East Central Reporter

Arcola Community Unit School District 306 Board of Education met April 29.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Part 1

A special meeting of the Board of Education of Arcola Community Unit District #306 Arcola, Illinois was called to order in the High School Library at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 29, 2025 for the purpose of reorganizing the Board.

President L. Shonkwiler called the meeting to order. The following members answered roll call: Stout, L. Shonkwiler, Conlin, Leyva-Sanchez, J. Shonkwiler, Wise, and Stenger.

Others present were: Tom Mulligan, Jenny Frichtl, Amber Behrends, Kyle Shay, and Nick Lindsey. Pledge of Allegiance

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

Motion by J. Shonkwiler, seconded by Conlin, to approve the regular meeting minutes and closed session minutes from April 9, 2025 and the Building Committee meeting minutes from April 23, 2025. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; Leyva-Sanchez, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye; Stenger, aye. 7 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

President L. Shonkwiler declared the four new board members based on the April 1, 2025 election results. The new board members included Garrett Stenger (2-year unexpired), Sue Stout, Allyson Wise, and Lucas Shonkwiler. The four elected board members then recited the Oath of Office.

Motion by Stout, seconded by Wise, to adjourn sine die at 5:37 p.m. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; Leyva-Sanchez, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye; Stenger, aye. 7 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Part 2

President Pro Tem L. Shonkwiler called the meeting to order at 5:37 p.m. The following members answered roll call: Stout, L. Shonkwiler, Conlin, Leyva-Sanchez, J. Shonkwiler, Wise, and Stenger.

Election of Officers:

President Pro Tem L. Shonkwiler opened the floor for nomination for President. Motion by Stout, seconded by Leyva-Sanchez, to nominate Lucas Shonkwiler as President. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; Leyva-Sanchez, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye; Stenger, aye. 7 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

President L. Shonkwiler then opened the floor for nomination for Vice President. Motion by Leyva-Sanchez, seconded by Conlin, to nominate Sue Stout as Vice President. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; Leyva-Sanchez, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye; Stenger, aye. 7 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

President L. Shonkwiler then opened the floor for nomination for Secretary. Motion by Conlin, seconded by Leyva Sanchez, to nominate Jeremy Shonkwiler as Secretary. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; Leyva-Sanchez, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye; Stenger, aye. 7 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

President L. Shonkwiler then opened the floor for nomination for Treasurer. Motion by Stout, seconded by Leyva Sanchez, to nominate Toni Fishel as Treasurer. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; Leyva Sanchez, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye; Stenger, aye. 7 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Establish Meeting Date and Time:

Motion by J. Shonkwiler, seconded by Wise, to set the monthly board meetings to be the second Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; Leyva-Sanchez, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye; Stenger, aye. 7 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Assign Committees and Representatives:

The following committees were assigned:

∙ Finance Committee – Julie Leyva-Sanchez, Jeremy Shonkwiler, Sue Stout

∙ Policy Committee – Garrett Stenger, Allyson Wise

∙ Building Committee – Casey Conlin, Julie Leyva-Sanchez, Sue Stout

∙ EIASE Representative – Lucas Shonkwiler

∙ Delegate Assembly Representative – TBD

∙ TIF Board Representative – Jeremy Shonkwiler

Motion by Stout, seconded by Wise, to approve the committees and representatives as listed above. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; Leyva-Sanchez, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye; Stenger, aye. 7 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Business:

Motion by Wise, seconded by Stout, to accept the resignation of Heather Poole as Custodian and Nick Lindsey as Athletic Director. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; Leyva-Sanchez, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye; Stenger, aye. 7 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by Wise, seconded by Leyva-Sanchez, to approve the employment of Gretchen Klepzig as Kindergarten Teacher, Kevin Helmick as Fifth Grade Teacher, and Mitch Pollock as High School Boys Basketball Assistant Coach, pending successful completion of all paperwork and required procedures. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; Leyva-Sanchez, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye; Stenger, aye. 7 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by Stout, seconded by Wise, to approve the Memorandums of Understanding Between the Board of Education of Arcola Community Unit School District 306 and the Arcola Education Association, IEA-NEA, regarding stipend pay for coaches and lane placements for teachers requiring a master’s degree for licensure. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; Leyva-Sanchez, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye; Stenger, aye. 7 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

The board then heard presentations on the following discussion topics.

∙ Superintendent Search Update

∙ Property and Liability Insurance Renewal – Mike Lindenmeyer

∙ Athletic Director Discussion

∙ Financial Update

∙ Literacy Plan Update

∙ College and Career Readiness Update

Motion by Wise, seconded by Leyva-Sanchez, to adjourn at 9:04 p.m. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; Leyva-Sanchez, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye; Stenger, aye. 7 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/426/Arcola_CUSD/5629341/Board_Minutes_-_Special_Meeting_04.29.2025.pdf