Charleston Community Unit School District No. 1 Board Education met April 18.
Here is the minutes provided by the Board:
At 6:30pm, President Coe called the meeting to order and asked for roll call.
The following board members were present:
Jason Coe, President
Scott Clarke, Vice President
Susan Daniels, Secretary
Kelly Miller, Treasurer
Brian Gough
Matt Titus
The following board member was absent:
Eva Ritchey
The following staff members were present:
Todd Vilardo, Superintendent Chad Burgett, Assistant Superintendent
Visitors 78 and 1 Member of the Press
Mr. Vilardo announced that the Board of Education received an Addendum to the board book which included a recommendation under New Business, Item XI. D, to employ an administrative position.
Under Focus on Students and Good News reports, Mr. Vilardo acknowledged the art work display provided by the Jefferson Elementary School students. Penny Hess is the art teacher.
Mr. Vilardo presented Certificates of Recognition to the following groups and individuals:
Charleston High School Speech Team:
Mr. Doughty recognized the 2017-18 CHS Speech team and coaches that advanced to state this past season. Coach David Giffin introduced by group with a brief outline of their success at the IHSA State competition.
Individual Qualifiers: Eric Poe, Sharifa Hurtault, Michael Grovier
Performance in the Round (PIR), Cast and Crew: D’Arcy Johnson, Taylor Fleming, Reve’ Kastl,
Rosa Coit, Sarah Baron, Logan Williams, Nicolle Kuyrkendall, Emily Gawel, Joe Perez, Deacon Brooks, and Jacob Bishop
Group Interpretation Cast: Reve’ Kastl, Rosa Coit, Alyssa Brazzell, Nicolle Kuyrkendall, Eric Poe, Jacob Bishop, Michael Grovier, June Baumann
David Giffin served as head coach this season and Jeannine Giffin as the assistant coach.
Young Authors:
Patti Murphy provided an overview of the Young Authors program. Young Authors is a statewide literary contest co-sponsored by the Illinois Language and Literacy Council and the Illinois Reading Council. It is a celebration of the written work of children in grades 1-3, grades 4-6, and grades 7-8. Each spring, young authors are selected by their local schools to attend a one-day statewide conference where their books will be read, discussed, and affixed with the official seal of the Young Authors' Conference. This event in May marks the 44th Annual Illinois Statewide Young Authors' Conference.
Mrs. Murphy introduced the Young Author winners.
Grades 1-3 Owen Keefe ("The Man in the Stoplight")
Grades 4-6 Ryan He ("The Slime Adventure")
Grades 7-8 Yoana Yordanova ("Somewhere in Indiana")
Charleston Rotary Club and Excellence in Education Foundation Members:
Mr. Vilardo reported that for the past three years, the Rotary Club of Charleston, along with support from the Excellence in Education Foundation, has been providing funds designated for special technology projects in the Charleston School District. These funds have allowed our district to purchase:
• 2 Smart Tables, one for Ashmore and one for Mark Twain
• 1 Mobile computer lab of 30 laptops for Jefferson 6th Grade Classrooms
• 1 Mobile computer lab of 30 laptops for Charleston High School 400 Wing Classrooms
Mr. Vilardo and Technology Director Mary Ann Pattenaude expressed appreciation to Rotary members and Excellence in Education Foundation members for their support, which provided our students with technology enriched learning. Rotary members in attendance: Mike Watts (President-Elect), Doug Bock, Melanie Mills and Tim Silence. Dr. Tim Hutti, President of the Excellence in Education Foundation was also in attendance.
New Business – Organization of Board:
President Coe moved to appoint Mr. Vilardo as President Pro-Tem for the Organizational Meeting until the President was elected. Dr. Clarke seconded a motion.
On roll call vote:
Aye: Coe, Clarke, Gough, Miller, Titus, Daniels
Nay: none Abstain: none
Motion carried
President Coe moved to appoint Mrs. Lang as Secretary Pro-Tem for the Organizational Meeting until the Secretary was elected. Mr. Titus seconded a motion.
On roll call vote:
Aye: Coe, Titus, Clarke, Gough, Miller, Daniels
Nay: none Abstain: none
Motion carried
President Pro-Tem Vilardo asked for nominations for the office of President.
