West Central Reporter

The Southwestern CUSD No. 9 Board met Aug. 16 to review the window and electrical projects at the high school.

The Southwestern CUSD No. 9 School Board includes seven members who make employment decisions for the district; oversee the annual budget, tax levies, major expenditures and all other aspects of financial affairs related to the district; evaluate and approve curriculum, textbooks and educational services; establish and support student disciplinary policies; and ensure an equal opportunity educational experience for all students.

Here are the meeting's minutes, as provided by the board:

SOUTHWESTERN COMMUNITY UNIT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 9 Piasa, Illinois 62079

REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES August 16, 2016

The Southwestern Board of Education met in regular session on August 16, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. in the Middle School Commons in Piasa, Illinois. Don Little-President asked Randy Gallaher- Secretary to call roll showing those members present were: Don Little-President, Tim Baker- Vice President, Randy Gallaher-Secretary, Steve Reed, Brad Gillespie, Dara Simmons, Brad Skertich-Superintendent and Rose Bagley-Recording Secretary. Board Member Mike Wegener was absent. Visitor’s sign-in sheet is attached. Don Little-President led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Public Comment: None

Approval of the Minutes: A motion was made by Steve Reed and seconded by Don Little to approve the minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting of August 16, 2016. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Little, Gillespie, Simmons, Gallaher Baker and Reed Nays: None MOTION CARRIED.

Review and Approval of Bills: A motion was made by Dara Simmons and seconded by Randy Gallaher to approve the July Bills. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Gillespie, Simmons, Gallaher, Baker, Reed and Little Nays: None MOTION CARRIED.

A motion was made by Don Little and seconded by Randy Gallaher to approve the July Consent Agenda Bills. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Simmons, Gallaher, Baker, Reed, Little and Gillespie Nays: None MOTION CARRIED.

A motion was made by Dara Simmons and seconded by Brad Gillespie to approve the July Imprest Bills. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Gallaher, Baker, Reed, Little, Gillespie and Simmons Nays: None MOTION CARRIED.

A motion was made by Don Little and seconded by Randy Gallaher to approve the July Extra Pay and Substitute Pay. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Baker, Reed, Little, Gillespie, Simmons and Gallaher Nays: None MOTION CARRIED.

Review and Approval of the Financial Report: A motion was made by Tim Baker and seconded by Brad Gillespie to approve the Financial Report as presented showing a balance in the Education Fund of $1,560,875; Operations and Maintenance Fund of $805,029; Transportation Fund of $-167,877 and Working Cash Fund of $1,643,464. Mr. Skertich reported we have received our first payment on property taxes and we still have one categorical payment from FY16 to come in. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Reed, Little, Gillespie, Simmons, Gallaher and Baker Nays: None MOTION CARRIED.

Correspondence: None

Committee Reports: A motion was made by Dara Simmons and seconded by Brad Gillespie to approve the minutes of the Facilities Committee meeting of August 8, 2016 as presented. They went over the current window and electrical projects at the high school. They discussed future air conditioning at the high school/middle school and renovating the track. They also discussed paint, floor tile, doors and ceiling tile at the high school in the future. It was discussed about what money would be used for these projects. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Little, Gillespie, Simmons, Gallaher, Baker and Reed Nays: None MOTION CARRIED.

A Policy Committee Meeting was set for August 31, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. at the District office at Brighton North Primary.

Superintendent’s Report Resignations: A motion was made by Don Little and seconded by Randy Gallaher to accept the resignation of James Eyers, Custodian, as of August 16, 2016. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Gillespie, Simmons, Gallaher, Baker, Reed and Little Nays: None MOTION CARRIED.

Employment: None A motion was made by Don Little and seconded by Dara Simmons to approve the employment of Kristina Gashaw, Pre-K Teacher, for the 2016-17 school year. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Simmons, Gallaher, Baker, Reed, Little and Gillespie Nays: None MOTION CARRIED.

Recalls: None

Volunteer: None

Retirement: None

Leave of Absence/Maternity Leave: None

Substitute List: A motion was made by Brad Gillespie and seconded by Tim Baker to approve Substitute List #1. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Gallaher, Baker, Reed, Little, Gillespie and Simmons Nays: None MOTION CARRIED.

