release)
b. Regular Meeting – January 16, 2020 (Held)
c. Special Meeting – January 18, 2020 (Release)
d. Special Meeting – January 27, 2020 (Release)
e. Focus Group Committee Meeting – January 27, 2020 (Release)
B. Approve Bookkeeper’s Financial Position/Treasurer’s Reports
C. Approve Budget Report – January 31, 2020
D. Activity Fund Balance Report – January 31, 2020
E. Approve Expenditures – February, 2020
V. Personnel Items
A. Accept Resignation(s) –
a. Jon Wehrenberg – 8th Grade Boys’ Basketball Coach
B. Employ Educational Support Personnel -
a. Teresa Stephens - Custodian
b. Mark Riechmann – Bus Driver (retroactive to 1/28/20)
c. Laura Fitch – Bus Driver
C. Employ Certificated Personnel – None
D. Approve Leave of Absence Request(s) - None
E. Approve Extra Curricular Assignments –
a. Jaime Miers – CHS Key Club Volunteer Advisor
b. Derrick Rozycke – CHS Volunteer Baseball Coach
F. Approve Non-Certified Class Advancements - None
G. Declare Vacancy(s) – Vacancy(s)
1. CMS 8th Grade Boys’ Basketball Coach
Motion to approve consent agenda (Item IV. Minutes and Finance and Item V. Personnel Items), as presented and as amended, by Karen Anderson, seconded by Tammy Hines.
On a roll call vote:
Anderson-Aye, Hines-Aye, Long-Aye, Meyer-Aye, Middelkamp- Aye, O’Connor-Aye, Schumacher-Aye.
The motion carried, 7-Aye, 0-Absent, 0-Nay
VI. Communications - Reports and Presentations
A. Administrative Reports
1. Enrollment
2. Principal’s Report
Mr. David Ackerman, Columbia Middle School Assistant Principal, was in attendance and reported on the following:
• Winter benchmarking just finished up. We are now looking at results and goals.
• State testing is coming up soon.
• Grade level incentive days were just held. They are held quarterly.
• CMS Trivia Night will be held on Friday, March 20th.
• Congratulations to Noah Boyer-Edwards who won the Cahokia Conference Spelling Bee.
• Congratulations to the 7th grade volleyball team won the O’Fallon Tournament.
• Valentine “Spread Kindness Week” was a huge success.
• Thank you to Grounded Greetings and Sisters’ Sweets for helping to make Valentine’s Day a huge success.
• Thank you to the PTA for organizing lunchroom and the alternative area volunteers. He also thanked the PTA for their generous yearly grants to teachers.
• “Work Out Wednesdays” is held the first Wednesday of the month. Pay $1.00 to wear workout clothes, and the money collected goes to local charities.
• St. Baldrick’s head shaving event is Saturday, February 29th. Several middle school and high school teachers and students are participating.
3. Director’s Report – None
B. Assistant Superintendent’s Report –
Dr. Castelli, Assistant Superintendent, reported on the following:
1. School Improvement Plan Update. Dr. Castelli gave the board a hand-out summarizing the School Improvement Plan updates. 2. Teachers have been working very hard on PLC, as well as on inservice days.
C. Superintendent’s Report –
1. HLS Annual Inspection Update. The ROE conducted their annual HLS building inspection. It went very well with only a few small items that need attention. Dr. Buehler complimented Kurt Steve, Facility Manager, for going above and beyond with the inspections and his help with the performance contractor proposals.
2. 2020 Financial Profile Designation. Dr. Buehler reported that the district received a 3.9 out of a possible 4.0 rating. The rating is based on four areas, which the district received a 4.0 in three areas and a slightly lower score in the fourth area. Dr. Buehler commented that this was an extremely good score for the district.
3. Performance Contractor Presentations. Dr. Buehler reported to the board that upon speaking with the school attorney, Barney Mundorf, Mr. Mundorf recommended no presentations be made at the board meeting, but to have the committee make their recommendations to the board at a special meeting to be scheduled in the near future. Mrs. Hines objected to using a performance contractor as it is typically 20-30% more than having our architect go out for competitive bidding. A discussion as to the pros and cons of utilizing a performance contractor versus sealed bids through the architect ensued. A performance contractor finalist will be presented to the board at a special meeting set for March 10th at 6:30 p.m.
