Winchester Community Unit School District 1 Board of Education met Aug. 11.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
The Board of Education, Community Unit School District No. 1, 149 South Elm Street, Winchester, Illinois counties of Scott, Morgan and Greene, met in regular session at 6:30 PM in the Winchester Elementary School gymnasium.
President Steve Moore called the meeting to order with the following members answering roll call: Ron Coultas, Phyllis McGuire, Bill Jacquot, Shanna Eddinger, Jody Clanton, Trista Freeman and Steve Moore. Also attending were Superintendent Kevin Blankenship, WHS Principal Denny Vortman, WGS Principal Andy Stumpf, District Bookkeeper Angie Slagle and Administrative Assistant Becky Lashmett.
MINUTES / FINANCIALS
It was motioned and seconded to approve the minutes of the June 9th meeting. Roll call vote resulted: Coultas, yea; McGuire, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Clanton, yea; Freeman, yea and Moore, yea; there being seven yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
After a motion and second to approve the financial reports and bills to be paid, roll call vote resulted: Coultas, yea; McGuire, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Clanton, yea; Freeman, yea and Moore, yea; there being seven yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
ADMINISTRATORS REPORTS
The principals reported on the recent registration numbers and building readiness. Superintendent Blankenship provided an update of the rigorous planning underway for starting school in light of the COVID pandemic. While the intent is to begin in-person learning on August 19th, preparation for a remote learning is in place if needed.
FY21 BUDGET
The tentative FY21 budget was briefly reviewed and has been placed on display. A hearing was set for September 15th at 6:30 PM during the regular September meeting.
SIPC MEMBERSHIP
It was motioned and seconded to approve joining the Southern Illinois Purchasing Cooperative (SIPC) at no cost to the district. Roll call vote resulted: Coultas, yea; McGuire, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Clanton, yea; Freeman, yea and Moore, yea; there being seven yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
FY21 CALENDAR
Changes to the FY21 calendar approved in March; including an additional in-service day on August 14th and no school on November 3rd for election day were presented. It was motioned and seconded to approve and roll call vote resulted: Coultas, yea; McGuire, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Clanton, yea; Freeman, yea and Moore, yea; there being seven yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
RETURN TO SCHOOL PLAN
The administration presented a plan providing parents the option of choosing for their students to return to school in person on August 19th, or to choose remote learning. The plan has been developed under ISBE and IDPH guidelines, and approved by the local health department. Due to the nature of the public health pandemic, this plan may be modified to meet any changes in regulations and recommendations. A motion to approve the RTS Plan was made and seconded. Roll call vote resulted: Coultas, yea; McGuire, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Clanton, yea; Freeman, yea and Moore, yea; there being seven yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUESTS / QUESTIONS/COMMENTS
President Moore asked the status of Freedom of Information requests, and Superintendent Blankenship reported there were none. President Moore asked for questions or comments from the audience, and there were none.
FEASIBILITY STUDY
Superintendent Blankenship advised that a joint special meeting with the Bluffs Board will be scheduled to hear a presentation from a firm specializing in conducting studies which are the first step to any further combined efforts of the districts.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
At 6:54 PM, a motion, second and vote to move into closed session resulted: Coultas, yea; McGuire, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Clanton, yea; Freeman, yea and Moore, yea; there being seven yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
A return to open session at 8:14 PM was motioned and seconded. Roll call vote resulted: Coultas, yea; McGuire, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Clanton, yea; Freeman, yea and Moore, yea; there being seven yeas and no nays, the motion passed. President Moore announced the purpose of the executive session was to discuss personnel items and collective bargaining.
PERSONNEL ACTION
It was motioned and seconded to re-employ all RIF personnel from last March; Aides / Tina Brown, Kessie Melanson and Jenna Lawson, Bus drivers / Norvin Adams and Jimmie Bruns, LPN / Diane Potter, Part-time custodian / John Peters, and teachers / Sami Killebrew and Breann Nichols. Roll call vote resulted: Coultas, yea; McGuire, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Clanton, yea; Freeman, yea and Moore, yea; there being seven yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
Remaining staffing for FY21 recommended by the administration was to employ Bobbi King as Special Education Teacher and Rusty Monroe as Junior High teacher, increase Kenny Smith to full-time Woods teacher sharing with Bluffs, and approve school nurse contract for Krysta Coon. A motion to approve was followed by a second and roll call vote resulted: Coultas, yea; McGuire, yea: Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Clanton, yea; Freeman, yea and Moore, yea; there being seven yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
ANNOUNCEMENTS / ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:18 PM.
https://www.winchesterschools.net/vnews/display.v/ART/5f6b616c366a4
Alerts Sign-up