Charleston Community Unit School District No. 1 Board Education Met Jan. 20.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
The Board of Education of Community Unit School District No. 1, Coles and Cumberland Counties, Illinois conducted their regular session meeting at the Administration Building –410 West Polk Avenue, Charleston, Illinois 61920.
At 6:30 p.m., President Coe called the meeting to order and asked Secretary Daniels for roll call.
Superintendent Vilardo requested that the record show that this meeting was also being conducted through the use of a Webex internet audio conferencing service in accordance to Public Act 101-0640, which allows both open and closed meetings to be conducted via audio or video conference without the physical presence of a quorum of members. The general public could listen to the public meeting by phone. Requests to address the Board were to be submitted by email by 6:00pm.
The following board members were physically present in the board room:
Jason Coe, President
Scott Clarke, Vice President
Brian Gough
Eva Ritchey
The following staff members and board members present via Webex:
Susan Daniels, Secretary
Charles Jarrell, Treasurer (joined meeting at 6:43pm)
Matt Titus
The following staff members were physically present in the board room:
Todd Vilardo, Superintendent of Schools
Chad Burgett, Assistant Superintendent for Business Services
Kristen Holly, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services
Genia Lang, Recording Secretary
Visitors 5 Physically Present
Visitors 11 and 1 Member of the Press Remote
Under public comments, written communications: President Coe asked if there were any comments, questions or written communications. No comments were received.
Under Consent Agenda, Mr. Coe asked if there were any items under the consent agenda that the Board of Education would like to remove for discussion. There were no requests from the Board of Education.
At that time, Dr. Vilardo reviewed the recommendations under the consent agenda.
IV. Consent Agenda: Standard Items
· Approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of December 16, 2020.
· Approve the bills and payrolls for the month of December 2020.
· Approve the Activity Fund Reports from CUSD #1 attendance centers, period ending December 2020.
· Approve the summary of revenues and expenditures year to date as presented by Assistant Superintendent Chad Burgett.
Mr. Jarrell tuned into the meeting through Webex at 6:43pm.
VI. Consent Agenda: New Business
Closed Session Minutes
Approve the minutes of the closed session meeting held on August 5, 2020; and further, not to make public the minutes of the closed session meeting.
Destruction of Closed Session Verbatim Audio Records
Authorize the destruction of all closed session audio tapes from March through December 2016 for regular and special meetings. Further, authorize the destruction of closed session expulsion audio tapes January 2002 through February 2003.
VII. Consent Agenda: Employment
· Accept a letter of resignation from Nicole Lora as a 2nd grade teacher at Carl Sandburg Elementary School, effective January 4, 2021.
· Accept a letter of resignation from Cheyenne Warman-Neal as a part time Family Consumer Science teacher at Charleston High School, effective January 15, 2021.
· Contingent upon finding a suitable replacement, accept a letter of resignation from Chelsie Doughty as Student Council Sponsor at Charleston High School, effective end of the 2020-21 school year.
· Consistent with board policies, grant a Family Medical Leave of Absence to Lauren Hopper, a 6thgrade teacher at Jefferson Elementary School.
· Consistent with board policies, grant an unpaid leave of absence to Anne Wend, a 1:1 paraprofessional at Charleston Middle School.
· Approve the voluntary transfer of Ann Cougill into the position as a Title 1 teacher at Carl Sandburg Elementary School, effective upon her return to work from an approved unpaid leave of absence, which occurred on January 13, 2021.
· Approve the employment of Justin Gunther as a full time Mathematics teacher at Charleston High School, effective January 11, 2021. This employment was contingent upon the receipt of all information required for employment.
· Approve the employment of Jordan Bess as a full time teacher (assigned to 1st grade) at Ashmore Elementary School, effective for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year. This employment was contingent upon the receipt of all information required for employment.
· Rescind a previously Board accepted letter of resignation from Melissa Watson, as a special education program paraprofessional at Jefferson Elementary School.
· Approve the employment of Shannon Daniell as full time Kindergarten teacher at Mark Twain Elementary School, beginning with the 2021-22 school year. This employment was contingent upon the receipt of all information required for employment.
· Approved the list of substitutes and volunteers, effective January 2021.
Mrs. Ritchey moved and Mr. Gough seconded the motion to approve items under IV through VII inclusive on the Consent Agenda.
On roll call vote:
AYE: Ritchey, Gough, Clarke, Jarrell, Titus, Daniels, Coe
NAY: none Abstain: none
Motion carried
Under the Superintendent’s Report: Statement of Economic Interest Filings
Dr. Vilardo reported that as required by law, members of the Board of Education must annually file a Statement of Economic Interest with the County Clerk. The forms will be delivered to the Board of Education and CUSD #1 Administrative staff and must be filed with the County Clerk no later than May 1, 2021.
Dr. Clarke moved and Mr. Gough seconded a motion to accept the Superintendent’s Report.
On roll call vote:
AYE: Clarke, Gough, Jarrell, Ritchey, Titus, Coe, Daniels
NAY: none Abstain: none
Motion carried
Under New Business: Memorandum of Understanding
Dr. Vilardo reported that the Governor, the Illinois State Board of Education, and the Illinois Department of Public Health issued various executive orders, guidance and recommendations concerning student and employee attendance for the 2020-2021 school year because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) entitled employees to certain extraordinary leave through December 31, 2020. Dr. Vilardo and Mr. Burgett worked with the Charleston Education Association (CEA) and Charleston Educational Support Professional Association (CESPA) officers to provide certain additional extraordinary leave rights beyond December 31, 2020. It was the recommendation of the superintendent that the Board of Education adopt the Memorandum of Understanding between the Charleston Education Association, IEA/NEA, Charleston Educational Support Professional Association (CESPA), IEA/NEA, and Charleston Board of Education in reference to the extension of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) through March 31, 2021.
