West Central Reporter

Macomb Community Unit School District 185 Board met March 21.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Board President Jill Myers called the meeting to order in the C.T. Vivian Library at Macomb Jr./Sr. High School. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, roll was taken with the following members present: Kapale, Gray, Adams, Torrance, Myers, and La Prad. Member Thompson was absent.

No one came forward to address the Board during the Reception of Visitors.

The Board recognized Henry Jones, Senior of the Month for the month of March.

Member Myers announced the IASB Western Division Dinner would take place Tuesday, March 29 at Macomb Jr./Sr. High School.

Dr. Twomey introduced Eric Bryan. Mr. Bryan will be the new Principal at Lincoln Elementary school beginning with the 2022-2023 school year.

He also introduced Scott Schauble, who will take Randy Smith’s place as Director of Operations and Maintenance effective March 25, 2022. Dr. Twomey credited Mr. Smith with developing long-range plans to keep facilities in top shape throughout his career of over 40 years with the District.

Dr. Twomey reported on the following issues:

• Construction Report – work continues. Concrete panels should be shipped late April. Best case scenario for completion and move-in is for winter break. If that is the case, only grades 7 and 8 will move. Grades 3 and 6 will finish the year at Lincoln and Edison. If the building is not ready for a winter break move-in, it will happen in the summer of 2023.

• District Update – there have been few problems since we went mask optional. Schools are still employing social distancing in classrooms and at lunch.

• FOIA Requests:

o SmartProcure – quarterly request for vendor list and purchase order information. o Illinois Retired Teachers Association – requested data on certified staff members who will retire at the end of this school year.

• Spotlight – Dr. Twomey recognized Nora Leake, 5th grade student at Edison Elementary. Nora created the winning design that will be used on t-shirts for Edison’s PBIS fundraiser. 

• Ardell Thompson – resigning from her seat on the Board effective March 21, 2022. Member La Prad will serve as Board Secretary for this meeting. We will go through the process to appoint someone to fill the vacancy until the April 2023 election. Board has complete flexibility to appoint whomever they choose in the next 60 days.

Directors of Operations and Maintenance Randy Smith and Scott Schauble presented information to the Board on how their department provides and maintains high quality facilities and infrastructure that support a safe and nurturing learning environment. Mr. Smith gave a brief history of the District and noted the importance of Boards throughout the years recognizing the importance of doing all the work that could be done on 10-year surveys and making the most of those funds. He also noted the importance of custodial crews throughout the years who had as their goal providing an environment that allowed staff and students to focus on the business of learning. Mr. Schauble commended Mr. Smith for providing an exceptional transition and noted the maintenance, custodial, and grounds crews are outstanding. Dr. Twomey shared that Randy has worked alongside his crews and does not ask them to do what he won’t do himself, resulting in good working relationships with his staff. Mr. Schauble is doing the same.

Member Adams moved, and member Torrance seconded, to approve the items on the Consent Calendar as presented. The Consent Calendar included the following: Minutes from the February 28, 2022 regular Board of Education meeting, Treasurer’s Report, Monthly Board Report, Bills and Payroll, Financial Update on Life Safety Projects (.05 levy), Monthly Activity Account Report, Monthly Food Service Report, State Funding Update, and WCISEC Financials and Personnel. Members voting “yes”: Kapale, Gray, Adams, Torrance, Myers, and La Prad. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.

Member Gray moved, and member La Prad seconded, to approve and hold indefinitely the minutes from the closed meeting held during the February 28, 2022 regular meeting. Members voting “yes”: Kapale, Gray, Adams, Torrance, Myers, and La Prad. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.

Member Torrance moved, and member La Prad seconded, to approve the following recommendations regarding personnel:

Certificated Staff:

Resignation:

Shawn Hanold, Grade 2 Teacher, Lincoln Elementary School, resignation was effective May 26, 2022, resignation now effective April 1, 2022.

Change in Assignment:

Stephanie Coupland, current position Grade 1 Teacher, Lincoln Elementary School, new position Grade 2 Teacher, Lincoln Elementary School, effective August 15, 2022 (resignation S. Hanold/request).

