West Central Reporter

Calhoun Community Unit School District 40 Board of Education met Sept. 17.

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 Vice President Jackie Baalman, Tuesday, September 17, 2024 at 5:43 p.m. in the Calhoun Elementary Library.

Upon roll being called the following board members were present: Jackie Baalman, Adam Gerson, Amanda Gress, Nate Sagez and Angie Tepen. Luke Fraley and Hannah Nelson were absent.

Others in attendance were: LeaAnn Klaas, Lori Young, Christie Lorsbach, Jean Heil, Mary Pluester, Dylan Ringhausen, Allyson Fiene, Seth Deffenbaugh, Ava Clowers, Mary Pluester and Claire Gould.

A motion was made by Nate Sagez, seconded by Amanda Gress that the Board of Education approves the agenda inclusive of:

I. Call to Order

II. Roll Call of Members

III. Approve Agenda

IV. 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.

- Student Council – Free sports admission for students.

- FFA – National Convention Trip

V. Consent Items

a. Adoption of Consent Agenda

b. Previous Board Minutes

i. Regular Meeting – August 20, 2024

c. Expenditures

d. Financial Reports

e. Activity Accounts Report

f. Transportation Report

VI. Committee and Administrative Reports

a. Calhoun Elementary School

b. Calhoun High School

c. Superintendent

i. District Services/Maintenance Report

VII. First Reading of Press Plus Policy Update 116

a. 2:260 Uniform Grievance Procedure

b. 2:265 Title IX Grievance Procedure

c. 5:100 Staff Development Program

d. 7:20 Harassment of Students Prohibited

e. 7:185 Teen Dating Violence Prohibited

VIII. Action Items Prior to Executive Session

a. Consider Approval of

i. Move October Meeting Date

ii. Senior Class Trip

iii. FFA National Convention Trip

iv. Close Out Unused Activity Accounts

v. Change Name of Current Activity Accounts

vi. MissVIC Intergovernmental Agreement

vii. Appoint MissVIC Voting Members

viii. Purchase School Van

ix. Change Phone Service Provider to Commercial Technology Services

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 Personnel Recommendations

i. Class Sponsors

ii. Substitutes

iii. Transportation

XI. Other Business

XII. Communication and Announcements

a. September 18 – 11:30 Dismissal SIP

b. September 20 – 1st Qtr. Midterm

c. October 1 & 3 – P/T Conferences

d. October 11 – Homecoming Game

e. October 12 – Homecoming Dance

f. October 14-15 – No School

g. October 14-18 – Washington DC Trip

h. Correspondence

XIII. Adjourn

Board polled:

Baalman – yes Nelson – absent

Fraley – absent Sagez – yes

Gerson – yes Tepen – yes

Gress – yes

Motion carried.

A motion was made by Angie Tepen, seconded by Amanda Gress 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 – August 20, 2024

c. Expenditures

d. Financial Reports

e. Activity Accounts Report

f. Transportation Report

Board polled:

Baalman – yes Nelson – absent

Fraley – absent Sagez – yes

Gerson – yes Tepen – yes

Gress – yes

Motion carried.

Reception of Visitors / Public Comment:

Student Council sponsor Dylan Ringhausen, President Mary Pluester and Vice President Ava Clowers presented to the board about allowing students to attend sporting events for free.

FFA sponsor Allyson Fiene, President Claire Gould and Vice President Seth Deffenbaugh asked permission to attend the FFA National Convention in Indianapolis, IN in October.

Principals Report:

Calhoun Elementary School Principal Jean Heil Report

Our students and teachers had a great showing at the Calhoun County Fair!

Our school ILT (Instructional Leadership Team) met for the first time and reviewed the District Strategic Plan and then presented our 24-25 goals for the first three focus areas to the staff. Our CEJHS goals are: Focus #1: Student Success Clear and consistent targets will be in place (for both students and teachers). Focus #2: Student Well Being Clear and consistent processes, communication and follow-through will occur. Focus #3: Engaged Workforce Clear and consistent staff activities will be intentionally created monthly to promote staff engagement and wellness. During our PLC times over the next month, each team (K-2, 3-5, 6-8 and SPED) will explore how these goals will look and function for their specific grade levels and students. We have completed our Bus Evacuation Drill and will have our first Fire Drill and Law Enforcement Drill completed before the end of September.

We have completed our Fall MAP assessments in grades 6-8 and our fall iReady assessments in grades K-5. Teachers are now reviewing the data and we are beginning interventions for students as appropriate. The Grandparents Day Program on September 12, 2024 was a success! Students prepared well and performed a wonderful show! Thanks to our community partner, Two Rivers Coffee, for their donation of coffee for after the program. We appreciate it!

