North Egypt News

Sesser-Valier Community Unit School District 196 Board of Education met Nov. 12.

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 Tuesday, November 12, 2024. The meeting was called to order by President Garner.

ROLL CALL

Secretary Zimbro called the roll with the following result:

Members Present: Garner, Kirk, Menser, Packer, Sample, Spence

Members Absent:Lance

Staff Present: J. Henry, N. Page, K. Jones, L. Zimbro, R. Payne, T. Masters, D. Laur

Visitors Present: Jim Muir

PUBLIC COMMENT & CORRESPONDENCE

Local resident Jim Muir presented information on a project he has been assisting other area schools with. It is a publication that students and staff organize and is sent out quarterly to local residents highlighting various school topics/highlights, including stories that residents might not have heard about. Mr. Muir stated that publications are put together with input from students and staff, while the publisher takes care of the graphic design, printing, mailing, etc. Mr. Muir noted that there may be grants available or advertising options to help with the cost of publication.

REPORTS

SVEA: R. Payne shared that she had recently attended the annual Mt. Vernon conference and that she and District Aide Heather Morgan were asked to speak on ways to foster relationships between special education teachers and paraprofessionals. She also shared other information and ideas from other speakers at the conference. Payne highlighted recent and upcoming student/staff activities.

LABORERS' LOCAL 773: No report.

CUSTODIAL & MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR: No report.

K-8 PRINCIPAL: Mr. Jones presented information regarding the following to the board: Trust fund, upcoming events, and recent activities.

H.S. PRINCIPAL: Mrs. Page presented information regarding the following to the board: Trust fund, upcoming activities, and recent events. Page shared the new "Strive for 95" campaign students are participating in to increase student attendance.

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 a field placement agreement with McKendree University

Approval of a health/life/safety survey amendment

2. Mr. Jones, Mrs. Page, and Mr. Henry will present the 2023-2024 student performance reports during this meeting. Mr. Jones & Mrs. Page will address student assessment data, and Mr. Henry will cover district summary data (separate handout) and recommendations arising out of that information. Superintendent Henry will also present some district summary information (demographics, finance, environment) that is part of the ISBE District Report Card.

3. The board goal-setting special board meeting is set for Thursday, November 14, 2024, at 6:00 PM. IASB Consultant Patrick Allen will facilitate the meeting.

CONSENT AGENDA

A motion was made by Kirk and seconded by Spence approving the minutes of the previous meeting: October 15, 2024 (Regular Board Meeting); Treasurer's report; bills in the amount of $148,543.34 and salaries in the amount of $426,670.74; approval of Field Placement Agreement (McKendree University); approval of health/life/safety survey amendment.

Roll call voting was as follows:

Yeas: Garner, Kirk, Menser, Packer, Sample, Spence

Nays: None

There being six (6) yeas and zero (0) nays, the president declared that the motion carried.

PRESENTATION OF STUDENT PERFORMANCE

Mr. Jones, Mrs. Page, and Mr. Henry presented a report regarding the 2024 ISBE School Report Card for the elementary school, junior high school, high school, and district, which included student performance on standardized tests (IAR & SAT), successful completion of the curriculum, attendance, and drop-out rates. They reported to the board on their findings as to student performance and their recommendations for curriculum or instructional changes as a result of this evaluation of student performance.

HS Principal, Natalie Page, presented information on the current Sesser-Valier High School semester exam policy. Discussion followed. No action was taken.

OLD BUSINESS

None

CLOSED SESSION: At 7:50 PM, a motion was made by Spence and seconded by Sample 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)

b. Collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives, or deliberations concerning the salary schedule for one or more classes of employees (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2)

c. The selection of a person to fill a public office, including a vacancy in a public office, when the District is given power to appoint under law or ordinance, or the discipline, performance or removal of the occupant of a public office, when the District is given power to remove the occupant under law or ordinance (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(3))

Roll call voting was as follows:

Yeas: Garner, Kirk, Menser, Packer, Sample, Spence

Nays: None

There being six (6) yeas and zero (0) nays, the president declared that the motion carried.

RECONVENE FROM CLOSED SESSION: At 8:09 PM, a motion was made by Menser and seconded by Packer to reconvene from closed session.

Voting was as follows: All voted yea. There being six (6) yeas and zero (0) nays, the president declared the motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS

APPOINTMENT OF SCHOOL BOARD STUDENT MEMBER (ROUNDS, MAYA): A motion was made by Menser and seconded by Kirk to appoint Maya Rounds as a school board student member.

Roll call voting was as follows:

Yeas: Garner, Kirk, Menser, Packer, Sample, Spence

Nays: None

There being six (6) yeas and zero (0) nays, the president declared that the motion carried.

PERSONNEL (NEW BUSINESS)

None

OTHER BUSINESS

In response to a previous inquiry, High School Principal Natalie Page presented information regarding public attendance at SVHS Homecoming student activities. Discussion followed. No action was taken.

ADJOURNMENT: A motion was made by Spence and seconded by Sample to adjourn.

Voting was as follows: All voted yea. There being six (6) yeas and zero (0) nays, the president declared the motion carried.

The meeting adjourned at 8:20 PM.

https://cdnsm5-ss2.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_5786889/File/Henry/FY25%20Board%20Meetings/Nov%2012,%202024,%20BdMtgMin.pdf