Southern Illinois News

Anna Community Consolidated School District 37 Board of Education met Feb. 23.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Roll Call 

                            Present          Absent         Arr. Late 

Grant Capel     ____X_____ __________ __________ 

Cheryl Ligon    ____X_____ __________ __________ 

Josh Gooden  ____X_____ __________ __________ 

Pam Needling ____X_____ __________ __________ 

Dave Sullivan  ____X_____ __________ __________ 

Austin Walker  ____X_____ __________ __________ 

Jim Hammer   ____X_____ __________ __________  

Others: Superintendent, Julie Bullard 

Principals, Mark Laster, Angela Clay, Rob Lannom 

Staff, Clarissa Ralls, Tonya Hammer, Tricia Shaffer, Hannah Youngman, Erin Suggs,  Ginger Staples, Candice Sauerbrunn, Candace Linton, Julie Bonner, Lori Rich, Marie  Dallas, Malori Lambdin, Barbara James, Sherri Goforth, Terra Lyerla, Stacey Plott, Jenny  Hall, Sarah Goforth, Jennifer Osman, Penny McFarland, Andrea Feloni, Missy Taylor,  LaDonna Miller 

Visitors, Jon Shaffer, Adam Sauerbrunn, Craig Bonner, Karen Collier, Jason Hall, Jennifer Cleghorn, Kristen Stegle, Kathy Stegle, Shari Sweeney-Sadowski, Lara Crane,  Alison Smith 

A motion was made by Cheryl Ligon and seconded by Josh Gooden to approve the agenda for  the meeting. Roll call vote: Grant Capel, yea; Cheryl Ligon, yea; Josh Gooden, yea; Pam  Needling, yea; Dave Sullivan, yea; Austin Walker, yea; Jim Hammer, yea. Motion carried. 

A motion was made by Pam Needling and seconded by Jim Hammer to approve the consent  agenda of the following items: Minutes of the January 19, 2023 Regular Meeting, Minutes of the  January 30, 2023 Special Meeting, Minutes of the February 13, 2023 Special Meeting, Financial  Reports: Activity Fund, Revolving Fund, Treasurer’s Report, Cafeteria Report, Insurance Report,  Approve Bills and Payroll. Roll call vote: Grant Capel, yea; Cheryl Ligon, yea; Josh Gooden, yea;  Pam Needling, yea; Dave Sullivan, yea; Austin Walker, yea; Jim Hammer, yea. Motion carried. 

Mr. Will McKenzie addressed the Board regarding fundraising for the boys basketball team. Mr.  McKenzie would like to host a wresting event. 

Cheryl Ligon gave public comment thanking the community for showing support for the district. 

AEEA reported on the following: 

∙ Music program; National Anthem, solo and ensemble contest, Shawnee Band Festival 

∙ Beta Club and Student Council; Random Acts of Kindness Day and blood drive ∙

 Lincoln; butterfly kits, Read Across America, hallway wars, The Wild Cards book study 

∙ SIEC grant was awarded to Brandy Thurston and Josh Shearer 

∙ Eighth grade visited AJCHS 

∙ Mr. Eddings will be starting a disc golf team 

∙ Jump Rope for Heart 

∙ Marie Dallas will be missed 

∙ Jenny Hall voiced appreciation for the interest and support of the community. The Board  proposed a new contract item on Friday, February 17, 2023. We are still in the process of  negotiations.

Superintendent Bullard reported on the following: 

∙ IASB Update 

∙ FOIA Request(s) 

∙ Anna Community Consolidated School District #37 Educational Foundation Update 

∙ Staffing Needs 

∙ Finances 

∙ Building Construction and Improvements Update 

o Summer 2022 Projects (Lincoln bathrooms and HVAC) 

o Safety Grant Items (Door Locks, Window Film/Fence Wrap, Street Blockers) o Davie Roof 

o Parking Lot 

Principal Laster reported on the following: 

∙ Certified staff evaluations are complete and submitted to Dr. Bullard 

∙ After school tutoring continues, serving 57 students three days a week for one hour. The  program will run through mid-April. 

∙ DARE graduation was held on January 26th. Officer Leek did an amazing job, as usual,  with the program and ceremony. 

∙ Preparations are still underway for the IAR. We conducted an infrastructure trial on  February 6th, identifying a few minor issues, but overall, we feel our network is capable of  conducting the tests in March.  

∙ February 6th was an 11:30 dismissal day for school improvement. All reading teachers  have received training on the new curriculum. Several aides and teachers completed  CPR/AED certification with Nurse Sauerbrunn. 

∙ February 6th was also the annual American Heart Challenge (formerly Jump Rope for  Heart.) We raised approximately $1,000 for the American Heart Association. Thanks to  Mr. Eudy for organizing and over-seeing this, and to all students who participated. 

∙ Junior High planning committee will meet again on February 27th to continue discussions  and planning for the next year. 

Assistant Principal Lannom reported on the following: 

∙ 5th and 6th grade basketball tournaments are happening now 

∙ Basketball season has wrapped up 

∙ The volleyball invitational was a success 

Assistant Principal Clay reported on the following: 

∙ Friday assemblies 

∙ IAR accommodations are ready 

∙ Retention lists and SST’s 

∙ Parent/Teacher Conferences and PTO provided food 

∙ PTO sweetheart dance was a success 

∙ Spring Fling is being planned 

∙ Great growth from RTI 

A motion was made by Austin Walker and seconded by Cheryl Ligon 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), collective negotiating  matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives, or deliberations  concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1). Roll call  vote: Grant Capel, yea; Cheryl Ligon, yea; Josh Gooden, yea; Pam Needling, yea; Dave Sullivan, yea; Austin Walker, yea; Jim Hammer, yea. Motion carried.

Board entered Executive Session at 6:34 pm 

Board returned to Open Session at 9:07 pm 

A motion was made by Dave Sullivan and seconded by Josh Gooden to approve the executive  session minutes from the January 19, 2023 Regular Meeting, the January 30, 2023 Special  Meeting, and the February 13, 2023 Special Meeting. Roll call vote Grant Capel, yea; Cheryl  Ligon, yea; Josh Gooden, yea; Pam Needling, yea; Dave Sullivan, yea; Austin Walker, yea; Jim  Hammer, yea. Motion carried.  

A motion was made by Austin Walker and seconded by Dave Sullivan to allow Tonya Hammer  and Becca Yates as volunteers for track. Roll call vote: Grant Capel, yea; Cheryl Ligon, yea; Josh  Gooden, yea; Pam Needling, yea; Dave Sullivan, yea; Austin Walker, yea; Jim Hammer, yea.  Motion carried. 

A motion was made by Pam Needling and seconded by Jim Hammer to accept the resignation of  Stella M. Dallas effective at the end of the 2022-2023 school year. Roll call vote: Grant Capel,  yea; Cheryl Ligon, yea; Josh Gooden, yea; Pam Needling, yea; Dave Sullivan, yea; Austin Walker,  yea; Jim Hammer, yea. Motion carried. 

A motion was made by Cheryl Ligon and seconded by Dave Sullivan to adjourn at 9:13 pm with  the next meeting being a regular meeting scheduled for March 20, 2023 at 5:30 pm. Voice vote.  Motion carried.