East Central Reporter

Arcola Community Unit School District 306 Board of Education met Nov. 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 7:01 p.m. on Wednesday, November 13, 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, J. Shonkwiler, Wise, and Stenger. Board member Leyva-Sanchez was not present.

Others present were: Tom Mulligan, Jennifer Frichtl, Amber Behrends, Kyle Shay, Nick Lindsey, Braden Phillips, Allison Phillips, Jill Raymond, and Nancy Bruner.

Pledge of Allegiance

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

Motion by Stout, seconded by Conlin, to approve the regular meeting minutes and closed session minutes from October 9, 2024 and the Building Committee meeting minutes from October 30, 2024. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye; Stenger, aye. 6 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by Wise, seconded by Stout, to approve the Treasurer’s Report as of October 31, 2024 as submitted. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye; Stenger, aye. 6 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by Stout, seconded by Conlin, to approve the payment of bills as submitted in the amount of $457,127.12. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye; Stenger, aye. 6 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by J. Shonkwiler, seconded by Conlin, to approve the payment of payroll in the amount of $507,146.26. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye; Stenger, aye. 6 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Business:

Motion by Wise, seconded by Stout, to approve the district improvement plan. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye; Stenger, aye. 6 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by Stout, seconded by J. Shonkwiler, to approve the acceptance of the district and school report cards from the 2023-2024 school year. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye; Stenger, aye. 6 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by Wise, seconded by Stout, to approve authorizing the school district to apply for the 2025 State Maintenance Grant for parking lot renovation. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye; Stenger, aye. 6 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by Stout, seconded by J. Shonkwiler, to approve the tentative tax levy and set a truth in taxation hearing for December 11, 2024 at 5:30pm. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye; Stenger, aye. 6 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Tabled motion to approve the FY24 audit and annual financial report.

Motion by Wise, seconded by J. Shonkwiler, to approve the annual AFS field trip to either New York City or Washington D.C. and the FFA field trip. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye; Stenger, aye. 6 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by Stout, seconded by Conlin, to approve the Collateralized Deposit Agreement with Arcola First Mid. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye; Stenger, aye. 6 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by Stout, seconded by J. Shonkwiler, to approve the purchase and installation of new radios and supporting equipment from BeckTech for a price of $10,161.55. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye; Stenger, aye. 6 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by Wise, seconded by Stout, to approve adding an elementary special education teaching position for the second semester. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye; Stenger, aye. 6 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by Stout, seconded by J. Shonkwiler, to approve the three-year agreement with Constellation Energy. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye; Stenger, aye. 6 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Administrative Team Reports

Earlier during the meeting before action was taken on the business items, the administrative team made a presentation to the school board about the 2024 School Report Card information and also on the district improvement plan that will drive improvement efforts in the district through the remainder of this school year and next. Dr. Mulligan first presented information on each summative designation score for each school building. All three schools Elementary, Junior High, and High School received “Commendable” ratings from ISBE. These are good ratings. The ultimate goal would be to receive an “Exemplary” rating, which means we would be in the top 10% of all schools in the state. Dr. Mulligan then presented the district improvement plan to the board. The power point was broken down by each strategic goal. He shared the performance measures for each goal along with the performance targets for the 2024-2025 school year. In addition, he highlighted strategies that will drive our improvements under each strategic goal. Mr. Shay and Mr. Lindsey highlighted information on College and Career Readiness, which is a huge part of the improvement strategies for the JH-HS. Mrs. Behrends presented on the state literacy plan and the work the elementary school staff is doing to revise our literacy block based on the literacy plan and state standards.

Motion by Wise, seconded by Conlin, to enter into executive session at 8:37 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. Illinois Open Meetings Act, 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1). Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye; Stenger, aye. 6 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by Wise, seconded by J. Shonkwiler, to return to regular session at 8:56 p.m. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye; Stenger, aye. 6 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by Stout, seconded by Conlin, to accept the resignation of Ariana Warren as JH Volleyball Assistant Coach. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye; Stenger, aye. 6 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by Wise, seconded by J. Shonkwiler, to approve the employment of Kim Snider as Softball Assistant Coach, Makenna Wagoner as JH Cheerleading Head Coach, Gracie Wagoner as HS Basketball Cheerleading Assistant Coach, and Maryssa Stacy as Elementary Special Education Teacher, pending successful completion of all paperwork and required procedures. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye; Stenger, aye. 6 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Announcements: Board Member Mandated Report Status and December Board Meeting at 5:30pm

Motion by Wise, seconded by Stout, to adjourn at 8:59 p.m. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye; Stenger, aye. 6 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/426/Arcola_CUSD/5103695/Board_Minutes_-_Regular_Meeting_11.13.2024.pdf