Quincy Reporter

West Central Community Unit School District #235 Board of Education met Aug. 1.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The meeting was called to order by President Schaley at 6:02 p.m. in the Middle School Library. The following board members answered roll call: Bigger, Chockley, Clark, Higgins, Schaley and Vancil. Gullberg was absent. President Schaley declared a quorum present. Also present were Superintendent Day, J. Shultz, K. Lafary, J. Peters, S. Ryner, J. Kirby, J. Zaiser, and Danielle Covert.

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

GOOD NEWS ITEMS

Under good news items the following items were highlighted:

Regional Office of Education Summerfest held on July 13, 2023

• Twomey Foundation Annual $5000 donation

• Twomey Foundation $10,000 donation for the WCHS Greenhouse $5,000 Compeer Grant for the WCHS Greenhouse

APPROVE AGENDA

Motion by Bigger, seconded by Clark to approve the agenda as presented. Majority of Ayes by Voice Vote. Motion carried.

COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC

No comment from the public.

CONSENT AGENDA

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

The minutes of the Board Retreat of July 22, 2023;

The payment of all bills;

The Treasurer's Report for June 2023;

The resignation of Rosemary Griffin as WCEL Teacher;

The resignation of Amy Lox as WCEL Title paraprofessional;

The approval of PRESS Policy Update 112 - Second Reading;

The approval to increase the High School Imprest Account Balance to $4,000.

On roll call the following members voted aye: Bigger, Chockley, Clark, Higgins, Schaley, and Vancil. 6-0 Motion carried.

DISCUSSION ITEMS

Superintendent Day provided a quick update on summer work that has taken place since school has been out. The HVAC project is coming along and will be running before school starts. The Middle School has been running for about a week and the North Campus will be turned on by the end of this week (August 4). There has been a LOT of painting done at the South Campus. The high school window project is still waiting for a timeline from the supplier on when the windows will be shipped, then a plan for installation will be made. Due to the HVAC work we are behind in getting rooms cleaned and ready for the new school year, especially at the elementary building. We anticipate all classrooms being finished and ready for teachers to come in by Monday, August 7.

A discussion was held about the Board Retreat from July 22, 2023. Board members felt the retreat went well and was productive. There is a request to do multiple 'work sessions' in the school year, possibly once a semester. District Goals were presented to consider and at the August 16th Board Meeting, final goals for the district will be determined. Goals will be in the following areas (possible goals/information are listed here):

a. Facilities - The Building and Grounds Committee will prepare a comprehensive needs list for the district to present to the Board by the end of the 2023-2024 school year in order to make plans on how to move forward in the future.

b. Curriculum - The administration will research the need and effectiveness of a District Curriculum

Director and present their findings to the Board in the future. Each building will focus on their specific SIP goals that were presented and approved in May 2023.

c. Staff Recruitment/Retainment - A mentoring program will be implemented during the 2023-2024 school year for new teachers. Data on salaries and benefits from area schools will be collected for use during the Spring 2024 WCATS Contract Negotiations.

ACTION ITEMS

Motion by Clark, seconded by Vancil to approve the 2023-2024 District Student Handbook changes as presented. On roll call the following members voted aye: Chockley, Clark, Higgins, Schaley, Vancil, and Bigger. 6-0 Motion carried.

Motion by Bigger, seconded by Bigger to approve the increase in the WCHS athletic official pay for the 2023-2024 school year as presented. On roll call the following members voted aye: Clark, Higgins, Schaley, Vancil, Bigger, and Chockley 6-0 Motion carried.

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

There were requests from board members for the following topics to be placed on the August 16th Board Meeting Agenda: Board Athletic Committee, Cell Phones and Working Session Dates/Plans.

CLOSED SESSION

Motion by Clark, seconded by Chockley to adjourn to closed meeting pursuant of the Illinois Open Meetings Act - 5ILCS 120/2 (2) (16) at 6:22 p.m. to discuss the following subjects:

A. Personnel - 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. Negotiations - 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;

Majority of Ayes by Voice Vote. Motion carried.

The Board took a short break and reconvened in the Middle School Library at 6:24 p.m. On roll call the following members answered roll call: Bigger, Chockley, Clark, Higgins, Schaley, and Vancil. Also present was S. Day. S. Ryner was called in at 7:16 pm and J. Kirby was called in at 7:33 pm.

Motion by Bigger, seconded by Chockley to return to open session at 8:07 p.m. On roll call the following members answered roll call: Bigger, Chockley, Clark, Higgins, Schaley, and Vancil. 6-0 Motion carried.

The Board took a short break and reconvened in the Middle School Library at 8:08 p.m. On roll call the following members answered roll call: Bigger, Chockley, Clark, Higgins, Schaley, and Vancil.

PERSONNEL ACTION

Motion by Chockley, seconded by Bigger to approve Joshua Higgins as WCMS Volunteer Baseball/Softball Coach as presented. On roll call the following members voted aye: Bigger, Chockley, Clark, Schaley, and Vancil. Higgins abstained. 5-0 Motion carried.

Motion by Clark, seconded by Bigger to approve the employment of DeeAnn Tate as WCHS Paraprofessional as presented. On roll call the following members voted aye: Chockley, Clark, Higgins, Vancil, and Bigger. Schaley abstained. 5-0 Motion carried.

Motion by Clark, seconded by Vancil to approve the personnel items as presented. On roll call the following members voted aye: Clark, Higgins, Schaley, Vancil, Bigger, and Chockley. 6-0 Motion carried.

FUTURE MEETING DATE

The Board was reminded that the next regular Board Meeting will be held on Wednesday, August 16, 2023. The regular August Board Meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m. and be held in the elementary cafeteria.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Bigger, seconded by Vancil to adjourn at 8:10 p.m. Majority of Ayes by Voice Vote. Motion carried.

https://www.wc235.k12.il.us/vimages/shared/vnews/stories/64d53c3a6de89/Special%20Meeting%2C%20August%201%2C%202023.pdf