West Central Reporter

Calhoun Community Unit School District 40 Board of Education met March 21.

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, Tuesday, March 21, 2023 at 5:31 p.m. in the Calhoun Elementary School Library.

Upon roll being called the following board members were present: Jackie Baalman, Amanda Gress, Janine Hagen, Hannah Nelson and Nate Sagez. Laura Longnecker arrived at 5:33 p.m.

Others in attendance were: Andrea Lee, LeaAnn Klaas, Steven Spencer, Brian Lee, Samantha Kaufman, Will Rose, Kortney Herkert and Madeleine Heberling.

A motion was made by Nate Sagez, seconded by Jackie Baalman 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 – February 21, 2023

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. Honorable Dismissal List

ii. Approve Amended 2023-24 School Calendar

iii. IHSA – IESA Renewal

iv. Propose Change for April Board Meeting to be Moved from April 18 to April 25. v. Propose April 18 – Special Board Meeting for Personnel

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 Resignation of

i. 7/8 Girls Basketball Coach

ii. Special Education Teacher

iii. Kindergarten Teacher

b. Consider Approval of

i. Advertise for SEL Interventionist

ii. Superintendent Evaluation

iii. Recommendation for Teacher Reassignment

iv. Recommendation for Paraprofessional Reassignment

c. Personnel

XI. Other Business

XII. Communication and Announcements

a. March 28 – NHS Blood Drive

b. April 7 – 10 – Spring Break

c. April 15 – Prom

d. April 18 – School Board Meeting

e. Correspondence

XIII. Adjourn

Board polled:

Baalman – yes         Longnecker – absent

Fraley – yes             Nelson – yes

Gress – yes              Sagez – yes

Hagen – yes

Motion carried.

A motion was made by Janine Hagen, seconded by Laura Longnecker that the Board of Education approves items on the consent agenda which includes:

I. Consent Items

a. Adoption of Consent Agenda

b. Previous Board Minutes

i. Regular Meeting – February 21, 2023

c. Expenditures

d. Financial Reports

e. Activity Accounts Report

f. Transportation Report

Board polled:

Baalman – yes         Longnecker – yes

Fraley – yes             Nelson – yes

Gress – yes              Sagez – yes

Hagen – yes

Motion carried.

Reception of Visitors / Public Comment:

Members of the Senior Class and Class Sponsor was in attendance to present their class trip to Branson, MO., May 10-13.

Brian Lee informed the board that Coach Mark Hillen and Coach Rod Hart has been nominated for Coach of the Year. Three families are interested in a Golf program for the schools. There is a shortage of umpires for baseball and softball. The sports are off to a slow start due to weather. The district has received a lot of compliments from hosting high school boys’ basketball sectionals.

Communications:

Board Committee Reports: N/A

Superintendents Report:

District enrollment is 524.

The high school has 22 baseball players and 15 softball players.

There has been an increase in the threat of hackers on school districts. Beginning April 1st all correspondence will go through the school districts email address.

There are old tables found and will be offered to the shop class for use. If not needed they will be opened up to bid.

There has been a lot of clean up being done around the district.

Still looking into LED lighting options.

PreK program may be expanding from 2 classrooms to 3.

Maintenance Report: N/A

District Services Report: N/A

Principals Report:

Calhoun High School Principal Cheri Burris Report

Congratulations to Kortney Herkert for being nominated as Student of the Month for Courage! 39 Warrior Way recognitions were presented for Kindness in the month of February.

We have four students who plan to participate in the Grown Your Own: McKenzie Baalman, Taylor Klaas, Claire Hagen, Larissa Johnson.

CHS Blood Drive is scheduled for March 28th and sponsored by NHS.

Nurse Dolan is coordinating a Mock Disaster Drill for March 28th at 12:30pm for the high school students. Illinois Science Assessment is scheduled for the Junior Class on March 31. SAT testing is scheduled for April 12th.

Springfest: Teachers, Mr. Ringhausen have been organizing a Springfest for the early dismissal on April 6th. Speaker subject matter will revolve around social, emotional, and physical health.