Dr. Clarke nominated Mr. Coe to serve in the office of President of the Board of Education. President Pro-Tem Vilardo asked if there were any other nominations. There being no other nominations, President Pro-Tem Vilardo asked the Secretary Pro-Tem to cast a unanimous ballot and declare Mr. Coe as President of the Board of Education. Mr. Vilardo turned the gavel over to President Coe.
President Coe asked for nominations for the office of Vice President.
Mrs. Miller nominated Dr. Clarke to serve in the office of Vice President of the Board of Education. President Coe asked if there were any other nominations. There being no other nominations, President Coe asked the Secretary Pro-Tem to cast a unanimous ballot and declare Dr. Clarke as Vice President of the Board of Education.
President Coe asked for nominations for the office of Secretary.
Mrs. Miller nominated Mrs. Daniels to serve in the office of Secretary of the Board of Education. President Coe asked if there were any other nominations. There being no other nominations, President
Coe asked the Secretary Pro-Tem to cast a unanimous ballot and declare Mrs. Daniels as Secretary of the Board of Education. Mrs. Daniels assumed the duties of Secretary to the Board of Education.
President Coe asked for nominations for the office of Treasurer.
Mrs. Daniels nominated Mrs. Miller to serve in the office of Treasurer of the Board of Education. President Miller asked if there were any other nominations. There being no other nominations, President Coe asked the Secretary to cast a unanimous ballot and declare Mrs. Miller as Treasurer of the Board of Education.
President Coe moved to appoint Genia Lang as Recording Secretary for the Board of Education. Mrs. Daniels seconded the motion.
On roll call vote:
Aye: Coe, Daniels, Clarke, Gough, Miller, Titus
Nay: none Abstain: none
Motion carried
Mr. Titus moved and Mrs. Miller seconded a motion to establish a one-year term of office for the President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer of the Board.
On roll call vote:
Aye: Titus, Miller, Clarke, Gough, Daniels, Coe
Nay: none Abstain: none
Motion carried
President Coe recommended unless otherwise determined by a quorum of the Board, meeting dates will be the third Wednesday of each month, with the exception of the November 2018 meeting to be held on the second Wednesday, November 14, 2018 due to Thanksgiving holiday. All regular meetings are open to the public and shall begin at 6:30pm in the Administrative Building at 410 West Polk Avenue, Charleston, Illinois except as stated by the President of the School Board and due notice is given. Further, that the Board of Education re-affirm Board Policies, Rules and Regulations. Dr. Clarke moved and Mr. Gough seconded the motion.
On roll call vote:
Aye: Clarke, Gough, Miller, Titus, Daniels, Coe
Nay: none Abstain: none
Motion carried
At that time, Mr. Coe asked if there were any 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. Vilardo reviewed the items under Consent Agenda.
Consent Agenda: Standard Items
Approve the minutes of the Regular Board Meeting of March 21, 2018 and of the Special meeting of April 11, 2018.
Approve the bills and payrolls for the month of March 2018.
Approve the Activity Fund Accounts for the CUSD #1 attendance centers, period ending March 2018.
Approve the summary of revenues and expenditures year to date for the period ending March 2018, as presented by Assistant Superintendent Chad Burgett.
Mr. Burgett reported on a question raised at the March 21 board meeting in regard to the number of long-term substitutes and cost to the district in paying the long-term rate of pay. Mr. Burgett stated that as of this date, the district employed at most 3 long-term substitutes who completed back-to-back long-term substitute positions at an additional cost of approximately $500.00 each to the district. So far for this school year, the district incurred 2,906.5 substitute positions at a cost of $232,500. The long-term substitutes include individuals working as elementary physical education instructors and 2 long-term substitutes at the high school in Mrs. Wiseman’s and Mrs. Drake’s classrooms. Mr. Burgett stated that in his weekly update to the Board of Education, he will provide actual cost.
Consent Agenda: Old Business
Consent Agenda: New Business
• Grant authorization for the district to work with Mid-State Collection Solutions Inc. of Champaign, Illinois to assist in the recovery of the 2017-2018 non-payment of student registration fees and overdue balances of student meal accounts.
Consent Agenda: Employment
• Accept a resignation from Orville J. Ronna, as a Special Education Paraprofessional at Jefferson Elementary School, effective at the end of the work day on April 6, 2018.
