South West Illinois News

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

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The regular meeting was called to order by Board President Angela Craig and upon the roll being called, Angela Craig and the following members of the Board of Education answered present: Mekalia Cooper, Jennifer Morgan, Heather Price, Corey Rheinecker and Rob Soderlund. Absent: Ryan Pillers. Others present were: Superintendent Chris Miesner; Recording Secretary Tina Witherby; Principals Scott Beckley, Kelly Carpenter and Lynda Loesing and members of the staff, community and press (County Journal).

Board President Angela Craig led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.

A moment of silence was held for Miss Lacy Williams.

With no public comment requests, the meeting continued.

Jennifer Morgan moved; Rob Soderlund seconded to approve the minutes of the September 14, 2023, regular meeting as presented. Roll call vote. Yeas: Morgan, Soderlund, Cooper, Price, Rheinecker and Craig. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Jennifer Morgan moved; Corey Rheinecker seconded to approve the Bills, Payroll, Cash Flow and Fund Balances as presented. Roll call vote. Yeas: Morgan, Rheinecker, Price, Soderlund, Cooper and Craig. Nays: none. Motion carried.

The next regular board meeting will be November 9, 2023, at 7 p.m. at Sparta Lincoln School.

Sparta Lincoln Principal Lynda Loesing thanked Sarah Brennfleck for her support for staff on Tuesday. The staff did an amazing job supporting students and each other. The softball team placed fourth at state. The cross-country teams also placed at state. Teachers Amy Juhl and Kaylee Menner have set up Classtag. The book fair and McTeacher night were successes. There will be a trunk or treat on October 31st and Family Reading Night on November 16th.

Kelly Carpenter, Principal at Evansville Attendance Center, reported the Pasta and Popcorn fundraiser was successful. She thanked everyone for their help and support with it. There is a volunteer who will help with Art at Evansville Attendance Center. The Christmas Program will be December 7th. The SEL program has videos on topics like bullying, self-awareness and accountability.

Mr. Beckley reported that Homecoming went well. The new gym has been opened. The weight room equipment has been moved. There was an issue with the scoreboard that has been rectified. There are still a few minor items to be completed. The speakers still need to be mounted. The doors will be fixed later. James Pillers went to state for golf. There are currently eight freshmen who are failing at least one class. They will be targeted this next semester so they can bring their grades up.

Food Service Director Alicea Orella introduced Heather Howe. She was the recommendation for the six-hour cook position.

Superintendent Miesner reported that October is National Principal Month. He wanted to acknowledge the principals and assistant principals for all of their hard work and support. There is a new state-wide principal evaluation tool that Sparta will pilot. There are still punch list items to work through in the new gym, but the ROE has approved occupancy.

Board Member Mekalia Cooper shared the recommendations from the IASB. Board Member Jennifer Morgan asked the board members to review the recommendations and let her know their thoughts before she attends the meeting in November.

Board Member Heather Price attended the Perandoe Special Education District meeting. Overall, they were satisfied with the progress. They are looking for a bigger building and more certified staff.

Jennifer Morgan moved; Rob Soderlund seconded to approve increasing officials’ pay as per Cahokia Conference updated officials’ fees for 2023-2024. Roll call vote. Yeas: Morgan, Soderlund, Price, Rheinecker, Cooper and Craig. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Heather Price moved; Jennifer Morgan seconded to approve the 2023-2024 transportation contract with Zweigart Bus Service as presented. Roll call vote. Yeas: Price, Morgan, Rheinecker, Soderlund, Cooper and Craig. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Jennifer Morgan moved; Rob Soderlund seconded to enter into closed session at 7:14 p.m. to discuss items related to the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body and to discuss the placement of individual students in special education programs and other matters relating to individual students. Roll call vote. Yeas: Morgan, Soderlund, Price, Rheinecker, Cooper and Craig. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Mekalia Cooper moved; Rob Soderlund seconded to come out of executive session at 8:51 p.m. Roll call vote. Yeas: Cooper, Soderlund, Morgan, Price, Rheinecker and Craig. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Rob Soderlund moved; Jennifer Morgan seconded to approve the executive session minutes as presented for the September 14, 2023, meeting. Roll call vote. Yeas: Soderlund, Morgan, Price, Rheinecker, Cooper and Craig. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Mekalia Cooper moved; Jennifer Morgan seconded to employ Heather Howe as a 6-hour Cook for the District for the 2023-2024 school year, subject to and contingent successful completion of a criminal history background check, employment history review, physical and drug screening. Roll call vote. Yeas: Cooper, Morgan, Price, Soderlund, Rheinecker and Craig. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Jennifer Morgan moved; Rob Soderlund seconded to employ Ashley Reagan as a substitute teacher at $125 per day until second semester of the 2023-2024 school year when she will be a full-time teacher for the district, subject to and contingent upon successful completion of a criminal history background check, employment history review, physical and drug screening, along with proper licensure. Roll call vote. Yeas: Morgan, Soderlund, Price, Rheinecker, Cooper and Craig. Nays: none.

Jennifer Morgan moved; Heather Price seconded to approve a leave-of-absence for Kristy Young from October 9, 2023 until approximately November 27, 2023. Roll call vote. Yeas: Morgan, Price, Rheinecker, Soderlund, Cooper and Craig. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Jennifer Morgan moved; Corey Rheinecker seconded to allow Student #2324-01 to graduate in December 2023. Yeas: Morgan, Rheinecker, Price, Soderlund, Cooper and Craig. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Mekalia Cooper moved; Jennifer Morgan seconded to adjourn the meeting at 7:40 p.m. Roll call vote: Yeas: Cooper, Morgan, Price, Rheinecker, Soderlund and Craig. Nays: none. Motion carried.

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