East Central Reporter

Arcola Community Unified School District 306 Board met Oct. ‌14.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

A regular meeting of the Board of Education of Arcola Community Unit District #306 Arcola, Illinois was called to order in the Junior High Gym at 7:00 p.m. for the purpose of regular business. 

President Strader called the meeting to order. The following members answered roll call: Crane, Stout, Wesch, Arrol and Strader. Board member Shonkwiler was not present. 

Others present were: Tom Mulligan, Jennifer Frichtl, Angie Gentry, Cathy Brimner, Nick Lindsey, David Porter, Kendall King, and Robin Yockey. 

President Strader recognized the visitors and asked for public comment. 

There was none. There were no pending FOIA requests. 

Robin Yockey, district auditor, reviewed the opinions and audit report for FY2019-2020 with the board. Robin discussed changes from the prior fiscal year, including the bond issuance and associated changes to the notes. She noted that the per capita ADA fluctuates from year to year. She also reported that there were no findings or written management comments for FY2019-2020. 

Kendall King from Kings Financial was present to discuss the district’s working cash bonds set to retire in December. The Board will need to decide if they want to reissue. If the district chooses to do so, he would recommend $730,000 paid over 5 years. This would result in no change to the taxpayers and provide funds for future technology upgrades. He is currently waiting on quotes from the local banks. He said it will be a three board meeting process. Tonight, the Board will approve a resolution of intent. Next month, there will be a hearing after public notice is given. Last, there will be the official approval and vote. 

At this time, Dr. Mulligan let the board know that Coach Bradford’s family was interested in having some type of memorial on the football field in November. The board members were all fine with Dr. Mulligan and Mr. Lindsey meeting with the family to discuss. 

Motion by Crane, seconded by Stout, to approve the regular meeting minutes and closed session minutes from September 9, 2020 and the Finance Committee meeting minutes from August 12, 2020. Roll call vote: Crane, aye; Stout, aye; Wesch, aye; Arrol, aye; Strader, aye. 5 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried. 

Motion by Stout, seconded by Wesch, to approve the Special meeting minutes from September 30, 2020. Roll call vote: Crane, aye; Stout, aye; Wesch, aye; Arrol, abstained; Strader, aye. 4 ayes. 0 nays. 1 abstained. Motion carried. Motion by Stout, seconded by Crane, to approve the Treasurer’s Report as of September 30, 2020 as submitted. Roll call vote: Crane, aye; Stout, aye; Wesch, aye; Arrol, aye; Strader, aye. 5 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried. 

Motion by Stout, seconded by Wesch, to approve the payment of bills as submitted in the amount of $335,163.52. Roll call vote: Crane, aye; Stout, aye; Wesch, aye; Arrol, aye; Strader, aye. 5 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by Crane, seconded by Wesch, to approve the payment of payroll in the amount of $494,851.34. Roll call vote: Crane, aye; Stout, aye; Wesch, aye; Arrol, aye; Strader, aye. 5 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried. 

Business: 

Motion by Stout, seconded by Wesch, to approve the district audit from the 2019-2020 school year. Roll call vote: Crane, aye; Stout, aye; Wesch, aye; Arrol, aye; Strader, aye. 5 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried. 

Motion by Crane, seconded by Stout, to approve the fundraisers presented at the meeting. Roll call vote: Crane, aye; Stout, aye; Wesch, aye; Arrol, aye; Strader, aye. 5 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried. 

Motion by Arrol, seconded by Crane, to approve the second reading of board policies from PRESS Packet, June 2020 and August 2020. Roll call vote: Crane, aye; Stout, aye; Wesch, aye; Arrol, aye; Strader, aye. 5 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried. 

Motion by Stout, seconded by Wesch, to approve the agreement with RISE to provide social emotional services to remote learners. Roll call vote: Crane, aye; Stout, aye; Wesch, aye; Arrol, aye; Strader, aye. 5 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried. 

Motion by Wesch, seconded by Stout, to approve the agreement with BSN Sports that will grant the district rebates for expenditures spent with BSN. Roll call vote: Crane, aye; Stout, aye; Wesch, aye; Arrol, nay; Strader, aye. 4 ayes. 1 nay. Motion carried. 

Motion by Crane, seconded by Stout, to approve the resolution of intent to issue $730,000 working cash fund bonds to increase the District’s working cash fund. Roll call vote: Crane, aye; Stout, aye; Wesch, aye; Arrol, aye; Strader, aye. 5 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried. 

Motion by Wesch, seconded by Stout, to approve the addition and deletion of activity fund accounts, as presented. Roll call vote: Crane, aye; Stout, aye; Wesch, aye; Arrol, aye; Strader, aye. 5 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried. 

Administrative Team Reports 

~~Mrs. Gentry, Principal, Arcola Elementary – Mrs. Gentry commented that the two greatest challenges with the 2 p.m. dismissal have been figuring out lunch and recess supervision. However, they feel confident in the plan they have developed. K-3 continues to be a tough balance between the in-person and the remote learners. The Arcola Rotary awarded the district a $4,000 grant which was used to create sensory and fitness paths in the preschool hallway and out on the playground. Both provide several benefits for the children. 

~~Mrs. Sigrist, Principal, and Mr. Lindsey, Assistant Principal, Arcola Jr/Sr High – Mr. Lindsey said they’re trying to make Homecoming Week as normal as possible, while still keeping staff and students safe. Some athletics teams have started to resume practices and weightlifting. The staff continue to do an awesome job engaging students and keeping them safe. 

~~Mrs. Brimner, Director of Special Services – Mrs. Brimner reported that her and Mrs. Nacke had spent a lot of time working through the elementary schedules, figuring out how to get in minutes with the new schedule that begins Monday. They will be interviewing a potential interventionist to fill the leave of absence. 

~~Dr. Mulligan, Superintendent – Report submitted

Motion by Wesch, seconded by Stout, to approve the resignation of Kevin Hohlbauch as Head High School Girls’ Basketball Coach. Roll call vote: Crane, aye; Stout, aye; Wesch, aye; Arrol, aye; Strader, aye. 5 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried. 

Motion by Crane, seconded by Stout, to approve the employment of Jackee Edwards as Paraprofessional, Ryann Fishel as Paraprofessional, and Sidney Johns as Nurse Aide. Roll call vote: Crane, aye; Stout, aye; Wesch, aye; Arrol, aye; Strader, aye. 5 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried. 

Motion by Stout, seconded by Wesch, to approve the unpaid leave for Candace Hout for the remainder of the 2020-2021 school year. Roll call vote: Crane, aye; Stout, aye; Wesch, aye; Arrol, aye; Strader, aye. 5 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried. 

Motion by Crane, seconded by Wesch, to approve the Memorandum of Understanding between the Arcola School District and the Arcola Education Association. Roll call vote: Crane, aye; Stout, aye; Wesch, aye; Arrol, aye; Strader, aye. 5 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried. 

Announcements: Dr. Mulligan told the board he has one person interested in the open board position. He will try to setup a meeting soon. 

Motion by Crane, seconded by Stout, to adjourn at 8:25 p.m. Roll call vote: Crane, aye; Stout, aye; Wesch, aye; Arrol, aye; Strader, aye. 5 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1003048/Board_Minutes_-_Regular_Meeting_10.14.2020.pdf