Calhoun Community Unit School District 40 Board of Education met Oct. 18.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
A regular meeting, of the Board of Education in Calhoun Community Unit School District #40, consisting of Calhoun and portions of Greene Counties, Illinois was called to order by Board President Luke Fraley at 5:32 p.m. in the Calhoun CUSD #40 District Office.
Upon roll being called the following board members were present: Jackie Baalman, Luke Fraley, Amanda Gress, Janine Hagen, Laura Longnecker and Nate Sagez. Hannah Nelson was absent.
Others in attendance were: Andrea Lee, LeaAnn Klaas, Cheri Burris, Christie Lorsbach, Wanda Retzer Deffenbaugh, Claire Gould, Cheyenne Brundies, Elizabeth Quiller, Dana Quiller and Steven Spencer.
A motion was made by Laura Longnecker, seconded by Janine Hagen that the Board of Education approves the agenda inclusive of:
I. Call to Order
II. Roll Call
III. Pledge of Allegiance
IV. Approve Agenda
V. Recognition of Visitors, Guests & Public Comments
- To preserve sufficient time for the Board to conduct its business, it is our public policy that each individual may speak for a maximum of 5 minutes unless prior arrangements have been made to speak longer.
VI. Consent Items
a. Adoption of Consent Agenda
b. Previous Board Minutes
i. Regular Meeting – September 20, 2022
ii. Budget Hearing – September 20, 2022
c. Expenditures
d. Financial Reports
e. Activity Accounts Report
f. Transportation Report
VII. Committee and Administrative Reports
a. Calhoun Elementary School
b. Calhoun High School
c. District
i. District Services Report
ii. District Maintenance Report
VIII. Action Items Prior to Executive Session
a. Consider Approval of
i. FFA National Convention Trip
ii. Liability Form for Bleachers
iii. School Maintenance Grant
IX. Executive Session – For the purpose of discussion regarding the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employee(s); legal counsel, collective negotiating matters or deliberations; board vacancies; evidence or testimony presented in a hearing where authorized by law; purchase or lease of real property; sale or purchase of securities, investments or investment contracts; security procedures; student disciplinary cases or any matter involving an individual student; litigation; self-evaluation, practices and procedures, or professional ethics; minutes of meetings lawfully closed; internal control weaknesses, potential fraud risk areas; establishment of reserves, settlement or discussion of claims, loss or risk management information, records, data, advice or communications from or with respect to any insurer of the District. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)
X. Action Items Following Executive Session
a. Consider Approving to Hire
i. Van Driver Aide
b. Consider Approving to Employ
i. Volunteer Assistant Softball Coach
c. Personnel
XI. Other Business
XII. Communication and Announcements
a. October 21 – Student Council Blood Drive
b. October 29 – Halloween Carnival
c. November 8 – No School – Election Day
d. November 11 – No School – Veterans Day
e. November 15 – School Board Meeting
f. Correspondence
XIII. Adjourn
Board polled:
Baalman – yes Longnecker – yes
Fraley – yes Nelson – absent
Gress – yes Sagez – yes
Hagen – yes
Motion carried.
A motion was made by Amanda Gress, seconded by Janine Hagen that the Board of Education approves items on the consent agenda which includes:
XIV. Consent Items
a. Adoption of Consent Agenda
b. Previous Board Minutes
i. Regular Meeting – September 20, 2022
ii. Budget Hearing – September 20, 2022
c. Expenditures
d. Financial Reports
e. Activity Accounts Report
f. Transportation Report
Board polled:
Baalman – yes Longnecker – yes
Fraley – yes Nelson – absent
Gress – yes Sagez – yes
Hagen – yes
Motion carried.
Reception of Visitors / Public Comment:
Beth King with Jersey Community Hospital presented a donation of $15,000 for a new scoreboard and end mats in the Calhoun Elem./Jr. High School gym.
Claire Gould a CHS Sophomore and Cheyenne Brundies a BHS Junior asked for the boards permission to begin a Pom’s Club at the high school to perform during home basketball games.
Communications:
Board Committee Reports: N/A
Superintendents Report:
Electricity Contract- With the high energy prices, the district will lock into a fixed rate contract for 16 months versus being market based.
Solar Energy-Since the Veregy presentation in September, I have not received any additional information. When the company is able to provide us with some pricing and options, it will be shared at the board meeting. It will then be included in the Strategic Plan for consideration.
Farm to Table Grant- Preliminary work taking place to see if the district qualifies. I will be attending a webinar as well as completing a planning toolkit. This grant provides our students with the opportunity to have fresh food while also supporting local farmers.