• Accept a letter of retirement from Debbie Rincker, Administrative Secretary at Central Office, effective June 30, 2018.
• Accept a letter of retirement from Christine Brankey, a paraprofessional at Charleston High School, effective September 2, 2018.
• Approve the list of CUSD #1 substitutes/volunteers as of March 14 – April 9, 2018.
• Approve the transfer of Jessica Huddleston into the position as a first grade teacher at Carl Sandburg Elementary School, effective for the 2018-19 school year.
• Approve the transfer of Amy Gonzalez into the position as a Resource LBS1 at Carl Sandburg Elementary School, effective for the 2018-19 school year.
• Approve the transfer of Yvonne Larson into the position as a fourth grade teacher at Jefferson Elementary School, effective for the 2018-19 school year.
• Approve the transfer of Amber Spitz into the position as a Media Specialist assigned to Jefferson Elementary School, Mark Twain Elementary School, and Ashmore Elementary School, effective for the 2018-19 school year.
• Approve the employment of Kori Brimner as a full time English teacher at Charleston High School, beginning with the 2018-19 school year. This employment was contingent upon the receipt of all information required for employment.
• Approve the employment of Nathan Hinote as a full time English teacher at Charleston High School, beginning with the 2018-19 school year. This employment was contingent upon the receipt of all information required for employment.
• Approve the employment of Keith Blandford as a full time Algebra/Language Arts teacher at Charleston Middle School, beginning with the 2018-19 school year. This employment was contingent upon the receipt of all information required for employment.
• Approve the employment of Tiffany Richter as a full time Pre-Algebra/Language Arts teacher at Charleston Middle School, beginning with the 2018-19 school year. This employment was contingent upon the receipt of all information required for employment.
• Approve the employment of Kristen Runyon in the extra-curricular assignment as the Charleston High School Press Advisor during the 2018-19 school year.
• Approve the employment of Kayla Jones in the extra-curricular assignment as the Cheerleader Sponsor at Charleston Middle School during the 2018-19 school year. This employment was contingent upon receipt of all required paperwork.
President Coe recommended that the Board of Education approve items under V through VIII inclusive on the Consent Agenda. Dr. Clarke moved and Mr. Titus seconded the motion.
On roll call vote:
Aye: Clarke, Titus, Gough, K. Miller, Daniels, Coe
Nay: none Abstain: none
Motion carried
Under the Superintendent’s Report, Mr. Vilardo reported that the Excellence in Education Foundation will recognize the CUSD #1 grant recipients during the August 14 All Staff Institute Day at Charleston High School. He reported that the Foundation awarded $22,367.29 in grants this year. He extended appreciation to the Excellence in Education Foundation for their continued support.
Staff Recognition/Appreciation Reception:
Mr. Vilardo announced that the annual Staff Recognition and Appreciation Reception will be held on Thursday, May 3, 2017 from 3:45 – 4:30pm in the board room at Central Office. Staff members who have 15, 20, 25, and 30 years of service to the district as well as staff who will be retiring at the end of the school year will be recognized. A listing of individuals that will receive appreciation gifts and recognition was provided to the board members. Mr. Vilardo extended an invitation to the Board of Education to attend the reception if their schedules permitted.
CHS Senior Week/Commencement Exercises:
Mr. Vilardo reported that the last day for the CHS senior class is Tuesday, May 8, 2018. Senior awards night is scheduled for May 8 at 7:30pm in the Swickard Auditorium. Final exams will be held May 21 and 22. Commencement will be held at 8:00pm on Friday, May 11 in Lantz Arena at Eastern Illinois University with a required practice for Commencement being held at noon.
End of the 2017-18 School Year Schedule:
Looking toward the end of the 2017-18 school year, the following attendance schedule will be utilized:
May 22 – last full day of student attendance
May 23 – Institute Day, no student attendance (paraprofessionals are scheduled to work)
Student Transfers:
During the spring of 2017, the Board of Education allowed students to transfer from Mark Twain, Carl Sandburg, and Jefferson Elementary Schools to Ashmore Elementary School for the 2017-18 school year. Mr. Vilardo reported that there were 27 students that transferred to Ashmore Elementary School from Charleston and 8 students that transferred from Ashmore to Carl Sandburg Elementary School this school year. Mr. Vilardo stated that for the 2018-19 school year student transfer requests will be considered and must be completed on an annual basis prior to the end of the current school year. Student transfer forms are located on the district’s website and are also available at Central Office and the elementary schools.
