Southern Illinois News

Pope County Community Unit School District 1 Board of Education met Nov. 14.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Acting President Wallace and the following members were present: Jeffords, Kizziar, Simmons, and Wallace. Schuchardt, Hogg, and Aly were absent.

Motion was made by Simmons and seconded by Jeffords to approve the agenda. Roll call vote: all ayes.

Motion was made by Kizziar and seconded by Simmons to approve the consent agenda including the following: 1) Approve Minutes of Board Meetings on 10/19/2023 and 11/7/2023; 2) Approve Closed Session Minutes; 3) Approve Bills for Payment; 4) Accept Financial Reports; and 5) Publication of Annual Statement of Affairs. Mr. Fritch stated there was a bill from BSN Sports for boys’ basketball uniforms, Johnson Controls for yearly smoke alarm testing, and Silver Collections for Cross Country, all other was normal monthly bills. With no further comments, roll call vote: all ayes.

At this time, Mrs. Krysta Graves had two students in her dual credit education classes that presented to the Board. Olivia Hansen began the presentation with details of what dual credit classes are now offered at the high school and who teaches them, what those classes mean to her, how they have helped her decide her career path, and jumpstarted her college career while saving her money. Dual credit classes allow students to earn a high school credit and college credit simultaneously. We will have a few seniors who will graduate with their high school diploma and Associate’s Degree in May. The school’s goal is to have more students take advantage of this opportunity. Wyatt Hall continued the presentation explaining to the Board his experience with his dual credit classes and how they have helped him chose his career path, teaching. He also stated he is taking advantage of the Teacher Vacancy Grant the district is offering. The grant will pay tuition for degree seeking teaching students providng they come back to the district and teach. Both students did an excellent job and Wallace thanked them for coming and sharing with the Board.

Under Administrative reports, Mr. Fritch gave Mrs. Allen’s report in her absence: 1) Student Involvement/Sports; a) PTO recognized October Students of the Month on 11/2; b) Caring students and staff wore blue for Graham Hosman on Wednesday, Nov 8; c) Veteran’s Day program was held on Friday, Nov 10 at 1:00, grades 3-5; 2) Faculty/Staff/Building Information; a) Picture retake day 11/15; b) The district is providing a catered lunch on 11/15; c) Deer Day/Thanksgiving Break 11/17-11/24; d) School Improvement/early dismissal on 11/27 at 2:00; e) Spelling Bee is scheduled for 12/1 at 1:00; f) 1st Semester Incentive drawing will be held the week of 12/11. Donations are welcomed; g) Christmas programs are scheduled for 12/14, K-2 at 8:30 am and grades 3-5 at 10:00 am; h) District catered meal/last day of 2nd quarter on 12/15; and 3) Enrollment as of 11/14 is 303.

Mr. Graves reported the following: 1) FFA convention was held October 31- November 3rd with 17 students attending; 2) Progress Reports went out November 6th; 3) Mr. Lane’s outdoor group went and explored Millstone Bluff; 4) Meet the Pirates was held November 10th. Can goods were collected for admission and were given to local food pantries; 5) Jasmine Corum went to SIU and placed 8th at the District Level for FFA Job Interview skills; 6) Ahry Comer finished 11th in State and Eason Comer finished 92nd in state for CC; 7) Ahry Comer signs with a major Division I school Thursday afternoon here at the High School. The team will be announced on signing day. Ms. Sheyann has invited students to dress in the team colors they think Ahry is signing with. The choices are: LSU, UNC, IU, OSU, and UK; 8) The Deer Pageant will be held in the high school gym Thursday and Friday evening; 9) November 15th Scholar Bowl kicks off; 10) November 21st-22nd, FFA will be judging dairy; 11) November 28th is picture retake day along with sports and club pictures; 12) November 29th is the American Red Cross Blood Drive at school; and 13) Enrollment: 170.

Mr. Fritch reported the following: 1) Septic system project is getting close to go to bid. Armon and his architects have been here finalizing plans and the core samples have been taken; 2) New buses are running and the four old buses are gone; and 3) We heard last week the van will be totaled and waiting on adjuster to give the value of the van so they can cut a check. We are already looking for another van to purchase. The cameras have been installed on the other van.

Motion to enter closed session for the purpose of discussion of personnel performance, procedures, and employment was made by Jeffords and seconded by Simmons. Roll call vote: all ayes. Board entered closed session at 7:29 pm.

Motion to return to regular session was made by Simmons and seconded by Kizziar. Roll call vote: all ayes. Board returned at 7:39 pm.

Mr. Fritch distributed the tentative tax levy and explained it is at 4.99% like in the past. With our projected EAV up by 4 million, this alone will generate more funding. It will be an $88,000 increase in the Ed fund, $24,000 in Transportation, and $9,000 in Operations and Maintenance. These funds are maxed out and capped. IMRF and Social Security funds have a surplus we are trying to deplete so they have a low rate by design. We have the 4th lowest tax rate in southern Illinois. A motion to approve the tentative tax levy for display as presented was made by Jeffords and seconded by Simmons. Roll call vote: all ayes.

Under Old Business, Mr. Fritch distributed the sample language for the addendum to the Student Handbook. This updated sample was provided by WOVSED. We already give this information to parents during an IEP meeting but it needs to be included in our handbooks. Motion to approve addendum to Student Handbook as presented was made by Simmons and seconded by Kizziar. Roll call vote: all ayes.

Under Other School Business, Mr. Fritch mentioned the cameras have been installed and captured a deer hitting the van.

Member Jeffords asked about the elementary library HVAC system. Mr. Fritch stated it is running good and no mold was found in the unit or the duct. He stated

the smell was probably due to the carpet getting wet. With the Maintenance Grant funds, all the carpet will be removed from both buildings and replaced with vinyl flooring.

With no further business to be discussed, a motion was made by Simmons and seconded by Jeffords to adjourn the meeting until the next meeting to be held on Tuesday, December 14, 2023 at 7:00 pm in the J.H. Hobbs Memorial Library. All members present voted aye.

Meeting adjourned at 7:50 pm.

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