West Central Reporter

Calhoun Community Unit School District 40 Board of Education met Feb. 18.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

A public hearing, 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, February 18, 2025 at 5:15 p.m. in the Calhoun Elementary School Library.

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

Others in attendance were LeaAnn Klaas, Lori Young, Jean Heil, Christie Lorsbach and Pam Friedel.

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

I. Roll Call

II. Pledge of Allegiance

III. Approve Agenda

IV. Explanation of Hearing

V. Reception of Visitors, Petitions and Communications

- 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. Adjourn Hearing

Board Polled:

Baalman – yes     Nelson –absent

Fraley – yes         Sagez – yes

Gerson – yes       Tepen – absent

Gress – absent

Motion carried.

Public hearing was held to explain Casimir Pulaski Day will be used as a teacher in-service day. All teachers and paraprofessionals will be in attendance that day.

A motion was made by Adam Gerson, seconded by Jackie Baalman that the Board of Education adjourns the hearing and return to the regular meeting.

Board Polled:

Baalman – yes     Nelson –absent

Fraley – yes         Sagez – yes

Gerson – yes       Tepen – absent

Gress – absent

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, February 18, 2025 at 5:28 p.m. in the Calhoun Elementary School Library.

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

Others in attendance were: LeaAnn Klaas, Lori Young, Jean Heil, Christie Lorsbach, and Pam Friedel.

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

VII. Call to Order

VIII. Roll Call of Members

IX. Approve Agenda

X. 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.

o Allyson Fiene – Women Changing the Face of Agriculture

o Brody White – Tennis

XI. Consent Items

a. Adoption of Consent Agenda

b. Previous Board Minutes

i. Regular Meeting – January 21, 2025

c. Expenditures

d. Financial Reports

e. Activity Accounts Report

f. Transportation Report

XII. Committee and Administrative Reports

a. Calhoun Elementary School

b. Calhoun High School

c. Athletic Director

d. District Services/Maintenance Report

e. Superintendent

XIII. Action Items Prior to Executive Session

a. Consider Approval of

i. Casimir Pulaski Day

ii. School Calendar Amendment

iii. Honorable Dismissal of Full Time Long Term Substitutes

XIV. 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)

XV. Action Items Following Executive Session

a. Consider Approving Personnel Recommendations

i. Resignation

ii. Substitute Teacher

XVI. Other Business

XVII. Communication and Announcements

a. February 22 – Farm Bureau Dinner

b. March 18 – School Board Meeting at 5:30 pm

c. Correspondence

XVIII. Adjourn

Board polled:

Baalman – yes     Nelson –yes

Fraley – yes         Sagez – yes

Gerson – yes       Tepen – absent

Gress – absent

Motion carried.

A motion was made by Hannah Nelson, seconded by Jackie Baalman that the Board of Education approves items on the consent agenda which includes:

XIX. Consent Items

a. Adoption of Consent Agenda

b. Previous Board Minutes

i. Regular Meeting – January 21, 2025

c. Expenditures

d. Financial Reports

e. Activity Accounts Report

f. Transportation Report

Board polled:

Baalman – yes     Nelson –yes

Fraley – yes         Sagez – yes

Gerson – yes       Tepen – absent

Gress – absent

Motion carried.

Reception of Visitors / Public Comment:

Allyson Fiene and Brody White did not come to the meeting due to weather. Brody has asked to attend the March meeting.

Principals Report:

Calhoun Elementary School Principal Jean Heil Report

Congrats to our 7th AND 8th grade Boys basketball teams for both winning Regionals this year! December's character trait was “Responsibility.” Congrats to these students of the Month: Paige E., Kaden G., Bohdi M., Clara K., Eleanor K., Lily B., Hynlee H., Mari E., Emalee G., and Elsie H. January's character trait was "Respect." Congrats to these Students of the Month: Trinity K., Colton W., Toni R., Cece M., Natalie O., KJ G., Henry K., Ben R., Evan G., Chassidy B., Ellen R., Max K., and Keaton G. Thank you to the PTO for their work in organizing the Adult Night Out and the Raffle to raise funds for our students!

Thank you to Claude for coming in early for the past couple of weeks to spray our classrooms; we are still fighting A LOT of sickness in both student and staff populations.

Please see the attached iReady and MAP reports comparing the fall and winter assessments. We are VERY proud of the growth of our students! LOTS of hard work happening every day!

Technology issues: We have used funding available to purchase 35 more Chromebooks for the building. I have reached out to a leasing company to get a quote to lease laptops for the entire district which includes 24/7 tech support and have shared their quote with Bill and Lori.

I would like to request/propose seeing if it would be possible to have a sink installed in our teacher workroom. Currently, doing any dishes or cleaning of things has to take place in a bathroom sink. This would also enable our refrigerator to be hooked up with a water line so we could utilize the ice making feature (teachers love ice!!)

