South West Illinois News

Waterloo Community Unit School District No. 5 Board met Aug. 16.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The meeting was called to order by President Lori Dillenberger. The following members were present: Kim Ahne, Jo Ellen (Jodi) Burton, John Caupert, Lori Dillenberger, Neil Giffhorn, Gary Most, and James Yaekel Jr. The following administration were present: Superintendent Brian Charron; Special Education Coordinator Julie Bender; District Curriculum Coordinator Johnathan Schmieg; Principals Lori Costello, Tim McDermott, Christine Osterhage, Nicholas Schwartz, Amber Cruser, Jessica Washausen, Brian Smith, and Justin Imm; Director of Buildings/Grounds Will Hulett; and Athletic Director & HS Dean of Students Brian Unger.

The public was encouraged to join via Zoom Meeting, rather than attend in person, due to the Coronavirus Pandemic.

Motion was made by Caupert and seconded by Yaekel Jr. that an executive closed session be called at 6:02 p.m. to discuss 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 ILCS120/2(c)(1)] Burton, aye; Caupert, aye; Giffhorn, aye; Most, aye; Yaekel Jr., aye; Ahne, aye; and Dillenberger, aye. Seven yeas. No nays. Motion passed.

Motion was made by Most and seconded by Giffhorn for the Board to close the executive session at 7:00 p.m. Burton, aye; Caupert, aye; Giffhorn, aye; Most, aye; Yaekel Jr., aye; Ahne, aye; and Dillenberger, aye. Seven yeas. No nays. Motion passed.

Motion was made by Caupert. and seconded by Most to approve the minutes of the July 19, 2021 regular board meeting.

Further, to approve the executive session minutes of the July 19, 2021 regular board meeting.

Further, to accept the 2020-2021 district pupil transportation claim via IWAS.

Further, to approve that administration of Student Activity Funds be maintained at the respective school (W.J. Zahnow Elementary, Rogers Elementary, Gardner Elementary, Waterloo Junior High School, and Waterloo High School), with Julie Bradley, District Treasurer, as treasurer of said funds.

Further, to approve an updated signature card, effective August 17, 2021, with First National Bank of Waterloo for the Waterloo High School Activity Fund by allowing the authorized signatures: Julie Bradley, Mellisa Hogan, and Julie Whitlock.

Further, to approve a Band high school trip for students to Orlando, Florida, from June 1, 2022 through June 7, 2022, along with administration chaperone and at no cost to district.

Further, to re-assign Sheri Jones from a full-time administrative assistant to a school year administrative assistant, effective August 1, 2021, for the 2021-2022 fiscal year.

Further, to re-assign Mellisa Hogan from a school-year administrative assistant to a full time administrative assistant, effective August 1, 2021, for the 2021-2022 fiscal year.

Further, to approve a general leave of absence request from Zachary Wheat, dated August 5, 2021, effective August 25, 2021 through November 25, 2021.

Further, to employ Theresa Kruse as a school-year administrative assistant, effective August 9, 2021, for the 2021-2022 fiscal year.

Further, to employ Ruby Dietz as a part-time (3-hour) cafeteria worker, for the 2021- 2022 school year, effective August 10, 2021, contingent upon the results of a background check and TB test.

Further, to employ Kaylee Curtis as a full-time custodian, for the 2021-2022 school year, effective August 17, 2021.

Further, to employ Jeremy Rettig as a full-time special education paraprofessional, for the 2021-2022 school year, effective August 17, 2021, contingent upon the results of a background check and TB test; and obtainment of paraprofessional licensure.

Further, to accept a letter of resignation, dated July 19, 2021, from Josh Jenkins, custodian, effective July 30, 2021.

Further, to accept a letter of resignation, dated August 2, 2021, from Jennifer Krause, social worker, effective August 10, 2021.

Further, to accept a letter of resignation, dated August 4, 2021, from Theresa Kruse, special education paraprofessional, effective August 6, 2021.

Further, to accept a letter of resignation, dated August 5, 2021, from Meghan Delaney, HS math teacher, effective immediately.

Burton, aye; Caupert, aye; Giffhorn, aye; Most, aye; Yaekel Jr., aye; Ahne, aye; and Dillenberger, aye. Seven yeas. No nays. Motion passed.

Motion was made by Burton and seconded by Most to accept the treasurer’s report and student activity reports. There were no investments for July. Burton, aye; Caupert, aye; Giffhorn, aye; Most, aye; Yaekel Jr., aye; Ahne, aye; and Dillenberger, aye. Seven yeas. No nays. Motion passed.

