East Central Reporter

Marshall Community Unit School District C-2 Board of Education met Jan. 11.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Board of Education met in regular session on THURSDAY, January 11, 2024, with the following members present: Mr. Crews, Mrs. Hendrix, Mr. Lycan, Mr. Macke, Mr. Maurer, and Mrs. Rayhel were present. Superintendent Ross and administrators Ritchey, Bridgewater, and Sisson were also present.

Mr. Macke called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

During the public comment, a prayer was offered by Pastor John Cross. Mrs. Hendrix offered a motion, seconded by Mr. Lycan, to approve the minutes, treasurer’s report, and bills from the month of December. On roll call the vote was as follows: Mr. Crews, aye; Mrs. Rayhel, aye; Mr. Maurer, aye; Mr. Lycan, aye; Mrs. Hendrix, aye; and Mr. Macke, aye.

Administrators and Mr. Ross shared their board reports. Mr. Ritchey highlighted the joint Chili Supper being organized by the MHS and Martinsville HS FFA to be held before the home basketball game on January 19. Mrs. Bridgewater highlighted the work of mental health and student support professional teams on their work, specifically Mrs. Elpers leading an effort to provide Christmas gifts to all students who attend out of district attendance centers. Mr. Ross highlighted the completion of the 3 year HVAC, Fire Alarm, and Electrical update project with Honeywell. He also gave condolences to the family of Emma Long, a first grade student who passed away over Christmas Break. He also expressed concern for the families and staff affected by the tragedy in Perry, Iowa, specifically Laura Skeel, former Marshall Schools Special Education Director, who is employed currently by the Perry School District.

Property/ Casualty / /Liability Insurance renewal typically takes place in December annually. Only the workers compensation renewal was ready for approval at that time with Star Stone providing the only bid reflecting a decrease in premium from $43316 to $38,122. The current Property/Casualty/Liability carrier, Liberty Mutual, is the only bidder for everything else, with the total premium going up 17% from $109,501 to $128,121. Mr. Macke offered a motion, seconded by Mrs. Hendrix, to approve the Property/ Casualty /Liability Insurance renewal as presented. On roll call the vote was as follows: Mr. Crews, aye; Mrs. Rayhel, aye; Mr. Maurer, aye; Mr. Lycan, aye; Mrs. Hendrix, aye; and Mr. Macke, aye.

The Board Policy Committee met at 4:30 prior to the regular board meeting to review PRESS policy recommendations from IASB PRESS Issue 113 from October 2023. Most recommendations for update are minor changes in language, footnotes, or legal citations. More significant changes highlighted included the change in the public bid threshold from $25,000 to $35,000; a requirement to teach 9th-12th graders about the dangers of fentanyl; edits to the Library Media policy to not eliminate books due to religious or political beliefs, but maintain the ability to review library content based on age level and content appropriateness; and the need with each job posting to include wage and benefit information. The IASB PRESS Issue 113 is available on the district website as are committee worksheets and the current Board Policy book. The Board Policy Committee consists of Mr. Gard, Mr. Lycan, and Mr. Macke. With Mr. Gard being absent, Mr. Crews participated in the meeting.

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, 2023 to December 31, 2023 closed. All present voted aye.

Mr. Macke 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. The annual Board of Education Retreat Meeting was set for Wednesday, March 20, 5:00 p.m., at MJHS.

Mrs. Hendrix offered a motion, seconded by Mrs. Rayhel,to go into closed session for Personnel 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee to determine its validity); Negotiations 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2) Collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees. The roll call vote was as follows: Mr. Crews, aye; Mrs. Rayhel, aye; Mr. Maurer, aye; Mr. Crews, aye; Mrs. Hendrix, aye; and Mr. Macke. The board went into closed session at 6:20 p.m.

Mr. Crews offered a motion, seconded by Mr. Maurer, to return to open session. All present voted aye. The Board returned to open session at 6:29 p.m.

Mr. Macke offered a motion, seconded by Mrs. Hendrix, to adjourn. All present voted aye. The Board adjourned at 6:31 p.m.

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/890/Marshall_Community_School_District_C2/3917483/BOEMinutesJanuary11_2024.pdf