Charleston Community Unit School District No. 1 Board Education met March 9.
Here are 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.
The following board members were present:
Jason Coe, President
Susan Daniels, Secretary
Charles Jarrell, Treasurer
Brian Gough
Brandon Wright
The following board members were absent:
Scott Clarke, Vice President
Eva Ritchey
The following staff members were present:
Todd Vilardo, Superintendent of Schools
Chad Burgett, Assistant Superintendent for Business Services
Kristen Holly, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services
Genia Lang, Recording Secretary
Visitors 21 and 0 Members of Press
Under public comments, written communications: President Coe asked if there were any comments, questions or written communications. No comments were received.
Dr. Vilardo reported that during the Board of Education Retreat held on July 28, facilitator Jim Burgett made the suggestion that was met favorably by our Board to address one standard or principle from the Code of Conduct at each regular Board meeting. Board member Brian Gough read the 7th principle and definition from the Code of Conduct.
Under Consent Agenda, President 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 Special Meeting of February 8, 2022, Special Meeting of February 9, 2022, and Regular Meeting of February 16, 2022.
• Approve the bills and payrolls for the month of February 2022.
• Approve the Activity Fund Reports from CUSD #1 attendance centers, period ending February 2022.
• Approve the summary of revenues and expenditures year to date as presented by Assistant Superintendent Chad Burgett.
VI. Consent Agenda: New Business
Establish Activity Fund Account
Establish an activity fund account at Charleston High School for the Baseball Busch Stadium event. This account will be subject to the state guidelines regarding the use of activity fund accounts.
Overnight/Out of State Trip
Approve the overnight/out of state trip request for the Charleston High School Advanced Chamber Ensemble to participate in the International Championship in Harrison, Ohio on March 18-19, 2022.
Audit Services
Continue the service arrangement with the firm of Kemper CPA Group, LLP to perform the annual audit for the district and to prepare the school district’s Annual Financial Report for the Illinois State Board of Education.
Local Legal Services
Continue to use the law firm of William J. Warmoth, Attorney at Law, to seek legal advice when determined appropriate by the Board of Education and/or the superintendent.
School Legal Services/Special Education/Negotiations
Continue to use the law firm of Miller, Tracy, Braun, Funk & Miller, Ltd. to seek legal advice when determined appropriate by the Board of Education and/or the superintendent.
Consent Agenda: Employment
• Accept a letter of resignation from Greg Rogers from his positions as a Health/Physical Education teacher, an Assistant Girls’ Track Coach and Head Boys’ Cross Country Coach at Charleston High School, effective February 28, 2022.
• Accept a letter of resignation from Noel Young from her position as a Transitional Program of Instruction Tutor for English Language Learners for the district, effective April 29, 2022.
• Accept a letter of resignation from Todd Campbell from his position as an LBS1 teacher at Mark Twain Elementary School, effective at the end of the 2021-2022 school year.
• Accept a letter of resignation from Morgan Biggs from his position as a 6th grade teacher at Jefferson Elementary School, effective at the end of the 2021-2022 school year.
• Accept a letter of resignation from Darin Doughty from his position as a supervisory paraprofessional at Charleston Middle School, effective February 24, 2022.
• Consistent with board policies, grant an unpaid leave of absence to Breanna Yantis, School Counselor at Jefferson Elementary School.
• Approve the voluntary transfer of Mary Ann Crome into the position as a Media Specialist at Charleston Middle School, effective beginning the 2022-2023 school year.
• Approve the employment of Hannah Hudson as a Title 1 teacher at Carl Sandburg Elementary School for the remainder of the 2021-2022 school year. This employment was contingent upon the receipt of all information required for employment.
• Approve the employment of Sergio Castro in in the extra-curricular assignment as the 8th grade Boys’ Track Coach at Charleston Middle School during the 2021-2022 track season. This employment was contingent upon the receipt of all information required for employment.