Calhoun High School Principal Christie Lorsbach Report

Congratulations to the January Student of the Month recipients: Senior, Kayden Johnes; Junior, Alivia Ralston; Sophomore, Ethan Wickenhauser; Freshman, Lucas Chisholm. The students were chosen on the character trait of respect.

The students nominated for demonstrating the Warrior Way for the month of January were: Jack Webster, Patrick Friedel, Lacey Pohlman, Bo Lorsbach, Ashton Fester, Easton Wallendorf, Gabby Hurley, Annie Wilson, Jolene Fanning, Alivia Ralston, Abby McCasland, Lucas Chisholm, Riley Lorsbach, Joy Hurley, Zack Grimes, Kate Zipprich, Anna Oswald, Raelynn Sievers, and Ethan Wickenhauser.

Great job to the HS Band Club on playing for the CHS Senior Nigh Girls Basketball game. If you were in attendance, you know what a phenomenal job they did. The students sounded great and were accompanied by alumni and Mrs. Heberling. Thanks to everyone for your hard work. Unfortunately, the band will be unable to play for the Boy’s Senior night due to a Scholastic Bowl match conflict.

The Senior girls’ basketball players were recognized on Monday, Feb. 10. Congratulations and best wishes to Kate, Anna, Abby, and Audrey. We are excited to see what the future has in store for each of these young ladies.

The Lady Warriors brought home the Championship hardware from the Carrollton Tournament. Audrey Gilman, Kate Zipprich, and Stella Gress were named to the All-Tournament Team. Congratulations to the team, coaches, and players.

Congratulations to Conner Longnecker who broke the all-time leading scorning record set by Mitch Bick. He broke the record at home playing against Pleasant Hill on February 11. He continues to improve, increasing the new record. Great work Conner.

Conner also signed with Quincy University on February 5th, with his commitment to play football. We wish him all the best and are excited to see him play at the next level, while also continuing his academic career. Congratulations to Anna Oswald, Kate Zipprich, and Audrey Gilman as they have been selected for the Silver Medallion Academic Excellence Award. This year’s banquet will be held at Lewis and Clark Community College on April 10th.

Congratulations to Kate Zipprich and Conner Longnecker as they have been nominated for the IHSA All Academic All State Scholar Athletic Award for Calhoun. Applications were due Friday, February 14. FFA WEEK: has been moved to February 24 – 28.

The Junior class took the second practice ACT test on February 11th. The 3rd practice test is scheduled for March 27, off campus at the Presbyterian Hall in Hardin. The ACT test will be given on Thursday, April 10 at the Presbyterian Hall in Hardin. Mrs. Smith has been working diligently with the Jersey 100 district and our regional reprehensive to start a STEPS program here in Calhoun. This program would assist students with IEP’s and 504’s with work-based learning skills, job skills and career experience within our own community. We are excited to move towards getting the program up and running.

Teacher evaluations are finished, but the summative evaluations have to be completed with 2 employees. Classroom walkthroughs continue to be done weekly.

Mrs. Smith has been working diligently with the Jersey 100 district and our regional reprehensive to start a STEPS program here in Calhoun. This program would assist students with IEP’s and 504’s with work-based learning skills, job skills and career experience within our own community. We are excited to move towards getting the program up and running.

The gym floor still continues to be a concern with being slick for games, even after being wet mopped. We may need to discuss a course of action over the summer.

Superintendents Report:

Review of Non-Certified Seniority List - Categories include; Paraprofessionals, Bus Drivers, Custodians, Cooks, Secretaries, Administrative Assistant, Accounts Manager, Human Resources, Transportation Supervisor,

Maintenance Supervisor, Groundskeeper, & Early Childhood - Parent Educators. The list was sent out for staff review on Jan. 22. Corrections were made and the Final Non-Certified Seniority List was given to the CEA Union President on Feb. 1.

School Calendar Amendment Information - Jan. 6 - Emergency Day #1 (Teacher In-service), Jan. 7 - Emergency Day #2 (Student Contact Day), Jan. 10 & 21 - eLearning Days #1 & #2, and Feb. 12 - eLearning Day #3. Move Emergency Day #1 Teacher In-service to March 3 - Casimir Pulaski Day. Move Emergency Day #2 to the end of the year. May 22 will become Last Student Contact Day - pushing Teacher In-service Day to May 23. We have used 3 of the 5 eLearning Days. These days are considered Student Contact Days. Fall Sports Coach Evaluations Completed - Cheri Burris has completed the following coach evaluations for Jr. High Baseball (Riley Caselton), Jr. High Softball (Jeff Kamp), HS Football (Aaron Elmore), HS Volleyball (Melissa Zipprich), & Jr. Girls Basketball (Lauren Eilerman). If you have any questions or concerns in regards to coaches, they can be discussed during the Closed Session.