Anna Hanold, current position Reading Specialist, Lincoln Elementary School, new position Grade 2 Teacher, Lincoln Elementary School, effective April 4, 2022, for the remainder of the 2021-2022 school year only. Ms. Hanold will return to Reading Specialist for the 2022-2023 school year (resignation S. Hanold).

Sarah Lambert, current position Grade 6 Teacher, Edison Elementary School, new position Grade 1 Teacher, Lincoln Elementary School, effective August 15, 2022 (retirement Thompson). Kristi Reusch, current position Reading Coach, Lincoln Elementary School, new position Kindergarten Teacher, Lincoln Elementary School, effective February 28, 2022, for the remainder of the 2021-2022 school year only.Ms. Reusch will return to Reading Coach for the 2022-2023 school year (resignation Wiley).

Jordan Szechowycz, current position Grade 2 Teacher, Lincoln Elementary School, new position Kindergarten Teacher, Lincoln Elementary School, effective August 15, 2022. (resignation Wiley) Employment:

Eric Bryan, Principal, Lincoln Elementary School, two (2) year contract commencing July 1, 2022, (replaces Gillam).

Educational Support Staff:

Employment:

Yasmin Gabriel Borjas, Program Assistant, Edison Elementary School, up to 29 hours per week, student attendance days, effective February 23, 2022 (replacement/Special Education).

Andrew McGhghy, Program Assistant, Edison Elementary School, up to 29 hours per week, student attendance days, effective February 23, 2022 (replacement Doering/Special Education).

Jean Ann Marlow, Program Assistant, Lincoln Elementary School, up to 29 hours per week, student attendance days, effective March 7, 2022 (replacement/Reading).

Jean Sowers, Program Assistant, Lincoln Elementary School, up to 29 hours per week, student attendance days, effective March 7, 2022 (replacement/Special Education). Resignation:

Carlyann Pyles, Program Assistant, Macomb Junior High School, effective March 11, 2022. Co-Curricular:

Resignation:

Wendy Royer, Assistant Softball Coach, Macomb Senior High School, effective February 24, 2022.

Megan Wurth, Assistant Softball Coach, Macomb Senior High School, effective February 22, 2022.

Employment:

Joshua Bryan, Boys Assistant Track Coach, Macomb Junior High School, Level 8, effective 2021-2022 season.

Rachel Jennings, Assistant Girls Soccer Coach, Macomb Senior High School, Level 6, effective 2021-2022 season.

Dustin Lambert, Assistant Baseball Coach (Freshman), Macomb Senior High School, Level 6, effective 2021-2022 season.

Shawna Robinson, Assistant Softball Coach, Macomb Senior High School, Level 6, effective 2021-2022 season.

Megan Wurth, Head Softball Coach (Interim), Macomb Senior High School, Level 2, effective 2021-2022 season.

Volunteers:

Ted Anderson, Volunteer Track Coach, Macomb Senior High School, effective 2021-2022 season.

Tucker Stephens, Volunteer Baseball Coach, Macomb Senior High School, effective 2021- 2022 season.

Members voting “yes”: Kapale, Gray, Adams, Torrance, Myers, and La Prad. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.

Member La Prad moved, and member Gray seconded, to approve membership in the IHSA for the 2022-2023 school year. Members voting “yes”: Kapale, Gray, Adams, Torrance, Myers, and La Prad. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.

Member La Prad moved, and member Kapale seconded, to approve a resolution transferring the powers of the Board to the Superintendent. Members voting “yes”: Kapale, Gray, Adams, Torrance, Myers, and La Prad. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.

At 7:32 p.m., member Kapale moved, and member Gray seconded, to hold a closed meeting for the purpose of discussing the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees, pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1), collective negotiating matters, pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2), the purchase or lease of real property, pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5), student discipline, pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(9), and pending or imminent litigation, pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11). Members voting “yes”: Kapale, Gray, Adams, Torrance, Myers, and La Prad. Members voting “no”: none. Motion carried.

Member Myers noted the next regular meeting of the Board would be held Monday, April 25, 2022 in the C.T. Vivian Library. She also advised there would be no other action other than adjournment following the closed meeting.

The Board returned to open session at 8:19 p.m. Member Adams moved, and member Torrance seconded, to adjourn at 8:20 p.m. Motion carried by voice vote.

https://www.macomb185.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/791