Calhoun High School Principal Christie Lorsbach Report

GRP did another walk through on 9/9 with their team and Luke Fraley. Almost all issues have been resolved. The building is looking great.

The HS office will be getting new furniture in the near future.

The CHS career fair is quickly approaching (Sept. 18th from 9-11). Currently we have 25 businesses represented to attend.

New staff members were sent to a 2-day, in person, CKH training on Sept. 12 and 13. CHS staff member, Tara Smith attended.

The volleyball and football teams are off to very strong start to their seasons. If you have not been able to catch a game, please see the district website for the next game. They will not disappoint!

The golf team has been improving and enjoying the opportunity to play outside of the county. October 21 and 22, I will be attending the Illinois Principal Association in Peoria.

October 29 HS Scholastic Bowl will start

Superintendents Report:

Reviewed Board Member Key Candidate Election Dates - The following members are up for re-election; Luke Fraley, Amanda Gress, Hannah Nelson, & Nate Sagez.

Discussed District Audit – Held on Sept. 3, 4, & 5 by CPA firm Zumbahlen, Eyth, Surratt, Foote & Flynn, Ltd. Auditors requested an extension for our AFR - Annual Financial Report. Must be completed by Dec. 1st and turned into the ROE by Dec. 15.

Current School Enrollment (502) - PK: 32 students, Elementary K-8: 299 students, & HS: 171 students

District Strategic Plan Updates - Sept. 4 – Focus on #3 Engaged Workforce, Sept. 11 - focus on #1 Student Success with Strategic Plan Review & Goals Setting by building, Sept. 18 - SIP Day focus will be #2 Student Well Being by doing a Dist. School Safety Review: Building Breakout Sessions, and Sept. 25 focus will be #3 Engaged Workforce.

Illinois EPA Record Review Status Jeff Faust - Has taken our EPA case and is in process of asking for a record review & final closure report that they have on file for site contamination from the removal of an underground storage tank.

District Services/Maintenance Report:

Maintenance Report: The High School project is nearing completion. GRP is scheduled to be here on the 16th to begin doing final work on the punch list. They did a walk through on the 9th and made a punch list for all work to be completed before signing off. The AC units in the gym are still not operating on the computer system. They are waiting on parts so they can be linked with the system. All other units are functioning properly with the exception of a few minor adjustments that need to be made. They’re planning on having most of the work completed this week. We also had an AC unit go down at the elementary school this month. I had GRP come out and look at the unit and he was able to find and repair a Freon leak. We’re also having trouble with one of the gym units at the elementary school leaking water on the gym floor. Rod and I have determined the evaporator pan has a couple holes rusted through. We patched the holes and it appears to be draining properly. The units at the elementary school are nearing the end of their life expectancy. We were able to make it through most of the summer with minimal repairs. Hopefully they continue to run efficiently.

Transportation Report: Transportation has been very busy with football, volleyball, and field trips in full swing. Scheduling of all the trips has been very challenging with the shortage of drivers. We also have several drivers that are retired and have to watch their hours so they can’t drive extra trips. We were able to pick up another van driver this month for one of our special routes. All of the big buses are running well with no issues at this time. Our 2 little buses are getting in pretty rough shape due to rust. Bus #18 has been kept current on license and testing but has only been kept for a spare for the last 2 years. It hasn’t hauled a student for quite some time. I got it out to have it tested 2 weeks ago and the fuel pump has rusted out of the top of the fuel tank. The front brakes also need attention. I’m in the process of getting prices for parts to determine how much it will cost to get it back in usable condition. With the use of the vans for our special routes the small buses don’t see much use. Also with the big buses being diesel they burn less fuel on a trip than the mini buses. Another issue with the mini buses is finding a driver as they take the same license to drive as a big bus where we can get by with just a passenger endorsement on the vans. I’ll have a price list for parts for Lori soon.

A motion was made by Adam Gerson, seconded by Angie Tepen that the Board of Education approves to move the October 8, 2024 board meeting to October 22, 2024.

Board polled:

Baalman – yes Nelson – absent

Fraley – absent Sagez – yes

Gerson – yes Tepen – yes

Gress – yes

Motion carries.

A motion was made by Amanda Gress, seconded by Angie Tepen that the Board of Education approves the Class of 2025 Senior Trip to Florida on March 15 – 19, 2025.

Board polled:

Baalman – yes Nelson – absent

Fraley – absent Sagez – yes

Gerson – yes Tepen – yes

Gress – yes

Motion carries.

