Sparta Community Unit School District 140 Board of Education Met Feb. 11.
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, Angela Craig, Howard Gallois, Kenneth Kempfer and Jennifer Morgan. Absent: Kevin Holliday. Others present were: Superintendent Dr. Gabrielle Schwemmer; Recording Secretary Tina Witherby; Principal Scott Beckley; members of the community and press (County Journal).
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 January 14, 2021, regular meeting and January 27, 2021, special meeting as presented. Roll call vote. Yeas: Gallois, Morgan, Kempfer, Craig, Cooper and Rheinecker. Nays: none. Motion carried.
Angela Craig moved, Howard Gallois seconded to approve the Bills, Payroll and Fund Balances as presented. Roll call vote. Yeas: Craig, Gallois, Kempfer, Morgan, Cooper and Rheinecker. Nays: none. Motion carried.
Sparta High School Principal Scott Beckley introduced Daniel Rodriguez from Harvard. He is doing his fellowship in Sparta. He has been working on the tutoring program on Wednesdays. There were 50 students that attended, which resulted in a drop in the number of Fs. Of the students surveyed, 84% would like to have some type of prom or homecoming activity. They are looking into that to determine the state requirements. The dust collection system has been installed and makes a big difference in the vocational building. Open campus for lunch went very well for seniors. The juniors may have that option next week also.
The graduation date was discussed. Because of the remote days, May 10th could be the last day of school. Seniors would get out of school on May 3rd. Mr. Beckley suggested having graduation on May 9, 2021; however that is Mothers’ Day. Dr. Schwemmer will notify the board members of the date by the end of next week. The 8th grade graduation dates were also discussed. It was suggested to hold a promotion ceremony with Sparta Lincoln School and Evansville Attendance Center students together on the football field.
Dr. Schwemmer reported that the rules for middle school games have changed to allow two people per athlete to attend the home games.
There have been 106 employees that have received the Covid vaccination.
The district received the School Choice Leadership Award for 2021.
The district has received a 3.80, which is the highest score on the Financial Designation from ISBE. This will place the district in recognition status for being fiscally responsible.
There is a Global Service Project in the Dominican Republic for servicing educational and medical needs for children. The IASA will be taking the Superintendent and one Board Member from three districts. This will be for seven days in June. Dr. Schwemmer received notification that Sparta District #140 was selected to go.
The District has been nominated as a top work place from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. She will send out a survey to see if the nomination turns out to be recognition.
Tom Crabtree from Stifel Nicolaus presented the borrowing capacity for the District. Mr. Rheinecker explained that the district is considering building a practice gymnasium at Sparta High School. The approximate cost will be $4 million. The next step will be a resolution of intent to borrow with a will not exceed amount. There will be a 30-day petition period after that to determine if the district can issue bonds. Then a BINA bond issue hearing will be held after the petition period.
Howard Gallois moved, Jennifer Morgan seconded to adopt the resolution abating the tax heretofore levied for the Year 2020 to pay debt service on General Obligation School Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source), Series 2015, of Community Unit School District Number 140, Randolph County, Illinois, in the amount of $654,362.50. Roll call vote. Yeas: Gallois, Morgan, Kempfer, Cooper, Craig and Rheinecker. Nays: none. Motion carried.
Jennifer Morgan moved, Howard Gallois seconded to adopt the Resolution for Teachers’ Retirement System 457 (b) Deferred Compensation Supplemental Savings Plan. Roll call vote. Yeas: Morgan, Gallois, Craig and Rheinecker. Nays: Kempfer and Cooper. Motion carried.
Bushue H.R., Inc., has verified that this resolution was alright to pass. The area superintendents confirmed this week that this did need to be a board resolution.
Howard Gallois moved, Jennifer Morgan seconded to enter into executive session at 8:18 p.m. to discuss items related to the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body. Roll call vote. Yeas: Gallois, Morgan, Kempfer, Cooper, Craig and Rheinecker. Nays: none. Motion carried.
Jennifer Morgan moved, Mekalia Cooper seconded to come out of executive session at 8:38 p.m. Roll call vote. Yeas: Morgan, Cooper, Craig, Gallois, Kempfer and Rheinecker. Nays: none. Motion carried.
Howard Gallois moved, Mekalia Cooper seconded to approve the executive session minutes of the January 14 and January 27, 2021, meetings as presented. Roll call vote. Yeas: Gallois, Cooper, Kempfer, Morgan, Craig and Rheinecker. Nays: none. Motion carried.
Angela Craig moved, Howard Gallois seconded to accept the resignation of John Watts as Paraprofessional at Sparta Lincoln School effective February 19, 2021. Roll call vote. Yeas: Craig, Gallois, Kempfer, Morgan, Cooper and Rheinecker. Nays: none. Motion carried.
Angela Craig moved, Howard Gallois seconded to accept the resignation of Dakota Cane as a Volunteer Assistant Football Coach at Sparta High School effective February 11, 2021. Roll call vote. Yeas: Craig, Gallois, Kempfer, Morgan, Cooper and Rheinecker. Nays: none. Motion carried.
Jennifer Morgan moved, Howard Gallois seconded to approve Roxanne Mines as a Volunteer Assistant Volleyball Coach at Evansville Attendance Center for the 2020-2021 school year. Roll call vote. Yeas: Morgan, Gallois, Cooper, Craig, Kempfer and Rheinecker. Nays: none. Motion carried.
Howard Gallois moved, Mekalia Cooper seconded to approve the four-year contract with Richard S. Beckley as Principal at Sparta High School with an annual salary of $98,105 for the 2021-2022 school year; $101,105 for the 2022-2023 school year; $103,605 for the 2023-2024 school year; and $106,105 for the 2024-2025 school year. Roll call vote. Yeas: Gallois, Cooper, Morgan, Craig and Rheinecker. Nays: Kempfer. Motion carried.
Mekalia Cooper moved, Jennifer Morgan seconded to adjourn the meeting at 8:41 p.m. Roll call vote: Yeas: Cooper, Morgan, Gallois, Kempfer, Craig and Rheinecker. Nays: none. Motion carried.
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