Sparta Community Unit School District #140 Board of Education met Oct. 14.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
The regular meeting was called order at 7:00 p.m. by Board 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, Ron Heinen, Kevin Holliday and Jennifer Morgan. Absent: none. Others present were: Superintendent Dr. Gabrielle Schwemmer; Recording Secretary Tina Witherby and members of the staff, community and press (County Journal).
Board President Corey Rheinecker led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Gail McElroy spoke to the Board of Education on critical race theory and sex reassignment. She asked why the school was used as a place for people to receive Covid vaccinations. Dr. Schwemmer stated that public schools can be used for vaccinations and voting centers. Mrs. McElroy also asked why people are still being tested since the Covid numbers in Randolph County have gone down. Dr. Schwemmer stated that the district is still under the governor’s mandate so employees must be tested weekly if they have not been vaccinated. Masks are still mandated also.
With no other public comment requests, the meeting continued.
Howard Gallois moved, Jennifer Morgan seconded to approve the minutes of the September 9, 2021, regular meeting as presented. Roll call vote. Yeas: Gallois, Morgan, Heinen, Holliday, Cooper, Craig and Rheinecker. Nays: none. Motion carried.
Angela Craig moved, Jennifer Morgan seconded to approve the Bills, Payroll, Cash Flow and Fund Balances as presented. Roll call vote. Yeas: Craig, Morgan, Gallois, Heinen, Holliday, Cooper and Rheinecker. Nays: none. Motion carried.
The next regular board meeting is re-scheduled for Wednesday, November 10, 2021, at Sparta Lincoln School at 7 p.m.
Chris Miesner, Principal of Sparta Lincoln School, reported they have had fall pictures taken and participated in Fire Prevention Week. Parent teacher conferences will be at the end of the month. The PreK received a grant for coaching to help the PreK teachers. Five students qualified for state with cross country. The boys’ team was only one place away from qualifying.
Principal Charity Eugea reported that two students from Evansville Attendance Center qualified for state with cross country. The teachers would like to participate in “How Wide is your Bucket?” Students and staff will fill each other’s buckets with complementary notes.
Dr. Schwemmer read Sparta High School’s report for Mr. Beckley. Homecoming went well. There were over 200 students that attended the dance. The number of students with Ds and Fs is significantly down compared to last year. FFA will be able to send students to the convention for free because of their recent fundraiser. FBLA will have 5 students attend the FBLA convention.
Dr. Schwemmer announced that Ebony Monroe was already recognized at the Sparta High School volleyball game for being the Superintendent Shout Out. Jaxson Harrell from Evansville Attendance Center and Ruthie Pillers from Sparta Lincoln School were recognized at the board meeting.
James Lunk of Fick, Eggmeyer & Williamson, CPAs presented the FY21 audit.
Jennifer Morgan moved, Howard Gallois seconded to approve the fiscal year 2021 Audit as presented. Roll call vote. Yeas: Morgan, Gallois, Cooper, Craig, Heinen, Holliday and Rheinecker. Nays: Craig. Motion carried.
Angela Craig moved, Jennifer Morgan seconded to approve the FBLA overnight trip for the National Fall Leadership Convention to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Roll call vote. Yeas: Craig, Morgan, Gallois, Heinen, Holliday, Cooper and Rheinecker. Nays: none. Motion carried.
Jennifer Morgan moved, Howard Gallois seconded to approve the bid from Haas Factory Outlet of St. Louis, Missouri, in the amount of $30,016.75 for a mini-mill for Sparta High School. Roll call vote. Yeas: Morgan, Gallois, Cooper, Craig, Heinen, Holliday and Rheinecker. Nays: none. Motion carried.
Mekalia Cooper moved, Jennifer Morgan seconded to approve the executive session minutes as presented for the September 9, 2021, meeting. Roll call vote. Yeas: Cooper, Morgan, Craig, Gallois, Heinen, Holliday and Rheinecker. Nays: none. Motion carried.
Jennifer Morgan moved, Howard Gallois seconded to accept the resignation of Kathleen Keller as Teacher effective October 1, 2021. Roll call vote. Yeas: Morgan, Gallois, Heinen, Holliday, Cooper, Craig and Rheinecker. Nays: none. Motion carried.
Jennifer Morgan moved, Mekalia Cooper seconded to approve Brandon Lanton as the Volunteer Assistant Coach for Boys’ Basketball at Sparta Lincoln School for the 2021-2022 school year, subject to and contingent upon successful completion of a criminal history background check. Roll call vote. Yeas: Morgan, Cooper, Craig, Gallois, Heinen, Holliday and Rheinecker. Nays: none. Motion carried.
Angela Craig moved, Jennifer Morgan seconded to adjourn the meeting at 7:26 p.m. Roll call vote: Yeas: Craig, Morgan, Gallois, Heinen, Holliday, Cooper and Rheinecker. Nays: none. Motion carried.
https://www.sparta.k12.il.us/copy-of-board-of-education-meeting--1
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