East Central Reporter

Marshall Community Unit School District C-2 Board of Education met Jan. 12.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Board of Education met in regular session on Thursday, January 12, 2023, with the following members present: Mr. Crews, Mrs. Rayhel, Mr. Eitel, Mrs. Hendrix, and Mr. Macke. Superintendent Mr. Ross and administrators Mr. Ritchey, Mr. Keown, Mr. Maxwell, Mrs. Williams, Mrs. Lake, and Mrs. Morgan. Mr. Grubb was also present. Mr. Macke called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Mrs. Rayhel led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mr. Crews offered a motion, seconded by Mrs. Hendrix, to approve the minutes, treasurer’s report, and bills from the month of December, 2022. On roll call the vote was as follows: Mr. Crews, aye; Mrs. Rayhel, aye; Mr. Eitel, aye; Mrs. Hendrix, aye; and Mr. Macke, aye.

Mr. Ritchey informed the board that fifteen seniors were recognized as Illinois State Scholars. These seniors are in the top 10% of all seniors in Illinois. Mr. Ritchey, “This is the largest group of state scholars we’ve had since I’ve been here.” Mrs. Lake told the board that fifth grade teacher, Jill Strohm, was named the Educator of the Year by the VFW. Mrs. Strohm received this award for her work with veterans and for organizing a Veteran’s Day Program with the fifth graders. Mr. Maxwell thanked the board for the Christmas luncheon and the Marshall jackets that were given to all employees. He also told the board that during the Christmas break, extra cleaning was done in all school buildings. The district purchased two used trucks.

In his superintendent report, that Kaleb Johnson will be the full-time resource office in the buildings starting in early February. Mr. Ross also discussed with the board the House Bill 5188 (National Sex Education Standards). Our district is among 70% of Illinois schools that have opted out of teaching this curriculum. Mr. Ross and the board discussed the school report card. Approximately 23% of students have missed 10 or more days of school. He stressed the need to improve attendance and to have incentives for students to want to be in school. The graduation rate has dropped to 76% of students who started out as freshmen. Mr. Ross updated the board on the latest progress for the high school HVAC and high school/junior high fire alarm project:

· JH fire alarm system installed and working

· JH gym HVAC units installed and working

· District wide intercom speakers installed and working

· Large chiller for the HS has been set in place outside the boiler house · The last of the four old units from McNary Gym have been removed · HS fire alarm system and air conditioning all gyms will be done over the summer

Approved minutes, treasurer’s report, bills

The district is in a position of trying to find a head football coach that ideally would be a teacher at the high school level. The current positions that are available at the high school are art and science. Mr. Ross asked the board permission to post a P.E. position in addition to the 2 current P.E. classes. The right person for this position would have a background in strength and conditioning, would be in the weight room and be in charge of leading the strength, speed and agility, conditioning programming for all athletes or other students that would want this type of P.E. This class would be open to all students.

Mr. Crews offered a motion, seconded by Mr. Eitel, giving Mr. Ross permission to post a position for an athletic P.E. teacher. On roll call the vote was as follows: Mr. Crews, aye; Mrs. Rayhel, aye; Mr. Eitel, aye; Mrs. Hendrix, aye; and Mr. Macke, aye. Mrs. Rayhel offered a motion, seconded by Mr. Macke, giving Mr. Ross permission to post a position for a second school psychologist. On roll call the vote was as follows: Mr. Crews, aye; Mrs. Rayhel, aye; Mr. Eitel, aye; Mrs. Hendrix, aye; and Mr. Macke, aye.

The date for the annual board retreat was set. It will be March 29 at 5:00 p.m. at the Unit Office.

Mrs. Hendrix offered a motion, seconded by Mr. Crews, to adopt the latest IASB press policy updates. All present voted aye.

A review of the existing closed session minutes is required every 6 months. They are reviewed in January and July to determine if the board wants to make any of these minutes open to the public or to keep closed. Mr. Crews offered a motion, seconded by Mrs. Hendrix, to keep the closed session minutes from July 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022 closed. All present voted aye.

Mrs. Rayhel offered a motion, seconded by Mrs. Hendrix, to destroy the closed session minutes/tapes over 18 months old for items deemed not appropriate to become open. All present voted aye. This takes place every January and August. Mr. Crews offered a motion, seconded by Mrs. Rayhel, to go into closed session for purposes listed under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1)(personnel). The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint against an employee to determine its validity.) On roll call the vote was as follows: Mr. Crews, aye; Mrs. Rayhel, aye; Mr. Eitel, aye; Mrs. Hendrix, aye; and Mr. Macke, aye. The board went into closed session at 6:50 p.m.

Mr. Macke offered a motion, seconded by Mr. Crews, to return to open session. All present voted aye. The board returned to open session at 8:00 p.m. Mr. Macke offered a motion, seconded by Mrs. Rayhel, to approve Katie Schmidt’s maternity request. All present voted aye.

Gave Mr. Ross permission to post for additional PE teacher

Gave Mr. Ross permission to post for psychologist Board retreat set for March 29 at 5:00 p.m.

Adopted IASB press policy updates

Voted to keep closed session minutes 7/1/22 to 12/31/22 closed

Voted to destroy closed session minutes/tapes Over 18 months old

Closed Session

Open Session

Approved K. Schmidt’s maternity leave

Mr. Macke offered a motion, seconded by Mrs. Hendrix, to accept the resignation of Connie Morgan as south school principal at the end of the 2022-2023 school year. All present voted aye.

Mr. Macke offered a motion, seconded by Mr. Crews, to accept the resignation from Justin Musselwhite as Industrial Tech teacher at the end of the 2022-2023 school year. All present voted aye.

Mr. Macke offered a motion, seconded by Mrs. Rayhel, to accept the resignation from Chrissy Higginbotham as an elementary teacher at the end of the 2022-2023 school year. All present voted aye.

Mr. Crews offered a motion, seconded by Mr. Macke, to accept the resignation of Lori Butts as Pals sponsor. All present voted aye.

Mr. Macke offered a motion, seconded by Mrs. Hendrix, to accept the resignation of Sarah Brannan as prom sponsor. All present voted aye.

Mr. Crews offered a motion, seconded by Mr. Macke, to approve Harvey Norris and Darin Hostetter as co-sponsors for the JH scholastic bowl team. On roll call the vote was as follows: Mr. Crews, aye; Mrs. Rayhel, aye; Mr. Eitel, aye; Mrs. Hendrix, aye; and Mr. Macke, aye.

Mr. Macke offered a motion, seconded by Mrs. Rayhel, to employ Abby Lee as assistant high school softball coach. On roll call the vote was as follows: Mr. Crews, aye; Mrs. Rayhel, aye; Mr. Eitel, aye; Mrs. Hendrix, aye; and Mr. Macke, aye. Mrs. Hendrix offered a motion, seconded by Mrs. Rayhel, to adjourn the meeting. All present voted aye. The board adjourned at 8:04 p.m.

https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/890/Marshall_Community_School_District_C2/2792859/BOE_Minutes_January_12__2023.pdf