East Central Reporter

Casey Westfield Community Unit School District 4c Board of Education met Dec. 18.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

1) The Casey-Westfield Board of Education met in regular session at 7:00 P.M. on Monday, December 18, 2023 at the Unit Office, 401 E. Main, Casey, IL. Upon roll call, members present were Clement, Fain, Gelb, Hickox, Perie, Sharp (phone) and Todd. Administrators present were Linda Campbell, Kacie Rhoads, Dalton McFarland, Jim Sullivan and Dee Scott.

2) President Gelb recognized visitors Jennifer Harris, Tanya Duniphan, Cassie Ramsey, Betsy Collins, Jim Bolin and Jeff Gowin.

3) Public hearing on proposed 2023 Certificate of Tax Levy.

A. President Gelb opened the hearing at 7:01 p.m.

B. President Gelb noted that there were no changes from the proposed 2023 Certificate of Tax Levy which was reviewed by Mrs. Scott in November. The district’s EAV is projected to rise this year due to increasing property values in all five counties and the district is projecting increased tax revenue due to the increase in property values. The district anticipates an overall 10.14% increase in tax revenues.

C. Public Comments/Testimony—Jim Bolin addressed the board regarding changes in land values over the past several years and encouraged the board to be aware of the burden tax increases place on businesses.

D. President Gelb closed the hearing at 7:13 p.m.

4) Act upon approval of the following consent agenda items:

A. Minutes of the regular meeting of November 20 and special meetings of December 7, 11 and 12, 2023;

B. Review of the financial and budgetary reports and approval of the current invoices for payment;

C. Destruction of the verbatim record of those meetings 18 months and older as authorized by Board Policy 220 and 220-E1;

D. Worker’s Compensation Insurance Renewal with EMC through Gallagher of Decatur, IL for January 1, 2024; and

E. 2023 Tax Levy

Motion by Todd and seconded by Perie. Upon roll call, members voting yea were Clement, Fain, Gelb, Hickox, Perie, Sharp and Todd. The President declared the motion carried.

5) Act upon approval of bid for Monroe Walls from R.L. Vollintine Construction, Inc. of Springfield, IL in the amount of $230,000.

Motion by Sharp and seconded by Hickox. Upon roll call, members voting yea were Clement, Fain, Gelb, Hickox, Perie, Sharp and Todd. The President declared the motion carried.

6) Administrator Reports—Dee Scott shared the architect is preparing bid docs for the next LED replacement project at the JSHS and estimates for a boiler replacement at Monroe and new HVAC software for the JSHS. Dee also noted that the district is receiving a $25,000 CNP supply chain disruption grant that will offset cafeteria costs and has applied for a NSLP Equipment Assistance Grant to replace the Monroe oven and the JSHS cafeteria tables.

Linda Campbell reviewed her report, which is attached.

Jim Sullivan discussed proposals for resurfacing the track and tennis courts. The district is still waiting on a proposal from another vendor on the tennis courts. Jim’s written report is attached

7) Addendum

8) Act upon approval to adjourn to closed session under c1 (employment) and c21 (discussion closed meeting minutes) of section 5 ILCS 120/1 et seq. of the Illinois Open Meetings Act at 7:37 p.m.

Motion by Hickox and seconded by Clement. Upon roll call, members voting yea were Clement, Fain, Gelb, Hickox, Perie, Sharp and Todd. The President declared the motion carried.

9) Act upon approval to reconvene to regular session at 8:17 p.m.

Motion by Perie and seconded by Todd. Upon roll call, members voting yea were Clement, Fain, Gelb, Hickox, Perie, Sharp and Todd. The President declared the motion carried.

10) Act upon the following consent agenda items:

A. Act upon approval of closed session minutes of November 20 and December 7, 11 and12, 2023.

B. Act upon approval of employment recommendations.

1. Accept resignations from:

i. Austin Huckaba as Assistant Football Coach effective 6-30-23.

ii. Tabitha Brandenburg as High School Secretary effective 12-31-23.

2. Employ:

i. Brette Cummins as Unit Secretary effective January 8, 2024.

ii. Norma Janney as Monroe 2 hr/day cook effective December 18, 2023.

iii. Audra Taylor as Monroe Dean of Students for the 2024-2025 school year and approval of contract.

iv. Jessica Daugherty as JH Volleyball Coach for the 2023-2024 school year.

Motion by Hickox and seconded by Clement. Upon roll call, members voting yea were Clement, Fain, Gelb, Hickox, Perie, Sharp and Todd. The President declared the motion carried.

11) Addendum

12) Act upon approval to adjourn at 8:19 p.m.

Motion by Sharp and seconded by Clement. Upon roll call, members voting yea were Clement, Fain, Gelb, Hickox, Perie, Sharp and Todd. The President declared the motion carried.

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1373/Casey_Westfield/3838014/12-18-23_Regular_Minutes.pdf