• Approve the following individuals to serve as volunteer coaches in the extra-curricular assignments at Charleston High School during the 2022 season:
Dayton Simpson Assistant Baseball Coach
Mark Kattenbraker Assistant Bass Fishing Coach
• Approve the employment of Brian Deadmond as a full time Physical Education and Health teacher at Charleston High School, effective beginning the 2022-2023 school year. This employment was contingent upon the receipt of all information required for employment.
• Approve the list of substitutes and volunteers for Community Unit School District #1, effective March 10, 2022.
President Coe recommended that the Board of Education approve items under IV through VII inclusive on the Consent Agenda. Mr. Gough moved and Mr. Jarrell seconded the motion.
On roll call vote:
AYE: Gough, Jarrell, Wright, Daniels, Coe
NAY: none Abstain: none
Motion carried
Under the Superintendent’s Report: K-12 Summer School Planning for 2022
Assistant Superintendent Kristen Holly and Building Principals have been planning a 2022 Summer School program for students in grades K-12. Mrs. Holly reported that the summer school program will be the same as last year. There will be 50 teaching positions, 6 paraprofessional positions, and 3 district administrators will supervise the program. Summer school will be 4 weeks, beginning the first week and ending the last week of June. Students in grades K-6 will attend the program at Carl Sandburg Elementary School with 2 sessions offered: 8:00am-10:00am and 10:00am-12:00pm. Students in grades 7-12 will attend at Charleston Middle School with one morning session from 7:30am-12:00pm. It is undetermined if meals will be served due to staff shortage. Transportation for students will be provided.
Update/Plan for Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services The American Rescue Plan Act requires that school districts develop, review, and update a Plan for Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services. Recently, an Illinois’ 4th District Appellate Court ruling and Joint Commission on Administrative Rules action impacting the school mask mandate prompts district officials to once again update its Plan. A copy of the updated plan as of March 9, 2022, which includes changes related to mask wearing expectations was provided to the Board.
Mr. Wright moved and Mr. Gough seconded a motion to accept the Superintendent’s Report.
On roll call vote:
AYE: Wright, Gough, Jarrell, Coe, Daniels
NAY: none Abstain: none
Motion carried
Under Old Business: Adoption - Proposed School Board Policies
The following School Board Policies and Administrative Procedures have been on file for the required layover period. It was the recommendation of the superintendent that the Board of Education adopt the revised Board Policies as listed.
Mr. Jarrell moved and Mr. Wright seconded the motion.
Revised Policies
2:20 Powers and Duties of the School Board; Indemnification
2:105 Ethics and Gift Ban
2:110 Qualifications, Term, and Duties of Board Officers
2:120 Board Member Development
2:150 Committees
2:220 School Board Meeting Procedure
2:260 Uniform Grievance Procedure
3:40 Superintendent
3:50 Administrative Personnel Other Than the Superintendent
3:60 Administrative Responsibility of the Building Principal
4:60 Purchases and Contracts
4:80 Accounting and Audits
4:110 Transportation
4:120 Food Services
4:150 Facility Management and Building Programs
4:160 Environmental Quality of Buildings and Grounds
4:165 Awareness and Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse and Grooming Behaviors
4:170 Safety
4:175 Convicted Child Sex Offender; Screening; Notifications
5:10 Equal Employment Opportunity and Minority Recruitment
5:20 Workplace Harassment Prohibited
5:30 Hiring Process and Criteria
5:50 Drug- and Alcohol-Free Workplace; E-Cigarette, Tobacco, and Cannabis Prohibition
5:90 Abused and Neglected Child Reporting
5:100 Staff Development Program
5:120 Employee Ethics; Conduct; and Conflict of Interest
5:125 Personal Technology and Social Media; Usage and Conduct
5:150 Personnel Records
5:185 Family and Medical Leave
5:200 Terms and Conditions of Employment and Dismissal
5:210 Resignations
5:220 Substitute Teachers
5:250 Leaves of Absence
