East Central Reporter

Arcola Community Unit School District 306 Board of Education met Jan. 10.

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 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 10, 2024 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 recognized the visitors and asked for public comment. There were no comments.

Dr. Mulligan reported that we had two FOIA requests. One was asking for copies of our current contracts for the two postage machines. The other was from SmartProcure requesting a list of our paid bills for the previous three months.

Motion by Stout, seconded by Wise, to approve the regular meeting minutes from December 13, 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 Treasurer’s Report as of December 31, 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 Conlin, seconded by Stout, to approve the payment of bills as submitted in the amount of $129,761.03. 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 the payment of payroll in the amount of $510,060.41. 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 Stout, seconded by J. Shonkwiler, to approve the non-certified staff seniority list. 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 second reading of PRESS policies 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 Stout, seconded by Myers, to approve the release of bids for the high school locker room renovation and the roof projects. 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 the release of bid to remodel the 5th/6th grade elementary bathrooms. 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 Conlin, to approve Ideal Engineering for professional services in the amount of $13,000 and the quote from M & O Environmental Company for asbestos removal in 4 elementary classrooms at a cost of $24,195. 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 Conlin, seconded by Leyva-Sanchez, to approve the purchase of a used van not to exceed $38,000. 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 purchase of 10 MacBooks in the amount of $10,080. 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 J. Shonkwiler, to approve adding a new activity account for elementary P.E. 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

Mrs. Clark reported that they switched after-school tutoring from three days a week to two days a week. It was becoming too much for the teachers so they were having to find several subs. Tutoring will now be on Tuesdays and Thursdays each week. Mr. Shay said staff met with a representative for I-Ready to look at their diagnostic test, as well as their math curriculum. Mrs. Behrends gave a short presentation to the board about dual-language programs, what they look like and the benefits they provide. The board members all agreed that with the district’s increasing numbers it would definitely be something to explore. Mr. Lindsey reported that they are looking into adding a zero hour Advanced P.E. section. He also mentioned possibly having Ms. Milton and Mr. Snider attend the next meeting to give a presentation on virtual welding and the benefits of it as part of the district’s ag mechanics course. Mr. Lindsey is still looking into the possibility of an online auction for the old banners that were replaced this year. Dr. Mulligan asked the board if they were still okay with operating as the fiscal agent for ACED’s early childhood group so they can accept a new grant. The group is waiting on approval from the state on their not-for-profit status so this should be the last time the district needs to do this. Dr. Mulligan also discussed with the board how the Special Olympics program has evolved since it first started. Lastly, he said a building committee meeting will be necessary in February or March.

Motion by Wise, seconded by Myers, to enter into executive session at 8:06 p.m. to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees, specific individuals who serve as independent contractors in an educational setting, or specific volunteers of the public body, collective negotiation matters, and a review of closed session minutes. Illinois Open Meetings Act, 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1). 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 return to regular session at 8:39 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.

Motion by Myers, seconded by Wise, to approve the resignation of Susan Moore as Instructional Coach. 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 J. Shonkwiler, to approve the employment of Taylor Wilks as Elementary Special Education Teacher, Beau Edwards as Volunteer Track Coach, Kim Snider as Volunteer Softball Coach, Jami Humphrey as Volunteer Special Olympics Coach, Zella Bissey as Volunteer Special Olympics Coach, Theresa Winnett as Volunteer Special Olympics Coach, Joseline Gauna as Volunteer Special Olympics Coach, and Genny Coats as Volunteer Special Olympics Coach, 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.

Motion by Myers, seconded by Wise, to approve the maternity leave for Torrie Kosic as presented. 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 Conlin, to approve the release of the redacted closed session minutes from the previous 6 months and to destroy verbatim records older than 18 months. 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 Myers, to adjourn at 8:47 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/4005771/Board_Minutes_-_Regular_Meeting_01.10.2024.pdf