East Central Reporter

Marshall Community Unit School District C-2 Board of Education met Jan. 16.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Board of Education met in regular session on THURSDAY, January 16, 2025, with the following members present: Mr. Crews, Mrs. Hendrix, Mr. Lycan, Mr. Macke, Mr. Maurer, and Mrs. Rayhel were present. Superintendent Ross and administrators Maxwell, Keown, Ritchey, Bridgewater, and Sisson were also present. Mr. Macke called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was lead by Mrs. Rayhel.

During the public comment, no comments were offered.

Mr. Crews offered a motion, seconded by Mrs. Hendrix, 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. Lycan, aye; Mr. Maurer, aye; Mrs. Hendrix, aye; and Mr. Macke, aye.

Administrators and Mr. Ross shared their board reports. Mr. Maxwell highlighted the 95% student attendance for the first semester and also complimented Dave Maynard on his work to fix problems with the heating system. Mr. Ross highlighted the work of the Maintenance Team in clearing the parking lots and sidewalks and for taking care of a gas leak at the high school. He also complimented the bus drivers on the work in getting kids to and from school in tough winter conditions. Doug Duzan, who has taken care of Hornbrook Field as a volunteer for over 30 years, presented his idea for a Hornbrook Field Committee to take care of maintenance and field prep at the baseball diamond when he is done. He also provided a step by step manual to maintenance and care of Hornbrook Field. Mr. Ross, Administration, and the Board expressed their gratitude to Doug for his dedication to the baseball program.

The Board Policy Committee met at 4:30 prior to the regular board meeting to review PRESS policy recommendations from IASB PRESS Issue 117 from October 2024. Mr. Ross shared that any policy regarding Title IX has still not been updated with the district still using previous rules due to litigation. He also shared that due to another court decision that all districts will be resorting back to previous Title IX rules. He also shared that updates would be made to the following policies: 2:105, 2:110, 2:120 (Includes additional Board Member Training on student outcomes), 2:250 E2 (Includes new website posting requirements regarding class sizes), 3:60 E, 4:30, 4:60, 4:150 (Includes a lifting of the referendum requirement for building projects that would add kindergarten and / or Pre K space), 4:170, 4:170 AP-1, 4:190 AP2, 5:10, 5:20, 5:30 5:35, 5:35 AP1, 5:90, 5:120, 5:125 (Additional rules regarding Board Member and Employee Social Media standards), 5:150-AP, 5:150 E, 5:230, 6:20 AP (Not to include E Learing days in place of Snow Days), 6:60, 6:270, 7:100, 7:190 AP1, 7:190 AP4, 7:190 AP7, 7:190 AP8, 7:190 E2, 7:340 AP1, 8:10 (Highlights the Board President as the spokesperson to the media).

These edits and additions will be up for approval in February. The IASB PRESS Issue 114 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. Mrs. Rayhel offered a motion, seconded by Mr. Maurer, to keep the closed session minutes from July 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024 closed. All present voted aye.

Mrs. Hendrix offered a motion, seconded by Mrs. Rayhel, to destroy the closed session verbatim records 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 19, 5:00 p.m., at MJHS.

Mr. Ross presented the following Field Trip requests: Band and Chorus to Beef and Boards. Mrs. Hendrix offered a motion, seconded by Mr. Lycan to approve. All present voted aye.

Mr. Ross presented Beth Grooms Professional Meeting Request to attend the Illinois Reading Conference. Mr. Maurer offered a motion, seconded by Mrs. Hendrix to approve. All present voted aye.

Mr. Lycan offered a motion, seconded by Mrs. Hendrix,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. Lycan, aye; Mr. Maurer, aye; Mrs. Hendrix, aye; and Mr. Macke. The board went into closed session at 6:45 p.m.

Mrs. Hendrix offered a motion, seconded by Mr. Maurer, to return to open session. The roll call vote was as follows: Mrs. Hendrix, aye; Mr. Crews, aye; Mrs. Rayhel, aye; Mr. Maurer, aye; Mr. Lycan, aye; and Mr. Macke. The Board returned to open session at 6:53 p.m.

Mr. Macke offered a motion, seconded by Mrs. Rayhel, to approve Dr. John Richards as Volunteer Assistant 5th & 6th Grade Girls Basketball Coach. All present voted aye.

Mr. Lycan offered a motion, seconded by Mr. Maurer, to approve the 3 year retirement incentive request for Stephanie Keown effective at the end of the 2027-28 School Year. The roll call vote was as follows: Mr. Crews, aye; Mrs. Rayhel, aye; Mr. Lycan, aye; Mr. Maurer, aye; Mrs. Hendrix, aye; and Mr. Macke.

Mr. Macke offered a motion, seconded by Mr. Lycan, to approve the MOU with the MEA regarding teacher evaluation. All present voted aye.

Mrs. Hendrix offered a motion, seconded by Mr. Maurer, to adjourn. All present voted aye. The Board adjourned at 6:58 p.m.

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/890/Marshall_Community_School_District_C2/5304432/BOE_Minutes_January_16__2025.pdf