South West Illinois News

Sparta Community Unit School District #140 Board of Education met Jan. 12.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The regular meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Vice President Kevin Holliday and upon the roll being called, Kevin Holliday and the following members of the Board of Education answered present: Mekalia Cooper, Angela Craig, Ron Heinen and Jennifer Morgan. Absent: Howard Gallois and Corey Rheinecker. Others present were: Superintendent Dr. Gabrielle Schwemmer; Recording Secretary Tina Witherby; Principals Scott Beckley, Dr. Charity Eugea and Chris Miesner; and members of the staff and community.

Vice President Kevin Holliday led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Gail McElroy would like the Board to make a policy to not allow drag queens to come into the school to read to students in order to foster a safe learning environment for students.

With no other public comment requests, the meeting continued.

Jennifer Morgan moved, Angela Craig seconded to approve the minutes of the December 8, 2022, regular meeting and of the January 4, 2023, special meeting as presented. Roll call vote. Yeas: Morgan, Craig, Cooper and Holliday. Nays: none. Abstain: Heinen. 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, Heinen, Cooper and Holliday. Nays: none. Motion carried.

The next regular board meeting is scheduled for February 9, 2023, at Sparta Lincoln School at 7 p.m.

Dr. Charity Eugea, Principal of Evansville Attendance Center, thanked the custodial staff and K-4 grade teachers for their work on the Christmas program. They have finished NWEA testing. They had an ice cream party for the top scorers.

Sparta Lincoln School Principal Chris Miesner reported that they are seeing growth in all of the subject areas. Mr. Miesner recognized Custodian Leslie Meininger for going above and beyond for the students and teachers.

Sparta High School Principal Scott Beckley thanked all who helped with the injured Red Bud cheerleader at a recent game. He also reported that they are still looking for an athletic trainer.

Corey Rheinecker entered the meeting at 7:14 p.m.

Dr. Schwemmer presented the January Superintendent Shout-Outs to Camden Allard for Sparta Lincoln School and Logan Shaw from Sparta High School. Jada Nelson from Evansville Attendance Center was not in attendance.

Dr. Schwemmer reported that the district is at 82% for K-3 students that are at or above reading level. The district has received the tutoring grant. It is a high impact tutoring grant There are three modules from Illinois State University. The training for the teachers will be intense. It will be based on need first for students. It will be tutoring for reading and math only.

Dr. Schwemmer is one of 20 female superintendents that has been selected by the Illinois Association of Superintendents. It is called Elevate. It will require a weekend trip to Springfield every other month. That will result in more resources and opportunities for the district.

Angela Craig moved, Jennifer Morgan seconded to adopt the Resolution abating the tax heretofore levied for the Year 2023 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 $652,662.50. Roll call vote. Yeas: Craig, Morgan, Rheinecker, Heinen, Cooper and Holliday. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Sparta Lincoln School has had several donations for golf to get the program started. The golf course will only be $100. There will only be a certain number of students on the team for now. It will change as the program grows. Coaches are voluntary now with the hopes that there will be a paid stipend later.

Jennifer Morgan moved, Mekalia Cooper seconded to approve the addition of golf for Sparta Lincoln School. Roll call vote. Yeas: Morgan, Cooper, Heinen, Rheinecker, Craig and Holliday. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Jennifer Morgan moved, Corey Rheinecker seconded to adopt the following policies as presented: School Board: 2:20 Powers and Duties of the School Board, Indemnification; 2:30 School District Elections; 2:50 Board Member Term of Office; 2:100 Board Member Conflict of Interest; 2:105 Ethics and Gift Ban; 2:210 Organizational School Board Meeting; 2:250 Access to District Public Records; 2:265 Title IX Sexual Harassment Grievance Procedure; General School Administration: 3:10 Goals and Objectives; Administrative Personnel Other Than the Superintendent; 3:60 Administrative Responsibility of the Building Principal; Operational Services: 4:10 Fiscal and business Management; 4:120 Food Services; 4:140 Waiver of Student Fees; 4:165 Awareness and Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse and Grooming Behaviors; 4:190 Targeted School Violence Prevention Program; General Personnel: 5:10 Equal Employment Opportunity and Minority Recruitment; 5:20 Workplace harassment Prohibited; Employee Ethics, Code of Professional Conduct and Conflict of Interest; Professional Personnel: 5:190 Teacher Qualifications; 5:200 Terms and Conditions of Employment and Dismissal; 5:220 Substitute Teachers; 5:250 Leaves of Absence; Educational Support Personnel: 5:270 Employment At-Will, Compensation and Assignment; 5:280 Duties and Qualifications; 5:290 Employment Termination and Suspensions; 5:320 Evaluation; 5:330 Sick Days, Vacation, Holidays and Leaves; Instruction: 6:15 School Accountability; 6:20 School Year Calendar and Day; 6:50 School Wellness; 6:65 Student Social and Emotional Development; 6:160 English Learners; 6:220 Bring Your Own Technology (BYOT) Program, ,Responsible Use and Conduct; 6:250 Community Resource Persons and Volunteers; 6:255 Assemblies and Ceremonies; 6:260 Complaints About Curriculum, Instructional Materials and Programs; 6:270 Guidance and Counseling Program; 6:280 Grading and Promotion; 6:300 Graduation Requirements; 6:310 High School Credit for Non-District Experiences, Course Substitutions, Re-Entering Students; 7:10 Equal Educational Opportunities; 7:20 Harassment of Students Prohibited; 7;50 School Admissions and Student Transfers to and from Non-District Schools; 7:70 Attendance and Truancy; 7:100 Health, Eye and Dental Examinations, Immunization, and Exclusion of Students; 7:180 Prevention of and Response to Bullying, Intimidation and Harassment; 7:190 Student Behavior; 7:250 Student Support Services; 7:285 Anaphylaxis Prevention, Response and Management Program; 7:290 Suicide and Depression Awareness and Prevention; 7:340 Student Records. Roll call vote. Yeas: Morgan, Rheinecker, Cooper, Craig, Heinen and Holliday. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Mekalia Cooper moved, Jennifer Morgan seconded to enter into closed session at 7:26 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: Cooper, Morgan, Craig, Heinen, Rheinecker and Holliday. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Kevin Holliday moved, Jennifer Morgan seconded to come out of closed session at 9:05 p.m. Roll call vote. Yeas: Holliday, Morgan, Cooper, Craig, Heinen and Rheinecker. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Mekalia Cooper moved, Jennifer Morgan seconded to approve the executive session minutes of the December 8, 2022, and January 4, 2023, meetings as presented. Roll call vote. Yeas: Cooper, Morgan, Craig, Heinen and Holliday. Nays: none. Abstain: Rheinecker. Motion carried.

