Southern Illinois News

Anna Community Consolidated School District 37 Board of Education met Dec. 19.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Minutes

Board of Education Meeting

December 19, 2023

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_____ __________ __________

Pam Needling  __________ ____X_____ __________

Cheryl Ligon    ____X_____ __________ __________

Brooke Frank  ____X_____ __________ __________

Collin Crane    ____X_____ __________ __________

Lottie Smith     ____X_____ __________ __________

Superintendent Brent Boren

Principals, Mark Laster, Angela Clay

Staff, Candace Linton, Clarissa Ralls, Candice Sauerbrunn, Carla Whitaker Visitors, Adam Sauerbrunn, Alison Smith, Mark Smith, Linda LaFoon, Caroline Hansen, Claire Landis, Tim King (King’s Financial)

A motion was made by Cheryl Ligon and seconded by Brooke Lottie Smith to approve the agenda for the meeting. Voice vote. Motion carried.

A motion was made by Collin Crane and seconded by Josh Gooden to approve the consent agenda of the following items: Minutes from the November 21, 2023 Regular Meeting, and the December 13, 2023 Special Meeting, Financial Reports: Activity Fund, Revolving Fund, Treasurer’s Report, Cafeteria Report, Insurance Report, Approve Bills and Payroll. Second Reading of Policy Updates: 2:20 Powers and Duties of the School Board, 2:80 Board Member Oath, 2:120 Board Member Development, 2:150 Committees, 2:170 Procurement of Architectural, engineering, and land survey services, 2:200 Types of School Board Meetings, 2:220 School Board Meeting Procedure, 2:250 Access to District Public Records, 2:80-E Exhibit Semi-Annual review of closed meeting, 2:220 E^ Exhibit- Log of Closed Meeting Minutes, 3:10 Goals and Objectives, 3:40 E Exhibit Checklist for superintendent employment contract Negotiation Process, 4:10 Fiscal and Business Management, 4:30 Revenue and Investments, 4:40 Incurring Debt, 4:45 Insufficient Fund Checks and Debt Recovery, 4:55 Use of Credit and Procurement Cards, 4:60 Purchases and Contracts, 4:160 Environmental Quality of Buildings, 5:120 Employee Ethics Code of Professional Conduct, 5:30 Hiring Process and Criteria, 5:170 Copyright, 5:190 Teacher Qualifications, 5:220 Substitute Teachers, 5:230 Maintaining Student Discipline, 5:250 Leaves of Absence, 5:285 Drug and Alcohol Testing for School Bus 5:330 Sick Days, Vacation, Holiday and Leaves, 6:10 Educational Philosophy and Objectives, 6:15 School Accountability, 6:30 Organization of Instruction, 6:50 School Wellness, 6:60 Curriculum Content, 6:190 Extracurricular and Co-Curricular Activities, 6:210 Instructional Materials, 6:230 Library Media Programs, 6:240 Field Trips and Recreational Class Trips, 6:270 Guidance and Counseling Program, 7:60 Residence, 7:70 Attendance and truancy, 7:160 Student Appearance, 7:190 Student Behavior, 7:270 Administering Medicines to students, 7:285 Anaphylaxis Prevention, response and management, 7:290 Suicide Depression Awareness and prevention, 7:305 Student-Athlete Concussion and Head Injuries, 7:10 E exhibit Equal Education Opportunities, 8:25 Advertising and distributing materials in school, 8:30 Visitors to and Conduct on School Property, 8:70 Accommodating Individuals with disabilities, 8:95 Parent Involvement. Roll call vote: Josh Gooden, yea; Jim Hammer, yea; Cheryl Ligon, yea; Brooke Frank, yea; Collin Crane, yea; Lottie Smith, yea. Motion carried.

Clarissa Ralls gave the AEEA Report, stating that the staff Christmas party, food, and gifts were very much appreciated and all had a good time.

The Board discussed the Beta Club overnight trip scheduled for March 5-6, 2024. Our school is always well-represented and we would like to keep the National Convention on our radar.

The property at 113 Hendra Street was discussed as a possible accruement. This property adjoining the former Pre-K property would make a good place for a bus barn and storage to be built. The Board asks Mr. Boren to look into the value of the property.

Mr. Boren gave the Board a tool for evaluating the Superintendent. Mr. Gooden advised the Board to be thorough in their evaluation process.

A motion was made by Jim Hammer and seconded by Cheryl Ligon to approve the 2023 tax levy as presented. Roll call vote: Josh Gooden, yea; Jim Hammer, yea; Cheryl Ligon, yea; Brooke Frank, yea; Collin Crane, yea; Lottie Smith, yea. Motion carried.

Mr. Tim King of King’s Financial Consulting, Inc. presented to the Board. He explained the Resolution providing for the issue of $1,127,500 Taxable General Obligation Limited Tax School Bonds, Series 2024, of the District, for the purpose of increasing the Working Cash Fund of the District, providing for the levy of a direct annual tax to pay the principal and interest on said bonds, and authorizing the sale of said bonds to the purchaser thereof.

