Sesser-Valier Community Unit School District 196 Board of Education met March 13.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
CALL TO ORDER
A regular meeting of the Board of Education of Sesser-Valier Community Unit School District No. 196 was held in the High School Library at 6:00 PM on Monday, March 13, 2023. The meeting was called to order by President Megan Rounds.
ROLL CALL
Secretary Zimbro called the roll with the following result:
Members Present: Acosta, Barry, Rounds, Sample, Spence, Stacey
Members Absent: Menser
Staff Present: J. Henry, N. Page, K. Jones, L. Zimbro, B. Gunter, R. Payne, J. Hollis, K. Spotanski, T. Masters
Visitors Present: Christie Sweely, Jessica Hollis, Ava Hollis, Cohen Hollis, Jaxon Hollis, Vickie Hollis, John Hollis, David Willmore, Clark Lance, Brian Laur
PUBLIC COMMENT & CORRESPONDENCE
Acosta reported that the recent VFW essay-writing and public speaking competition was a success and thanked those that participated.
President Rounds asked for any public comments. Johnny Hollis addressed the board regarding his recent, reluctant resignation as HS Girls Basketball Coach by reading a prepared statement. Mr. Hollis thanked the students, parents and staff that supported him.
Board Member Jennifer Menser arrived at 6:10 PM.
REPORTS
SVEA: Rachel Payne reported on recent teacher activities including: Dr. Suess Week, the U.S. Constitution test for JHS students, FFA petting zoo and upcoming events. Payne shared the SVEA's position regarding the resignation of Johnny Hollis from the High School Girls Basketball Head Coach position, indicating that the SVEA strongly disagreed with how the Board handled the matter.
LABORERS' LOCAL 773: No report.
CUSTODIAL & MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR: No report.
K-8 PRINCIPAL: Mr. Jones, Elem/JH Principal, presented information regarding the following to the board: Trust fund, recent activities, upcoming activities, Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) testing schedule, and special student recognitions.
H.S. PRINCIPAL: Mrs. Page, High School Principal, presented information regarding the following to the board: Trust fund, recent activities, upcoming activities, and special student recognitions.
SUPERINTENDENT: Mr. Henry, Superintendent, presented the following information to the board:
1. The consent agenda for this month's meeting includes the following additional item(s):
Approval of an Illinois State Police Law Enforcement Portal User Agreement
Approval of a 36-month agreement with Clearwave Fiber for phone service
Authorization for renewal of membership in the IHSA
Approval/renewal of the high school athletic cooperative with Waltonville CUSD #1 for 2023-2024 & 2024-2025
Scheduling of the reorganizational board meeting for Monday, May 8, 2023, at 6:30 PM or immediately following the regular board meeting that same evening
Approval of the 2023 graduation dates (HS: May 18, 2023; JHS: May 19, 2023)
2. Superintendent Henry received an inquiry from Du Quoin State Bank regarding the possibility of approving the Bank as one of the District's depositories. His recommendation is to add the Bank to the District's depository resolution (routinely approved in June of each year) and "test" the Bank's ability to provide competitive interest rates via an initial certificate of deposit investment. If the Bank proves to be able to handle District/public entity business, it may become an in-community option for the District's main operating account(s) in the future.
3. The first pre-construction meeting with Heartland Mechanical for Phase I of the District's Summer, 2023, HVAC project will be held in the afternoon on Friday, March 17, 2023. Heartland Mechanical is currently ordering/receiving supplies for the job and working on shop-based sheet metal work for the project. The Contractor submitted its first pay request (slated for approval at this meeting) reflecting that progress in the project. Mr. Henry expects to receive at least two more pay requests prior to the commencement of on-site work.
4. At the District's request, Durham School Services has proposed a two-year extension to the District's transportation agreement with the Company. Durham has agreed to maintain all current terms of the existing agreement, with a 6% increase in District costs for 2023-2024 and a 3.5% increase in District costs for 2024-2025. Following that two-year extension, Mr. Henry recommend that the Board act (in the Fall of 2024) to develop/issue bid specifications and solicit bids for a new agreement for 2025-2026 and beyond (as is the District's long-time practice).
