East Central Reporter

Arcola Community Unit School District 306 Board of Education met Dec. 13.

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 High School Library at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 13, 2023 for the purpose of regular business.

President L. Shonkwiler called the meeting to order. The following members answered roll call: Stout, L. Shonkwiler, Conlin, Leyva-Sanchez, Myers, J. Shonkwiler, and Wise.

Others present were: Tom Mulligan, Jennifer Frichtl, Megan Clark, Kyle Shay, Nick Lindsey, Amber Behrends, and David Porter.

Pledge of Allegiance

President L. Shonkwiler opened the Truth in Taxation Hearing. There were no questions. President L. Shonkwiler closed the Truth in Taxation Hearing.

President L. Shonkwiler recognized the visitors and asked for public comment. There were no comments. There were no pending FOIA requests.

Motion by Stout, seconded by Conlin, to approve the regular meeting minutes from November 8, 2023 and the Policy Committee meeting minutes from November 27, 2023. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; Leyva-Sanchez, aye; Myers, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye. 7 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by Wise, seconded by Leyva-Sanchez, to approve the Treasurer’s Report as of November 30, 2023 as submitted. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; Leyva-Sanchez, aye; Myers, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye. 7 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by Myers, seconded by J. Shonkwiler, to approve the payment of bills as submitted in the amount of $209,448.70. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; Leyva-Sanchez, aye; Myers, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye. 7 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by Myers, seconded by Stout, to approve the payment of payroll in the amount of $537,912.85. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; Leyva-Sanchez, aye; Myers, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye. 7 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Business:

Motion by J. Shonkwiler, seconded by Stout, to approve the 2023 tax levy. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; Leyva-Sanchez, aye; Myers, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye. 7 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by J. Shonkwiler, seconded by Myers, to approve the second reading of the student ambassador policy. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; Leyva-Sanchez, aye; Myers, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye. 7 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by Stout, seconded by Myers, to approve the first reading on PRESS policy updates from October 2023. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; Leyva-Sanchez, aye; Myers, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye. 7 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by Myers, seconded by Leyva-Sanchez, to approve the course offerings for the high school for the 2024- 2025 school year. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; Leyva-Sanchez, aye; Myers, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye. 7 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by Stout, seconded by Myers, to approve the purchase of a sound system for the marching band in the amount of $9,603.87. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; Leyva-Sanchez, aye; Myers, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye. 7 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by Myers, seconded by Stout, to approve the purchase of 12 computers for the PLTW classroom at a cost of $17,006.28. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; Leyva-Sanchez, aye; Myers, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye. 7 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by J. Shonkwiler, seconded by Leyva-Sanchez, to approve selling old football uniforms as a fundraiser for the football program. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; Leyva-Sanchez, aye; Myers, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye. 7 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by Wise, seconded by Conlin, to approve the overnight trip for the FFA state conference. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; Leyva-Sanchez, aye; Myers, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye. 7 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Administrative Team Reports

The preschool program is hosting a Polar Express Night this evening. Mr. Lindsey reported that the IHSA is looking at assigning districts for sports. For football, this would mean that districts would be assigned by IHSA with 8 teams for weeks 3-9 and we would be in charge of scheduling weeks 1-2. If the vote passes, it may have a significant impact on conferences regarding other sports as well. The voting period is closing soon so Mr. Lindsey said he will update the board as he learns more. Dr. Mulligan reported that the police department is reopening the search for a School Resource Officer. The Arcola Kids in Development (A KID) Foundation held their kick-off event at the school last week. There was a great turnout. Dr. Mulligan told the board that he included a tentative timeline/checklist for the second semester in their board packets, as it tends to get pretty busy. He also requested that they hold a planning meeting sometime in March. Lastly, Dr. Mulligan asked the board for their approval to look at purchasing a used van for the district in January. He said the option of purchasing an activity bus isn’t off the table, but he would like to monitor trips over the next semester to see when an activity bus could have been used before purchasing one.

Motion by Myers, seconded by Stout, to approve the resignation of Bryant McCrate as Elementary Paraprofessional and Kayla Janes as Elementary Special Education Teacher. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; Leyva-Sanchez, aye; Myers, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye. 7 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by Myers, seconded by Leyva-Sanchez, to approve the employment of Amber Oliver as JH Math Teacher, Danny Ruyle as Volunteer JH Boys Basketball Coach, Makenna Wagoner as Volunteer JH Cheerleading Coach, Gracie Wagoner as Volunteer JH Cheerleading Coach, Guthrie Gardner as Volunteer HS Boys Basketball Coach, Ariana Warren as JH Volleyball Assistant Coach, and Gracie Leal as Elementary Paraprofessional, pending successful completion of all paperwork and required procedures. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; Leyva-Sanchez, aye; Myers, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye. 7 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Announcements: None

Motion by Wise, seconded by Conlin, to adjourn at 6:06 p.m. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; Leyva-Sanchez, aye; Myers, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye. 7 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/426/Arcola_CUSD/3883023/Board_Minutes_-_Regular_Meeting_12.13.2023.pdf