A motion was made by Lottie Smith and seconded by Collin Crane to approve the Resolution providing for the issue of $1,127,500 Taxable General Obligation Limited Tax School Bonds, Series 2024, of the District, for the purpose of increasing the Working Cash Fund of the District, providing for the levy of a direct annual tax to pay the principal and interest on said bonds, and authorizing the sale of said bonds to the purchaser thereof. Roll call vote: Josh Gooden, yea; Jim Hammer, yea; Cheryl Ligon, yea; Brooke Frank, yea; Collin Crane, yea; Lottie Smith, yea. Motion carried.

A motion was made by Brooke Frank and seconded by Cheryl Ligon to approve the Beta Club overnight trip on March 5-6, 2024. Roll call vote: Josh Gooden, yea; Jim Hammer, yea; Cheryl Ligon, yea; Brooke Frank, yea; Collin Crane, yea; Lottie Smith, yea. Motion carried.

Josh Gooden read aloud a Statement the Board of Education prepared regarding a member’s social media post.

The Anna District #37 Board of Education respects the right to free expression. However, the Board finds it necessary to assure the Anna CCSD #37 community the personal positions expressed by Mr. Gooden – an individual member of the Board – on his personal social media page, does not reflect the position of the entire Board of Anna CCSD #37. The Anna CCSD #37 Board of Education seeks to make it clear to the Anna CCSD #37 students, parents, faculty, staff, and community that the District shall be a safe, loving, learning and working environment that is welcome for all and of its commitment to inclusivity.

Additionally, the Anna #37 District is committed to upholding all applicable laws and regulations, and to ensuring that diverse perspectives are respected. This commitment aims to foster a strong, secure, and cohesive learning environment that encourages open dialogue and critical thinking among students, educators, and staff, including the Board of Education and its members.

Furthermore, the Anna CCSD #37 Board of Education has the utmost confidence that its administration and staff will continue to work diligently to provide our children with a safe, secure, and loving non-discriminatory environment for all students. The Board of Education

commits to supporting our Social Emotion program that is currently in place and provides social and emotional support for all of our students and will continue to support the education of the whole child.

A motion was made by Collin Crane and seconded by Lottie Smith to approve a Board of Education Statement regarding a member’s social media post. Roll call vote: Josh Gooden, yea; Jim Hammer, yea; Cheryl Ligon, yea; Brooke Frank, yea; Collin Crane, yea; Lottie Smith, yea. Motion carried.

Superintendent Boren reported that the marching band did an incredible job at the Lights Fantastic Parade. Contents of the Pre-K building will be recycled over Christmas Break. The permit for this was issued by the Jackson County Health Department. Title I, Title II, and Title V grants have been amended and approved. School improvement grants have been approved. These grants are to be used for stipends and substitutes. We are ready to move forward on window screens while waiting on communication from the company. HVAC for the Jr High is under design and will be bid in January. The new parking lot is ready for parking blocks and will be complete once those are placed.

Candice Sauerbrunn reported on the Shop with a Cop/Fireman program. This was her 9th year to be involved with the program and is such a blessing to so many of our students. 51 of our students got to shop with heroes this year. The Pay it Forward program served 370 children this year, with 201 of those being our students. The Board thanks Mrs. Sauerbrunn and Pam Needling for their work with these programs.

Mr. Laster reports that the Christmas programs were super cute and the students did an amazing job this year. Thank you to Mrs. Newman and Ms. Rodriguez for their continued efforts on these programs each year. Job well done! We are moving forward with the School Improvement plans. The administration has met with the ISBE coordinator and is using the IQFR. School Leadership Team meetings are underway with one more scheduled in January.

Mrs. Clay calls the Christmas programs phenomenal! The PTO Christmas Shoppe was a huge and heartwarming success. Mid-year testing is complete, and we are revamping the tier groups.

A motion was made by Jim Hammer and seconded by Collin Crane 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), and student disciplinary cases. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(9) Voice vote. Motion carried.

Board entered Executive Session at 6:29 p.m.

Board returned to Regular Session at 6:56 p.m.

A motion was made by Jim Hammer and seconded by Cheryl Ligon to approve the Executive Session Minutes from the November 21, 2023, Regular Meeting, and the December 13, 2023, Special Meeting. Voice vote. Motion carried.

A motion was made by Collin Crane and seconded by Lottie Smith to hire Jennifer Snell as the volleyball coach for the 2023-2024 school year. Roll call vote: Josh Gooden, yea; Jim Hammer, yea; Cheryl Ligon, yea; Brooke Frank, yea; Collin Crane, yea; Lottie Smith, yea. Motion carried.

A motion was made by Cheryl Ligon and seconded by Josh Gooden to pay a stipend of $50/hour for school improvement team members. Roll call vote: Josh Gooden, yea; Jim Hammer, yea; Cheryl Ligon, yea; Brooke Frank, yea; Collin Crane, yea; Lottie Smith, yea. Motion carried.

A motion was made by Collin Crane and seconded by Brooke Frank to adjourn at 7:03 p.m. with the next Regular Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, January 16, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. Voice vote. Motion carried.

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/2796/Anna_CCSD/3882748/December_19__2023_minutes.pdf