East Central Reporter

Arcola Community Unified School District 306 Board Met Aug. 11.

Here are 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 Gymnasium 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, Shonkwiler, Myers, Arrol, and Strader. Board member Wesch was not present.

Others present were: Tom Mulligan, Jennifer Frichtl, Angie Gentry, Megan Clark, Nick Lindsey, Amber Behrends, David Porter, Tiffany Drake, Stephanee Griffith, Leroy and Elizabeth Otto, the Kauffman family, Paul Kuhns, and Ron McConnell.

President Strader recognized the visitors and asked for public comment. Mr. McConnell asked the Board if the school intended to teach critical race theory. Mr. Kuhns commended the Board for their work for the students thus far and encouraged everyone to consider the numerous risks children face on a daily basis. Mrs. Kauffman told the Board she was concerned how the mask mandate would impact certain services the kids are to receive and was against requiring masks to be worn. Mrs. Otto said she agreed with what Mrs. Kauffman said.

There were no FOIA requests.

Motion by Shonkwiler, seconded by Stout, to approve the regular meeting minutesfrom July 14, 2021 and the Special meeting minutes from August 2, 2021. Roll call vote: Crane, aye; Stout, aye; Shonkwiler, aye; Myers, aye; Arrol, aye; Strader, aye. 6 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by Crane, seconded by Myers, to approve the Treasurer’s Report as of July 31, 2021 as submitted. Roll call vote: Crane, aye; Stout, aye; Shonkwiler, aye; Myers, aye; Arrol, aye; Strader, aye. 6 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by Shonkwiler, seconded by Stout, to approve the payment of bills as submitted in the amount of $231,635.76. Roll call vote: Crane, aye; Stout, aye; Shonkwiler, aye; Myers, aye; Arrol, aye; Strader, aye. 6 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by Stout, seconded by Shonkwiler, to approve the payment of payroll in the amount of $370,606.82. Roll call vote: Crane, aye; Stout, aye; Shonkwiler, aye; Myers, aye; Arrol, aye; Strader, aye. 6 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Business:

Motion by Crane, seconded by Stout, to approve the district’s 2021-2022 Risk Management Plan that defines eligible Tort Fund expenditures. Roll call vote: Crane, aye; Stout, aye; Shonkwiler, aye; Myers, aye; Arrol, aye; Strader, aye. 6 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by Stout, seconded by Crane, to approve the FY22 tentative budget and set the budget hearing for September 8, 2021 at 7 pm. Roll call vote: Crane, aye; Stout, aye; Shonkwiler, aye; Myers, aye; Arrol, aye; Strader, aye. 6 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by Shonkwiler, seconded by Crane, to authorize the superintendent to sell, dispose of, or donate surplus personal property, including the old high school library tables and chairs, old uniforms, and other items. Roll call vote: Crane, aye; Stout, aye; Shonkwiler, aye; Myers, aye; Arrol, aye; Strader, aye. 6 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by Crane, seconded by Stout, to approve the changes to the Back to School Plan for the 2021-2022 school year for the Arcola School District #306. Roll call vote: Crane, aye; Stout, aye; Shonkwiler, nay; Myers, aye; Arrol, nay; Strader, aye. 4 ayes. 2 nays. Motion carried.

Administrative Team Reports

~~Mrs. Gentry, Principal, and Mrs. Clark, Assistant Principal, Arcola Elementary – It’s been a busy summer with the well-attended summer school program and the new teachers already working on professional development. Mrs. Gentry is very excited that Arcola has been able to partner with the IEA this year for a formal mentoring program for 1st and 2nd year teachers. New teacher orientation is tomorrow.

~~Mr. Lindsey, Principal, and Mrs. Behrends, Assistant Principal, Arcola Jr/Sr High – Staff has been busy preparing for the start of the school year. There are teacher meetings scheduled during the first couple of days. Both Mr. Lindsey and Mrs. Behrends are looking forward to building relationships with the teachers. Fall sports practices started this week.

~~Dr. Mulligan, Superintendent – Dr. Mulligan reported that there will be $50,000 matching maintenance grants available again this year, so the Building Committee will need to meet soon to discuss. He also provided the Board with an update on the status of the parking lot project.

Motion by Shonkwiler, seconded by Crane, to enter executive session at 7:43 p.m. to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees, specific individuals who serve as independent contractors in an educational setting, or specific volunteers of the public body and collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives, or deliberations concerning salary schedule for one or more classes of employees. Illinois

Open Meetings Act, 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1). Roll call vote: Crane, aye; Stout, aye; Shonkwiler, aye; Myers, aye; Arrol, aye; Strader, aye. 6 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by Shonkwiler, seconded by Crane, to return to regular session at 8:06 p.m. Roll call vote: Crane, aye; Stout, aye; Shonkwiler, aye; Myers, aye; Arrol, aye; Strader, aye. 6 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by Shonkwiler, seconded by Crane, to approve the resignation of Jackee Edwards as Paraprofessional. Roll call vote: Crane, aye; Stout, aye; Shonkwiler, aye; Myers, aye; Arrol, aye; Strader, aye. 6 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by Shonkwiler, seconded by Myers, to approve the employment of Randy Swartz as JH Head Basketball Coach, Danny Ruhle as JH Assistant Basketball Coach, and Javi Leal as Volunteer Assistant Football Coach. Roll call vote: Crane, aye; Stout, aye; Shonkwiler, aye; Myers, aye; Arrol, aye; Strader, aye. 6 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by Stout, seconded by Crane, to approve the Part-Time School Service Agreement with Cathy Brimner as presented. Roll call vote: Crane, aye; Stout, aye; Shonkwiler, aye; Myers, aye; Arrol, aye; Strader, aye. 6 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Announcements: None

Motion by Shonkwiler, seconded by Myers, to adjourn at 8:14 p.m. Roll call vote: Crane, aye; Stout, aye; Shonkwiler, aye; Myers, aye; Arrol, aye; Strader, aye. 6 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1541289/Board_Minutes_-_Regular_Meeting_08.11.2021.pdf