Sparta Community Unit School District #140 Board of Education met Nov. 10.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
The regular meeting was called order at 7:06 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 and Kevin Holliday Absent: Ron Heinen and Jennifer Morgan. Others present were: Superintendent Dr. Gabrielle Schwemmer; Recording Secretary Tina Witherby and members of the staff and community.
Board President Corey Rheinecker led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Doug Lueth addressed the Board of Education regarding the mask requirement and vaccination clinics held in the school building while students are present. He had a petition with over 120 signatures that were also against the mask mandate.
With no other public comment requests, the meeting continued.
Howard Gallois moved, Angela Craig seconded to approve the minutes of the October 14, 2021, regular meeting as presented. Roll call vote. Yeas: Gallois, Craig, Holliday, Cooper and Rheinecker. Nays: none. Motion carried.
Kevin Holliday moved, Howard Gallois seconded to approve the Bills, Payroll, Cash Flow and Fund Balances as presented. Roll call vote. Yeas: Holliday, Gallois, Cooper, Craig and Rheinecker. Nays: none. Motion carried.
The next regular board meeting is scheduled for December 9, 2021, at Evansville Attendance Center at 7 p.m.
Principal Charity Eugea reported that she received a text from an official after a basketball game because he really enjoys working at Evansville Attendance Center because the coaches and kids are the best. Mrs. Eugea congratulated Aaron Orella for his patriotic essay. The Evansville Attendance Center and Sparta Lincoln School teachers have been working to go through the curriculum. There is a K-8 plan for each grade level.
Mr. Scott Beckley, Sparta High School Principal, reported that girls’ cross country qualified for sectionals. Consultants Anne-Marie Garcia and Dr. Peggy Allen have spent a lot of time in the last month working with the teachers.
Dr. Schwemmer recognized Superintendent Shout Outs. Joshuwah Ware from Sparta Lincoln School and Aaron Bleem from Sparta High School were recognized at the board meeting. Lily Tejada of Evansville Attendance Center was unable to attend the meeting.
Dr. Schwemmer also reported that there were two professional development opportunities presented to the staff today.
Angela Craig moved, Howard Gallois seconded to approve the resolution stating the aggregate amount of taxes estimated to be levied for the year 2021 is $4,470,002 not including the Bond and Interest Levy of $1,121,169 and that the aggregate amount of taxes estimated to be levied for the year 2021 does not exceed 105% of the taxes extended in the year 2020. Roll call vote. Yeas: Craig, Gallois, Holliday, Cooper and Rheinecker. Nays: none. Motion carried.
Teachers from Evansville Attendance Center presented their proposal for new playground equipment at Evansville Attendance Center.
First Readings were held for proposed policies.
Kevin Holliday moved, Howard Gallois seconded to enter into executive session at 7:42 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: Holliday, Gallois, Cooper, Craig and Rheinecker. Nays: none. Motion carried.
Mekalia Cooper moved, Angela Craig seconded to come out of executive session at 8:44 p.m. Roll call vote. Yeas: Cooper, Craig, Gallois, Holliday and Rheinecker. Nays: none. Motion carried.
Kevin Holliday moved, Mekalia Cooper seconded to accept the resignation of Missy Biethman as Volleyball Coach at Evansville Attendance Center effective October 28, 2021. Roll call vote. Yeas: Morgan, Cooper, Craig, Gallois, Holliday and Rheinecker. Nays: none. Motion carried.
Angela Craig moved, Howard Gallois seconded to accept the retirement request of Marsha Bird as Paraprofessional at Sparta Lincoln School effective December 31, 2021. Roll call vote. Yeas: Craig, Gallois, Holliday, Cooper and Rheinecker. Nays: none. Motion carried.
Mekalia Cooper moved, Angela Craig seconded to employ Alexia Maschmeier as a Full-Time Teacher for the district with two years of experience for the remainder of the 2021-2022 school year with a start date of January 4, 2022, subject to and contingent upon successful completion of a criminal history background check, physical and drug screening, along with proper licensure. Roll call vote. Yeas: Cooper, Craig, Gallois, Holliday and Rheinecker. Nays: none. Motion carried.
Mekalia Cooper moved, Angela Craig seconded to employ Hunter-Elise Rooks as a Paraprofessional for the District for the remainder of the 2021-2022 school year, subject to and contingent upon successful completion of a criminal history background check, physical and drug screening, along with proper licensure. Roll call vote. Yeas: Cooper, Craig, Gallois, Holliday and Rheinecker. Nays: none. Motion carried.
Howard Gallois moved, Angela Craig seconded to employ Crystal Kempfer as a 10-month Custodian for the District, subject to and contingent upon successful completion of a criminal history background check, physical and drug screening, along with proper licensure. Roll call vote. Yeas: Gallois, Craig, Holliday, Cooper and Rheinecker. Nays: none. Motion carried.
Mekalia Cooper moved, Angela Craig seconded to approve Paige Russell and Valerie Ruebusch as Volunteer Assistant Girls’ Basketball Coaches at Sparta High School for the 2021-2022 school year. Roll call vote. Yeas: Cooper, Craig, Gallois, Holliday and Rheinecker. Nays: none. Motion carried.
Angela Craig moved, Howard Gallois seconded to approve Amanda Orella as the Volleyball Coach and Volunteer Assistant Cheerleading Coach at Evansville Attendance Center for the 2021-2022 school year. Roll call vote. Yeas: Craig, Gallois, Holliday, Cooper and Rheinecker. Nays: none. Motion carried.
Angela Craig moved, Mekalia Cooper seconded to adjourn the meeting at 8:47 p.m. Roll call vote: Yeas: Craig, Cooper, Gallois, Holliday and Rheinecker. Nays: none. Motion carried.
https://www.sparta.k12.il.us/copy-of-board-of-education-meeting--1
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