West Central Community Unit School District 235 Board of Education met Jan. 21

West Central Community Unit School District 235 Board of Education met Jan. 21.

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: Clark, Higgins, Lenahan, Schaley, and Vancil. Board Members Chockley and Gullberg were absent. President Schaley declared a quorum present. Also present were Superintendent Day, Board recording secretary J. Shultz, Principals K. Lafary, B. Helt, J. Kirby, Assistant Principal S. Kreps, and Special Education Coordinator M. Allen. 

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

GOOD NEWS ITEMS 

• Henderson County Handicapped Children’s Trust, Charles Vaughn, TTEE donated $3500 to our special education transportation fund. 

• Gladys Bigger Memorial donated $1168.66 to our CNA Class to purchase a new Nursing Skills Manikin. 

• A huge thank you to those who make the Henderson County Angel Tree a success! Our students and families greatly appreciate all the time, effort and work that goes into supporting that program. 

• Our District. Our Legacy. Recognitions: Alex Cuevas, All of Title Team, Betty Mynatt, Chad Ellison, Deb Paulus, EJ Santos, Elly Olson, Gwen Kahlke, Jesse Winters, Karri Wallace, Julie Ricketts, Kathie Pence, Kathy Lafary, Kellsy Scott, Kimberly Johnson, Lene Lox, Middle School Custodians and subs, Stacie Anderson, Trisha Forquer, and WC Special Education Team. 

APPROVE AGENDA 

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

COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC 

There were no comments from the public. 

CONSENT AGENDA 

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

• The minutes of the regular meeting of December 17, 2025; 

• Closed Session minutes of December 17, 2025; 

• The payment of all bills; 

• All activity accounts; 

• The treasurer’s report for December 2025; 

• The 2025-2026 District Seniority List for Certified and Support Personnel. 

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

DISCUSSION ITEMS 

Superintendent Day reported to the Board the following FOIAS received since the last meeting. SmartProCure requesting quarterly vendor information. Galesburg Reporter requested the contract for full-time paraprofessionals and vendor/contract information for vendors over $1000. Public Info Access also requested a staff list with building assignments, positions and email addresses. All requests were responded to in the needed timeline. The District received four FOIA requests this week from Bailey Templeton asking for information about our District Magazine, vendors over $5000, State and Federal Grants and Credit Card Statements. We are in the process of collecting the needed information on the final four requests and will submit them within the required time frame. 

The Board was provided an update about Building and Grounds. The Building and Grounds committee is scheduled to meet with the architect on Friday, January 23, pending weather. President Schaley provided an update on the modular buildings at the Middle School. We had a company scheduled to pick them up and remove them, but we have not heard from them since they were supposed to be on campus to remove them. Superintendent Day will continue working to find someone to remove them ASAP. Superintendent Day shared with the Board that we will add a small project to the list of summer projects and replace the asphalt behind the Middle School (by the baseball/softball fields) this summer to have it ready for use when school resumes. 

A short update on the playground project was provided. Equipment has been ordered through the PTC and the initial payment has been made. The playground committee is scheduled to meet again in early February. The PTC is continuing their fundraising plans and will start selling bricks in the next few weeks. They have also scheduled a Singo fundraiser event for Friday, April 17, more details to come. 

REPORTS 

The Board reviewed and heard reports from the Building Principals K. Lafary, B. Helt, and J. Kirby. WCHS Assistant Principal/Athletic Director S. Kreps and Special Education Coordinator M. Allen. 

ACTION ITEMS 

Motion by Higgins, seconded by Vancil to approve the updated WCHS tardy policy as presented. On roll call the following members voted aye: Higgins, Lenahan, Schaley, Vancil, and Clark. 5-0 Motion carried. 

Motion by Clark, seconded by Lenahan to approve the Resolution Authorizing Abatement of Working Cash Fund (Permanent Transfer from Working Cash to Transportation Fund, as presented. On roll call the following members voted aye: Higgins, Lenahan, Schaley, Vancil, Clark. 5-0 Motion carried. 

Motion by Clark, seconded by Lenahan to approve the Way to Grow Speech Services contract as presented. On roll call the following members voted aye: Lenahan, Schaley, Vancil, Clark, and Higgins. 5-0 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 Clark, seconded by Vancil to adjourn to closed meeting pursuant of the Illinois Open Meetings Act – 5 ILCS 120/2 at 6:44 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; 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) 

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. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2) 

Majority of Ayes by Voice Vote. Motion carried. 

The Board took a short break and reconvened in the District Office Conference Room at 6:49 p.m. On roll call the following members answered roll call: Clark, Higgins, Lenahan, Schaley, and Vancil. Also present was S. Day. 

Motion by Higgins, seconded by Vancil to return to open session at 7:47 p.m. On roll call the following members answered roll call: Clark, Higgins, Lenahan, Schaley, and Vancil. 

The Board took a short break and reconvened in the elementary cafeteria at 7:49 p.m. On roll call the following members answered roll call: Schaley, Vancil, Clark, Higgins, and Lenahan. 

Motion by Higgins, seconded by Vancil to approve the personnel items as presented. 

On roll call the following members voted aye: Vancil, Clark, Higgins, and Schaley. Board Member Lenahan abstained. 4-0 Motion carried. 

FUTURE MEETING DATE 

The Board was reminded the next regular Board Meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. 

ADJOURNMENT 

Motion by Clark, seconded by Vancil to adjourn at 7:50 p.m. Majority of Ayes by Voice Vote. Motion carried. 

https://www.wc235.k12.il.us/vimages/shared/vnews/stories/68daa7c652442/Regular%20Meeting%201.21.26.pdf