Enrollment: The enrollment is still fluctuating with new students and students moving out so there isn’t a solid number yet. We graduated 120 students and enrolled around 75 kindergarteners so our number will be down.

Enrollment and Suspension Report: None

District Highlights: Mr. Skertich presented gave the Communication Report as presented. He also reported that transportation letters were sent out to eligible bus riders with route and times. Buses will stagger this year with going to centers so there won’t be buses on the road empty. Elementary schools have an 8:10 start time. The Green & Gold game is Friday night. Marvin Allen applied for a $25,000 grant from Monsanto and received it.

Diane Milner, principal at Brighton North and Shipman reported that both buildings are awesome. The custodians have done a great job and the teacher have been working in their rooms. Brighton North’s open house was tonight and they had a good turnout. Shipman is having their open house on the 17th. They are ready to go.

Scott Hopkins, principal at Middle School and Medora Intermediate thanked the custodians and maintenance on doing a great job getting the schools ready.

Mark Bearley, principal at High School, thanked the custodians and maintenance men for their hard work in getting the building ready. They had it ready once and then new windows were put in and they had to get it ready again. Freshman orientation was last night. The District has switched from Coke to Pepsi products and everyone likes the Southwestern Piasa Birds logs on the machines.

Stephanie Renken, Special Education Coordinator, reported that we have 10 new students with IEPs this year with 2 of them being out of district. Four students with IEPs have moved out. One out of district student returned to the High School. There will be a transition planning meeting with the Special Education teachers on Thursday.

Old Business: None

New Business: Mr. Skertich went over the proposed FY 17 budget. A motion was made by Steve Reed and seconded by Tim Baker to authorize the Superintendent to display the proposed FY 17 budget. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Baker, Reed, Little, Gillespie, Simmons and Gallaher Nays: None MOTION CARRIED.

A motion was made by Brad Gillespie and seconded by Dara Simmons to set the FY 17 Budget Hearing and Budget Adoption Meeting for Tuesday, September 20, 2016 at 6:30 P.M. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Reed, Little, Gillespie, Simmons, Gallaher and Baker Nays: None MOTION CARRIED.

A motion was made by Dara Simmons and seconded by Steve Reed to approve the Short and Long Term Goals Update. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Little, Gillespie, Simmons, Gallaher, Baker and Reed Nays: None MOTION CARRIED.

A motion was made by Steve Reed and seconded by Don Little to approve the Resolution Authorizing and Directing the Sale of Personal Property in Accordance with 105 ILCS 5/10- 22.8 Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Gillespie, Simmons, Gallaher, Baker, Reed and Little Nays: None MOTION CARRIED.

11.5 and 11.6 were tabled until after closed session.

There were visitors that arrived after Public Comment so President, Don Little asked if they wanted to comment on anything. The visitors were Mr. & Mrs. Frazier. Some concerns they had were over bullying and black history month. They thanked Mark Bearly for addressing issues that were brought up in the past.

At 8:43 p.m. a motion was made by Brad Gillespie and seconded by Dara Simmons 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: Simmons, Gallaher, Baker, Reed, Little and Gillespie Nays: None MOTION CARRIED.

At 10:04 p.m. a motion was made by Brad Gillespie and seconded by Tim Baker to go into regular session. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Gallaher, Baker, Reed, Little Gillespie and Simmons Nays: None MOTION CARRIED.

A motion was made by Steve Reed and seconded by Brad Gillespie to approve the SEA Contract Agreement for the 2016-17 and 2017-18 school years. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Baker, Reed, Little, Gillespie, Simmons and Gallaher Nays: None MOTION CARRIED.

A motion was made by Steve Reed and seconded by Don Little to approve the 2017 Administration (Non-Union Employee) Contracts for the 2016-17 school year. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Reed, Little, Gillespie, Simmons, Gallaher and Baker Nays: None MOTION CARRIED.

A motion was made by Don Little and seconded by Tim Baker to adjourn the meeting. Ayes: Little, Gillespie, Simmons, Gallaher, Baker and Reed Nays: None MOTION CARRIED.

The meeting adjourned at 10:05 p.m.

_____________________ Rosemary Bagley Recording Secretary

________________________ Board President

________________________

Board Secretary