East Central Reporter

Marshall Community Unit School District C-2 Board of Education met Sept. 9.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Board of Education met in regular session with the following members present: Mr. Crews, Mrs. Rayhel, Mr. Cook, Mr. Gard, Mrs. Hendrix, and Mr. Macke. Mr. Eitel joined the meeting online. Superintendent Mr. Ross along with administrators John Ritchey, Josh Maxwell, Katie Williams, Ellen Lake, and Mr. Morgan along with Mr. Engerski were also present.

Mr. Macke called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Mr. Gard led the Pledge of Allegiance.

During the open comment session, Pastor Bob Sabo offered a prayer.

Also during the open comment session, Carrie Miller spoke regarding the vaccination and testing mandate. Joining Carrie in the audience were Jessica Robinson, Lori Royer, and Trecia Bishop.

Mrs. Rayhel offered a motion, seconded by Mr. Cook, to approve the minutes, treasurer’s report, and the bills from the month of August. . On roll call, the vote was as follows: Mr. Crews, aye; Mrs. Rayhel, aye; Mr. Cook, aye; Mr. Gard, aye; Mrs. Hendrix, aye; Mr. Eitel, aye; and Mr. Macke, aye.

The board welcomed Ellen Lake, North School Principal, and Josh Maxwell, Jr. High School Principal. “It’s like a breath of fresh air. We have a great staff and kids,” said Mr. Maxwell. Currently there are 86 students in 7th grade and 90 in 8th grade.

Mr. Ritchey, High School Principal told the board that there are currently 360-370 students coming to school and wearing their masks. Mr. Richey commented, “Our kids are awesome. We have a lot of good things going on the sports, homecoming, and all the things that make it a high school.”

South School Principal, Connie Morgan told the board that the students and staff were giving a send- off parade for Harrison Downey, a kindergarten student, who will be having brain surgery on September 13.

Mr. Ross informed the board that they were going to do their best to have a Homecoming this year. He is hoping that a tent can be set up in the quad area for the dance.

Mr. Ross spoke and answered questions concerning the governor’s bill regarding the sex education curriculum. Mr. Ross commented, “it has always been a parent’s choice to opt out of having their child in the class.” He added that this bill does give some local control. He said, “If we agree to teach sex education, then we must use the curriculum, but we can choose not to add this course to our own curriculum.”

Mr. Ross expressed his appreciation for that Wayne Murphy has done through the years to help the district and our students. Mr. Murphy passed away and left $100,000 to continue with scholarships for our students.

Mr. Macke opened a FY 2022 budget hearing at 6:18 p.m. Mr. Ross reviewed the budget with the board. As there no written or spoken comments or questions from the board or public, Mr. Macke closed the hearing at 6:22 p.m.

Mrs. Hendrix offered a motion, seconded by Mr. Macke, to adoption the FY 2022 budget as present. On roll call, the vote was as follows: Mr. Crews, aye; Mrs. Rayhel, aye; Mr. Cook, aye; Mr. Gard, aye; Mrs. Hendrix, aye; Mr. Eitel, aye; and Mr. Macke, aye.

Mr. Ross gave a facilities project update. Some details are still being worked out in the contract. The district wants to make sure that the price is fixed (with the exception of any asbestos that will need to be removed).

Tim King, from King Financial, was at the meeting to talk about the sale of bonds. Mr. Macke offered a motion, seconded by Mr. Crews, to approve the resolution providing for the issue of $7,542,900 General Obligation Schools Bonds, Series 2021A, for the purpose of paying claims against the district and refunding certain outstanding bonds of the district, providing for the levy of taxes to pay said bonds, and authorizing the sale of said bonds to the purchasers thereof; also to approve the resolution providing for the issue of $4,025,500 taxable General Obligation Refunding School Bonds, Series 2021B, for the purpose of refunding certain outstanding bonds of the district, providing for the levy of taxes to pay said bonds, and authorizing the sale of said bonds to the purchaser thereof. On roll call, the vote was as follows: Mr. Crews, aye; Mrs. Rayhel, aye; Mr. Cook, aye; Mr. Gard, aye; Mrs. Hendrix, aye; Mr. Eitel, aye; and Mr. Macke, aye.

Mr. Ross informed the board that as of the meeting (September 9), there were 22 students out with Covid, 7 students were in quarantine due to close contact in school, and 55 students were out because of close contact outside the school. “We had our first confirmed case of a student contracting the virus from another student. Our quarantine numbers are much lower this year. Wearing masks and distancing three feet instead of six feet have helped those numbers,” commented Mr. Ross. About 15-20 students and staff are being tested daily who are symptomatic. Two staff members are out with Covid and three are quarantined. Remote learning is for only those students who are quarantined or out with Covid. “Our goal is to keep our staff and students in school safely, said Mr. Ross.

Mr. Macke, board president, thanked Mr. Ross and all the staff who are continuing to do all they can at all levels. Mr. Macke, “We will still make the decisions that are best for the kids. We need to give each other grace. We are all making the best decisions for ourselves and our families.”

Mr. Ross spoke on the governor’s executive orders about the required vaccination and testing for all school staff. The orders were signed on August 26 with a deadline of September 5. The deadline has now been extended until September 19. This mandate says that all school personnel has to be fully vaccinated or be tested weekly. To be considered fully vaccinated is: Johnson and Johnson vaccine is one shot and two weeks following; Pfizer and Moderna vaccines—one shot, wait a month, second shot, and wait 2 weeks. Mr. Ross commented, “This executive order was clearly intended to have no exemption for the testing, either medical or religious. We aren’t getting any guidance from the ISBE or IDPH. We are trying to figure out how or if we can do this in-house. We’ll take as much time as needed or that is extended to make these decisions. My job is to be the administrator and do what’s best for the district, the students and the staff. We’re doing our best to try to still be standing in the end.

Mrs. Rayhel offered a motion, seconded by Mrs. Hendrix, to approve the City of Marshall’s applying to IDOT to become part of the Safe Routes to School Program grant. All present voted aye.

Mr. Crews offered a motion to approve the professional meeting request for Josh Maxwell and Katie Williams to attend the Illinois Principals Association meeting; and to approve the professional meeting request for Stephanie England to attend the Illinois Education Technology Conference. All present voted aye.

Mrs. Hendrix offered a motion, seconded by Mr. Macke, to go into closed session under the purposes listed under 5ILCS 120/2(c)(1) (personnel) and 5ILCS 120/2/(c)(2) (negotiations). On roll call, the vote was as follows: Mr. Crews, aye; Mrs. Rayhel, aye; Mr. Cook, aye; Mr. Gard, aye; Mrs. Hendrix, aye; Mr. Eitel, aye; and Mr. Macke, aye. The board went into closed session at 7:35 p.m.

Mr. Macke offered a motion, seconded by Mr. Cook, to return to open session. All present voted aye. The board returned to open session at 8:25 p.m. Mr. Macke offered a motion, seconded by Mr. Cook, to approve Emily Elpers maternity leave. All present voted aye.

Mr. Crews offered a motion, seconded by Mr. Cook, to approve Dana Sanders maternity leave. All present voted aye.

Mr. Cook offered a motion, seconded by Mr. Crews, to approve 10 Covid paid leave days for school employees. All presented voted aye.

Mrs. Rayhel offered a motion, seconded by Mrs. Hendrix, to adjourn the meeting. All present voted no. The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1621481/minutes_september_9_2021.pdf