Charleston Community Unit School District No. 1 Board Education met Wednesday, Sept. 21.
Here are the minutes as provided by Charleston Community Unit School District No. 1:
Regular Meeting Minutes of 9/21/2016 Page 1
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of September 21, 2016
The Board of Education of Community Unit School District No. 1, Coles and Cumberland Counties, Illinois met in regular session on Wednesday, September 21, 2016 at the Administration Building – 410 West Polk Avenue, Charleston, Illinois 61920
At 6:30pm, President Pro-Tem Jarrell called the meeting to order and asked for roll call.
The following members were present:
Charles Jarrell, Vice President
Susan Daniels, Secretary
Kelly Miller, Treasurer
Scott Clarke
The following members were absent:
Ron Miller, President
Jason Coe
Kevin Oakley
The following staff members were present:
Jim Littleford, Superintendent
Todd Vilardo, Assistant Superintendent
Dean Keller, Financial Consultant
Visitors 16 and 1 Member of the Press
Mr. Littleford reviewed Addendum items to the board book which included:
Revised Agenda:
VII. Consent Agenda: Appointment/Employment
Remove Resignations: Licensed Staff
Superintendent Report:
D. Update/District Suburban Replacement
Provided copies of additional information to Board of Education.
Under Focus on Students and Good News Reports, Mr. Littleford presented Certificates of Recognition to the local law offices for their work in securing a positive learning environment in our school community.
Charleston Police Department (Chief Bryan Baker)
Coles County Sheriff’s Department (Sheriff Jim Rankin)
Eastern IL University Police Department (Chief Kent Martin)
Public Staff Comments, President Pro-Tem Jarrell asked if there were any requests or written communications to the Board of Education. The Board of Education received a request to address the Board of Education from Tina Winings, Speech and Drama Coach for Charleston High School.
Mrs. Winings stated that due to budget reductions in the district, transportation funding was not available to the Speech and Drama Team, Chess Team, nor the Scholastic Bowl Team. To continue to provide opportunity for the Speech and Drama Team to travel to competitions this year, they would need to raise $7,000, which does not include the state competition. Mrs. Winings reported that a grant had been submitted to the Charleston Charitable Foundation for the transportation cost, but was denied.
She outlined the fundraising activities that the team has established so far to raise funds:
- the Team has collected approximately $3,600 in donations and are continuing to accept and solicit donations.
- they have created a Speech Team Booster Club to help coordinate fundraising.
- they have started a fall candy sale, and hope to earn $1,000 from it.
- they are sponsoring the Homecoming Variety Show and Class Competition to help school spirit and
earn additional funds.
- they are selling coupon books for Carson’s Community Days in November.
- they are working as server staff at a murder mystery at the Life Span Center the upcoming weekend.
- they are planning a pizza fundraiser night.
Mrs. Winings stated that the first tournament was scheduled for November 1.
Mr. Littleford reported that Mrs. Winings was a part of the Transportation Ad Hoc Committee. He thanked her for the report and extended appreciation for her work and dedication to the students.
Mr. Littleford reported the District had received two (2) Freedom of Information Act Requests that were honored by the District.
1) Colin Driehorst, One Chance Illinois requested information on school policy related to acceleration of entrance to Kindergarten, first grade, and classes in higher level education.
2) Gabriella Lauricella, Data Acquisition Specialist of SmartProcure requested electronic record of purchase orders dated 2016-05-20 to current for CUSD #1.
Consent Agenda: President Pro-Tem Jarrell asked if there were requests from the Board of Education to remove any of the consent agenda items or addendum items for discussion. There were no requests from the Board of Education.
Mr. Littleford reviewed the items under Consent Agenda.
IV. Consent Agenda: Standard Items
A. Approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of August 17, 2016.
B.1 Approve the bills and payrolls for the month of August 2016.
B.2 Approve the Activity Fund Reports for the attendance centers, period ending August 2016.
B.3 Approve the summary of revenues and expenditures year to date as presented by Financial Consultant Dean Keller.
V. Consent Agenda: New Business
A. Approve the 2016-17 Applications for Recognition of Schools for Community Unit School District No. 1 to be submitted to the Illinois State Board of Education.
B. Approve the 2016-17 Administrator and Certified Teacher Salary Compensation Report to be posted on the school district website and submitted to the Illinois State Board of Education by October 1, 2016.
C. Approve an overnight/out of state trip request from CHS FFA Advisor John Lidy and student members to travel to Indianapolis, Indiana on October 20 – 21, 2016 for the National Convention.
VI. Consent Agenda: Employment/Appointment
Accept a letter of resignation from Donya Galbreath, a paraprofessional at Carl Sandburg Elementary School, effective September 2, 2016.