5. At this month's meeting, Superintendent Henry has recommended that the Board act to post two newly-created, full-time positions in an effort to address some increasing student needs. First, district administrators are in discussions with Southern Region Early Childhood Program (SIU Pre-K) about the possibility of the District employing a full-time early childhood special education teacher and sharing half of the cost with SIU Pre-K. If that agreement can be reached, the District would not expand its current financial liability significantly and may attract a larger candidate pool than a half-time position will attract.
Second, based on the increasing social/emotional needs of K-12 students, Mr. Henry has recommended that the District post a full-time licensed school social worker position. For this position, the District would expand its current financial liability an estimated $63,000. Funding for this position would be generated using the combination of two, “soft” revenue streams, and, in the event of a downturn of revenue, the District may need to reevaluate the position. The key component of employing a school social worker is identifying a candidate that is the right "fit" for the District/position.
CONSENT AGENDA
A motion was made by Stacey and seconded by Menser approving the minutes of the previous meeting: February 13, 2023 (Regular Meeting); Treasurer's report; the bills in the amount of $399,378.11 and salaries in the amount of $390,241.62; approval of Illinois State Police Law Enforcement Portal User Agreement for School Administrators; approval of 36-month voice/phone service agreement with Clearwave Fiber; authorization for renewal of membership in Illinois High School Association (IHSA); approval/renewal of high school athletic cooperative agreement with Waltonville CUSD #1 (HS Girls Volleyball; HS Girls Golf; HS Girls Basketball; HS Girls Softball; HS Girls Track; HS Boys Football; HS Boys Golf; HS Boys Baseball; HS Boys Track) for 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 school years; schedule reorganizational board meeting (Monday, May 8, 2023, at 6:30 PM or immediately following the regular board meeting); and approval of 2023 graduation dates (HS: Thursday, May 18, 2023; JHS: Friday, May 19, 2023), as presented.
Roll call voting was as follows:
Yeas: Acosta, Barry, Menser, Rounds, Sample, Spence, Stacey
Nays: None
There being seven (7) yeas and zero (0) nays, the president declared that the motion carried.
OLD BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
DISCUSSION/STUDY/APPROVAL OF COOPERATIVE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS & GIRLS WRESTLING PROGRAM: Superintendent Henry presented a progress update regarding the formation of a high school wrestling cooperative agreement with a neighboring high school. He indicated that both Benton High School and Christopher High School were possible partners, and that Benton High School would consider the possibility at its next regular meeting on March 23, 2023. No action taken.
APPROVAL OF 2-YEAR TRANSPORTATION CONTRACT EXTENSION WITH DURHAM SCHOOL SERVICES, L.P.: A motion was made by Acosta and seconded by Barry to approve 2-year transportation contract extension with Durham School Services, L.P., as presented.
Roll call voting was as follows:
Yeas: Barry, Menser, Rounds, Sample, Spence, Stacey, Acosta
Nays: None
There being seven (7) yeas and zero (0) nays, the president declared that the motion carried.
CLOSED SESSION: At 6:55 PM, a motion was made by Stacey and seconded by Menser to enter into closed session for the purpose of discussing the following exceptions to the Open Meetings Act:
a. The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees of the public body (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1), as amended by P.A. 93- 57)
Roll call voting was as follows:
Yeas: Rounds, Sample, Spence, Stacey, Acosta, Barry, Menser
Nays: None
There being seven (7) yeas and zero (0) nays, the president declared that the motion carried.
RECONVENE FROM CLOSED SESSION: At 7:47 PM, a motion was made by Acosta and seconded by Menser to reconvene from closed session.
Voting was as follows: All voted yea. There being seven (7) yeas and zero (0) nays, the president declared that the motion carried.
PERSONNEL (NEW BUSINESS)
EMPLOYMENT OF HIGH SCHOOL MATHEMATICS TEACHER (STACY, MARTHA): A motion was made by Spence and seconded by Stacey to employ Martha Stacy as High School Mathematics Teacher, subject to her successful completion of a required, fingerprint-based criminal background check and presentation of an applicable license for the position.