5:260 Student Teachers
5:330 Sick Days, Vacation, Holidays, and Leaves
6:15 School Accountability
6:20 School Year Calendar and Day
6:50 School Wellness
6:60 Curriculum Content
6:120 Education of Children with Disabilities
6:130 Program for the Gifted
6:135 Accelerated Placement Program
6:180 Extended Instructional Programs
6:220 Bring Your Own Technology (BYOT) Program; Responsible Use and Conduct
6:300 Graduation Requirements
6:310 High School Credit for Non-District Experiences; Course Substitutions; Re-Entering Students
6:320 High School Credit for Proficiency
6:340 Student Testing and Assessment Program
7:10 Equal Educational Opportunities
7:20 Harassment of Students Prohibited
7:30 Student Assignment and Intra-District Transfer
7:50 School Admissions and Student Transfers T and From Non-District Schools
7:60 Residence
7:80 Release Time for Religious Instruction/Observance
7:150 Agency and Police Interviews
7:160 Student Appearance
7:180 Prevention of and response to Bullying, Intimidation, and Harassment
7:190 Student Behavior
7:200 Suspension Procedures
7:210 Expulsion
7:240 Conduct Code for Participants in Extracurricular Activities
7:250 Student Support Services
7:260 Exemption from Physical Education
7:290 Suicide and Depression Awareness and Prevention
7:310 Restrictions on Publications; Elementary Schools
7:340 Student Records
7:345 Use of Educational Technologies; Student Data Privacy and Security
8:70 Accommodating Individuals with Disabilities
8:100 Relations with Other Organizations and Agencies
On roll call vote:
AYE: Jarrell, Wright, Gough, Daniels, Coe
NAY: none Abstain: none
Motion carried
Under New Business: Action on Student Disciplinary Hearing
On February 9, 2022, the Board of Education conducted a student disciplinary hearing in closed session. It was the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board of Education uphold the Board’s decision that Student # 80834 be found to have violated school rules and to adopt the Superintendent's written decision detailing the justification for Student # 80834's expulsion. Mr. Gough moved and Mr. Wright seconded the motion.
On roll call vote:
AYE: Gough, Wright, Jarrell, Daniels, Coe
NAY: none Abstain: none
Motion carried
Adoption/District 2022-2023 Calendar
Article IX, Section G of the Professional Negotiations Agreement for the Charleston Education Association (CEA) and Charleston Educational Support Personnel Association (CESPA) provides for an association committee to work with the superintendent or his/her designee on the preparation of a school calendar to make recommendations with respect to prior adoption.
Assistant Superintendent Kristen Holly chaired the Calendar Committee and reported that the committee met on January 31, 2022 to discuss and prioritize calendar options for a three-year calendar template for 2022-23, 2023-24, and 2024-25 school years. Mrs. Holly stated that after review of all necessary calendar elements and committee priorities, four draft calendars were developed for staff vote. A survey was sent out to all district staff on February 21 and 136 staff members voted. Mrs. Holly stated that staff participation rate was comparable to past calendar votes. She provided a copy of the survey and results, showing Calendar C with the most votes.
Consistent with past practice and based on the results of the staff vote, the superintendent recommended that the Board of Education adopt Calendar C as the official school calendar for the 2022-2023 school year and to use Calendar C as a template to develop the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school year calendars.
Mr. Jarrell moved and Mr. Gough seconded the motion.
Under discussion, President Coe stated that two board members were not in attendance and indicated that they wanted to be a part of the discussion. The Board talked about the similarities between Calendars A and B. If Calendar A and B votes were combined, their total would be higher than Calendar C. Spring break aligned with Eastern Illinois University compared to spring break aligned with and around Easter was a big difference between Calendars A and B and Calendar C. The Board requested that Calendars A and C be sent to staff members for further input.