Workload Plan for Special Educators:
Pursuant to administrative regulations promulgated by the Illinois State Board of Education, all school districts are required to adopt a Workload Plan for special educators to be reviewed annually to ensure that all services required under students’ IEPs can be provided at the requisite level of intensity. Mr. Vilardo reported that Special Education Coordinator Robert Lynn and a review team were scheduled to meet on April 27 to review the current Workload Plan for Special Educators.
Mr. Titus moved and Dr. Clarke seconded a motion that the Superintendent’s Report was received by the Board of Education.
On roll call vote:
Aye: Titus, Clarke, Gough, Miller, Daniels, Coe
Nay: none Abstain: none
Motion carried
Award Bid Contract – Jefferson Elementary School Roof Replacement On April 9, 2018, Charleston CUSD #1 accepted bids for replacement of the 1926 roof at Jefferson Elementary School. Top Quality Roofing Company Inc. from Mt Zion, Illinois submitted a proposal. It was the recommendation of the superintendent that the Board of Education accept the bid proposal from Top Quality Roofing Company Inc., to replace the 1926 roof at Jefferson Elementary School for the amount of $178,200.00. Mr. Gough moved and Dr. Clarke seconded the motion.
On roll call vote:
Aye: Gough, Clarke, Miller, Titus, Daniels, Coe
Nay: none Abstain: none
Motion carried
Award Bid Contract – Jefferson Elementary School Tuckpointing:
On April 9, 2018, Charleston CUSD #1 accepted bids for tuckpointing restoration work at Jefferson Elementary School. Kross Masonry & Restoration Inc. from Newman, Illinois submitted a proposal. It was the recommendation of the superintendent that the Board of Education accept the bid proposal from Kross Masonry & Restoration Inc., to provide tuckpointing restoration work at Jefferson Elementary School for the amount of $89,720.00. Dr. Clarke moved and Mr. Gough seconded the motion.
On roll call vote:
Aye: Clarke, Gough, Miller, Titus, Daniels, Coe
Nay: none Abstain: none
Motion carried
New/Revised School Board Policies, (first reading):
It was the recommendation of the superintendent that the Board of Education adopt, in tentative form, revised school board policies as listed on first reading. The revised policies will be placed for public review until final adoption at the May 16, 2018 board meeting.
2:260 Uniform Grievance Procedure
4:40 Incurring Debt
5:20 Workplace Harassment Prohibited
5:170 Copyright
Dr. Clarke moved and Mrs. Miller seconded the motion.
On roll call vote:
Aye: Clarke, Miller, Gough, Titus, Daniels, Coe
Nay: none Abstain: none
Motion carried
Employment: Assistant Principal/Athletic Director:
The process to hire the Assistant Principal/AD/Assistant Principal was used as in the past administrative positions. The applications were screened with a rubric by the screening committee to determine the six finalists to be brought to the interviews. Team interviews were held with five potential candidates on Saturday, April 11, 2018. The Board of Education interviewed two (2) finalists at a special board meeting held on Wednesday, April 11, 2018.
It was the recommendation of the superintendent that the Board of Education approve a one-year, 10-month administrative contract with Nathan “Eddie” Williams to be employed as the Assistant Principal/Athletic Director for Charleston Middle School and Assistant Principal for Jefferson Elementary School, beginning July 1, 2018. Dr. Clarke moved and Mrs. Miller seconded the motion.
On roll call vote:
Aye: Clarke, Miller, Gough, Titus, Daniels, Coe
Nay: none Abstain: none Motion carried
Mr. Vilardo read a press release that provided a background on Nathan “Eddie” Williams. Mr. Williams and his wife, Tiffany were in attendance. The Board of Education welcomed Mr. Williams to the District.
At 7:25pm Dr. Clarke moved to adjourn from the board meeting. Mr. Gough seconded the motion.
On roll call vote:
Aye: Clarke, Gough, Miller, Titus, Daniels, Coe
Nay: none Abstain: none
Motion carried
http://www.charleston.k12.il.us/pdfs/bdminutes/2017-2018/4-18-2018RegularBdMtg.pdf
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