Quincy Reporter

West Central Community Unit School District #235 Board of Education met July 15.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

The meeting was called to order by President Arnold at 6:00 pm in the Elementary Cafeteria. The following board members answered roll call: Arnold, aye; Bigger, aye; Clark, aye; Lenahan, aye; Lumbeck, aye; Schaley, aye; Spence, aye. President Arnold declared a quorum present. The following were in attendance: WCHS Principal Jason Kirby, WCMS Principal Joe Peters, WCES Assistant Principal Andrea Frieden, Technology Director Melinda Frakes. Via Zoom: WCES Principal Kathy Lafary, WCHS Assistant Principal Shane Tucker, and Teacher Cathie Smith. Also present were Paige Torrance, Jessica Burrell, Amy Ford, Superintendent Markey and N. Clark.

President Arnold then led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.

GOOD NEWS ITEMS

Under good news items the following items were highlighted:

 A letter was received from SIU with regards of a WCHS student stating that the university would gladly accept more students from WCHS.

APPROVE AGENDA

Motion by Clark, seconded by Lumbeck to approve the agenda as presented. Roll call: Arnold, aye; Bigger, aye; Clark, aye; Lenahan, aye; Lumbeck, aye; Schaley, aye; Spence, aye. Motion carried.

RECOGNITION OF AUDIENCE REQUEST FOR PRESENTATION

There was no one in attendance to address the board on any of the agenda items during the audience request for presentation.

CONSENT AGENDA

Motion by Clark, seconded by Bigger to approve the consent agenda including the following items:

 The minutes of the Regular Meeting of June 17, 2020;

 The minutes of the Closed Session of June 17, 2020;

 The payment of all bills;

 The Treasurer’s Reports for April, May and June 2020.

Roll call: Clark, aye; Lenahan, aye; Lumbeck, aye; Schaley, aye; Spence, aye; Arnold, aye; Bigger, aye. Motion carried.

DISCUSSION ITEMS

The Board heard an update from Superintendent Markey regarding the ongoing summer work projects.

Superintendent Markey presented the unaudited FY20 Budget Summary as of June 30, 2020. Preliminary numbers indicate that we operated in FY20 under budget in all areas.

Superintendent Markey updated the board regarding the emails we have been receiving in regards to either selling or leasing our FCC license. We currently are not using this license.

Superintendent Markey also shared several reopening options as well as the pros, cons, and special considerations of each option. Superintendent Markey communicated to the Board that she recommended a hybrid Reopening Plan where students are separated into two groups with one group attending in-person on Mondays and Tuesdays, the other group attending in-person on Thursdays and Fridays, and with Wednesdays being a Remote Learning Day for all students. She communicated that this plan would allow for greater social distancing both on the school bus and in the school buildings and would reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19 by having half of the students in attendance at one time. She communicated that this would also allow a slower approach to in-person learning, allowing the staff to more efficiently implement the other requirements and guidelines as outlined by the Illinois State Board of Education. Superintendent Markey also presented the staff and parent survey results to the Board regarding reopening school. Both the staff and parent survey results favored a hybrid approach when reopening school. Superintendent Markey cautioned the Board that approving a plan that did not allow for the requirements of the Illinois State Board of Education, including six feet of social distancing, to be followed could be considered willful and wanton negligence, and that the District and each Board member could be held individually liable. The Board directed Superintendent Markey to proceed with the recommended

hybrid plan with half of the students in attendance at one time.

REPORTS

There were no reports this month

ACTION ITEMS

Motion by Clark, seconded by Schaley to approve the lease of a JD 5090 cab utility tractor and a 540M loader for 12 months, for a total hourly lease amount of $22.00 per hour for 350 hours for a total lease amount of $7,700 as presented. Roll call: Lenahan, aye; Lumbeck, aye; Schaley, aye; Spence, aye; Arnold, aye; Bigger, aye; Clark, aye. Motion carried.

Motion by Bigger, seconded by Arnold to approve the West Central C.U.S.D. #235 Consolidated District Plan as presented. Roll call: Lumbeck, aye; Schaley, aye; Spence, aye; Arnold, aye; Bigger, aye; Clark, aye; Lenahan, aye. Motion carried.

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

Board members were asked to contact Superintendent Markey with any future agenda items.

