Quincy Reporter

West Central Community Unit School District 235 Board of Education met June 18.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

PUBLIC HEARING FOR FY24 AMENDED BUDGET

The hearing was called to order by President Schaley at 5:45 p.m., in the library. The following board members answered roll call: Bigger, Clark, Gullberg, Schaley and Vancil. Board members Chockley and Higgins were absent.

President Schaley declared a quorum present. Also present were Superintendent Day, Building Administrators: K. Lafary, J. Kirby, and J. Zaiser.

Superintendent Day explained the hearing was a formal step for amending the FY24 Budget. No. members of the public were present to address the Board.

ADJOURNMENT

President Schaley declared the public hearing adjourned at 5:49 p.m. Motion by Bigger, seconded by Gullberg. Majority of Ayes by Voice Vote. Motion carried.

PUBLIC HEARING FOR PAVING WORK

The hearing was called to order by President Schaley at 5:49 p.m., in the Elementary Cafeteria. The following board members answered roll call: Bigger, Clark, Gullberg, Schaley and Vancil. Board members Chockley and Higgins were absent.

President Schaley declared a quorum present. Also present were Superintendent Day, Building Administrators: K. Lafary, J. Kirby, and J. Zaiser.

Superintendent Day explained the hearing was a required step in order to use life safety funds for paving work. No members of the public were present to address the Board.

As part of the 10 year Health Life Safety Survey process, it has been determined that there is a substantial, immediate, and unavoidable threat to the health, safety, and/or welfare of pupils due to disrepair of school sidewalks, playgrounds, parking lots, or school bus turnarounds; currently, there is Health/Life Safety work, HS amendment #31 and MS amendment #37, in progress and the proposed paving work must be completed in conjunction with such work. However, all previous Health/Life Safety projects have been completed and are in compliance.

ADJOURNMENT

President Schaley declared the public hearing adjourned at 5:50 p.m. Motion by Clark, seconded by Bigger. Majority of Ayes by Voice Vote. Motion carried.

RECONVENED

The Board reconvened for the Regular Board of Education Meeting at 6:00 p.m., in the West Central Library for the Regular Meeting. The following Board members answered roll call: Bigger, Clark, Gullberg, Schaley and Vancil. Board members Chockley and Higgins were absent.

President Schaley declared a quorum present. Also present were Superintendent Day, Building Administrators: K. Lafary, J. Kirby, and J. Zaiser.

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

GOOD NEWS ITEMS

Under good news items the following items were highlighted:

Our Seniors enjoyed the annual Senior Walk by parading down to the elementary where they were welcomed by cheers, posters of congratulations, bubbles and music.

A big thank you to ALL of our staff who made the 2023-2024 school year a success! We hope they enjoy their summer break and can't wait for August to welcome everyone back in the buildings!

Softball All State Players

APPROVE AGENDA

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

COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC

There were no remarks from the public at this meeting.

CONSENT AGENDA

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

The minutes of the FY24 Paving Work Hearing and Regular Meeting of May 15, 2024;

The minutes of the Closed Session of May 15, 2024;

The payment of all bills and any bills received on or before June 30, 2024;

The activity accounts;

The Treasurer's Report for May 2024;

The approval of Authorization to Spend;

The approval of our Continued Participation with Illinois Association of School Boards.

On roll call the following members voted aye: Gullberg, Schaley, Vancil, Bigger, and Clark. 5-0 Motion carried.

ACTION ITEMS

Motion by Clark, seconded by Gullberg to approve the FY24 Amended Budget as presented. On roll call the following members voted aye: Schaley, Vancil, Bigger, Clark and Gullberg. 5-0 Motion carried.

Motion by Clark, seconded by Bigger to approve the early graduation request of Emma Campbell, Maddie Garner, Alexia Hall, and Ellie Skiles, pending completion of all graduation requirements as presented. On roll call the following members voted aye: Vancil, Bigger, Clark, Gullberg, and Schaley. 5-0 Motion carried.

Motion by Clark, seconded by Bigger to approve the employment of Brooke Day as District Bookkeeper as presented. On roll call the following members voted aye: Bigger, Clark, Gullberg, Schaley, and Vancil. 5-0 Motion carried.

Motion by Clark, seconded by Gullberg to approve the employment of Brittney Kugler as Middle School Principal, as presented. On roll call the following members voted aye: Clark, Gullberg, Schaley, Vancil, and Bigger. 5-0 Motion carried.

Motion by Clark, seconded by Bigger to approve the change of signatory names from Karlie Johnson to Brooke Day on the Imprest Account at Midwest Bank of Western Illinois. From Karlie Johnson to Brooke Day on the District Credit Card. From Sara Ryner to Brittney Kugler on the WCMS Imprest Account at Midwest Bank of Western Illinois. From Sara Ryner to Brittney Kugler on the WCMS Activity Account at Bank of Stronghurst. The removal of Nancy Clark and Karlie Johson on the WCHS Imprest Account at Midwest Bank of Western Illinois. On roll call the following members voted aye: Gullberg, Schaley, Vancil, Bigger, and Clark. 5-0 Motion carried.

Motion by Clark, seconded by Bigger to approve the FY25 Consolidated District Plan as presented. On roll call the following members voted aye: Schaley, Vancil, Bigger, Clark, and Gullberg. 5-0 Motion carried.

Motion by Bigger, seconded by Clark to approve the Board Meeting Dates for the 2024-2025 school year. On roll call the following members voted aye: Vancil, Bigger, Clark, Gullberg, and Schaley. 5-0 Motion carried.

