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Thursday, July 17, 2025

Arcola Community Unit School District 306 Board of Education met May 12

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Arcola School District Board of Education Members | Arcola Community Unit School District 306 Website

Arcola School District Board of Education Members | Arcola Community Unit School District 306 Website

Arcola Community Unit School District 306 Board of Education met May 12.

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, May 14, 2025 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, and Wise. Board members Leyva-Sanchez and Stenger were not present.

Others present were: Tom Mulligan, Jennifer Frichtl, Amber Behrends, Kyle Shay, Nick Lindsey, Ben Crane, Braden Phillips, and Carolina Torres.

Pledge of Allegiance

President L. Shonkwiler recognized the visitors and asked for public comment. There were no comments. Dr. Mulligan responded to one FOIA request.

Motion by Stout, seconded by J. Shonkwiler, to approve the Special meeting minutes from April 29, 2025. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye. 5 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by Wise, seconded by Conlin, to approve the Treasurer’s Report as of April 30, 2025 as submitted. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye. 5 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by Stout, seconded by Wise, to approve the payment of bills as submitted in the amount of $338,089.79. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye. 5 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by J. Shonkwiler, seconded by Conlin, to approve the payment of payroll in the amount of $482,431.90. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye. 5 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Business:

Motion by Wise, seconded by Conlin, to approve the first reading of the school handbooks for the 2025-2026 school year. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye. 5 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by Stout, seconded by Wise, to approve the first reading for PRESS Policies from April 2025. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye. 5 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by Stout, seconded by Conlin, to approve the tentative amended budget changes for the 2024-2025 school year and set the amended budget hearing for June 11, 2025 at 7 pm. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye. 5 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by J. Shonkwiler, seconded by Conlin, to approve the increase of $0.10 in breakfast and lunch prices for the 2025-2026 school year. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye. 5 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by Wise, seconded by Stout, to approve continuing the elimination of all student fees for the 2025-2026 school year, except the technology insurance fee, driver’s education fee, and dual-credit fees. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye. 5 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by Wise, seconded by Stout, to approve establishing the activity fund account for the Class of 2029 and closing the activity fund account for the Class of 2025. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye. 5 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by Wise, seconded by J. Shonkwiler, to approve the renewal from Selective for the property and liability insurance for 2025-2026 at a cost of $78,709. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye. 5 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by Stout, seconded by Conlin, to approve the Resolution Authorizing an Interfund Transfer from the Working Cash Fund to the Education Fund for the technology related expenses for this school year. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye. 5 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by Stout, seconded by Wise, to approve an increase in the daily substitute pay rate from $125 to $135 per day for the 2025-2026 school year. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye. 5 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by J. Shonkwiler, seconded by Conlin, to approve the amended Calendar for FY25 that includes the emergency days used this year. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye. 5 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by Wise, seconded by Stout, to approve Arcola First Mid Bank & Trust as bank depository for the 2025- 2026 school year. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye. 5 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by Stout, seconded by J. Shonkwiler, to approve the financial terms for the 2025-2026 school year with Gould Transportation for transportation services for the district, which includes a 10% increase. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye. 5 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by Conlin, seconded by J. Shonkwiler, to approve the agreement to complete the four elementary classroom floors for a cost of $28,000. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye. 5 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by Stout, seconded by J. Shonkwiler, to approve the quote from BSN Sports for basketball shot clocks and installation at a cost of $17,790.78. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye. 5 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by Stout, seconded by J. Shonkwiler, to approve the quote of $11,000 for the replacement of the fence on the visiting side of the football field. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye. 5 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by Conlin, seconded by J. Shonkwiler, to approve the single audit from 2024 that was required due to the fact that the district received over $750,000 in federal funds. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye. 5 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by Stout, seconded by Wise, to approve the Joint Intergovernmental Agreement for a Cooperative Athletic Golf Team with Arthur CUSD 305 for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye. 5 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by Wise, seconded by Conlin, to approve the FFA field trip in June. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; Wise, aye. 4 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by Conlin, seconded by Stout, to approve the job description and position for the Behavioral Support Specialist for the 2026-2027 school year. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye. 5 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Tabled motion to approve the community solar agreement allowing the district to save electric costs

Administrative Team Reports

Mrs. Behrends reported that they received their ACCESS scores. Eighty-two percent of students in grades 1-6 increased their English proficiency scores and 76% of students in grades 1-12 increased their scores. Mr. Lindsey was happy to report that Senior Honors Night was a success last night, with hundreds of thousands of dollars in awards being given out. Braden Phillips shared that the Principal Advisory Committee handed out notes of appreciation and goody bags for teacher appreciation last week. He also commented that prom was a lot of fun and the junior class did a great job. Dr. Mulligan told the board that they would most likely need to hold a special meeting at the end of the month to approve parking lot bids and further discuss the solar agreement. James Hendrix and the maintenance team poured the new sidewalk on the east side of the school. The next steps will be to level out the surrounding area and plant grass seed.

Motion by Wise, seconded by Stout, to enter into executive session at 7:35 p.m. to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees, specific individuals who serve as independent contractorsin an educational setting, or specific volunteers of the public body and collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives, or deliberations concerning salary schedule for one or more classes of employees and collective negotiations. 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. 5 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by Stout, seconded by J. Shonkwiler, to return to regular session at 8:09 p.m. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye. 5 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by Wise, seconded by J. Shonkwiler, to accept the resignation of Mitch Pollock as 8th Grade Boys Basketball Coach; Ashlyn Donnals as Elementary Paraprofessional; Mayra Lyons as Bilingual/ESL (effective May 12th); Gwen Pullen as Fourth Grade Teacher; Amy Kauffman as Elementary Paraprofessional; Steve Snider as Business Teacher, Strength and Conditioning Coach, and Head Football Coach; Brad McGill as HS Golf Assistant Coach; and Kim Snider as HS Softball Assistant Coach. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye. 5 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by Stout, seconded by Conlin, to approve the employment of 2025-2026 Extra-Curricular Coaches and Sponsors, Norma Martinez as Bilingual Paraprofessional, and Grace Irvin as Fourth Grade 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. 5 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by J. Shonkwiler, seconded by Conlin, to approve the contract amendments for the administrators for FY26. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye. 5 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by J. Shonkwiler, seconded by Stout, to approve the support staff salary increases as recommended. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye. 5 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Motion by J. Shonkwiler, seconded by Wise, to approve the Memorandums of Understanding between the Board of Education of Arcola Community Unit School District No. 306 (“Board” or “District”) and the Arcola Education Association, IEA-NEA for strength and conditioning coach and athletic director. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye. 5 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

Announcements: None

Motion by J. Shonkwiler, seconded by Conlin, to adjourn at 8:12 p.m. Roll call vote: Stout, aye; L. Shonkwiler, aye; Conlin, aye; J. Shonkwiler, aye; Wise, aye. 5 ayes. 0 nays. Motion carried.

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/426/Arcola_CUSD/5761011/Board_Minutes_-_Regular_Meeting_05.14.2025.pdf

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