Veteran’s Day Plans-An assembly will be held on November 10th at CHS. Thank you Wanda Deffenbaugh, Ruth Johnson and Kathy Friedel for organizing.
School Safety Update- Annual Safety meeting with local police and EMT’s will be held on November 2nd. In addition, we are working with the Illinois State Police on a Canine Demonstration.
Friday is Principal Appreciation Day in Illinois and on behalf of Calhoun CUSD 40 I would like to thank Cheri and Christie for all that they do. A leader is one that knows the way, goes the way and shows the way. It goes without saying that principals work intensely to learn the skills necessary to do their work, lead their staff through the work and model what matters most for the betterment the staff and students they serve daily.
Maintenance Report:
October has been a busy month with Jody being off the first part of the month and Tim off on medical leave. Lots of scheduling and doubling up routes to cover the bus routes. It’s been very challenging trying to cover all the bus routes and still be able to have drivers back in time to run ball games. Jody has returned from his 60 days off and is back driving full time. A driver and an aide were also found to run the handicap van to Wood River daily. Repairs on the lawn mower are completed and Claude is able to mow again. Bus repairs were light this month with only a few minor light repairs. Andrea and I met this month with Central States Bus regarding the upcoming bus lease program as 2023 is the year to receive new buses. Also have been busy prepping buses for winter.
District Services Report:
District services for the month of October have been very busy. Hillyard was chosen as our new distributor for ordering all of our janitorial supplies as well as all the floor chemicals and cleaners. The Hillyard technicians are scheduled to be here this week to install all new dispensers throughout the district at no cost to us. Also both electric floor scrubbers are in need of repair. Batteries need replacing as well as some other minor adjustments and repairs. Hillyard sent out a technician and looked at both machines. Repairs are scheduled for later this week. Rod has been busy replacing all the emergency lighting in the elementary school to comply with the requirements mandated by the state. We also had issues with the lighting on the football field which has been repaired. We’re also in the process of making all necessary repairs on the Health Life Safety checklist so we can start using grant money on HLS classified repairs. The parking lot at the elementary school has been striped this month. Striping has definitely helped with the flow of traffic around the elementary school. Steel fire rated replacement doors have also been ordered to replace the broken wooden door on the gym at the elementary school. I’m also looking into the Ameren LED lighting program in hopes of getting the lighting replaced in the cafeteria and gym at the elementary school as well the gym at the high school. Buildings are being looked at to prepare for winter.
Principals Report:
Calhoun High School Principal Cheri Burris Report
Homecoming was a success with Seniors winning the Spirit Stick, but a close second by the Freshmen. At the Oct. 12th staff meeting I shared the district’s strategic plan. We celebrated having 100% of our teachers having social contracts in their classes with gift certificates for fountain sodas from Northside. Although we only had 30 parents/guardians show up for Parent/Teacher conferences, we have had 87% contact with the parents/guardians of our students.
Mrs. Reed’s Anatomy and Physiology class went to SLU yesterday for a Cadaver Lab. The Fitness PE class has been spending a couple of days a week doing Yoga (see FB pics). The Jr High/High school math teachers are having a collaboration day on Oct. 19th.
Mrs. Deffenbaugh, Mrs. Lee, and myself will be going to see the new Bunker Hill media center to get ideas for our community library.
STUCO Blood Drive is Oct. 21 from 9-2pm in the James A. Ringhausen Gym.
We have four STUCO members who will be attending the Youth Advisory Council at U of I Springfield Student Union on Oct. 25th from 9-3pm. It is sponsored by Senator McClure. Mr. Wyatt will be attending as well.
The Halloween Carnival is scheduled for Oct. 29th.
Calhoun Elementary School Principal Christie Lorsbach Report
The CES/CJHS parking lot has been marked with arrows, parking spaces, and fire lanes. Kyle Godar and I will be meeting soon to go over the finalization of the lot, but if you have not yet seen it please stop in, it looks great.
I would like to give a big thanks to the organizers of the Washington DC trip: Mrs. Andrea Pohlman, Mrs. Pam Friedel and Mrs. Lisa Kallal. This was my first time attending a Calhoun DC trip and it exceeded all of my expectations. The students were excellent and represented our community so well.
CES/CJHS Students & Staff of the week:
10/4 – Brody Eilerman, George Adams, Hinley Benz and Mrs. Adams
10/11 – Molly White, Riggs Wallendorf, Walter Pluester and Mrs. Weber
10/17 – Zillian Hickey, Lee Angel, Konnor Mason and Mrs. Johnson
First Grade – Community Field Trip around Hardin
SIP Team – Meeting Wednesday to develop the school improvement plan
IAR (Illinois Assessment of Readiness) scores have arrived – I started looking at the data Monday evening. End of the 1st Quarter is Friday and the students are making suggestions for the reading awards. Jr. High has gone a different direction with a 40-book challenge (10 books/quarter).
