West Central Reporter

The Southwestern Community Unit School District No. 9 Board of Education adopts enforces and monitors policies for the school district.

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SOUTHWESTERN COMMUNITY UNIT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 9

Piasa, Illinois 62079

REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES April 19, 2016

The Southwestern Board of Education met in regular session on April 19, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. in

the Middle School Commons in Piasa, Illinois. Don Little-President led the Pledge of

Allegiance. Don Little-President asked Randy Gallaher-Secretary to call roll showing those

members present were: Don Little-President, Tim Baker-Vice President, Randy GallaherSecretary,

Brad Gillespie, Dara Simmons, Mike Wegener, Brad Skertich-Superintendent and

Rose Bagley-Recording Secretary. Board member Steve Reed was absent. Visitor’s sign-in

sheet is attached.

Public Comment: None

Correspondence and Recognition:

A Demand to Bargain Letter from Betty Schiller, SEA Union President was received.

A thank you card from Susan Harris and the Family of Jeanne Bott was received for the

memorial sent in memory of Jeanne Bott.

The High School Scholastic Bowl team coached by Matt Hasquin was recognized for their

accomplishments this year. They received 2nd in the NAQT State Tournament , they won

County for the 3rd year in a row. They were Conference Champs for the 2nd time overall, they

won the 2A Regional and 2A Sectional which meant they went on to the 2A State Tournament.

Last year we competed in the 1A State Tournament so we competed against much bigger

schools this year. The teams’ overall record was 97-23 for this year. They will be going to

Chicago for the National tournament this year.

The High School Girls’ Basketball Team coached by Steve Wooley was recognized for their

accomplishments. The won the County, the Conference and Regional. They were ranked #1

in the State which is the first time in school history that has happened. Their record this year

was 27-4. The senior girls on this team has never lost a game on the home floor 7th grade

through 12th grade. Maddie Greeling was presented the ball that she made her 2,000th point

with by Coach Steve Wooley. Coach Wooley was selected as the 2015-16 Coach of the Year

for the 2nd year in a row by the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association.

The High School Special Olympics Basketball Team coached by Michelle Ernst and Janice

Burns were recognized. This was the first year Southwestern had a Special Olympics team.

They got gold in Trenton and Bronze at State. They are now competing in Special Olympics

Track.

Approval of the Minutes:

A motion was made by Mike Wegener and seconded by Tim Baker to approve the minutes of

the Regular School Board Meeting of March 15, 2016.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Little, Gillespie, Simmons, Gallaher, Baker and Wegener

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

April 19, 2016

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A motion was made by Tim Baker and seconded by Dara Simmons to approve the minutes of

the Closed Session Meeting of March 15 2016.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Gillespie, Simmons, Gallaher, Baker, Wegener and Little

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

A motion was made by Don Little and seconded by Brad Gillespie to approve the minutes of

the Special School Board Meeting of April 6, 2016

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Simmons, Gallaher, Baker, Wegener, Little and Gillespie

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

A motion was made by Mike Wegener and seconded by Dara Simmons to approve the minutes

of the Closed Session Meeting of April 6, 2016.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Gallaher, Baker, Wegener, Little, Gillespie and Simmons

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

A motion was made by Dara Simmons and seconded by Don Little to approve the minutes of

the Special Board Meeting of April 11, 2016.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Baker, Wegener, Little, Gillespie, Simmons and Gallaher

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

A motion was made by Don Little and seconded by Randy Gallaher to approve the minutes of

the Closed Session Meeting of April 11, 2016.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Wegener, Little, Gillespie, Simmons, Gallaher and Baker

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Review and Approval of Bills:

A motion was made by Brad Gillespie and seconded by Don Little to approve the March Bills.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Little, Gillespie, Simmons, Gallaher, Baker and Wegener

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

April 19, 2016

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A motion was made by Mike Wegener and seconded by Brad Gillespie to approve the March

Consent Agenda Bills.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Gillespie, Simmons, Gallaher, Baker, Wegener and Little

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

A motion was made by Mike Wegener and seconded by Don Little to approve the March

Imprest Bills.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Simmons, Gallaher, Baker Wegener, Little and Gillespie

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

A motion was made by Brad Gillespie and seconded by Don Little to approve the March Extra

Pay and Substitute Pay.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Gallaher, Baker, Wegener, Little, Gillespie and Simmons

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Review and Approval of the Financial Report:

A motion was made by Randy Gallaher and seconded by Mike Wegener to approve the

Financial Report as presented showing a balance in the Education Fund of $2,225,248;

Operations and Maintenance Fund of $1,130,282; Transportation Fund of $-166,053 and

Working Cash Fund of $1,816,638. Mr. Skertich reported that General State Aid continues to

come in as scheduled. The budget that was set in September will depend on getting the

mandated categoricals.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Baker, Wegener, Little, Gillespie, Simmons and Gallaher

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Committee Reports:

There were not any committee reports, but Mr. Skertich reported that the Electric and Window

updates will start June 15th. Next summer two HVAC systems will be put in.

