Anna Jonesboro Community High School District 81 Board of Education met Jan. 17.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
The Anna Jonesboro Community High School held its regular meeting on January 17, 2023, it was called to order by President Dr. Blakely. Upon roll call at 6:00 p.m. the following members were present: Dr. Blakely, Mr. McGrath, Mr. Bailey, Mr. Hughey, Dr. Reach and Mrs. Thompson.
Dr. Blakely appointed Dr. Reach as acting secretary.
On motion by Mrs. Thompson and seconded by Mr. Bailey to approve the Agenda. All members present voting yes. Motion carried.
On motion by Dr. Reach and seconded by Mr. Bailey to approve the Consent Agenda which contained the following items: approval of board minutes on 12/12/22; approval of closed session minutes; approval of payment for bills, resignation, approval of destruction of closed session tapes, and acceptance of financial reports. On roll call, all members present voting yes. Motion carried.
Wildcat Student Advisory Council: Members recognized the following on our Brag Board:
Mrs. Richbourg and her work with maintaining the concession stand and also for her hands on and interesting learning experiences that she offers students in the classroom. The office staff, Nicki and Jennifer, for the hard work they do. Mr. Horn exposing students to various cultures. Mrs. Vancil brought in a local artist to further educate her students. Mr. Sullivan for successfully preparing future drivers. Mrs. .Houseman for facilitating good discussions in the classroom. Mrs. Moser for working with students to ensure that they understand difficult concepts. Mrs. Misener for scheduling a wonderful field trip for her Biomedical Sciences class. We also recognized Marlee Smith, a recent graduate, for her holiday toy drive and all of the teachers for raising holiday cheer by decorating the halls and their classroom doors. General: Some of the topics on our meeting agenda included the school dress code and semester exam policy. We ultimately decided that the school dress code was already relaxed enough and we greatly appreciate this! The semester exam policy was readdressed, but Mr. Finders informed the club that there were active discussions about this policy already occurring. Potential Discussion Items: Certain members of the council wanted to discuss the potential for students having bereavement leave (funeral days). Students also thought that allowing students to decorate their parking spots could boost school spirit. They would like that to be considered as an option, since we know of several schools in the area that do so (Murphysboro). Students have mentioned using paints that would not damage the parking lot and make this a much more reasonable option. Students have requested that the school looks into using an additional form of social media other than Facebook. Many students do not use Facebook, so a more accessible option, such as an Instagram page that could be linked to the current Facebook page, could make it easier for students to find out important school information. Looking Forward: We are also very excited to make the board aware that WSAC is going to bring back the beloved school talent show sometime this spring!
Teachers Notes: From the Family and Consumer Science Gals: Planning for the 2022-2023 AJ Faculty and Staff Appreciation Week is well underway and is set for February 27-March 4 in hopes of giving everyone a week of fun and something to look forward to. Mrs. Hase and Ms. Cleghorn are teaming up for an old fashion, high steppin, rootin tootin time to celebrate the best darn educators this side of the Mississippi. We are planning dress up days and a secret student/AJ faculty and staff appreciation week. During this week students volunteer to “adopt” a faculty or staff member and gift them small gifts Monday-Thursday and then on Friday Ms. Cleghorn’s classes will prepare a delicious stick to your ribs breakfast, also that morning our secret student will be unveiled and it will be our turn to give them a gift. On Saturday evening the faculty and staff can bring a date and are invited to a night on the town with dinner that will also be prepared by Ms. Cleghorn’s classes, live entertainment, door prizes, and a whole lot of fun! Shane and Jennifer Osman have graciously offered to help with set up, clean up, keeping the food line intact, and will be donating some delicious cheesecake bites! Scholastic Art results are in and have been posted to the AJ Facebook page. The opening reception took place Saturday January 14th. AJ student artists have their winning artwork on display at the Cedarhurst Museum in Mt. Vernon through February 12th, at which time there will be a closing ceremony. (See attached) This competition is open to all southern IL high schools. Artwork that receives a Gold Key goes on to compete in NYC. The Little Egypt Arts Association in Marion just posted results of the annual high school art competition. Each teacher is allowed to enter only 5 works. (See attached) The closing reception will be held on Saturday February 18th during which time students will be awarded cash prizes for their winning art works. Spanish Club received a kind, appreciative letter from The Pulsera Project. The letter thanks the A-J Spanish club for our contributions to their non-profit efforts.
Curriculum Director Finders spoke about Testing Dates and the two SIH Grants we have received for our Cafeteria and Physical Education departments.
Principal Detering spoke about failure reports and discipline.
Superintendent Wright reported on upcoming vacancies, renovations, soccer complex mowing, possible enrollment of feeder school teacher’s children, and school board elections.
Public Comments: Kendra Denny, Matt Denny, Amanda Pender, Jenny Sadler
On motion by Mr. Hughey and seconded by Mrs. Thompson for the Board to enter into closed session at 6:45 p.m. for the following reasons (1) the purpose of appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employee 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 to determine its validity. 5ILCS 120/2(c)(1) Student disciplinary cases. 5ILCS 120/2(c)(9) Discussion of minutes of meeting lawfully closed under the Open Meetings Act, whether for the purpose of approval by the body of minutes or semi-annual review of the minutes as mandated by Section 2.06. 5ILCS 120/2(c)(14) On roll call, all members present voting yes. Motion carried.
On motion by Dr. Reach and seconded by Mrs. Thompson to approve keeping all Closed Session Minutes closed. All members present voting yes. Motion carried.
On motion by Mr. Hughey and Mrs. Thompson to approve hiring Marlee Smith for the assistant girls basketball coach. On roll call, all members present voting yes. Motion carried.
On motion by Mrs. Thompson and seconded by Mr. Hughey to approve Mariza Charicata as a paid School Social Worker Intern for the rest of the 2022-2023 school year. On roll call, all members present voting yes. Motion carried.
Facilities Improvement Plan was updated.
President Blakely called for a Special Board Meeting on January 24th, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. in the High School Library for the purpose of student discipline matters.
On motion by Mr. Bailey and seconded by Dr. Blakely to adjourn the Regular Meeting at 8:57 p.m. On roll call, all members present voting yes. Motion carried.
Next regularly scheduled meeting is Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. in the High School Library.
https://aj81.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/January-2023-Minutes.pdf
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