Motion was made by Burton and seconded by Yaekel Jr. to approve the attached list of bills for July for Waterloo Community Unit School District No. 5 and the payment of the bills for the current month (August). Further, that the District Treasurer, Julie Bradley, be given authority to pay said bills. Burton, aye; Caupert, aye; Giffhorn, aye; Most, aye; Yaekel Jr., aye; Ahne, aye; and Dillenberger, aye. Seven yeas. No nays. Motion passed.

Public Participation: Jared Massey, Mitch North, Chris Sellers, Don Voelker, and John Wagner addressed the Board concerning the COVID 19 virus.

Motion was made by Giffhorn and seconded by Burton to adopt on the second reading of the following district board policies Press Plus Issue 107, June 2021, as per the recommendation of the policy committee as follows: 1:10 School District Legal Status; 1:20 District Organization, Operations, and Cooperative Agreements; 1:30 School District Philosophy; 2:220-E4 Exhibit - Open Meeting Minutes; 3:30 Chain of Command; 6:100 Using Animals in the Educational Program; 6:170 Title I Programs; 6:310 High School Credit for Non-District Experiences; Course Substitutions; Re-Entering Students; 7:220 Bus Conduct; 7:230 Misconduct by Students with Disabilities; 2:10 School District Governance; 2:130 Board-Superintendent Relationship; 2:220-E7 Exhibit - Access to Closed Meeting Minutes and Verbatim Recordings; 2:240 Board Policy Development; 2:30 School District Elections; 5:10 Equal Employment Opportunity and Minority Recruitment; 6:145 Migrant Students; 6:160 English Learners; 6:235 Access to Electronic Networks; 6:255 Assemblies and Ceremonies; 6:260 Complaints About Curriculum, Instructional Materials, and Programs; 7:280 Communicable and Chronic Infectious Disease; 8:90 Parent Organizations and Booster Clubs; 2:120-E1 Exhibit - Guidelines for Serving as a Mentor to a New Board of Education Member; 2:120-E2 Exhibit - Website Listing of Development and Training Completed by Board Members; 2:240- E1 Exhibit - PRESS Issue Updates; 2:240-E2 Exhibit - Developing Local Policy. Burton, aye; Caupert, aye; Giffhorn, aye; Most, aye; Yaekel Jr., aye; Ahne, aye; and Dillenberger, aye. Seven yeas. No nays. Motion passed.

Motion was made by Giffhorn and seconded by Yaekel Jr. to approve a formal request from Byrne & Jones regarding a force majeure supply chain issue and increased costs. The motion and the second were withdrawn by Giffhorn and Yaekel Jr.

Motion was made by Caupert and seconded by Giffhorn to approve the extra-duty assignments, effective for the 2021-2022 school year as per recommendation from the District Athletic Director, Brian Unger, and administration. Burton, aye; Caupert, aye; Giffhorn, aye; Most, aye; Yaekel Jr., aye; Ahne, aye; and Dillenberger, aye. Seven yeas. No nays. Motion passed.

Motion was made by Caupert and seconded by Burton to approve the volunteer list, effective for the 2021-2022 school year as per recommendation from the District Athletic Director, Brian Unger, and Administration. Burton, aye; Caupert, aye; Giffhorn, aye; Most, aye; Yaekel Jr., aye; Ahne, aye; and Dillenberger, aye. Seven yeas. No nays. Motion passed.

Motion was made by Yaekel Jr. and seconded by Most to adopt a resolution to approve the 2021-2022 Safe Return to School Plan for Waterloo Community Unit School District No. 5. Burton, aye; Caupert, aye; Giffhorn, aye; Most, aye; Yaekel Jr., aye; Ahne, aye; and Dillenberger, aye. Seven yeas. No nays. Motion passed.

Motion was made by Caupert and seconded by Burton to adopt a resolution limiting district-provided transportation to extracurricular school sponsored activities for Waterloo Community Unit School District No. 5. Burton, aye; Caupert, aye; Giffhorn, aye; Most, aye; Yaekel Jr., aye; Ahne, aye; and Dillenberger, aye. Seven yeas. No nays. Motion passed.

Motion was made by Most and seconded by Burton to employ Nicole Ehrenstrom as a full-time social worker, for the 2021-2022 school year, effective August 10, 2021, contingent upon the results of a background check and TB test, and obtainment of Illinois PEL licensure. Burton, aye; Caupert, aye; Giffhorn, aye; Most, aye; Yaekel Jr., aye; Ahne, aye; and Dillenberger, aye. Seven yeas. No nays. Motion passed.

Motion was made by Yaekel Jr. and seconded by Burton that the meeting be adjourned at 8:27 p.m. Burton, aye; Caupert, aye; Giffhorn, aye; Most, aye; Yaekel Jr., aye; Ahne, aye; and Dillenberger, aye. Seven yeas. No nays. Motion passed.

https://meetings.boardbook.org/Documents/CustomMinutesForMeeting/1868?meeting=488111