Motion by Bigger, seconded by Clark to approve the negotiated health insurance rates with BCBS, including vision, dental and life insurance plans as presented. On roll call the following members voted aye: Bigger, Clark, Gullberg, Schaley, and Vancil. 5-0 Motion carried.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Clark seconded by Bigger to temporarily adjourn at 6:17 p.m., and reconvene on June 27, 2024, at 6:00 p.m., in the West Central Library. Majority of Ayes by Voice Vote. Motion carried.

RECONVENED - MEETING REGULAR MEETING JUNE 27, 2024

The Board reconvened at 6:00 p.m., in the West Central Library for the Regular Meeting. The following Board members answered roll call: Bigger, Clark, Gullberg, Schaley and Higgins. Board members Chockley and Vancil were absent.

President Schaley declared a quorum present. Also present were Superintendent Day, District Administrators: Kathy Lafary, Jason Kirby, and Board Recording Secretary, Jaime Shultz. Also present was the Middle School SIP Team, led by Byron Helt.

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

APPROVE AGENDA

Motion by Clark, seconded by Bigger to approve the agenda as presented with the addition of Item 11-C Litigation in closed session. Majority of Ayes by Voice Vote. Motion carried.

COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC

There were no remarks from the public at this meeting.

The WCMS SIP Plan was presented by the SIP members. They shared their strengths, weaknesses and plans for improvement for the 2024-2025 school year.

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

DISCUSSION ITEMS

There was only one FOIA request for this month from SmartProcure. They ask for information about vendors, contact information, materials purchased and cost.

The Board discussed the upcoming Board Retreat. The retreat will be held on Saturday, July 27, 2024 from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at a location TBD. The Board will discuss different facets of the District and will work to set goals for the upcoming school year. The agenda will be posted soon.

The Board had a short discussion about scoreboards throughout the district. AD Zaiser requested estimates from different companies and the rough estimates for new high school scoreboards are between $10,000-$15,000. We also are required to have shot clocks for varsity basketball starting the 2026-2027 school year. We will work in the coming months to find more detailed estimates and options for the District to consider in the future, including opportunities for advertising that could help provide revenue for the new boards.

The Board held a discussion about the status of the District Grounds. Superintendent Day will work with the grounds crew to create a plan to better maintain and ensure that the grounds are in the best

shape possible. We will look into the current equipment and consider purchasing different equipment to better handle the needs of the District.

The Board discussed the current status of the weight room and the need for updated equipment and possible reconfiguration of the space, due to the increase in numbers of students using the space and the change in curriculum for next school year. Superintendent Day will work with Principal Kirby and others to determine a plan for needs and adjustments to the current space for improvements.

REPORTS

The Board reviewed and heard reports from the Building Principals K. Lafary and J. Kirby.

ACTION ITEMS

Motion Clark seconded by Gullberg to approve the 2023-2024 SAT Prep Stipend for Michael Holloran and Ryan Muegge in the amount of $1,000 each. On roll call the following members voted aye: Clark, Gullberg, Higgins, Schaley, and Bigger. 5-0 Motion carried.

Motion by Bigger, seconded by Higgins to approve the 2024-2025 athletic code changes as presented. On roll call the following members voted aye: Gullberg, Higgins, Schaley, Bigger, and Clark. 5-0 Motion carried.

Motion by Bigger, seconded by Clark to approve the 2024-2025 District Student Handbook changes as presented. On roll call the following members voted aye: Higgins, Schaley, Bigger, Clark, and Gullberg. 5-0 Motion carried.

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

Board members were asked to contact Superintendent Day with 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 7:40 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 District Office conference room at 7:46 p.m. On roll call the following members answered roll call: Bigger, Clark, Gullberg, Higgins, and Schaley.

Motion by Bigger, seconded by Gullberg to return to open session at 9:05 p.m. On roll call the following members answered roll call: Bigger, Clark, Gullberg, Higgins, and Schaley.

The Board took a short break and reconvened in the West Central Library at 9:07 p.m. On roll call the following members answered roll call: Bigger, Clark, Gullberg, Higgins, and Schaley.

PERSONNEL ACTION

Motion by Bigger, seconded by Higgins to approve the rehire of Spring coaches.

On roll call the following members voted aye: Higgins, Schaley, Bigger, Gullberg. Clark abstained. 4-0 Motion carried.

Motion by Clark, seconded by Bigger to approve the personnel agenda as follows:

Please note: the new appointments are pending completion of all certifications, requirements, and clearance on the state required background investigation.

On roll call the following members voted aye: Schaley, Bigger, Clark, Gullberg, and Higgins. 5-0 Motion carried.

Motion by Clark, seconded by Bigger to approve the 2024-2025 exempt staff salaries as presented. On roll call the following members voted aye: Bigger, Clark, Gullberg, Higgins, and Schaley. 5-0 Motion carried.

Motion by Clark, seconded by Bigger to approve the exempt staff contracts as presented. On roll call the following members voted aye: Clark, Gullberg, Higgins, Schaley, and Bigger. 5-0 Motion carried.

Motion by Higgins, seconded by Gullberg to approve the Resolution to release Closed Session Minutes per Exhibits A and B and destroy the verbatim recordings per Exhibit C, as presented. On roll call the following members voted aye: Higgins, Schaley, Bigger, Clark, and Gullberg. 5-0 Motion carried.

Motion by Bigger, seconded by Higgins to approve the WCATS 2024-2027 Agreement as presented. On roll call the following members voted aye: Schaley, Bigger, Clark, Gullberg, and Higgins. 5-0 Motion carried.

https://www.wc235.k12.il.us/vnews/display.v/SEC/District%7CBoard%20of%20Education%3E%3EBoard%20Meeting%20Approved%20Minutes