Students of Work-based Learning were given a checklist to take to their supervisors for us and students to get feedback on what the students are learning. We have received good positive feedback about the students and the help the students are providing for the businesses.

Prom is April 15th!

Our AP classes are gearing up for their AP Exams that will take place the 1st of May. The boys Basketball Sectional was a great success. We had several compliments on the facility and food. We had great help to make it a success.

Our FFA hosted a Speech CDE. Several of our students performed well. We also had several local volunteers help judge the speeches.

Calhoun FFA News

Poultry Judging: Greenhand Team (Freshman) 6th place

Vet Science: Greenhand 6th place overall, Emma Rew 3rd place overall

Public Speaking: Prepared – Varsity 1st Samantha Kaufman and JV 1st Claire Gould Extemporaneous: Varsity 2nd Jillian Little, JV 1st Jenna Fraley and Greenhand 1st Hannah Klaas

SAE (record book) results -

We had 5 FFA members compete in 9 different areas at the section level.

Section Results: Samantha Kaufman: 1st place Diversified Livestock Production Placement, Jenna Fraley: 1st place Fruit Production, Claire Gould: 1st place Ag Communications, Braden Pohlman: 1st place Swine Production Placement: Seth Deffenbaugh: Poultry Production Placement

District level: Those students that won 1st place at section level advanced to the District level. Results: Samantha Kaufman: 1st place advances to State, Jenna Fraley: 1st place advances to State, Claire Gould: 2nd place.

Calhoun Elementary School Principal Christie Lorsbach Report

Congratulations to the Jr. High Volleyball team on a successful season. The girls did a great job and 8th grade ended their season with a tough loss in the regional championship to Nokomis. Big thanks to coaches Donna Hurley and Amy Hurley.

The 5/6 Boys Basketball Team finished their seasons with the 6th grade placing 1st and the 5th grade placing 2nd in the AJ Classic.

The Scholastic Bowl team is underway. The team has competed against St. John’s and Carrollton. They will play St. John’s again on 3/20 and Southwestern on 3/21.

The staff has been working, and with continue to work, with PD instructor Brandi Hempen. She is working with the staff on differentiated instruction (planning lessons/activities to meet the levels of each individual student). She has worked with Jr. High staff on March 15 and will do a second session on April 19. The K-5 group is working to identify activities that are low, medium, or high to create folders with each standard. We are currently concentrating our efforts on reading. After school is out, the K-8 teachers will come together for a 2- day workshop to develop the activities/supplies needed for their instruction.

The staff is doing a book study on the following book: One Word that will change your life by Jon Gordon. We will be sharing out and discussing the book in our March 29th staff meeting. If anyone would like to read the book, I do have extra copies.

The WOW award winners for the month of February for the trait of Kindness were: Ella Y., Jackson S, Brock V, Morgan K, Xavier F, Lilly B, Braxton Y, Caleb G, Scarlett W, Sawyer F, Mrs. Kendall Eilerman, and Molly W.

The WOW trait for the month of March is: COURAGE - “Courage, above all things, is the first quality of a WARRIOR” – Cal van Clausewitz

The cleaning of the classrooms that were impacted by the water pipe break is under way and running smoothly. Although it is not an ideal situation, the staff impacted have been positive and flexible. IAR testing is underway and will be completed by April 28. This is the state testing in the areas of math and reading for grades 3-8. The ISA (Illinois Science Assessment) will be completed for grades 5 and 8. Summer Camp Classes: Sensory Summer Fun, FUNdementals of Art, Clay, So Happy to SEA You, Let’s Get Cooking, Adrenaline Rush I & II, Time Travel, Going Medieval, A Pirate’s Life for Me, Circuit Design, Acting Out, and Get Crafty.

A motion was made by Janine Hagen, seconded by Amanda Gress that the Board of Education approves the Honorable Dismissal List as presented.

Board polled:

Baalman – yes         Longnecker – yes

Fraley – yes             Nelson – yes

Gress – yes              Sagez – yes

Hagen – yes

Motion carries.

A motion was made by Jackie Baalman, seconded by Laura Longnecker that the Board of Education approves the Amended 2023-24 School Calendar as presented.

