Quincy Reporter

West Central Community Unit School District 235 Board of Education met March 19.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The meeting was called to order by President Schaley at 6:00 p.m. in the elementary cafeteria. The following board members answered roll call: Bigger, Chockley, Clark, Gullberg, Schaley and Vancil. Board Member Higgins was absent. President Schaley declared a quorum present. Also present were Superintendent Day, J. Shultz, K. Lafary, B. Kugler, B. Helt, J. Kirby, J. Zaiser, J. Hennings and Sabrina Young.

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

GOOD NEWS ITEMS

• Ms. Lewis, along with her 5th grade helpers, raised $593.50 during the Send a Sucker to a Friend event, which has been donated to the Angel Tree Organization.

• The Elementary PE Staff coordinated the Kids Heart Challenge and raised $6,226.36 for the American Heart Association.

• Our third grade students participated in ag related activities provided by Warren-Henderson Farm Bureau. We are appreciative of their continued partnership.

• The High School received a donation in Memory of Earl and Grace Seitz. $500 for the music program, $500 for the high school student body, and $1000 to be split between the baseball and softball programs. They are also donating $100 per month to be used toward Heat Pride activities at the High School.

• West Central Elementary School was selected as the WRAM/WMOI Spotlight School of the Month! They were highlighted on the radio, on their website and through YouTube for the great things happening at WCES!

• March Rise and Shine - Adam Boyle, Amanda Billinsley, Brian Kreps, Bryan Taylor, Danielle Brill, Tina Shafer, Heidi Carne, Jalynne Young, Jamie Hennings, Kellsy Scott, Kelly Davis, Kim Thompons, Kristi Lumbeck, Logan Avery, Maddie Leath, Matthew Mullen, Mike Lewis, Paige Leath, Peyton jack, Robert Fleming, Shylah Lenahan, Stacey Day, Stacie Anderson, and Tiffany Ouellette.

• Our 3rd - 5th Grade students attended a special jazz event at the Capitol Theater in Burlington, which showcased a performance called "Swing Makes You Sing". We would like to thank Mr. Pappas for extending this invitation to our West Central Students. 

• West Central High School received many compliments on the IHSA Boys Basketball Regionals that were hosted a few weeks ago.

APPROVE AGENDA

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

COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC

One member of the public was in attendance to address the Board. Sabrina Young addressed the Board to discuss a student participating in the 2025 graduation ceremony.

CONSENT AGENDA

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

• The minutes of the regular meeting of February 19, 2025;

• Closed session minutes of February 19, 2025;

• The payment of all bills;

• All activity accounts;

• The treasurer's report for February 2025;

• Approval of the 2025-2026 Public School Calendar;

• The approval to direct the Superintendent to begin work on the FY26 District Budget; 

• The continued participation with IHSA;

• The continued participation with IESA.

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

DISCUSSION ITEMS

There were two FOIA requests for this month: SmartProcure - requesting information about vendors, items purchased, contact information and cost. The second request was from Allium, which requested summary information regarding the district's property casualty insurance. Both requests were fulfilled in the needed time frame.

A discussion on the 2025-2026 Registration Fees was held. The recommendation is to leave registration fees the same as the current school year (Elementary $55, Middle School $65 and High School $85) and an annual $30 Technology Fee for students. The Board will take action at next month's regular meeting. Meal costs will be discussed later.

REPORTS

The Board reviewed and heard reports from the Building Principals K. Lafary, B. Kugler and J. Kirby, District Technology Coordinator Jeremy Hennings and Athletic Director Joel Zaiser. Principal Kirby discussed an interest by some high school students to offer wrestling at the high school in the future. The Board will discuss this opportunity in more detail at their next meeting.

ACTION ITEMS

Motion by Clark, seconded by Vancil to approve the lease of a 2018 Chevy Cruze LT from Bruce Foote Chevrolet of Monmouth in the amount of $150 per month with one payment of $1800 due on July 31, 2025, as presented. On roll call the following board members voted aye: Clark, Gullberg, Schaley, Vancil, Bigger, and Chockley. 6-0 Motion carried.

Motion by Vancil, seconded by Bigger to reject the bid for the HLS Middle School Locker Room project, as presented. Leander Construction out of Canton was the low bid. The base bid was $376,000, with a total bid (including base bid and 3 alternates) of $450,900. The base bid included work in both locker rooms at the Middle School. Alternate bids included work in the PE/Coaches Office, Main Hall Bathroom Remodel and Bottle Fillers in each of the locker rooms. On roll call the following board members voted aye: Gullberg, Schaley, Vancil, Bigger, Chockley, and Clark. 6-0 Motion carried.

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

Board members were asked to contact Superintendent Day or Board President Schaley with future agenda items.

CLOSED SESSION

Motion by Bigger, seconded by Chockley to adjourn to closed meeting pursuant of the Illinois Open Meetings Act - 5ILCS 120/2 (2) (16) at 7:23 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;

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

Majority of Ayes by Voice Vote. Motion carried.

The Board took a short break and reconvened in the District Office Conference Room at 7:31 p.m. On roll call the following members answered roll call: Bigger, Chockley, Clark, Gullberg, Schaley, and Vancil. Also present was S. Day.

Motion by Bigger, seconded by Vancil to return to open session at 9:10 p.m. On roll call the following members answered roll call: Chockley, Clark, Gullberg, Higgins, Schaley and Vancil. 6-0 Motion carried.

The Board took a short break and reconvened in the elementary cafeteria at 9:14 p.m. On roll call the following members answered roll call: Bigger, Chockley, Clark, Gullberg, Schaley and Vancil.

Motion by Bigger, seconded by Clark to approve the personnel agenda as presented.

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

Motion by Vancil, seconded by Gullberg to uphold the original NHS Acceptance Decision of Student # 26033. On roll call the following members voted aye: Vancil, Bigger, Chockley, Clark, Gullberg, and Schaley. 6-0 Motion carried.

The Board took no action at this time on the Graduation participation request.

FUTURE MEETING DATE

The Board was reminded that the next regular Board Meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 15, 2025.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Clark, seconded by Bigger to adjourn at 9:16 p.m. Majority of Ayes by Voice Vote. Motion carried.

https://www.wc235.k12.il.us/vimages/shared/vnews/stories/66aa8d0806ceb/Regular%20Meeting%20Mins.%203.19.25.pdf