Charleston Community Unit School District No. 1 Board Education met Aug. 18.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
The Board of Education of Community Unit School District No. 1, Coles and Cumberland Counties, Illinois met in regular session at the Administration Building – 410 West Polk Avenue, Charleston, Illinois 61920
At 6:30pm, President Coe called the meeting to order and asked Secretary Daniels for roll call.
The following members were present:
Jason Coe, President
Scott Clarke, Vice President
Susan Daniels, Secretary
Eva Ritchey
Brandon Wright
The following members were absent:
Charles Jarrell, Treasurer
Brian Gough
The following staff members were present:
Todd J. Vilardo, Superintendent of Schools
Chad Burgett, Assistant Superintendent for Business Services
Kristen Holly, Assistant Superintendent of Student Services
Genia Lang, Recording Secretary
Visitors _12_ and _1_ Member of the Press
Under Public, Staff Comments or Questions, Written Communications, President Coe asked if there were requests to address the Board of Education. There were no requests received.
Under recognition, Dr. Vilardo reported at the Administrative Council meeting, he asked building administrators what they wished the Superintendent knew what was happening in their building on the first days of school. He read responses received by the Administrative team, which revealed a positive, progressive start of the school year. Dr. Vilardo recognized the staff and students in starting the school year strong. He stated that in visiting the schools, everyone seemed to be doing what they get to do, not have to do.
Dr. Vilardo quoted the ‘importance of showing grace”, and acknowledged the Board of Education for the way they handled pressure ensued with the Governor’s mandate and how they responded with the questions/comments made during the Special Board meeting held on August 12.
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
A. Approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of July 21, 2021 and Special Meeting of July 28, 2021.
B1. Approve the bills and payrolls for the month of July 2021.
B2. Approve the Activity Fund Reports for the CUSD #1 attendance centers, period ending July 2021.
B.3 Approve the summary of revenues and expenditures year to date as presented by Assistant Superintendent Chad Burgett.
VI. Consent Agenda: New Business
∙ Appoint Charleston Middle School Media Specialist Elizabeth Pippen to serve as the District Program of Library Services Director Designee for the 2021-22 school year.
∙ Grant authority for the Superintendent to approve or disapprove Serious Safety Hazard Findings applications to begin the 2021-22 school year and forward the applications to the Department of Transportation for final review. The applications will be presented to the Board of Education at the following board meeting.
∙ Grant 310.75 (three hundred ten and three-fourth’s) gifted sick leave days to Sharon Porter an LBS1 teacher at Carl Sandburg Elementary School.
VII. Consent Agenda: Employment
∙ Accept a letter of retirement from Sharon Porter, effective at the end of the 2022-23 school year. This retirement was subject to the provisions of district policies and state law.
∙ Grant a Family Medical Leave of Absence to Paige Harrington, a 3rd grade teacher at Carl Sandburg Elementary School.
∙ Accept a letter of resignation from Derrick Landrus as a Physical Education teacher at Charleston High School, effective August 10, 2021.
∙ Accept a letter of resignation from Melissa Galvin as an English Language Arts teacher at Charleston Middle School, effective July 26, 2021.
∙ Accept a letter of resignation from John Hader as a Physical Education/Health teacher at Charleston Middle School, effective immediately.
∙ Accept a letter of resignation from Jessica Wendling as an LBS1 teacher at Ashmore Elementary School, effective July 29, 2021.
∙ Accept a letter of resignation from Karla Lee Moore as a 2nd grade teacher at Carl Sandburg Elementary School, effective July 22, 2021.
∙ Accept a letter of resignation from Jescelynne Gibbons as an LBS1 teacher at Mark Twain Elementary School, effective immediately.
∙ Accept a letter of resignation from Ashley Drake as a special education paraprofessional at Jefferson Elementary School, effective July 19, 2021.
∙ Accept a letter of resignation from Paula Cullen as a 2nd shift custodian at Charleston Middle School, effective August 6, 2021.
∙ Accept a letter of resignation from John McInerney as the 7th grade Boys’ Track and Field Coach at Charleston Middle School, effective immediately.
∙ Accept a letter of resignation from Jasmine Woodley as an Assistant Girls’ Track Coach at Charleston Middle School, effective immediately.
∙ Accept a letter of resignation from Josh Garrett as the Varsity Girls’ Soccer Coach at Charleston High School, effective August 4, 2021.