Accept a letter of resignation from Briena McKay, a 1:1 special education paraprofessional for student #81295 at Carl Sandburg Elementary School, effective September 27, 2016.
Accept a letter of resignation from David Dunlap, as the Head Boys’ and Girls’ Soccer Coach at Charleston High School, effective immediately.
Accept a letter of resignation from Evgeniia Vertesheva Stevens, as the Head Girls’ Tennis Coach at Charleston High School, September 10, 2016.
Grant an intermittent Family Medical Leave to Cindy McKinney, Guidance Secretary at Charleston High School.
Grant a Maternity Leave of Absence to Chelsie Doughty, Science teacher at Charleston Middle School.
Grant a Family Medical Leave to Shane Phebus, paraprofessional at Charleston Middle School.
Grant a Family Medical Leave to Rebecca Gallo, elementary teacher at Ashmore Elementary School.
Grant a Family Medical Leave to Shelly Romack, paraprofessional at Mark Twain Elementary
School.
Approve the transfer of Scott Bennett into a 1:1 paraprofessional position for student #06928 at Charleston Middle School.
Approve the transfer of Shane Phebus into a 1:1 paraprofessional position for student #07218 at Charleston Middle School.
Approve the transfer of Rebecca Paul into a 1:1 paraprofessional position for student #21971 at Carl Sandburg Elementary School.
Approve the transfer of Janelle Johnson into a 1:1 paraprofessional position for student #08113 and half-time classroom paraprofessional position.
Approve the transfer of Michelle Tanner into a 1:1 paraprofessional position for student #08113 and half-time classroom paraprofessional position.
Approve the employment of Tammy Eads as a full time program paraprofessional at Carl Sandburg Elementary School. This employment was contingent upon the receipt of all information required for employment.
Approve the employment of Melissa Brown as a full time Title 1 paraprofessional at Jefferson Elementary School. This employment was contingent upon the receipt of all information required for employment.
Approve the employment of Melissa Lahr as a full time Title 1 paraprofessional at Jefferson Elementary School. This employment was contingent upon the receipt of all information required for employment.
Approve the employment of Gayle Neal as a part time custodian for Central Office not to exceed 19- hours per week, effective August 15, 2016. This employment was contingent upon the receipt of all information required for employment.
Approve the following individuals to serve as volunteer coaches at Charleston High School.
Andrew Leigh Boys’ Basketball
Angie Geisler Trojets
Josh Magee Speech
Austin Mejdrich Speech
Mario McCart Speech
Nick Niemerg Speech
Approve the employment of Dr. Josh Garrett as the Head Boys’ Soccer Coach at Charleston High School. This employment was contingent upon the receipt of all information required for employment.
Approve the employment of John Lidy and Ken Ratliff in a split assignment as Co-Head Freshman Football coaches at Charleston High School. This employment was contingent upon the receipt of all information required for employment.
Approve the employment of Colton Sells as the Head Girls’ Tennis Coach at Charleston High School. This employment was contingent upon the receipt of all information required for employment.
Approve the employment of Bekah Buescher as the 7th grade Volleyball Coach at Charleston Middle School. This employment was contingent upon the receipt of all information required for employment.
Approve the employment of Brenda Foster as the Classroom Courier Sponsor at Charleston Middle
School.
Approve the recommendation for Alyssa Nichols to serve as a volunteer Girls’ Basketball Coach at Charleston Middle School. This employment was contingent upon the receipt of all information required for employment.
Approve the following individuals to serve as volunteer Student Council representatives at Jefferson Elementary School:
Justin Bledsaw
Sarah Nolan
Tracy Valinevicius
Approve the list of substitutes/volunteers, effective August 8 – September 9, 2016.
President Pro-Tem Jarrell recommended that the Board of Education approve items under IV through VII inclusive on the Consent Agenda. Dr. Clarke moved and Mrs. Miller seconded the motion.
On roll call vote:
AYE: Clarke, K. Miller, Daniels, Jarrell
NAY: none Abstain: none
Motion carried
Under the Superintendent’s Report, Mr. Littleford presented the 2016-2017 sixth day enrollment statistics to the Board of Education. The statistics revealed a decrease of 43 students from last year. However, he reported that indications from the building principals reveal that enrollment figures may be close to last year by September 30.
In addition, Assistant Superintendent Todd Vilardo provided enrollment projections for the school years: 2016-17 through 2020-21. This information is valuable for staffing and room assignments, estimating future state aid, as well as long range budget planning.