On roll call vote:
AYE: none
NAY: Jarrell, Gough, Wright, Daniels, Coe Abstain: none
Motion failed
President Coe directed the superintendent to send Calendars A and C back for staff input and bring the results back to the Board of Education at the April 20, 2022 meeting.
Proposal – CHS Swickard Auditorium Roof, Ag Building Roof and Ag Building Wrap It was the recommendation of the superintendent that the Board of Education accept the contract proposal from Top Quality Roofing Company through the TIPS USA program to complete the roofing projects at the Charleston High School Swickard Auditorium and Agriculture Building, which includes the installation of exterior wall panels (wrapping) to the CHS Ag Building at a cost of $640,100.
Mr. Jarrell moved and Mr. Gough seconded the motion.
On roll call vote:
AYE: Jarrell, Gough, Wright, Daniels, Coe
NAY: none Abstain: none
Motion carried
Reduction in Force of Licensed Positions
The superintendent has met with and sent notification to CEA President Angel Warman on upcoming Reduction in Force of positions at the March Board Meeting. It was the recommendation of the superintendent that the Board of Education approve the proposed Reduction in Force of 1.0 FTE LBS1 teaching position at Charleston High School and 1.0 FTE Title 1 teaching position at Carl Sandburg Elementary School, effective at the end of the 2021-2022 school year. Mr. Wright moved and Mr. Gough seconded the motion.
Discussion ensued regarding how the reduction in force of an LBS1 position at the high school would affect special education class sizes related to special education law with number of caseloads per class.
On roll call vote:
AYE: Wright, Gough, Daniels, Coe
NAY: Jarrell Abstain: none
Motion carried
Action on Resolution Reference to Dismissal of Licensed Employee
Due to financial planning and the uncertainty of funding for the Title 1 program, the superintendent recommended that the Board of Education approve a Resolution Authorizing Notice of Non-Renewal of Contract for Hannah Hudson, a Title 1 teacher at Carl Sandburg Elementary School for the 2022-2023 school year. Further, that the Board of Education approve the sending of written notice of dismissal to Hannah Hudson. Mr. Gough moved and Mr. Wright seconded the motion.
On roll call vote:
AYE: Gough, Wright, Jarrell, Daniels, Coe
NAY: none Abstain: none
Motion carried
Renewal of Licensed Staff for 2022-2023 School Year
It was the recommendation of the superintendent that the Board of Education employ the following licensed individuals as listed for the 2022-2023 school year.
Mr. Gough moved and Mr. Jarrell seconded the motion.
On roll call vote:
AYE: Gough, Jarrell, Wright, Daniels, Coe
NAY: none Abstain: none
Motion carried
Transfer of Administrative Duties – effective July 1, 2022
It was the recommendation of the superintendent that the Board of Education approve the transfer of assignment to Abigail Schmitz, effective July 1, 2022. Ms. Schmitz is currently serving as the Assistant Principal for Carl Sandburg, (press release located in official board book).
Mr. Gough moved and Mr. Jarrell seconded the motion.
On roll call vote:
AYE: Gough, Jarrell, Wright, Daniels, Coe
NAY: none Abstain: none
Motion carried
At 7:25pm, 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)
Mr. Gough moved and Mr. Jarrell seconded the motion.
On roll call vote:
AYE Gough, Jarrell, Wright, Coe, Daniels
NAY: none Abstain: none
Motion carried
At 8:00pm, Mr. Gough made a motion to reconvene from closed session. Mr. Wright seconded the motion.
On roll call vote:
AYE: Gough, Wright, Jarrell, Coe, Daniels
NAY: none Abstain: none
Motion carried
At 8:01pm, Mr. Jarrell moved to adjourn from the board meeting. Mr. Gough seconded the motion.
On roll call vote:
AYE: Jarrell, Gough, Wright, Coe, Daniels
NAY: none
ABSTAIN: none
Motion carried
https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1256/CUSD%201/2026467/3.9.2022_Regular_Board_Minutes.pdf
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