∙ Accept a letter of resignation from Aaron Garrett as an Assistant Boys’ Soccer Coach at Charleston High School, effective July 19, 2021.
∙ Approve the employment of Gena Bunch-Epperson to serve as a Driver Education instructor on a per hour basis at a rate of $25.00 to cover after school hours needed to complete the driving requirements for students attending Charleston High School during the 2021-22 school year.
∙ Approve the employment of John Belleau as a fulltime 7th grade English Language Arts teacher at Charleston Middle School beginning with the 2021-22 school year. This employment was contingent upon the receipt of all information required paperwork for employment.
∙ Approve the employment of Morgan Biggs as a fulltime teacher, (assigned to 6th grade) at Jefferson Elementary School beginning with the 2021-22 school year. This employment was contingent upon the receipt of all information required paperwork for employment.
∙ Approve the employment of Krista Snider as a fulltime teacher, (assigned to 5th grade) at Jefferson Elementary School beginning with the 2021-22 school year. This employment was contingent upon the receipt of all information required paperwork for employment.
∙ Approve the employment of Todd Campbell as a full time LBS1 teacher at Mark Twain Elementary School beginning with the 2021-21 school year. This employment was contingent upon the receipt of all information required paperwork for employment.
∙ Approve the employment of Carey Dwyer as a full time Social Worker at Mark Twain Elementary School beginning with the 2021-22 school year. This employment was contingent upon the receipt of all information required paperwork for employment.
∙ Approve the employment of Kaylee Hamilton as a fulltime special education program paraprofessional at Charleston High School beginning with the 2021-22 school year. This employment was contingent upon the receipt of all information required paperwork for employment.
∙ Approve the employment of Riley Trotter as a fulltime special education program paraprofessional at Charleston High School beginning with the 2021-22 school year. This employment was contingent upon the receipt of all information required paperwork for employment.
∙ Approve the employment of Christi Taylor as a fulltime special education program paraprofessional at Charleston High School beginning with the 2021-22 school year. This employment was contingent upon the receipt of all information required paperwork for employment.
∙ Approve the employment of Gabrielle Farkas as a fulltime special education program paraprofessional at Charleston Middle School beginning with the 2021-22 school year. This employment was contingent upon the receipt of all information required paperwork for employment.
∙ Approve the employment of Melissa Matthews as a fulltime special education 1:1 paraprofessional with student #82821 at Carl Sandburg Elementary School beginning with the 2021-22 school year. This employment was contingent upon the receipt of all information required paperwork for employment.
∙ Approve the employment of Mary Kercheval as a fulltime special education program paraprofessional at Carl Sandburg Elementary School beginning with the 2021-22 school year. This employment was contingent upon the receipt of all information required paperwork for employment.
∙ Approve the employment of Jennifer Murphy as a fulltime special education program paraprofessional at Mark Twain Elementary School beginning with the 2021-22 school year. This employment was contingent upon the receipt of all information required paperwork for employment.
∙ Approve the employment of the following individuals to fill the extra-curricular assignments at Charleston High School during the 2021-22 school year, contingent upon the receipt of all paperwork required for employment:
- Kristen Runyon – CHS Press Advisor
- Colin McInerny – Freshman Boys’ Basketball Coach
- Eric Selstad – Head Girls’ Tennis Coach
- John Wengerski – Band Director
∙ Approve the employment of Ben Tresslar in the extra-curricular assignment as the Assistant Boys’ Soccer Coach at Charleston High School, effective for the 2021-22 school year. This employment was contingent upon the receipt of all information required paperwork for employment.
∙ Approve the employment of Kacee Nicholson in the extra-curricular assignment as the 7th grade Volleyball Coach at Charleston Middle School, effective for the 2021-22 school year. This employment was contingent upon the receipt of all information required paperwork for employment.
∙ Approve the list of substitutes and volunteers, effective August 10, 2021.
Mrs. Ritchey moved and Mr. Wright seconded the motion to approve items under IV through VII inclusive on the Consent Agenda.