Board polled:

Baalman – yes         Longnecker – yes

Fraley – yes             Nelson – yes

Gress – yes              Sagez – yes

Hagen – yes

Motion carries.

A motion was made by Hannah Nelson, seconded by Laura Longnecker that the Board of Education approves the IHSA & IESA Renewals as presented.

Board polled:

Baalman – yes         Longnecker – yes

Fraley – yes             Nelson – yes

Gress – yes              Sagez – yes

Hagen – yes

Motion carries.

A motion was made by Amanda Gress, seconded by Jackie Baalman that the Board of Education approves to change the regular board meeting date from April 18 to April 25.

Board polled:

Baalman – yes         Longnecker – yes

Fraley – yes             Nelson – yes

Gress – yes              Sagez – yes

Hagen – yes

Motion carries.

A motion was made by Hannah Nelson, seconded by Nate Sagez that the Board of Education approves a special board meeting on April 18.

Board polled:

Baalman – yes         Longnecker – yes

Fraley – yes             Nelson – yes

Gress – yes              Sagez – yes

Hagen – yes

Motion carries.

Executive Session:

A motion was made at 6:19 p.m. by Laura Longnecker, seconded by Amanda Gress 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 – yes

Gress – yes              Sagez – yes

Hagen – yes

Motion carries.

A motion was made at 7:53 p.m. by Hannah Nelson, seconded by Nate Sagez 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 – yes

Gress – yes              Sagez – yes

Hagen – yes

Motion carries.

A motion was made by Hannah Nelson, seconded by Amanda Gress that the Board of Education approves the resignation of Laura Longnecker as the 7/8 Girls Basketball Coach.

Board polled:

Baalman – yes         Longnecker – yes

Fraley – yes             Nelson – yes

Gress – yes              Sagez – yes

Hagen – yes

Motion carries.

A motion was made by Jackie Baalman, seconded by Janine Hagen that the Board of Education approves the resignation of Haley Schutz as a Special Education Teacher at the end of the 2022-23 school year.

Board polled:

Baalman – yes         Longnecker – yes

Fraley – yes             Nelson – yes

Gress – yes              Sagez – yes

Hagen – yes

Motion carries.

A motion was made by Hannah Nelson, seconded by Laura Longnecker that the Board of Education approves the resignation of Emily Theisen as a Kindergarten Teacher at the end of the 2022-23 school year.

Board polled:

Baalman – yes         Longnecker – yes

Fraley – yes             Nelson – yes

Gress – yes              Sagez – yes

Hagen – yes

Motion carries.

A motion was made by Hannah Nelson, seconded by Jackie Baalman that the Board of Education approves to advertise for a SEL Interventionist.

Board polled:

Baalman – yes         Longnecker – yes

Fraley – yes             Nelson – yes

Gress – yes              Sagez – yes

Hagen – yes

Motion carries.

A motion to approve the Superintendent evaluation was tabled.

A motion was made by Amanda Gress, seconded by Laura Longnecker that the Board of Education approves the recommendation for teacher reassignments as presented.

Macy Margherio to Kindergarten

Board polled:

Baalman – yes         Longnecker – yes

Fraley – yes             Nelson – yes

Gress – yes              Sagez – yes

Hagen – yes

Motion carries.

A motion was made by Hannah Nelson, seconded by Janine Hagen that the Board of Education approves the recommendation for paraprofessional reassignment as presented.

Amber Foiles to grades K-2 and Ellen Churchman to grades 3-5

Board polled:

Baalman – yes         Longnecker – yes

Fraley – yes             Nelson – yes

Gress – yes              Sagez – yes

Hagen – yes

Motion carries.

Informational Items:

a. March 28 – NHS Blood Drive

b. April 7 – 10 – Spring Break

c. April 15 – Prom

d. April 18 – School Board Meeting

e. 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 7:59 p.m.

Board polled:

Baalman – absent    Longnecker – yes

Fraley – yes             Nelson – yes

Gress – yes             Sagez – yes

Hagen – yes

Motion carries.

https://calhoun40.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/11-March-21-2023-Regular-Meeting-Minutes.pdf