Dr. Buehler also requested that Item VII. B. “Selection of Bond Counsel” be removed from the Agenda. The item will be renamed “Selection of Bond Underwriter” and voted on at the special meeting scheduled for March 10th at 6:30 p.m.
Dr. Buehler suggested the wording on the Board of Education website be changed regarding contacting the board via email. After discussion, it was suggested to contact the school attorney for guidance on proper language.
VII. Items For Action
A. Motion was made by Greg O’Connor and seconded by Karen Approve Anderson to approve the 2020-2021 school calendar, as presented.
Upon a voice vote, Motion Carried 7-Aye, 0-Absent, 0-Nay
Motion to Approve Bond Counsel
B. This item was removed from the Agenda.
Motion to Approve the Tax Abatement Resolution
C. Motion was made by Karen Anderson and seconded by John Long to approve the Tax Abatement Resolution, as presented.
On a roll call vote:
Hines-Aye, Long-Aye, Meyer-Aye, Middelkamp-Aye, O’Connor-Aye, Schumacher-Aye, Anderson-Aye.
The motion carried, 7-Aye, 0-Absent, 0-Nay
Motion to Approve High School Graduation Date of May 17, 2020, at 1:00 pm
D. Motion was made by Tammy Hines and seconded by Karen Anderson to approve the high school graduation date of May 17, 2020 at 1:00 p.m.
Upon a voice vote, Motion Carried 7-Aye, 0-Absent, 0-Nay
Motion to Change the April Board Meeting to Thursday, April 23, 2020
E. Motion was made by Karen Anderson and seconded by John Long to change the April board meeting to Thursday, April 23, 2020, at 7:00 p.m. in the District Board Room.
Upon a voice vote, Motion Carried 7-Aye, 0-Absent, 0-Nay
Motion to Approve Social Work Intern for SY 2020-2021
F. Motion was made by Greg Meyer and seconded by Lisa Schumacher to approve a Social Work Intern position for the 2020-2021 school year.
On a roll call vote:
Long-Aye, Meyer-Aye, Middelkamp-Aye, O’Connor-Aye, Schumacher-Aye, Anderson-Aye, Hines-Aye.
The motion carried, 7-Aye, 0-Absent, 0-Nay
Motion to Approve 1st Reading Of Board Policies
G. Motion was made by Karen Anderson and seconded by the Tammy Hines to approve the 1st Reading of Board Policies, as presented.
7:270 Administering Medicines to Students
7:270-E2 Exhibit – School Medication Authorization Form – Medical Cannabis
Upon a voice vote, Motion Carried 7-Aye, 0-Absent, 0-Nay
VIII. Board President’s Prerogative
None
IX. Closed Session 7:54 p.m.
It was moved by Greg O’Connor, seconded by Karen Anderson to enter Closed Session for the Purposes of the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee of the public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity. (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1)).
On a roll call vote:
Meyer-Aye, Middelkamp-Aye, O’Connor-Aye, Schumacher-Aye, Anderson-Aye, Hines-Aye, Long-Aye.
The motion carried, 7-Aye, 0-Absent, 0-Nay
Open Meeting Reconvened - 9:05 p.m.
President Middelkamp reconvened the meeting to Open Session in the District Board Room at 9:05 p.m.
Present:
Karen Anderson
Tammy Hines
John Long
Greg Meyer
Scott Middelkamp
Greg O’Connor
Lisa Schumacher
Dr. Victor C. Buehler, Superintendent Dr.
Courtney Castelli, Assistant Superintendent
Absent:
Visitor(s) Present: None
X. Action As A Result Of Closed Session
Motion to Approve Employment Of Christopher Grode as of July 1, 2020
1. Motion was made by Greg O’Connor and seconded by Lisa Schumacher to approve the employment of Christoper Grode as the new Superintendent of Columbia CUSD4 beginning on July 1, 2020.
On a roll call vote: Hines-Aye, Long-Aye, Meyer-Aye, Middelkamp-Aye, O’Connor- Aye, Schumacher-Aye, Anderson-Aye.
The motion carried, 7-Aye, 0-Absent, 0-Nay
XI. Adjourn - 9:10 p.m.
With no further business to come before the Board, it was moved by John Long, seconded by Greg Meyer, to adjourn the meeting. President Middelkamp adjourned the meeting at 9:10 p.m.
Upon a voice vote, Motion Carried 7-Aye, 0-Absent, 0-Nay
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yRgFW_TA78M-ed2_TAvtRe4VmYIbL1Td/view
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