On roll call vote:
AYE: Ritchey, Wright, Clarke, Coe, Daniels
NAY: none Abstain: none
Motion carried
Under the Superintendent’s Report: Opening of School/Enrollment
Dr. Vilardo announced that the 2021-2022 school year officially opened on Wednesday, August 11, 2021 with an all staff institute. The first day of student attendance was held on Thursday, August 12 with a full day of attendance. Board members were provided with enrollment numbers as of August 18, 2021, which revealed an increase of 32 student compared to the 2020-2021 school year. With open enrollment into Ashmore Elementary School, as of August 11 there were 29 students transferred into Ashmore and 15 students transferred from Ashmore (2 to Mark Twain, 11 to Carl Sandburg, and 2 to Jefferson).
Mrs. Ritchey moved and Dr. Clarke seconded a motion to accept the Superintendent’s Report.
On roll call vote:
AYE: Ritchey, Clarke, Wright, Coe, Daniels
NAY: none Abstain: none
Motion carried
Under Old Business: Adoption/2021-2022 CUSD #1 Budget
The superintendent recommended that the Board of Education adopt by resolution the 2021-2022 budget for Community Unit School District No. 1. Mr. Wright moved and Dr. Clarke seconded the motion.
On roll call vote:
AYE: Wright, Clarke, Ritchey, Coe, Daniels
NAY: none Abstain: none
Motion carried
Under New Business: Memorandum of Understanding
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 COVID absence days as provided by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) through September 30, 2021.
Mrs. Ritchey moved and Mr. Wright seconded the motion.
On roll call vote:
AYE: Ritchey, Wright, Clarke, Coe, Daniels
NAY: none Abstain: none
Motion carried
FY22 COVID-19 Emergency Contract Amendment - Aramark Food Services
It was the recommendation of the superintendent that the Board of Education approve the Food Service Contract Amendment for the period July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022 between Charleston CUSD #1 and Aramark Educational Services, LLC. Mr. Burgett reported that the percentage of increase for the 2021-2022 school year will be 3.5% as determined by a rate set by the State of Illinois based upon restaurant cost increases and in the Consumer Price Index. There was also an adjustment of $52,460.67 for the increase in the minimum wage billback.
Mr. Wright moved and Mrs. Ritchey seconded the motion.
On roll call vote:
AYE: Wright, Ritchey, Clarke, Coe, Daniels
NAY: none Abstain: none
Motion carried
Authority to Purchase Playground Equipment for Elementary School Sites
Based on the recommendation from Assistant Superintendent Chad Burgett and the District Facilities Committee, the superintendent recommended that the Board of Education approve the project as presented to purchase new playground equipment for each of the elementary school sites, (Ashmore, Carl Sandburg, Jefferson, and Mark Twain). Work is estimated to begin in October and November. Mr. Burgett noted that the estimated cost does not include removal of old equipment or landscaping.
Dr. Clarke moved and Mrs. Ritchey seconded the motion.
On roll call vote:
AYE: Clarke, Ritchey, Wright, Coe, Daniels
NAY: none Abstain: none
Motion carried
Proposed School Board Policies – First Reading
It was the recommendation of the superintendent that the Board of Education adopt, in tentative form, the Board Policies as listed on first reading. The tentative policies will be placed for public review until final adoption at the September 15, 2021 board meeting.
1:10 School District Legal Status
1:20 District Organization, Operations, and Cooperative Agreements
1:30 School District Philosophy
2:10 School District Governance
2:20 Powers and Duties of the School Board; Indemnification
2:30 School District Elections
2:130 Board-Superintendent Relationship
2:240 Board Policy Development
3:30 Chain of Command
5:10 Equal Employment Opportunity and Minority Recruitment
5:30 Hiring Process and Criteria
6:100 Using Animals in the Educational Program
6:145 Migrant Students
6:160 English Learners
6:170 Title 1 Programs
6:235 Access to Electronic Networks
6:255 Assemblies and Ceremonies
6:260 Complaints About Curriculum, Instructional Materials, and Programs
7:220 Bus Conduct
7:230 Misconduct by Students with Disabilities
7:280 Communicable and Chronic Infectious Disease
8:90 Parent Organizations and Booster Clubs
Mr. Wright moved and Mrs. Ritchey seconded the motion.
On roll call vote:
AYE: Wright, Ritchey, Clarke, Coe, Daniels
NAY: none Abstain: none
Motion carried
At 6:58pm, Dr. Clarke moved to adjourn from the board meeting. Mrs. Ritchey seconded the motion.
On roll call vote:
AYE: Clarke, Ritchey, Wright, Coe, Daniels
NAY: none ABSTAIN: none
Motion carried
https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1558095/210818_Regular_Bd_Minutes.pdf
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