Anna Community Consolidated School District 37 Board of Education met Dec. 17.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
Board President Josh Gooden called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
Roll Call
Present Absent Arr. Late
Josh Gooden ____x_____ __________ __________
Jim Hammer ____x_____ __________ __________
Cheryl Ligon ____x_____ __________ __________
Collin Crane ____x_____ __________ __________
Lottie Smith ____x_____ __________ __________
Brent Sims ____x_____ __________ __________
Alison Smith ____x_____ __________ __________
Principals, Mark Laster, Angela Clay
Staff, Carla Whitaker
A motion was made by Jim Hammer and seconded by Lottie Smith to approve the agenda for the meeting. Voice vote. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Cheryl Ligon and seconded by Brent Sims to approve the consent agenda of the following items: Minutes of the November 16, 2025 Regular Meeting, Minutes of the October 29, 2025 Special Meeting, Financial Reports: Activity Fund, Revolving Fund, Treasurer’s Report, Cafeteria Report, Insurance Report, Approve Bills and Payroll. Roll call vote. Josh Gooden, yea; Jim Hammer, yea; Cheryl Ligon, yea; Collin Crane, yea; Lottie Smith, yea; Brent Sims, yea; Alison Smith, yea. Motion carried.
Mr. Boren informed the board of the changes with legal counsel. Current legal counsel is joining with national counsel. No obvious changes to services are expected, including price. We will have access to more attorneys.
A motion was made by Josh Gooden and seconded by Alison Smith to approve the resolution authorizing transfer of engagement/appointment of legal counsel. Roll call vote. Josh Gooden, yea; Jim Hammer, yea; Cheryl Ligon, yea; Collin Crane, yea; Lottie Smith, yea; Brent Sims, yea; Alison Smith, yea. Motion carried.
Superintendent Boren reported that the City and District have been working together and we now have an additional SRO, resulting in two SROs between for Anna 37 and AJCHS. He thanked the police department for their dedication and hard work. Mr. Boren presented the proposed solar plan at a recent City Counsel meeting. It seemed to be well received. The goal is still to break ground by July 4, 2026. Additional Title funds have been issued, some of which are allocated to help fund the additional SRO.
Principal Laster presented his report to the board including updates on math workshops, School Improvement, and daycare. Teachers are attending math workshops both online and in-person. The School Improvement team met with the ISBE coach on December 18. IAR results and ELA and math resources were the focus of the meeting.
Mrs. Clay reported to the board that Christmas concerts are underway and going very well. Benchmark testing is now complete and adjustments are being made to TIER groups to better support our students.
SST meetings continue. The PTO is hosting the annual Christmas Shop, which remains a highlight for the students. We also had an anonymous donation made to all three schools to cover student lunches and extra funds for students to shop the Christmas Shop.
Mr. Lannom’s report was included in the board packet. The girls’ basketball team won the conference tournament at Century, and will host the Regional Tournament this year. The boys’ basketball team won the consolation championship for all conference at Shawnee. Mr. Eudy held the annual pickleball tournament with Jonesboro this year. It was a great time for all students involved. Student Council hosted a successful blood drive on December 9. Coach Erin Suggs was named Coach of the Year for Class M Softball by the Illinois Coaches Association! This is an incredible and well-deserved honor. Congratulations to Coach Suggs! There were two in-school suspensions and one out-of-school suspension this month.
A motion was made by Alison Smith and seconded by Lottie Smith to enter Executive Session for the purpose of the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee of the public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1), security procedures, school building safety and security, and the use of personnel and equipment to respond to an actual, a threatened, or a reasonably potential danger to the safety of employees, students, staff, the public, or public property. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(8) Voice vote. Motion carried.
Board entered Executive Session at 5:38 p.m.
Board returned to Regular Session at 5:44 p.m.
A motion was made by Collin Crane and seconded by Josh Gooden to deny the request to extend FMLA days for Employee “A” and instruct Mr. Boren to issue a letter for termination of employment. Roll call vote. Josh Gooden, yea; Jim Hammer, yea; Cheryl Ligon, yea; Collin Crane, yea; Lottie Smith, yea; Brent Sims, yea; Alison Smith, yea. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Brent Sims and seconded by Cheryl Ligon to approve the employment of Kacey Brinkerhoff for the remainder of the 2025-2026 school year as a Jr. High Special Education Teacher, pending proper certifications. Roll call vote. Josh Gooden, yea; Jim Hammer, yea; Cheryl Ligon, yea; Collin Crane, yea; Lottie Smith, yea; Brent Sims, yea; Alison Smith, yea. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Jim Hammer and seconded by Josh Gooden to adjourn at 5:47 p.m. with the next Regular Meeting scheduled for Thursday, January 15, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. Voice vote. Motion carried.
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