Quincy Reporter

Payson Community Unit School District #1 Board of Education met Feb. 16.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

CALL TO ORDER

Lisa Schwartz called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

ROLL CALL 

Nancy Cromie, district secretary, called roll with the following members present: Denise Albsmeyer, Keith Barry, Danelle Donley, Trista Neisen, Lisa Schwartz and Clint Twaddle. Vinson Sill was absent.

Also present were Donna Veile, Julie Phelan, Greg Buescher, Barb Speckhart, Don Miller and Nancy Cromie.

VISITORS

Diane Germann, Lucas Brass, Wes Neisen, Tahnee Bauer, Mike Zehnle

PUBLIC

Diane Germann addressed the board regarding the senior trip. It has been set for April 13-19 and there are approximately 16-20 students interested in going. She asked the district to consider covering $1000.00 of the cost for an administrator to go along. The senior class would cover the rest of it.

Lucas Brass spoke on behalf of the Athletic Club regarding the sound system in the HS gym. He presented a proposal and asked for the district to contribute to the cost. He also spoke on how well the raffle tickets sold and projects they would like to see completed. The Athletic Club purchased windscreens for both the softball and baseball diamonds.

Wes Neisen spoke up in support of the work that Lucas Brass and the Athletic Club is doing to improve the facilities.

AD REPORT

Don Miller spoke about the improvement of the HS girls’ basketball team over the course of the season. HS boys’ basketball will be hosting regionals this year. The JH volleyball team is improving daily. Baseball and softball are holding open gyms.

TECHNOLOGY REPORT

Barb Speckhart shared that access points were now installed in remote areas to help with overall connectivity. The interactive panels have been ordered and will be installed this school year.

CONSENT AGENDA

Donley made a motion to approve the consent agenda. Twaddle seconded the motion. AYE: Albsmeyer, Barry, Donley, Neisen, Twaddle and Schwartz NAY: None

SUPERINTENDENT REPORT

Donna Veile shared information that she received while attending an IASA/ISBE meeting and an insurance meeting. The 5 Essentials Survey will be open through March 31 and she encourages all parents to take it. The district did not qualify for the Tax Relief Grant. The district’s bank accounts have been changed to a sweeps account, which provides a higher interest rate.

2023 SENIOR CLASS TRIP

Barry made a motion to approve the 2023 senior class trip. Neisen seconded the motion. AYE: Twaddle, Albsmeyer, Barry, Donley, Neisen and Schwartz NAY: None

IASB POLICIES-FIRST READING

Twaddle made a motion to approve the first reading of IASB policies as listed on the agenda. Barry seconded the motion. AYE: Barry, Donley, Neisen, Twaddle, Albsmeyer and Schwartz NAY: None

GS BOILER REPLACEMENT BID

The board discussed the submitted bids. Barry made a motion to approve the Keck Heating and AC Bid A & B for the GS boiler replacement. Neisen seconded the motion. AYE: Donley, Neisen, Twaddle, Albsmeyer, Barry and Schwartz NAY: None

IL STATE HS CLAY TARGET LEAGUE

Twaddle made a motion to approve participation in the Illinois State High School Clay Target League. Barry seconded the motion. AYE: Neisen, Twaddle, Albsmeyer, Barry, Donley and Schwartz NAY: None

2023-24 SCHOOL CALENDAR

Neisen made a motion to approve the 2023-24 school calendar. Schwartz seconded the motion. AYE: Twaddle, Albsmeyer, Barry, Donley, Neisen and Schwartz NAY: None

ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL REPORT

Julie Phelan gave a report on activities at the elementary. The PBIS team is challenging students to think about sportsmanship and teamwork. Teachers spent the School Improvement Day monitoring grade level goals by taking a deep dive into midyear assessment data, monitored the school improvement plane and had a SpEd training. Tribes will be meeting to put together their Random Acts of Kindness wreath. There are currently some truancy issues. Ms. Phelan shared a slideshow prepared by 4th grade.

SECONDARY PRINCIPAL REPORT

Greg Buescher shared activities at the junior high/high school, including homecoming. The STEM class built popsicle bridges and tested their strength by attaching weights to them. The strongest was built by Bryan Dieker and held 140 pounds. Student Council held a rose fundraiser for Valentine’s Day. Sophomores attended the JWCC Career Fair day. The dance team hosted a camp on February 6th. Two HS students, Maryn Kasza and Maddie Bradshaw, have artwork featured at the Quincy Art Show. On School Improvement Day teachers did a team building activity, learned about different teaching styles and worked on curriculum mapping.

MOVE TO CLOSED SESSION

Donley made a motion to move into closed session for the purpose of discussing the employment of personnel, student matters, contracts and other items appropriate for closed session. Neisen seconded the motion. AYE: Twaddle, Albsmeyer, Barry, Donley, Neisen and Schwartz NAY: None

Entered into closed session at 8:10 p.m.

RETURN TO OPEN SESSION

Albsmeyer made a motion to return to open session. Neisen seconded the motion. AYE: Albsmeyer, Barry, Donley, Neisen, Twaddle and Schwartz NAY: None Returned to open session at 9:35 p.m.

PERSONNEL ADDENDUM

Twaddle made a motion to approve the personnel addendum. Donley seconded the motion. AYE: Donley, Neisen, Twaddle, Albsmeyer, Barry and Schwartz NAY: None

ADJOURNMENT

Neisen made a motion to adjourn. Barry seconded the motion. AYE: Neisen, Twaddle, Albsmeyer, Barry, Donley and Schwartz NAY: None Meeting adjourned at 10:08 p.m.