South West Illinois News

Aledo Community Unit School District 201 Board met Nov. 14.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

CALL TO ORDER 

On November 14, 2023, at 6:02 p.m. President Hoover called to order the regular meeting of the Community Unit School District 201 Board of Education.

Roll Call Members Present: Adina Hoover, Whitney Rogers, Angela Steketee, Kevin Marren, Leah Conover

Members absent: Jessica Radogno and Carlos Hevia

Also present: Superintendent Jack Baldermann, Business Manager, Anthony Ruelli, the Superintendent’s Administrative Assistant, Shannon Cossairt.

Pledge of Allegiance Adina Hoover led the Assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.

CLOSED SESSION 

Motion by Mr. Marren, second by Ms. Conover, to enter closed session to discuss personnel issues, student discipline, and collective bargaining. 

Ayes: Conover, Steketee, Marren, Rogers, Hoover 

Nays: None. 

Motion carried. 

The Board entered closed session at 6:03 p.m. 

The Board returned to open session at 7:05 p.m.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

October 24, 2023 Motion by Ms. Steketee, second by Ms. Conover, to approve the minutes of the October 24, 2023, regular meeting of the Board of Education, as amended. 

Ayes: Conover, Steketee, Marren, Rogers, Hoover 

Nays: None. 

Motion carried.

October 24, 2023-Closed Motion by Ms, Conover, second by Ms. Steketee, to approve the minutes of the closed session of the October 24, 2023, regular meeting of the Board of Education, as amended. 

Ayes: Conover, Steketee, Marren, Rogers, Hoover 

Nays: None

Motion carried.

November 6, 2023 Motion by Mr. Marren, second by Ms. Conover, to approve the minutes of the November 6, 2023, Special meeting of the Board of Education as presented. 

Ayes: Conover, Steketee, Marren, Rogers, Hoover 

Nays: None. 

Motion carried.

November 6, 2023 Motion by Ms. Steketee, second by Mr. Marren, to approve the minutes of the closed session of the November 6, 2023, Special meeting of the Board of Education, as presented. 

Ayes: Conover, Steketee, Marren, Rogers, Hoover 

Nays: None. 

Motion carried.

PUBLIC COMMENT 

No one presented public comment at this time.

CONSENT AGENDA 

Motion by Ms. Conover, second by Mr, Marren, to approve the consent agenda as presented: 

1. Personnel Recommendations 

2. Approval of November 2023 Expenditure Report 

3. Ratification of October 2023 Regular Payroll 

4. Approval of Student Tour Requests - Athletics 

Ayes: Steketee, Marren, Rogers, Hoover, Conover 

Nays: None. 

Motion carried.

INFORMATION and DISCUSSION

Illinois School Report Card Superintendent Baldermann shared with the Board the Designations by ISBE for academic achievement. Westmont High School ranked exemplary and the other schools were rated Commendable. Chronic absenteeism is a factor in determining the designations. All our buildings are currently working on absenteeism.

Tentative 2023 Anthony Ruelli, Business Manager, gave a presentation to the Board regarding the Tentative 2023 Tax Levy. His presentation titled “Tentative Tax Levy Presentation” included the following: 

● Timeline 

● Levy - Extension - Collection

● EAV - New Property - CPI 

● CPI vs. Tax Levy vs. Tax Extension 

● EAV History 

● New Property History 

● Why does CUSD 201 project so much….?

Presentation of Monthly Financial Statements - 

Anthony Ruelli, gave a review of the revenue and expenses for the month of October.

IASB Resolutions The Board reviewed the resolutions that will be voted on at the Tri-Conference on November 18, 2023. Carlos Hevia is the Board delegate who will be attending the meeting and voting on the Boards behalf. The resolutions are attached in BoardDocs.

2024-2025 School Calendar The Calendar Committee met again after the October 24, 2023 Board meeting to discuss some of the recommendations the Board made. The committee created a new calendar option E. This calendar option lined up some institute days and conference dates to make longer weekends. The committee is making longer weekends so parents have more opportunities to travel or take long weekends without having to have their children miss school. Calendar A is a more traditional looking school calendar. 

The Board conducted a straw poll regarding the calendars.

ACTION ITEM

Approval of Tentative 2023 Tax Levy Motion by Ms. Conover, second by Mr. Marren, to approve the Tentative 2023 Tax Levy, as presented. 

Ayes: Rogers, Steketee, Hoover, Marren, Conover 

Nays: None. 

Motion Carried.

Approval of Authorization for Treasurer to 

Motion by Mr. Marren, second by Ms. Steketee, to authorize and Pay Additional November 2023 Bills direct the Treasurer to pay bills received in November 2023 for the 2024 fiscal year. 

Ayes: Steketee, Hoover, Marren Conover, Rogers 

Nays: None. 

Motion carried.

Approval of the 2024-2025 School Year Motion by Ms. Steketee, second by Ms. Conover, to approve calendar E for the 2024-2025 school year. 

Ayes: Marren, Conover, Hoover, Rogers Steketee

Nays: None. 

Motion Carried.

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT

Holly Days Festival The Holly Days parade is December 2, 2023. The Board as well as all administration and staff is invited to walk together. Shannon will forward more information as we get it.

Communication As November 15, 2023, is Board Member Appreciation Day, Superintendent Baldermann would like to thank the Board for what they do for the staff, students, and community. They always have the best interest of the community. 

He would also like to let everyone know there will be a PR Committee combined with a Strategic Plan- With a Focus on Dual Committee meeting on November 20, 2023. He would also like to thank the staff for acting with a sense of urgency to improve curriculum and student growth. 

FOIA 

Request There are no FOIA requests at this time.

BOARD REPORTS 

Ms. Steketee wanted to thank the WHS Athletics for the effort put into the Fall Sports Awards. Winter sports are starting up. She would also like to remind everyone of the Illinois Reads Conference being hosted at WJHS. Many volunteers will be needed for this event.

PUBLIC COMMENT 

There was not public comment presented at this time.

FUTURE MEETINGS AND EVENTS

Finance and Facilities Committee Meeting 

November 15, 3:30 pm 

South School 

Holiday Shop 

November 17, 5:00 pm 

November 18, 9:00 am 

Miller 

PR Committee Meeting 

November 20, 6:00 pm 

South School 

No School - Thanksgiving Break 

November 22- November 24 

WHS Band Craft Show 

December 2, 9:00 

Westmont High School

Elementary PTO Meeting 

December 5, 7:00 p.m. 

Manning 

WJHS Combined Choral and Band Concert 

December 6, 7:00 p.m. 

Westmont High School 

SIP DAY - Early Dismissal 

December 6 

WHS Fine Arts Exhibit and Concert 

December 13, 6:30 p.m. 

Westmont High School 

Manning Winter Band and Chorus Concert 

December 14, 6:00 pm 

CUSD 201 Board Meeting 

December 19, 6:00 p.m. 

Westmont Village Hall 

CLOSED SESSION 

Not needed at this time. 

COMMUNICATIONS 

None at this time.

ADJOURNMENT Motion by Ms. Conover, second by Ms. Steketee, to adjourn the November 14, 2023, regular meeting of the Board of Education at 8:07 p.m. 

Motion unanimously passed.

https://go.boarddocs.com/il/cusd201/Board.nsf/files/CYP29Z012A48/$file/11.14.2023%20Regular%20Minutes%20.pdf