East Central Reporter

Marshall Community Unit School District C-2 Board of Education met March 19.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

1. Pledge of Allegiance, Call to Order

The Board Meeting was called to or by Mr. Macke at 5:00 p.m. with Pledge of Allegiance being recited

II. Opportunity for Public Comment - Two Minute Limit

Jeff Whitmore and Stephanie Fox were present representing the Marshall Education Association. Mr. Whitmore shared his thanks for the invitation and dinner.

III. Review & Planning Session Regarding District Projects & Goals

A. Discussion of District Mission & Core Values

The District Mission and Core Values were reviewed by the Board and Administration. Mr. Ross referred to o the Mission as being similar to the "Portrait of a Graduate” model that many districts use in strategic planning.

B. Discussion of Accomplishments From Previous Board Retreat Meetings

Past accomplishments from previous Board Retreats were discussed.

C. Discussion of Finance

The current state of district finance was discussed. Mr. Ross shared that the district is currently in very good shape. He did caution the board regarding the end of Federal ESSER funds, the effects of inflation (including a heavy reliance on local property taxes w/ a broken state of Illinois property tax system), questions at the Federal Level with the Department of Education, and the general projection of an economic downturn in Illinois coming in the next few years, which could lead to a return to old practices of prorating categoricals and/or the state withholding or delaying the last payments in a given year.

D. Discussion of Personnel / Staffing Needs

Current and potential openings were discussed including and Elementary Special Education Teacher w/ the main need being at South School based on work load, a potential Math Interventionalist at for North and South, and MHS Spanish. Upcoming retirements and the need to prepare for them, particularly at the administrative level were discussed.

Teacher and Administrative shortages were highlighted. It was suggested that students who are going into education should be highlighted with signing days and banners much like our athletes.

E. Discussion of Curriculum / School Improvement Planning

Updates regarding work with the Literacy Plan including the upcoming Orton Gillingham training for all K-6 teachers were discussed.

The need for more Pre-K educational opportunities was emphasized.

The need for improved use of Title I resources and intervention time was discussed.

Ideas included potential summer Pre K opportunities prior to entering Kindergarten were discussed.

The level of challenge and preparation for varying levels of students was discussed with an emphasis on the high school experience. Upper level students do often have experiences that are not challenging to them, but do seem to continue to be successful in their college experiences. Teaching the absent and apathetic continues to be a challenge.

Mr. Ross did share an upcoming proposal from Youth Wrestling to potentially add Wrestling as a High School sport.

F. Discussion of Operations and Maintenance / Facilities

Pre K space in the Marshall Community and at Marshall Schools continues to be a top priority. Past drawings of expansion at South School was discussed. Sources of funding were discussed with the 1% Sales Tax being the most realistic option. Mr. Ross is to get information for the board on how the 1% Sales Tax works and what financing of a Pre K expansion project might look like.

Cafeteria Expansion continues to be discussed as a district need.

Life Expectancy of District Roofs was provided.

Upcoming, but not immediate needs including MHS flooring/carpet, replacement ceiling tiles at North School and High School were discussed.

The board and administration agreed to renovate the Resource Building (old auto-shop) in the Summer of 2025.

Other items mentioned included Forsyth Center lights and Sound, an MJHS Basketball Court and Pavilion, Sanding of the MJHS Gym Floor, Space for a Tech lab (potentially at North School), Additional Cameras in buildings to see dead zones.

G. Discussion of Transportation

Need for AC on a Handicapped Bus

Potential for AC on all busses as replacements are made

Training of Rob Wellum as a replacement for Donna Pepper upon retirement at the end of 2024-25

Mr. Ross also referenced a packet of information provided to the board that came from an anonymous source regarding concerns about the food program at the elementary level.

IV. Adjourn

Mrs. Hendrix made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:00 p.m. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Rayhel. All present voted Aye.

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/890/Marshall_Community_School_District_C2/5529222/BOE_Retreat_Minutes_March_19__2025.pdf