South West Illinois News

Sparta Community Unit School District 140 Board of Education Met Nov. 12.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

The regular meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by President Corey Rheinecker and upon the roll being called, Corey Rheinecker and the following members of the Board of Education answered present: Mekalia Cooper, Howard Gallois, Kevin Holliday, Kenneth Kempfer and Jennifer Morgan. Absent: Angela Craig. Others present were: Superintendent Dr. Gabrielle Schwemmer; Recording Secretary Tina Witherby; and Principals Scott Beckley, Amy Laramore and Chris Miesner.

Board President Corey Rheinecker led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.

With no public comment requests, the meeting continued.

Howard Gallois moved, Jennifer Morgan seconded to approve the minutes of the October 8, 2020, regular meeting as presented. Roll call vote. Yeas: Gallois, Morgan, Holliday, Kempfer, Cooper and Rheinecker. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Howard Gallois moved, Jennifer Morgan seconded to approve the Bills, Payroll and Fund Balances as presented. Roll call vote. Yeas: Gallois, Morgan, Holliday, Kempfer, Cooper and Rheinecker. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Mr. Kempfer asked why the UMB Bank payment was high. These were the principal and interest payments for the bonds.

The next regular board meeting will be December 10, 2020, at 7 p.m. at Evansville Attendance Center.

Mr. Chris Miesner, Principal at Evansville Attendance Center reported that the teachers have been doing a phenomenal job with the remote learning. Lily Tejada and Chloe Adams advanced to state in Cross Country.

Principal Amy Laramore reported that Elise Hamilton also advanced to state for Sparta Lincoln School’s cross country team. A consultant provided training for Google Learning. It has really helped the teachers with remote learning. The teachers are always working.

Kenneth Kempfer asked if consultants were going to be around for a long time. He thought it might be better to employ one. They are paid from the Title grants. They personnally help the teachers. They offer feedback to the principals. There are currently three experts helping the district. If someone were employed, they would lose the extra support. The consultants help with student improvement.

Sparta High School Principal Scott Beckley reported that the LED lighting has been installed. Sadie Hamilton advanced to sectionals with cross country and finished 46th overall. SAT scores have been received. The average scores have dropped this year.

Dr. Schwemmer reported that data has been talked about for four years now. The principals really know how to use the information now. The district will receive a Sanitation Specialist from St. Clair County. The Mentoring Program will offer the new teachers a virtual instruction coach along with a building mentor.

Fall sports were discussed. The district does want to play; however, more decisions need to be made before the district can take any action.

A discussion was held regarding moving the remote learning day to Friday instead of Wednesday. It will be kept on Wednesday so the buildings can be sanitized mid-week.

Kevin Holliday moved, Howard Gallois seconded to approve the resolutaion stating the aggregate amount of taxes estimated to be levied for the year 2020 is $4,317,356 not including the Bond and Interest Levy of $956,960 and that the aggregate amount of taxes estimated to be levied for the year 2020 does not exceed 105% of the taxes extended in the year 2019. Roll call vote. Yeas: Holliday, Gallois, Morgan, Cooper and Rheinecker. Nays: Kempfer. Motion carried.

Kevin Holliday moved, Howard Gallois seconded to approve the 2020-2021 transportation contract with Zweigart Bus Service as presented. Roll call vote. Yeas: Holliday, Gallois, Morgan, Cooper and Rheinecker. Nays: none. Abstain: Kempfer. Motion carried.

Kevin Holliday moved, Mekalia Cooper seconded to adopt the following policies as presented:

#2:20 Powers and Duties of the School Board; Indemnification

#2:70 Vacancies on the School Board

#2:100 Board Member Conflict of Interest

#2:105 Ethics and Gift Ban

#2:110 Qualifications, Term and Duties of Board Officers

#2:150-AP Superintendent Committees

#2:200 Types of School Board Meetings

#2:220 School Board Meeting Procedures

#2:250 Access to District Public Records

#2:260 Uniform Grievance Procedure

#3:40-E Checklist for the Superintendent Employment Contract Negotiation Process

#3:50 Administrative Personnel Other Than the Superintendent

#4:15 Identity Protection

#4:30 Revenue and Investments

#4:40 Incurring Debt

#4:60 Purchases and Contracts

#4:80 Accounting and Audits

#4:110 Transportation

#4:140 Waiver of Student Fees

#4:150 Facility Management and Building Programs

#4:170 Safety

#4:175 Convicted Child Sex Offender; Screening; Notifications

#4:190 Targeted School Violence Prevention Program

#5:10 Equal Employment Opportunity and Minority Recruitment

#5:20 Workplace Harassment Prohibited

#5:30 Hiring Process and Criteria

#5:50 Drug- and Alcohol-Free Workplace; E-Cigarette, Tobacco and Cannabis Prohibition

#5:90 Abused and Neglected Child Reporting

#5:100 Staff Development Program

#5:120 Employee Ethics; Conduct and Conflict of Interest

#5:125 Personal Technology and Social Media; Usage and Conduct

#5:150 Personnel Records

#5:190 Teacher Qualifications

#5:200 Terms and Conditions of Employment and Dismissal

#5:220 Substitute Teachers

#5:250 Leaves of Absences

#5:260 Student Teachers

#5:285 Drug and Alcohol Testing for School Bus and Commercial Vehicle Drivers

#5:290 Employment Termination and Suspensions

#5:330 Sick Days, Vacation, Holidays and Leaves

#6:15 School Accountability

#6:20 School Year Calendar and Day

#6:60 Curriculum Content

#6:65 Student Social and Emotional Development

#6:150 Home and Hospital Instruction

#6:170 District Annual Report Card Required

#6:180 Extended Instructional Programs

#6:210 Instructional Materials

#6:270 Guidance and Counseling Program

#6:300 Graduation Requirements

#6:310 High School Credit for Non-District Experiences

#6:320 High School Credit for Proficiency

#7:20 Harassment of Students Prohibited

#7:50 School Admissions and Students Transfers

#7:150 Agency and Police Interviews

#7:180 Prevention to and Response to Bullying, Intimidation and Harassment

#7:190 Student Behavior

#7:200 Suspension Procedures

#7:240 Code of Conduct for Extracurricular Activities

#7:270 Administering Medicines to Students

#7:290 Suicide and Depression Awareness and Prevention

#7:340 Student Records

#8:30 Visitors to and Conduct on School Property

#8:95 Parental Involvement

Roll call vote. Yeas: Holliday, Cooper, Kempfer, Morgan, Gallois and Rheinecker. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Kevin Holliday moved, Howard Gallois seconded to accept the verbal resignation of Randy Bertetto as Supervisor at Sparta Lincoln School effective October 29, 2020. Roll call vote. Yeas: Holliday, Gallois, Kempfer, Morgan, Cooper and Rheinecker. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Kevin Holliday moved, Jennifer Morgan seconded to adjourn the meeting at 7:35 p.m. Roll call vote: Yeas: Holliday, Morgan, Kempfer, Cooper, Gallois and Rheinecker. Nays: none. Motion carried.

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