A motion was made by Amanda Gress, seconded by Nate Sagez that the Board of Education approves the FFA trip to the National Convention in Indianapolis, IN on October 23-26, 2024.

Board polled:

Baalman – yes Nelson – absent

Fraley – absent Sagez – yes

Gerson – yes Tepen – yes

Gress – yes

Motion carries.

A motion was made by Angie Tepen, seconded by Adam Gerson that the Board of Education approves to close out unused activity fund accounts including CHS Flower Fund, Class of 2024 and Trap Shooting.

Board polled:

Baalman – yes Nelson – absent

Fraley – absent Sagez – yes

Gerson – yes Tepen – yes

Gress – yes

Motion carries.

A motion was made by Adam Gerson, seconded by Angie Tepen that the Board of Education approves to change the name of current activity accounts from CJHS to Elem.

Board polled:

Baalman – yes Nelson – absent

Fraley – absent Sagez – yes

Gerson – yes Tepen – yes

Gress – yes

Motion carries.

A motion was made by Amanda Gress, seconded by Nate Sagez that the Board of Education resolves to extend the term of the MissVIC Employee Benefits Pool and the MissVIC Property Casualty Pool for the term of July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027.

Board polled:

Baalman – yes Nelson – absent

Fraley – absent Sagez – yes

Gerson – yes Tepen – yes

Gress – yes

Motion carries.

A motion was made by Amanda Gress, seconded by Nate Sagez that the Board of Education approves to appoint Lori Young as the voting member and Meghan Klunk as the alternate to the Mississippi Valley Intergovernmental Cooperative Board of Directors beginning July 1, 2024 for the 2024-2025 fiscal year.

Board polled:

Baalman – yes Nelson – absent

Fraley – absent Sagez – yes

Gerson – yes Tepen – yes

Gress – yes

Motion carries.

A motion was made by Amanda Gress, seconded by Nate Sagez that the Board of Education approves to purchase school van from Hurley Dodge Inc.

Board polled:

Baalman – yes Nelson – absent

Fraley – absent Sagez – yes

Gerson – yes Tepen – yes

Gress – yes

Motion carries.

A motion was made by Adam Gerson, seconded by Amanda Gress that the Board of Education approves to change phone service provider to Commercial Technology Services.

Board polled:

Baalman – yes Nelson – absent

Fraley – absent Sagez – yes

Gerson – yes Tepen – yes

Gress – yes

Motion carries.

Executive Session:

A motion was made at 7:25 p.m. by Nate Sagez, seconded by Angie Tepen 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 Nelson – absent

Fraley – absent Sagez – yes

Gerson – yes Tepen – yes

Gress – yes

Motion carries.

A motion was made at 7:52 p.m. by Amanda Gress, seconded by Angie Tepen that the Board of Education returns to Open Session to continue meeting and take any appropriate action.

Board polled:

Baalman – yes Nelson – absent

Fraley – absent Sagez – yes

Gerson – yes Tepen – yes

Gress – yes

Motion carries.

A motion was made by Angie Tepen, seconded by Nate Sagez that the Board of Education approves personnel recommendations as presented for the 2024-25 school year.

Bus Drivers/Transportation: Lloyd Withrow – Van Route to Carrollton

Coaching/Sponsor Hires: Scott Kiel – Junior Class Co-sponsor, Lexi Law – Freshman Class Co-sponsor, Ben Bayless – Freshman Class Co-sponsor.

Substitutes: Emma Godar – Substitute Teacher, Andrea Roate – Substitute Paraprofessional

*All new hires are subject to completion of background check, EHR (Faith’s Law) check, fingerprinting and any other required classes and/or trainings.

Board polled:

Baalman – yes Nelson – absent

Fraley – absent Sagez – yes

Gerson – yes Tepen – yes

Gress – yes

Motion carries.

Informational Items:

September 18 – 11:30 Dismissal SIP

September 20 – 1st Qtr. Midterm

October 1 & 3 – P/T Conferences

October 11 – Homecoming Game

October 12 – Homecoming Dance

October 14-15 – No School

October 14-18 – Washington DC Trip

Correspondence

With no further business to discuss, a motion was made by Angie Tepen, seconded by Nate Sagez that the Board of Education adjourns the meeting at 7:54 p.m.

Board polled:

Baalman – yes Nelson – absent

Fraley – absent Sagez – yes

Gerson – yes Tepen – yes

Gress – yes

Motion carries.

https://calhoun40.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/3-September-17-2024-Regular-Board-Meeting.pdf