Five Certified Positions being filled with Full Time Long Term Substitutes - The following positions are being filled with long term subs; Elem. Teacher (Lauren Eilerman), Elem. Sped. Teacher (Breann Hickey), HS Sped teacher (Lexi Law), HS Math (Scott Kiel), & JH Science (Greg Presley). Our plan is to rehire those working on a Professional Educator License (PEL). They will be accountable for turning in documentation towards certification. Building Principals and myself met with all staff on Feb. 5th & 6th to discuss where they are in the process. Each person is aware that they will be released each year until certification is obtained. These Positions were posted on Feb. 10th and should remain posted until filled by a highly certified teacher. If one of the positions remains unfilled, a long term sub. could apply for any open position for the 2025-2026 school. If you have specific questions or concerns in regards to long term subs filling these positions and where they are in the certification process, they can be discussed during the Closed Session.

Update on additional Open Positions for the 2025-2026 school year - The plan is to move Cheri to HS/AD as there is a need for HS Sped. Co-Teaching and a HS Health Teacher so they could offer at least two sections of health. This would then allow more sections of PE, as the classes are large. This move opens up the Elem. PE

Teacher/ MS Health. This could support more scheduling flexibility at the elem. building as they would not be working around the daily AD Schedule and we could offer health to both 7th & 8th grade. Discussion on Increasing Substitute Pay for 2025-2026 School Year - Current Sub Pay is $110/day. I have info to share on what other districts are paying in our region. Currently our hourly employees (paraprofessionals & sub. for paraprofessionals) make more money than a Sub Teacher. Their daily rate is $120. Attorney Fees Increasing - Guin Mundorf LLC, Barney Mundorf (attorney). We received notice that starting January 2025 there is an hourly rate increase by $10. Hourly rate was $250/ hour.

Brussels, St. Mary’s, St. Norbert’s Co-Op Agreements for Extracurricular Activities - Agreement ends April 30th. I’ve had some general conversations with their new superintendent Dr. Nancy Bitner. Their board has questions in regards to equitable share of fees & transportation, especially when they have a sport with no students participating. We need to move forward with some discussions and review of the Co-op Agreement. Is there a Board Member who would like to be a part of these discussions? Nate Sagez and Jackie Baalman.

A motion was made by Jackie Baalman, seconded by Adam Gerson that the Board of Education approves to use Casimir Pulaski Day as a teacher in-service day.

Board polled:

Baalman – yes     Nelson –yes

Fraley – yes         Sagez – yes

Gerson – yes       Tepen – absent

Gress – absent

Motion carried.

A motion was made by Hannah Nelson, seconded by Adam Gerson that the Board of Education approves the Amended 2024-25 School Calendar as presented.

Board polled:

Baalman – yes     Nelson –yes

Fraley – yes         Sagez – yes

Gerson – yes       Tepen – absent

Gress – absent

Motion carried.

A motion was made by Adam Gerson, seconded by Hannah Nelson that the Board of Education approves the honorable dismissal of full time long term substitutes hired during the 2024-25 school year.

Board polled:

Baalman – yes     Nelson –yes

Fraley – yes         Sagez – yes

Gerson – yes       Tepen – absent

Gress – absent

Motion carried.

Executive Session:

A motion was made at 5:56 p.m. by Jackie Baalman, seconded by Hannah Nelson that the Board of Education enters into executive session.

The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the District or legal counsel for the District, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee or against legal counsel for the District to determine its validity. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1). Collective negotiating matters between the District and its employees or their representatives, or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2). Student disciplinary cases. 5ILCS120/2(c)(9).

Board polled:

Baalman – yes     Nelson –yes

Fraley – yes         Sagez – yes

Gerson – yes       Tepen – absent

Gress – absent

Motion carried.

A motion was made by Hannah Nelson, seconded by Adam Gerson that the Board of Education return to Open Session at 7:14 p.m. to continue meeting and take any appropriate action.

Board polled:

Baalman – yes     Nelson –yes

Fraley – yes         Sagez – yes

Gerson – yes       Tepen – absent

Gress – absent

Motion carried.

A motion was made by Hannah Nelson, seconded by Jackie Baalman that the Board of Education approves the personnel recommendations as presented for the 2024-2025 school year.

Resignations: Michael Kerback, Elem. Cook, Lexi Cramsey, Elem. Secretary and Dylan Lorsbach, Van Route to Carrollton (PM)

Substitutes: Kimberly Wilks, Sub. Teacher and Patrick McGlasson, Sub. Teacher

Board polled:

Baalman – yes     Nelson –yes

Fraley – yes         Sagez – yes

Gerson – yes       Tepen – absent

Gress – absent

Motion carried.

Informational Items:

February 22 – Farm Bureau Dinner

March 18 – School Board Meeting at 5:30 pm

Correspondence

With no further business to discuss, a motion made by Jackie Baalman, seconded by Hannah Nelson that the Board of Education adjourns the meeting at 7:15 p.m.

Board polled:

Baalman – yes     Nelson –yes

Fraley – yes         Sagez – yes

Gerson – yes       Tepen – absent

Gress – absent

Motion carried.

https://calhoun40.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/9-February-18-2025-Public-Hearing-and-Regular-Meeting-Minutes.pdf