East Central Reporter

Arcola Community Unit School District 306 Board of Education met Feb. 14.

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, February 14, 2024 for the purpose of regular business.

President L. Shonkwiler called the meeting to order. The following members answered roll call: Stout, L. Shonkwiler, Leyva-Sanchez, Myers, and J. Shonkwiler. Board members Conlin and Wise were not present.

Others present were: Tom Mulligan, Jennifer Frichtl, Megan Clark, Kyle Shay, Nick Lindsey, Amber Behrends, David Porter, Baley Milton, Steve Snider, Mike Gomez, Mykah Gomez, Braden Phillips, Bianca Arguelles, and Jacey Kessler.

Pledge of Allegiance

President L. Shonkwiler recognized the visitors and asked for public comment. Mykah Gomez, a sophomore at Arcola High School, approached the board to discuss adding a schoolsoccer team. She felt the board put too much importance on football and several students who are interested in playing soccer are missing out or are having to drive long distances to play on club teams. Mr. Lindsey introduced the student ambassadors to the board. Braden Phillips, Bianca Arguelles, and Jacey Kessler will take turns attending the monthly meetings. Baley Milton and Steve Snider presented on moving towards a virtual welding model in the introductory courses for welding. They presented on the advantages and provided information on how this new approach is being used in the industry for training. Then, Steve Snider and Mr. Lindsey gave a presentation on the need for improving our strength and conditioning program for our athletes. This included early bird PE for athletes, the discussion of a strength and conditioning stipend position for someone to oversee the program, and an upgrade/expansion of weight equipment.

There were no pending FOIA requests.

Motion by Stout, seconded by Myers, to approve the regular meeting minutes and closed session minutes from January 10, 2024, the Building Committee meeting minutes from December 13, 2023, and the Building Committee meeting minutes from January 10, 2024. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Leyva-Sanchez, aye; Myers, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye. 5 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by Myers, seconded by J. Shonkwiler, to approve the Treasurer’s Report as of January 31, 2024 as submitted. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Leyva-Sanchez, aye; Myers, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye. 5 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by Stout, seconded by Leyva-Sanchez, to approve the payment of bills as submitted in the amount of $353,218.23. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Leyva-Sanchez, aye; Myers, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye. 5 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by J. Shonkwiler, seconded by Stout, to approve the payment of payroll in the amount of $556,507.92. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Leyva-Sanchez, aye; Myers, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye. 5 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Business:

Motion by Stout, seconded by Leyva-Sanchez, to approve the job description for district instructional coach. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Leyva-Sanchez, aye; Myers, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye. 5 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by Stout, seconded by J. Shonkwiler, to approve the proposal from QNS for upgrading all of the district switches at a cost of $32,403.67. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Leyva-Sanchez, aye; Myers, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye. 5 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by Stout, seconded by Leyva-Sanchez, to approve the overnight field trip for FFA. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Leyva-Sanchez, aye; Myers, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye. 5 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Administrative Team Reports

Mrs. Clark said they have several candidates for the elementary P.E. position that they’ll begin interviewing next week. Mr. Lindsey said that the student information sessions held on the last school improvement day were well received. Dr. Mulligan said they are still planning to engage the learning community in conversation about a dual language program but the earliest that something like that would be considered would be the 2025-2026 school year. The city thought they had a good candidate for the SRO position but it fell through. They have reposted the position. Ken has found a pre-owned 2022 Chrysler Pacifica van at Diepholz with 31,000 miles for around $35,000. Although the board already approved Dr. Mulligan to purchase a van under $38,000, he asked the board if they were okay with him moving forward. The plan is to pick up the vehicle on Friday. Dr. Mulligan reminded the board that there will be a special board meeting on February 26th at 7:00 pm to approve the locker room bid and debt certificates. It was decided there also needs to be a Building Committee meeting beforehand at 6:00 pm to discuss other building projects.

Motion by Myers, seconded by J. Shonkwiler, to enter into executive session at 8:07 p.m. to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees, specific individuals who serve as independent contractors, or specific volunteers of the District or legal counsel for the District, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee, a specific individual who serves as an independent contractor, or a volunteer of the District or against legal counsel for the District to determine its validity, and collective negotiations. Illinois Open Meetings Act, 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1). Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Leyva-Sanchez, aye; Myers, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye. 5 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by Stout, seconded by Myers, to return to regular session at 8:58 p.m. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Leyva-Sanchez, aye; Myers, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye. 5 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by Stout, seconded by Myers, to approve the resignation of Rachel Stenger as Elementary Special Education Teacher. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Leyva-Sanchez, aye; Myers, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye. 5 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by J. Shonkwiler, seconded by Leyva-Sanchez, to approve the employment of Ixcell Vega as JH Assistant Track Coach pending successful completion of all paperwork and required procedures. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Leyva-Sanchez, aye; Myers, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye. 5 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by Stout, seconded by Leyva-Sanchez, to approve the unpaid leave for Zachary Klunick for the 2024-2025 school year. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Leyva-Sanchez, aye; Myers, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye. 5 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Announcements: None

Motion by J. Shonkwiler, seconded by Myers, to adjourn at 9:01 p.m. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Leyva-Sanchez, aye; Myers, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye. 5 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/426/Arcola_CUSD/4091388/Board_Minutes_-_Regular_Meeting_02.14.2024.pdf