PE – Mrs. Eilerman has incorporated some new and exciting things into her K-5 PE classes. She now recognizes student for:
Student Spotlight MVP: the student who exceeded this month’s PE expectations, All-Star Attitude, Teamwork and Extraordinary Effort.
A motion was made by Laura Longnecker, seconded by Jackie Baalman that the Board of Education approves the FFA to attend the National Convention, October 25-28, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Board polled:
Baalman – yes Longnecker – yes
Fraley – yes Nelson – absent
Gress – yes Sagez – yes
Hagen – yes
Motion carried.
A motion was made by Jackie Baalman, seconded by Janine Hagen that the Board of Education approves the Bleacher Liability Form for the football field bleachers being sold to the Calhoun County Fair Board.
Board polled:
Baalman – yes Longnecker – yes
Fraley – yes Nelson – absent
Gress – yes Sagez – yes
Hagen – yes
Motion carried.
A motion was made by Janine Hagen, seconded by Jackie Baalman that the Board of Education approves to authorize the Superintendent to apply for the FY 23 School Maintenance Project Grant.
Board polled:
Baalman – yes Longnecker – yes
Fraley – yes Nelson – absent
Gress – yes Sagez – yes
Hagen – yes
Motion carried.
Executive Session:
A motion was made at 6:05 p.m. by Laura Longnecker, seconded by Jackie Baalman that the Board of Education enters into executive session.
For the purpose of discussion regarding the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employee(s); legal counsel, collective negotiating matters or deliberations; board vacancies; evidence or testimony presented in a hearing where authorized by law; purchase or lease of real property; sale or purchase of securities, investments or investment contracts; security procedures; student disciplinary cases or any matter involving an individual student; litigation; self-evaluation, practices and procedures, or professional ethics; minutes of meetings lawfully closed; internal control weaknesses, potential fraud risk areas; establishment of reserves, settlement or discussion of claims, loss or risk management information, records, data, advice or communications from or with respect to any insurer of the District. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)
Board polled:
Baalman – yes Longnecker – yes
Fraley – yes Nelson – absent
Gress – yes Sagez – yes
Hagen – yes
Motion carried.
A motion was made at 7:30 p.m. by Laura Longnecker, seconded by Janine Hagen that the Board of Education returns to Open Session to continue meeting and take any appropriate action.
Board polled:
Baalman – yes Longnecker – yes
Fraley – yes Nelson – absent
Gress – yes Sagez – yes
Hagen – yes
Motion carried.
A motion was made by Janine Hagen, seconded by Jackie Baalman that the Board of Education approves to hire Vicki Cox as a Special Van Route Driver Aide for the 2022-23 school year.
Board polled:
Baalman – yes Longnecker – yes
Fraley – yes Nelson – absent
Gress – yes Sagez – yes
Hagen – yes
Motion carried.
A motion was made by Amanda Gress, seconded by Janine Hagen that the Board of Education approves to hire Rachel Depper as a 1:1 Aide at Calhoun Elementary for the 2022-23 school year pending background check and paperwork.
Board polled:
Baalman – yes Longnecker – yes
Fraley – yes Nelson – absent
Gress – yes Sagez – yes
Hagen – yes
Motion carried.
A motion was made by Jackie Baalman, seconded by Janine Hagen that the Board of Education approves to employ Lucy Kallal as a Volunteer Assistant Softball Coach for the 2022-23 school year.
Board polled:
Baalman – yes Longnecker – yes
Fraley – yes Nelson – absent
Gress – yes Sagez – yes
Hagen – yes
Motion carried.
A motion was made by Amanda Gress, seconded by Laura Longnecker that the Board of Education approves the maternity leave for Lacey Steckel beginning Dec. 2, 2022
Board polled:
Baalman – yes Longnecker – yes
Fraley – yes Nelson – absent
Gress – yes Sagez – yes
Hagen – yes
Motion carried.
Informational Items:
a. October 21 – Student Council Blood Drive
b. October 29 – Halloween Carnival
c. November 8 – No School – Election Day
d. November 11 – No School – Veterans Day
e. November 15 – School Board Meeting
f. Correspondence
With no further business to discuss, a motion was made by Janine Hagen, seconded by Nate Sagez that the Board of Education adjourns the meeting at 7:32 p.m.
Board polled:
Baalman – yes Longnecker – yes
Fraley – yes Nelson – absent
Gress – yes Sagez – yes
Hagen – yes
Motion carried.
https://calhoun40.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/5-October-18-2022-Regular-Meeting-Minutes.pdf
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