Du Quoin Community Unit School District #300 Board of Education Met May 20.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
Brian Rodely - President
Trent Waller - Vice President
Amy Rose - Secretary
Crystal Harsy - Member
Zach McPherson - Member
Steve Still - Member
Kevin West - Member
Administrators present: Matthew Hickam - Superintendent, Cory Robbins - Business Manager, Diana Rea - Director of Instructional Services/Elementary School Principal, Aaron Hill - Middle School Principal, Tim McChristian – High School Principal, and Denise Woodsides - Assistant High School Principal.
Others present: Denise Hirsch – Recording Secretary, Pam Pursell - DEA Co-President, Nikki Saunders - DEA Co-President, Pete Spitler - Du Quoin Weekly, Matthew Benson - Board Attorney.
Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 6:01 PM by President Brian Rodely.
Roll Call Present: Harsy, McPherson, Rodely, Rose, Still, Waller and West.
III. Reports
A. Building principals - Mrs. Rea, Mr. Hill and Mr. McChristian shared the "Reasons
We Are Proud" with the Board. B. Superintendent - Impacts of COVID-19. Mr. Hickam mentioned the recent announcement from the CDC regarding wearing face masks. At the present time, mask wearing is a requirement during the school day. The Pfizer vaccine for COVID-19 has been approved for 12 and up. The Perry County Health Department contacted Mr. Hickam and said they would like to have a vaccination clinic and Mr. Hickam sent out a survey to the parents to get their input and to date 30 out of the 101 showed interest. Mr. Hickam shared that the Illinois State Board of Education has stated that the schools should return to in-person learning this fall for a full day of instruction. For graduation/promotion ceremonies there will be no need to do tickets now.
IV. Public Hearing
A. DEA Representative - None. B. Public - None.
Executive Session: A motion was made by McPherson, seconded by Waller, to enter into executive session at 6:15 PM to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation/performance of specific employees, collective bargaining and pending litigation in accordance with 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (1). Roll call vote: Aye - Harsy, McPherson, Rose, Rodely, Still, Waller and West; Nay - None. Motion carried. The Board returned to regular session at 7:27 PM.
Consent Agenda:
A. Approval of the amended minutes of the April 20, 2021 regular Board of Education meeting (including executive session minutes) and April 27, 2021 special meeting. A motion was made by Harsy, seconded by McPherson to approve the amended minutes and executive session minutes for April 20, 2021 and April 27, 2021 special meeting. Roll call vote: Aye - Harsy, McPherson, Rodely, Rose, Still, Waller and West; Nay - None. Motion carried.
B. The renewal of COPE and Project SOAR Alternative Education program agreements with the Regional Office of Education. C. The renewal of an agreement with Centerstone to provide student counseling services. A motion was made by McPherson, seconded by Waller to approval the renewals for COPE, Project SOAR and Centerstone. Roll call vote: Aye - Harsy, McPherson, Rodely, Rose, Still, Waller and West; Nay - None. Motion carried.
VII. Financial Items:
A. Approval of the payment of bills for April 2021. A motion was made by McPherson, seconded by Harsy, to approve the payment of bills for April 2021. Roll call vote: Aye - Harsy, McPherson, Rodely, Rose, Still, Waller and West. Nay – None. Motion carried.
B. Approval of the April 2021 financial report A motion was made by Waller, seconded by Harsy, to approve the April 2021 financial report. Roll call vote: Aye - Harsy, McPherson, Rodely, Rose, Still, Waller and West. Nay – None. Motion carried.
VIII. Budget Hearing:
A. Mr. Hickam presented the Board with the amended FY21 budget.
B. The Board adopted a resolution approving the amended FY 21 budget. A motion was made by Harsy, seconded by McPherson to approve the amended FY21 budget. Roll call vote: Yea - Harsy, McPherson, Rose, Rodely, Still, Waller, and West; Nay - None. Motion carried.
IX. New or Unfinished Business:
A. The Board approved the recommended student handbook changes/updates for Du Quoin Middle School and Du Quoin High School. A motion was made by Waller, seconded by McPherson to approve the handbook changes/updates for Du Quoin Middle School and Du Quoin High School. Roll call vote: Aye - Harsy, McPherson, Rose, Rodely, Still, Waller and West. Nay - None. Motion carried.
B. The Board considered suggested language for a standard operating procedure for information sharing between the Board of Education/administration. This item will return for action next month.
C. Mr. Hickam presented a summary of plan for ESSER Il grant funds.
D. Mrs. Rea shared with the Board information regarding summer school program.
E. Mr. Robbins shared with the Board a list pertaining to the details of summer maintenance work.
Collective Bargaining:
A. The Board adopted the proposed 1-year agreement with the Du Quoin Education Association for the 2021-2022 school year. A motion was made by West, seconded by Waller to adopt the proposed 1-year agreement with the Du Quoin Education Association for the 2021-2022 school year. Roll call vote: Aye - Harsy, McPherson, Rose, Rodely, Still, Waller and West. Nay - None. Motion carried.
Retirement A motion was made by Harsy, seconded by Waller to accept the notice of retirement for Brenda Ridgeway at the end of the 2022-2023 school year. Roll call vote: Aye - Harsy, McPherson, Rose, Rodely, Still, Waller and West. Nay - None. Motion carried.
XII. Employment
A. Principal at the Du Quoin Elementary School. A motion was made by West, seconded by McPherson to employ Justin Engelmann as Du Quoin Elementary Principal with a 3-year contract beginning with the 2021-2022 school year. Roll call vote: Aye - Harsy, McPherson, Rose, Rodely, Still, Waller and West; Nay - None. Motion carried
B. Middle school physical education teacher. A motion was made by McPherson, seconded by West to employ Trebor Mann as Middle school physical education teacher for the 2021-2022 school year. Roll call vote: Aye - McPherson, Rose, Rodely, Still, Waller and West; Abstain - Harsy. Nay - None. Motion carried
C. A motion was made by McPherson, seconded by Waller to employ the following for extra-curricular positions for the 2021-2022 school year. Jennifer Davis as the high school cheer coach, Katie Kuhnert and Bri Green as high school competitive dance coaches, Keith Ellis as the high school assistant boys' basketball coach and high school assistant football coach, Bailie Caldwell and Sadie Day as high school assistant softball coaches, and Hannah Marek as middle school yearbook co-sponsor.
D. 21st Century Grant summer program workers. A motion was made by Still, seconded by Waller to employ the 21st Century Grant summer program workers as presented. Roll call vote: Aye - Harsy, McPherson, Rose, Rodely, Still, Waller and West; Nay - None. Motion carried.
E. Summer food program workers. A motion was made by Waller, seconded by McPherson to employ the summer food program workers as presented. Roll call vote: Aye - Harsy, McPherson, Rose, Rodely, Still, Waller and West; Nay - None. Motion carried.
XII. Adjournment A motion was made by McPherson, seconded by Waller to adjourn at 8:20 PM. Roll call vote: Aye - Harsy, McPherson, Rose, Rodely, Still, Waller and West; Nay - None. Motion carried
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