Roll call voting was as follows:
Minutes of Regular Board of Education Meeting
March 13, 2023
Yeas: Spence, Stacey, Acosta, Barry, Menser, Rounds, Sample
Nays: None
There being seven (7) yeas and zero (0) nays, the president declared that the motion carried.
EMPLOYMENT OF HS GIRLS VOLLEYBALL COACH (PITCHFORD, CHEYENNE): A motion was made by Stacey and seconded by Acosta to employ Cheyenne Pitchford as High School Head Volleyball coach.
Roll call voting was as follows:
Yeas: Stacey, Acosta, Barry, Menser, Rounds, Sample, Spence
Nays: None
There being seven (7) yeas and zero (0) nays, the president declared that the motion carried.
DISMISSAL (NON-RENEWAL) OF A PROBATIONARY/NON-TENURED PROFESSIONAL EDUCATOR LICENSED (PEL) EMPLOYEE (CROSS, REBECCA): A motion was made by Spence and seconded by Acosta to adopt a Resolution Referencing the Dismissal of a Professional Educator Licensed ("PEL”) Employee regarding Rebecca Cross, as presented.
Roll call voting was as follows:
Yeas: Barry, Menser, Rounds, Sample, Spence, Stacey, Acosta
Nays: None
There being seven (7) yeas and zero (0) nays, the president declared that the motion carried.
ROUTINE PERSONNEL MATTERS/COMBINED ACTIONS: A motion was made by Stacey and seconded by Menser to approve/acknowledge/adopt the following items:
Acknowledge the following employee resignation(s) and/or retirement(s):
District Custodian: Nathan Dilliner (effective March 17, 2023)
HS Girls Head Basketball Coach: Johnny Hollis (effective at the conclusion of the season)
HS Cheerleading Sponsor: Emma Robbins (effective immediately)
Adopt the resolution "Resolution Reference Decision To Terminate Extra-Duty/Stipend Assignments And Duties" regarding Regina Tinsley as presented and that the Superintendent be authorized and directed to deliver or cause to be delivered the notice to the employee as specified in the resolution.
Adopt the resolution "Resolution Reference Decision To Terminate Extra-Duty/Stipend Assignments And Duties" regarding Leslie Hacker as presented and that the
Superintendent be authorized and directed to deliver or cause to be delivered the notice to the employee as specified in the resolution.
Adopt the resolution "Resolution Reference Decision To Terminate Extra-Duty/Stipend Assignments And Duties" regarding Tommy Holder as presented and that the Superintendent be authorized and directed to deliver or cause to be delivered the notice to the employee as specified in the resolution.
Adopt the resolution "Resolution Reference Decision To Terminate Extra-Duty/Stipend Assignments And Duties" regarding Marcus Clarry as presented and that the Superintendent be authorized and directed to deliver or cause to be delivered the notice to the employee as specified in the resolution.
Adopt the resolution "Resolution Reference Decision To Terminate Extra-Duty/Stipend Assignments And Duties" regarding Rich Houghland as presented and that the Superintendent be authorized and directed to deliver or cause to be delivered the notice to the employee as specified in the resolution.
Transfer Sierra Grider to a Junior High School Science Teacher (K-9) position, as presented.
Approve a request for intermittent, unpaid leave from District Cook Jodi Harris, as presented.
Post the following positions:
a. Early Childhood Special Education Teacher (full-time)
b. Licensed School Social Worker (full-time)
Roll call voting was as follows:
Yeas: Menser, Rounds, Sample, Spence, Stacey, Acosta, Barry
Nays: None
There being seven (7) yeas and zero (0) nays, the president declared that the motion carried.
OTHER BUSINESS
None
ADJOURNMENT: A motion was made by Acosta and seconded by Stacey to adjourn.
Voting was as follows: All voted yea. There being seven (7) yeas and zero (0) nays, the president declared that the motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 7:52 PM.
https://cdnsm5-ss2.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_5786889/File/Henry/FY23%20Board%20Meetings/March%2013,%202023,%20BdMtgMin.pdf
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