Superintendent Report:

Employment:

Resignations:

A motion was made by Don Little and seconded by Brad Gillespie to accept the resignation of

Kurt Frischman, HS Assistant Football Coach, effective April 7, 2016.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Wegener, Little, Gillespie, Simmons, Gallaher and Baker

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

April 19, 2016

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A motion was made by Mike Wegener and seconded by Dara Simmons to accept the

resignation of Jeff Hall, 7th Grade MS Girls’ Basketball coach, effective April 8, 2016.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Little, Gillespie, Simmons, Gallaher, Baker and Wegener

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Retirement: None

Employment:

A motion was made by Tim Baker and seconded by Brad Gillespie to approve Kim Reed and

Jamie Spencer, 5/6 Cheerleading Activity Club Sponsors for the 2015-16 school year.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Gillespie, Simmons, Gallaher, Baker, Wegener and Little

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Volunteer: None

Leave of Absence: None

Substitute List:

A motion was made by Dara Simmons and seconded by Don Little to approve Substitute List

#9 as presented. Mr. Skertich told that many districts are having trouble finding teacher subs

and that there is talk about letting people with 60 credit hours in education sub for teachers.

ROLL CALL VOTE:

Ayes: Simmons. Gallaher, Baker, Wegener, Little and Gillespie

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Enrollment and Suspension Report:

A motion was made by Brad Gillespie and seconded Tim Baker to approve the Enrollment and

Suspension Report as presented showing an enrollment of 1509, suspensions at 5 and 0

expulsions for the month of March.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Gallaher, Baker, Wegener, Little, Gillespie and Simmons

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

April 19, 2016

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District Highlights:

Stephanie Renken, Special Education Coordinator, reported that the final benchmarks of the

year are starting soon. They will start on AIMSWEB the 1st part of May. IEP meeting will be

finished tentatively May 13th. We were randomly picked to have a Transition Plan Audit with

ISBE and they passed our audit. There was a refresher transition writing plan with Region III

that was very helpful and the teachers went through each IEP to make sure everything was

being done that should be.

Scott Hopkins, Southwestern Middle School and Medora Intermediate Principal, reported that

the PARCC testing is finished at the Middle School and Medora. He thanked the teachers and

students for their help with PARCC. The 8th grade had 98.6% attendance during the testing.

He thanked Jason Blankenship and Chuck Kasting for their technology help during testing. A

BBQ is being planned for Middle School and Medora for the great testing. The Middle School

will be having an assembly for the St. Louis Cardinal Calendar sales. The elementary buildings

will be having a reptile assembly on may 2nd. Mr. Allen’s Rocket Club for 5th & 6th graders is

going good.

Mark Bearley, High School Principal, reported that the Seniors and Juniors each had school

trips and the kids were awesome. They were polite and respectful on the trips. The Juniors

went to the capitol in Springfield and met Mr. Manard. The Seniors went to the Zoo.

Southwestern made it to the Elite 8 during the Mascot voting which we lost to a school 5 times

our size by only 47 votes. Some High School students went to the elementary building to read.

The Government classes walked around the track to support students with cancer. There were

28 new members inducted into National Honor Society. The NHS painted bleachers in

Medora.

Diane Milner, Principal at Shipman Elementary and Brighton North Primary, was at Family

Reading Nigh in Shipman.

Mark B. Skertich, Superintendent, reported that at the High School the Math teachers did an

exit survey. Each building is having rewards for the PARCC testing to motivate students. The

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rd and 4th grades are going to a movie. The 5th and 6th grades and Middle School are having

a Barbeque. The High School gets free parking and those with a certain percentage on the test

will get a free field trip next year somewhere.