CHS Girl’s Holiday Basketball Tournament
Charleston High School Athletic Director Jim Wood provided a brief update on planning for the 2016 Charleston Girl’s Holiday Basketball Tournament. He reported there would be two pools of five to include teams from the following districts: Charleston, Canton, Danville, Effingham, Eisenhower, Paris, Pekin, Rantoul, Urbana, and Champaign Centennial. Mr. Wood stated that the Trojan Booster Club would remain the head financial backer for the tournament. The tournament will be held at the high school on December 27, 28 & 29. Planning is ongoing. Mr. Wood will present a full report at the December board meeting. Parent/Teacher Conference Dates/Times
Mr. Littleford announced that parent/teacher conference dates have been scheduled for October 20 - 21, 2016. On Thursday, October 20 there will be a half day of student attendance and on Friday, October 21, no student attendance.
Update/District Suburban Replacement
Mr. Littleford reported that on August 26, 2016, a District suburban located at the Central Office engulfed in smoke and flames. The Charleston Fire Department responded and parked vehicle was totaled. The Superintendent has spoken with the insurance representative assigned to the case and learned that the insurance company is working to determine a reimbursement amount for the claim. Due to the age of the vehicle, the claim is expected to be very small. Maintenance Director Bill Richardson has indicated that a ¾ ton vehicle is needed to replace the destroyed suburban as it was the only vehicle that had the ability to pull trailers. Currently, there are two trailers utilized within the district and the only vehicle now available to pull them is the Maintenance Department pick-up truck. Financial Consultant Dean Keller has contacted Pilson’s and Diepholz car dealerships for assistance. Enclosed are possible replacement vehicles with approximate purchase prices which provide the Board of Education with an idea of replacement costs. Mrs. Miller moved and Dr. Clarke seconded a motion that the Superintendent’s Report was received by the Board of Education.
On roll call vote:
AYE: K. Miller, Clarke, Daniels, Jarrell
NAY: none Abstain: none
Motion carried
Under Old Business: Adopt 2016-2017 CUSD #1 Budget
The superintendent recommended that the Board of Education adopt by resolution the 2016-17 budget for Community Unit School District No. 1. Dr. Clarke moved and Mrs. Miller seconded the motion.
On roll call vote:
AYE: Clarke, K. Miller, Daniels, Jarrell
NAY: none Abstain: none
Motion carried
At 7:11pm, President Pro-Tem Jarrell recommended that the Board of Education adjourn into closed session to consider information regarding appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the District or legal counsel for the District, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee or against legal counsel for the District to determine its validity. 5 ILCS 120/2/(c)(1)
Student Disciplinary Case (5ILCS 120/2(c)(9)
Mr. Littleford announced that there would be board action following closed session to consider employment of an Assistant Superintendent.
Mrs. Miller moved and Dr. Clarke seconded the motion.
On roll call vote:
AYE: K. Miller, Clarke, Daniels, Jarrell
NAY: none Abstain: none
Motion carried
At 7:42pm, Dr. Clarke made a motion to reconvene from closed session. Mrs. Miller seconded the motion.
On roll call vote:
AYE: Dr. Clarke, K. Miller, Daniels, Jarrell
NAY: none Abstain: none
Motion carried
Employment/Assistant Superintendent
Mr. Littleford announced that Assistant Superintendent Todd Vilardo will be assuming the position of CUSD #1 Superintendent, effective July 1, 2017. Mr. Littleford and Mr. Vilardo have met with the Board of Education and discussed plans for filling the Assistant Superintendent position.
It was the recommendation of the superintendent that Chad Burgett be transferred from his current position as the Charleston Middle School Principal to the position of Charleston CUSD #1 Assistant Superintendent, effective July 1, 2017. Dr. Clarke moved and Mrs. Miller seconded the motion.
Mr. Burgett has served Charleston CUSD #1 as Principal at Carl Sandburg Elementary School and Charleston Middle School. Since joining Charleston CUSD #1, Chad Burgett has served in the below capacities:
1997-1998 – 6th grade teacher at Jefferson Elementary School
1998-2002 – 5th & 6th Grade Boys’ Basketball Coach
2006-2007 school year, Assistant Principal for Carl Sandburg & Jefferson Elementary Schools
2007-2014 - Principal for Carl Sandburg Elementary School
2014-2017 – Principal for Charleston Middle School
On roll call vote:
AYE: Clarke, K. Miller, Daniels, Jarrell
NAY: none Abstain: none
Motion carried
At 7:45pm Mrs. Miller moved to adjourn from the board meeting. Dr. Clarke seconded the motion.
On roll call:
AYE: K. Miller, Clarke, Daniels, Jarrell
NAY: none
Motion carried
Ronald L. Miller
President, Board of Education
Susan Daniels
Secretary, Board of Education
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