Dr. Clarke moved and Mrs. Ritchey seconded the motion.
On roll call vote:
AYE: Clarke, Ritchey, Gough, Jarrell, Titus, Coe, Daniels
NAY: none Abstain: none
Motion carried
2021-2022 District Calendar
At the regular board meeting held on January 16, 2019, the Board of Education adopted the GOLD Calendar B as the official school calendar for the 2019-2020 school year and to use GOLD Calendar B as a template to develop the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 school year calendars. Assistant Superintendent Kristen Holly provided a copy of the official school calendar for the 2021-2022 school year. Mrs. Holly reported that the calendar presented was for the third year of the current three-year round and largely mirrored the attendance schedule for the current school year. The school year will begin with an all staff institute day on August 11, 2021 and the first day of student attendance will be on August 12 with a full day of attendance scheduled.
It was the recommendation of the superintendent that the Board of Education approve the 2021-2022 official school calendar as presented. Mrs. Ritchey moved and Dr. Clarke seconded the motion.
On roll call vote:
AYE: Ritchey, Clarke, Gough, Jarrell, Titus, Coe, Daniels
NAY: none Abstain: none
Motion carried
Proposed Facilities Projects
At the November 18, 2020 meeting, Assistant Superintendent Chad Burgett provided an update on Fund 60 revenues and expenditures, along with an update on some of the facilities projects that were completed throughout the district this past summer and future facilities projects that need addressed. Mr. Burgett would be meeting with the Facilities Committee again on January 26 to continue discussion and prioritizing future projects. Through a power point presentation, Mr. Burgett reviewed revenues received from the County Schools Facilities Tax (CSFT) receipts from November 2018 – November 2020, along with district revenues and expenditures FY20 – FY21. He reviewed facility projects to consider with a rough estimate cost. Mr. Burgett stated that he was seeking the authority to pursue the replacement of the CHS parking lots located at the corner of Rt. 16 and Rt. 130. Mr. Burgett indicated that funding for replacement of the parking lots would be funded through CSFT revenue accumulated. He stated that a District Facilities Committee meeting was scheduled for January 26 to prioritize future projects needed. After the committee meeting, Mr. Burgett will bring a recommendation to the Board with additional projects for consideration at its February 17, 2021 meeting.
It was the recommendation of the superintendent that the Board of Education grant the authority to pursue the replacement of the CHS parking lots located at the corner of Rt. 16 and Rt. 130. Dr. Clarke moved and Mrs. Ritchey seconded the motion.
On roll call vote:
AYE: Clarke, Ritchey, Gough, Jarrell, Titus, Coe, Daniels
NAY: none Abstain: none
Motion carried
Financial Borrowing Options
Mr. Burgett reported that several larger facilities projects exceed the cost of only utilizing County SchoolsFacilities Tax (CSFT) “pay as you go” revenues. At the November 18, 2020 meeting, he shared some preliminary bonding information and several cost examples if the Board would decide to complete larger projects needed in the district such as replacement of parking lots, replacing the track, removing the Stoner building and completion of the Charleston Middle School roof. Subsequently, several Board members expressed an interest in learning more about bonding options. Through a power point presentation, Mr. Burgett shared examples of finance and bonding borrowing options up to $7,250,000 over a seven-year term to complete prioritized facility projects. He asked the Board if there was an interest in inviting representatives from lending institutions and financial advising firms to present and answer questions during the February board meeting. Mr. Burgett stated that if the district moves forward with borrowing, it will not involve a property tax increase. The District would pay the loan back with CSFT revenues.
A concern was raised from the Board about the prospect of state budget issues. Board members concurred that having representatives come to a meeting and review options would better prepare them in making a decision.
It was the recommendation of the superintendent that the Board of Education grant the authority to pursue borrowing options up to $7,250,000 over a seven-year term to complete prioritized facility projects thatcannot be completed through use of CSFT revenues on a “pay as you go” model. Dr. Clarke moved and Mrs.Ritchey seconded the motion.
On roll call vote:
AYE: Clarke, Ritchey, Gough, Jarrell, Titus, Coe, Daniels
NAY: none Abstain: none
Motion carried
At 7:18 pm, President Coe 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)
Collective negotiating matters between the District and its employees or their representatives, or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees.
5 ILCS120/2/(c)(2)
President Coe stated that during closed session, the Board of Education would review the results of the evaluation for Superintendent of Schools.
Mr. Gough moved and Mrs. Ritchey seconded the motion.
On roll call vote:
AYE Gough, Ritchey, Clarke, Jarrell, Titus, Daniels, Coe
NAY: none Abstain: none
Motion carried
At 8:12 pm, Mrs. Ritchey made a motion to reconvene from closed session. Mr. Jarrell seconded the motion.
On roll call vote:
AYE: Ritchey, Jarrell, Clarke, Gough, Titus, Daniels, Coe
NAY: none Abstain: none
Motion carried
At 8:13 pm, Mr. Gough moved to adjourn from the board meeting. Mrs. Ritchey seconded the motion.
On roll call vote:
AYE: Gough, Ritchey, Clarke, Jarrell, Titus, Daniels, Coe
NAY: none Abstain: none
Motion carried
https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1127008/January_20_2021_Regular_Bd_Minutes.pdf
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