Old Business: None

New Business:

A motion was made by Tim Baker and seconded by Dara Simmons to approve the amended

2015-16 school calendar.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Baker, Wegener, Little, Gillespie, Simmons and Gallaher

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

April 19, 2016

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A motion was made by Mike Wegener and seconded by Brad Gillespie to approve the 2016-

17 school calendar. It will start August 16th with Teacher’s institute with first student day

being August 17th. The last day will be May 25th if all 5 snow days are used. We will attend

school on Casmir Pulaski Day.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Wegener, Little, Gillespie, Simmons, Gallaher and Baker

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

A motion was made by Brad Gillespie and seconded by Mike Wegener to approve the lease

agreement with Step by Step Inc. to provide a “Before and After School” program at Brighton

North Primary.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Little, Gillespie, Simmons, Gallaher, Baker and Wegener

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

A motion was made by Dara Simmons and seconded by Tim Baker to approve the E-Rate

Service Agreement with AT&T for ISDN Prime and DSI Services.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Gillespie, Simmons, Gallaher, Baker, Wegener and Little

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

A motion was made by Mike Wegener and seconded by Brad Gillespie to approve the Return

to Play Concussion Protocols for the 2016-17 school year.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Simmons. Gallaher, Baker, Wegener, Little and Gillespie

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

A motion was made by Brad Gillespie and seconded by Dara Simmons to go into closed

session at 8:09 pm for “The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance,

or dismissal of specific employees of the public body, or legal counsel for the public body,

including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee or the public body or

against legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity,” Winter Coaches

Evaluations and Student Disciplinary Matter.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Gallaher, Baker, Wegener, Little, Gillespie and Simmons

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

April 19, 2016

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At 9:05 pm a motion was made by Brad Gillespie and seconded by Dara Simmons to go into

regular session.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Baker, Wegener, Little, Gillespie, Simmons and Gallaher

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

A motion was made by Brad Gillespie and seconded by Tim Baker to adjourn the meeting.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Wegener, Little, Gillespie, Simmons, Gallaher and Baker,

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

The meeting adjourned at 9:06 p.m.

_____________________

Rosemary Bagley

Recording Secretary

________________________

Board President

________________________

Board Secretary

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SOUTHWESTERN COMMUNITY UNIT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 9

Piasa, Illinois 62079

April 6, 2016

SPECIAL BOARD MEETING MINUTES

A special meeting of the Southwestern Board of Education was called to order by PresidentDon

Little at 6:00 p.m. at Brighton North Primary, Brighton, Illinois. Roll was called showing

those members present were Don Little-President, Randy Gallaher-Secretary, Steve Reed,

Brad Gillespie, Dara Simmons, Mike Wegener and Brad Skertich-Superintendent. Board

member Tim Baker was absent.

Public Comment:

There were no public comments.

At 6:01 pm, a motion was made by Brad Gillespie and seconded by Mike Wegener to go into

closed session for the purpose of conducting a hearing for student number 000104062016.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Little, Gillespie, Simmons, Gallaher, Wegener and Reed

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

Board member Tim Baker arrived at 6:18 pm during closed session.

At 6:55 pm, a motion was made by Steve Reed and seconded by Brad Gillespie to open the

meeting to regular session.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Gillespie, Simmons, Gallaher, Baker, Wegener, Reed and Little

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

A motion was made by Steve Reed and seconded by Mike Wegener to adjourn the meeting.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Simmons, Gallaher, Baker, Wegener, Reed, Little and Gillespie

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:56 p.m.

_____________________

Board President

_____________________

Board Secretary

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SOUTHWESTERN COMMUNITY UNIT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 9

Piasa, Illinois 62079

April 11, 2016

SPECIAL BOARD MEETING MINUTES

A special meeting of the Southwestern Board of Education was called to order by PresidentDon

Little at 7:25 p.m. at District Office, Brighton, Illinois. Roll was called showing those

members present were Don Little-President, Randy Gallaher-Secretary, Steve Reed Dara

Simmons, and Brad Skertich-Superintendent. Tim Baker-Vice President and Board members

Brad Gillespie and Mike Wegener were absent.

Public Comment:

There were no public comments.

At 7:26 pm, a motion was made by Dara Simmons and seconded by Randy Gallaher to go into

closed session for, “the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or

dismissal of specific employees of the public body, or legal counsel for the public body,

including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee of the public body or

against legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity.”

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Little, Simmons, Gallaher, and Reed

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

At 7:40 pm, a motion was made by Dara Simmons and seconded by Don Little to open the

meeting to regular session.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Simmons, Gallaher, Reed and Little

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

A motion was made by Don Little and seconded by Randy Gallaher to suspend Employee A

as identified in closed session minutes, without pay for one day on 4/28/16.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Gallaher, Reed, Little and Simmons

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

A motion was made by Randy Gallaher and seconded by Dara Simmons to adjourn the

meeting.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Reed, Little Simmons and Gallaher

Nays: None

MOTION CARRIED.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:41 p.m.

April 11, 2016

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_____________________

Board President

_____________________

Board Secretary