Meredosia-Chambersburg School District Board of Education met Nov. 10.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
The board of education of the Meredosia-Chambersburg School District met in regular session in the board room of the Meredosia-Chambersburg School. Vice President Alan Taylor called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Roll call was taken with the following members present: Alan Taylor, Madeline Buhlig, Jeff Browning and Kevin Duesterhaus. Members Brian Werries, Jason Morton and Scott Gregory were absent. Also present were Superintendent Thad Walker, Jr./Sr. High Principal Jeff Abell, Carolyn Browning, district bookkeeper, Christine Brant, Shirley Bilyeu.
Member Kevin Duesterhaus made a motion to approve the consent agenda. Member Jeff Browning seconded the motion. By unanimous vote motion carried 4 yeas – 0 nays.
Reports:
Superintendent/Grade School Principal’s Report:
• The behaviors have been pretty consistent this month. We have had more suspensions for fighting, vape pens and disrespectful behavior. This month is worse than we have had in awhile. The staff is getting stressed out from this type of behavior as well. I believe the effects of Covid are starting to come through and now it has affected our staff and students.
• Mr. Abell and I have a few ideas to help with the stress level in the building. We are looking at incorporating a 2:15 p.m. dismissal for students to give the staff the time they need to work together and plan for our students. We are looking at a Learning Partner to work with the social emotional component through IL
Empower changing Ms. Sanders schedule so she can work with students without pulling her out of class. We would need to hire another para professional but this would be paid out of IL-Empower money.
• I have a new white bus waiting for your approval. The wait time has been 220 days and these have been on order for 5 months through Central States Bus Sales. The price is $66,000 and this will be paid for through the ESSER III Grant. We also need to renew our lease for the small yellow bus. The price only went up a few hundred dollars a year.
• Mr. Pullings came back to work on Thursday. It was great to see him back in the building.
• Renee Browning has retired as a cook. We do have a sub cook in the kitchen at this time. Debbie wants to see how they work before we post the position and hire someone.
• I do have on the agenda to purchase two new pieces of equipment for the weight room. Ms. Varner has a group working out every Tuesday and Thursday and Rob has some football players coming in around his schedule. Hopefully he can pull some more students in. We have not added any new equipment since I have been here.
JH/HS Principal’s Report:
• Mr. Walker and I had a data meeting with Merle Siefken from ISBE’s IL-Empower on November 4th.
• We met on November 4th to discuss the possibility of expanding student option through sharing classes with another district.
• Robert from AMERESCO did a site visit on October 19th and they returned with his team on November 1st to look over our potential projects.
• I attended the IPA Conference on October 25th and 26th. I was able to hear Gerry Brooks and Dr. Luis Cruz as keynote speakers each day as well as two legal update sessions and informational sessions host by the IPA, IASA, and IASB.
• The Triple I Conference in Chicago will be November 18-20th.
• We have a 2:15 p.m. dismissal on Tuesday, November 23rd to start Thanksgiving beak.
• Our Instagram followers are up to 277.
Member Kevin Duesterhaus made the motion to go into Closed Session at 7:29 p.m. to discuss litigation, land acquisition, negotiations, student disciplinary cases, and to consider information regarding the appointment, employment, or dismissal of an employee or officer. Member Jeff Browning seconded the motion. Unanimous vote 4-0. Member Jeff Browning made the motion to return from closed session and Member Madeline Buhlig seconded the motion. Board returned from closed session at 8:54 p.m.
Member Kevin Duesterhaus made a motion to approve lease of new Microbird G5 school bus. Member Jeff Browning seconded the motion. By unanimous vote motion carried 4 yeas – 0 nays.
Member Madeline Buhlig made a motion to approve purchase of new white activity bus with ESSER III Funds. Member Jeff Browning seconded the motion. Roll call was as follows: Alan Taylor, yea; Madeline Buhlig, yea; Jeff Browning, yea; and Kevin Duesterhaus, yea. Motion carried 4 yeas – 0 nays.
Member Madeline Buhlig made a motion to adopt a resolution to certify and file 2022 Tax Levy. Member Kevin Duesterhaus seconded the motion. Roll call was as follows: Madeline Buhlig, yea; Jeff Browning, yea; Kevin Duesterhaus, yea and Alan Taylor, yea. Motion carried 4 yeas – 0 nays.
Member Kevin Duesterhaus made a motion to adopt resolution 6.72 to include compensation paid under an IRS Code 125 plan as IMRF earnings. Member Madeline Buhlig seconded the motion. Roll call was as follows: Jeff Browning, yea; Kevin Duesterhaus, yea; Alan Taylor, yea and Madeline Buhlig, yea. Motion carried 4 yeas – 0 nays.
Member Kevin Duesterhaus made a motion to approve district bookkeeper/secretary intent to retire 6/30/2022. Member Jeff Browning seconded the motion. Roll call was as follows: Kevin Duesterhaus, yea; Alan Taylor, yea; Madeline Buhlig, yea and Jeff Browning, yea. Motion carried 4 yeas – 0 nays.
Member Kevin Duesterhaus made a motion to approve district bookkeeper/secretary intent to retire 6/30/2022. Member Jeff Browning seconded the motion. Roll call was as follows: Kevin Duesterhaus, yea; Alan Taylor, yea; Madeline Buhlig, yea and Jeff Browning, yea. Motion carried 4 yeas – 0 nays.
Member Madeline Buhlig made a motion to approve Renee Browning, cook retiring effective 11/2/2021. Member Kevin Duesterhaus seconded the motion. Roll call was as follows: Alan Taylor, yea; Madeline Buhlig, yea; Jeff Browning, yea and Kevin Duesterhaus, yea. Motion carried 4 yeas – 0 nays.
Member Kevin Duesterhaus made a motion to approve purchase of new weight room equipment. Member Jeff Browning seconded the motion. Roll call was as follows: Madeline Buhlig, yea; Jeff Browning, yea; Kevin Duesterhaus, yea and Alan Taylor, yea. Motion carried 4 yeas – 0 nays.
Member Jeff Browning made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Member Madeline Buhlig seconded the motion. By unanimous vote meeting was adjourned at 8:59 p.m.
https://www.mcsd11.net/vimages/shared/vnews/stories/5e91e2b4e14d0/Minutes%202021111021.pdf
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