CLOSED SESSION

Motion by Clark, seconded by Bigger to adjourn to closed meeting pursuant of the Illinois Open Meetings Act - 5ILCS 120/2 (2)(16) at 7:47 pm to discuss the following subjects:

A. The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee of the public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity;

B. Collective negotiating matters between the school board and its employees or their representatives, or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees;

C. The placement of individual students in special education programs and other matters relating to individual students.

D. Discussion of minutes of meetings lawfully closed under the Open Meetings Act, whether for purposes of school board approval of the minutes or semi-annual review of the minutes as required by the act.

Roll call: Arnold, aye; Bigger, aye; Clark, aye; Lenahan, aye; Lumbeck, aye; Schaley, aye; Spence, aye. Motion carried.

The Board took a short break and reconvened in the North Campus Library room at 7:50 pm. Roll call: Arnold, aye; Bigger, aye; Clark, aye; Lenahan, aye; Lumbeck, aye; Schaley, aye; Spence, aye.

Motion by Bigger, seconded by Lumbeck to return to open meeting at 8:10 pm. Roll call: Arnold, aye; Bigger, aye; Clark, aye; Lenahan, aye; Lumbeck, aye; Schaley, aye; Spence, aye. Motion carried.

The Board took a short break and reconvened in the elementary cafeteria at 8:12 pm. Roll call: Arnold, aye; Bigger, aye; Clark, aye; Lenahan, aye; Lumbeck, aye; Schaley, aye; Spence, aye.

PERSONNEL ACTION

Motion by Bigger, seconded by Lumbeck to approve the resignation of Jenny Adair as West Central Middle School Math Teacher as presented with thanks for her service to the district. Roll call: Schaley, aye; Spence, aye; Arnold, aye; Bigger, aye; Clark, aye; Lenahan, aye; Lumbeck, aye. Motion carried.

Motion by Clark, seconded by Lumbeck to approve the resignation of Sheryl Young as District Associate as presented with thanks for her service to the district. Roll call: Schaley, aye; Spence, aye; Arnold, aye; Bigger, aye; Clark, aye; Lenahan, aye; Lumbeck, aye. Motion carried.

Motion by Bigger, seconded by Clark to approve employment of Tamara Rankin as a part-time WCHS Science Teacher as presented. Roll call: Clark, aye; Lenahan, aye; Lumbeck, aye; Schaley, aye; Spence, aye; Arnold, aye; Bigger, aye. Motion carried.

Motion by Clark, seconded by Bigger to approve the resolution to release school board closed session minutes per exhibit “A” and “B” as presented. Roll call: Lenahan, aye; Lumbeck, aye; Schaley, aye; Spence, aye; Arnold, aye; Bigger, aye; Clark, aye. Motion carried.

Motion by Bigger, seconded by Clark to approve a three-year contract for Joe Peters as presented. Roll call: Lumbeck, aye; Schaley, aye; Spence, aye; Arnold, aye; Bigger, aye; Clark, aye; Lenahan, aye. Motion carried.

Motion by Clark, seconded by Bigger to approve a three-year contract for Andrea Frieden as presented. Roll call: Schaley, aye; Spence, aye; Arnold, aye; Bigger, aye; Clark, aye; Lenahan, aye; Lumbeck, aye. Motion carried.

Motion by Clark, seconded by Bigger to approve a three-year contract for Shane Tucker as presented. Roll call: Spence, aye; Arnold, aye; Bigger, aye; Clark, aye; Lenahan, aye; Lumbeck, aye; Schaley, aye. Motion carried.

Motion by Bigger, seconded by Clark to approve a one-year contract for Shaila Ayer as presented. Roll call: Arnold, aye; Bigger, aye; Clark, aye; Lenahan, aye; Lumbeck, aye; Schaley, aye; Spence, aye. Motion carried.

Motion by Clark, seconded by Lumbeck to approve a one-year contract of Mallory Nelson as presented. Roll call: Bigger, aye; Clark, aye; Lenahan, aye; Lumbeck, aye; Schaley, aye; Spence, aye; Arnold, aye. Motion carried.

Motion by Bigger, seconded by Clark, to approve a one-year contract for Paige Torrance as presented. Roll call: Clark, aye; Lenahan, aye; Lumbeck, aye; Schaley, aye; Spence, aye; Arnold, aye; Bigger, aye. Motion carried.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Clark, seconded by Bigger to adjourn at 8:17 pm. The vote was unanimous. Motion carried.

https://www.wc235.k12.il.us/vimages/shared/vnews/stories/5f3fd62b8d7a4/Board%20Minutes%2007-15-2020.pdf