Mekalia Cooper moved, Jennifer Morgan seconded to accept the retirement request of Lynda Hess as Teacher at Sparta Lincoln School effective June 30, 2023. Roll call vote. Yeas: Cooper, Morgan, Craig, Heinen, Holliday and Rheinecker. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Ron Heinen moved, Jennifer Morgan seconded to accept the retirement request of Mary Lake as ECE Teacher at Sparta Lincoln School effective June 30, 2024. Roll call vote. Yeas: Heinen, Morgan, Cooper, Craig, Holliday and Rheinecker. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Mekalia Cooper moved, Jennifer Morgan seconded to accept the resignation of Brian Williams as Softball Coach at Sparta High School effective January 11, 2023. Roll call vote. Yeas: Cooper, Morgan, Craig, Heinen, Holliday and Rheinecker. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Ron Heinen moved, Jennifer Morgan seconded to accept the resignation of Sarah Welborn as Special Education Teacher at Sparta High School effective August 1, 2023. Roll call vote. Yeas: Heinen, Morgan, Cooper, Craig, Holliday and Rheinecker. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Angela Craig moved, Jennifer Morgan seconded to approve a three-year contract with Tracy Smith as Building and Grounds Director with an annual salary of $59,104 for the 2023-2024 school year; $62,104 for the 2024-2025 school year and $65,104 for the 2025-2026 school year. Roll call vote. Yeas: Craig, Morgan, Heinen, Holliday, Cooper and Rheinecker. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Mekalia Cooper moved, Jennifer Morgan seconded to approve a three-year contract with Alicea Orella as Food Service Director with an annual salary of $39,500 for the 2023-2024 school year; $42,500 for the 2024-2025 school year and $45,500 for the 2025-2026 school year. Roll call vote. Yeas: Cooper, Morgan, Craig, Heinen, Holliday and Rheinecker. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Mekalia Cooper moved, Jennifer Morgan seconded to approve a three-year contract with Lynda Loesing as Assistant Principal at Sparta Lincoln School with an annual salary of $81,000 for the 2023-2024 school year; $84,000 for the 2024-2025 school year and $87,000 for the 2025-2026 school year. Roll call vote. Yeas: Cooper, Morgan, Craig, Heinen, Holliday and Rheinecker. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Jennifer Morgan moved, Angela Craig seconded to approve a three-year contract with Jackie Smith as Assistant Principal at Sparta High School with an annual salary of $64,000 for the 2023-2024 school year; $66,500 for the 2024-2025 school year and $69,000 for the 2025-2026 school year and as Athletic Director at Sparta High School with an annual stipend of $8,000 for the 2023-2024 school year; $9,000 for the 2024-2025 school year and $10,000 for the 2025-2026 school year. Roll call vote. Yeas: Morgan, Craig, Cooper, Heinen, Holliday and Rheinecker. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Ron Heinen moved, Jennifer Morgan seconded to approve a three-year contract with Joel Finley as Technology Coordinator with an annual salary of $72,000 for the 2023-2024 school year; $75,000 for the 2024-2025 school year and $78,000 for the 2025-2026 school year. Roll call vote. Yeas: Heinen, Morgan, Holliday, Cooper, Craig and Rheinecker. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Angela Craig moved, Jennifer Morgan seconded to employ Ashley Brown as a Paraprofessional for the district for the remainder of the 2022-2023 school year, subject to and contingent upon proper licensure. Roll call vote. Yeas: Craig, Morgan, Heinen, Holliday, Cooper and Rheinecker. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Angela Craig moved, Jennifer Morgan seconded to approve Jonathan Norton, Bobby Bohnert, Chris Miesner, Abbey Miles and Roger Gerlach as volunteer Coaches for the Sparta Lincoln School Golf Team for the 2022-2023 school year. Roll call vote. Yeas: Craig, Morgan, Heinen, Holliday, Cooper and Rheinecker. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Mekalia Cooper moved, Angela Craig seconded to adjourn the meeting at 9:10 p.m. Roll call vote: Yeas: Cooper, Craig, Heinen, Holliday, Morgan and Rheinecker. Nays: none. Motion carried.

https://www.sparta.k12.il.us/copy-of-board-of-education-meeting--1