Southern Illinois News

Pope County Community Unit School District 1 Board of Education met Feb. 15.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

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

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

Motion was made by Wallace and seconded by Kizziar to approve the consent agenda including the following: 1) Approve Minutes of Board Meetings on 1/24/2024; 2) Approve Closed Session Minutes; 3) Approve Bills for Payment; 4) Accept Financial Reports; and 5) Accept Resignation Letters, Kevin Jennings, Patty Ferrell, and Abby Clanton. Mr. Fritch discussed some current bills and some bills to look for next month, and answered some questions from members. With no further comments, roll call vote: all ayes.

There was not a student representative to give a report this month.

Under Administrative reports, Mrs. Allen reported on the following; 1) Student Involvement/Sports; a) Jr High Volleyball; i) 8th grade recognition will be March 6 vs Joppa; ii) Regionals begin March 12; b) Boys/girls 5th/6th grade basketball is underway; c) Jr High Track; i) Coaches will meet on 2/16; ii) First meet is scheduled for 3/25 2) Assemblies/Activities/Projects; a) 3rd quarter progress reports were sent home on 2/2; b) PTO passed out Valentine’s Day cookies on 2/14; c) Mrs. Dunning’s 4th grade “Quest for a Million Pennies” is still underway; i) As of 2/15, they’ve collected $6,396; ii) Interview at radio station on 3/28; d) School Improvement Early Dismissal, 2/16; i) Building level meeting with teachers; ii) Discuss IAR test incentives; iii) Curriculum meeting with grades PK 1, 2-4 and 5-JH; e) Elementary/Jr High Principal’s Account/Incentive fundraiser; i) 2/16 through 3/1; f) Safari Dental will be here on February 27; g) IAR testing for grades 3-8: March 5-11; h) Illinois Science Test for grades 5 & 8 will be March 18 & 19 and 3) Enrollment as of February 15 is 311 students.

Mr. Graves reported the following: 1) The Lady Pirates play for the Regional Championship at Gallatin County against Meridian tomorrow night at 6 pm; 2) The Pirates open Regional play Monday February 19th at 7 pm at Galatia; 3) FAFSA night will be February 20th in the High School Library from 3:05-5:30; 4) FFA attended the Farm Machinery Show in Louisville yesterday, February 14th; 5) We have several organizations leading fundraisers in conjunction with the Grade School for individuals in our community with health issues; 6) March 4th is Scholar Bowl Regionals; 7) The SAT is scheduled for April 11th; 8) Prom is April 27th at Bramlet’s; and 9) Enrollment: 169

Mr. Fritch reported the following: 1) Rotary Honors/Sports Banquet will be April 26th; 2) ISBE has developed a Literacy Plan focusing on Reading; 3) Mandated training for teachers and staff of school districts have been revised to a 5-year cycle instead of every year or every other year; 4) Three of our staff are attending an iTames, Medicare billing, training at the WOVSED Annex in Norris City on Friday. Billing rules have changed so we will be able to bill more services for reimbursement; 5) House Bills to watch for effect TRS Tier 2 retirees, retention factor, taking retirement age back to 62 from the current age of 67; and 6) $20 per hour minimum for support staff is going to study to predict if school districts can feasibly afford the hike.

Motion to enter closed session for the purpose of discussion of personnel performance, procedures, and employment was made by Wallace and seconded by Kizziar. Roll call vote: all ayes. Board entered closed session at 7:19 pm.

Motion to return to regular session was made by Simmons and seconded by Wallace. Roll call vote: all ayes. Board returned at 8:35 pm.

Statement of Economic Interest were distributed to member and asked to please complete and return to Paula Baker.

Mr. Fritch explained that it is time for bids for our services. Motion to authorize superintendent to solicit bids for services (dairy products, tires, fuel, trash, and pest control) was made by Wallace and seconded by Simmons. Roll call vote: all ayes.

Mr. Fritch stated in keeping with past practice, he recommended promotion and graduation ceremonies be set for May 9th and 10th. Motion to set 8th Grade Promotion for May 9, 2024 to begin at 6 pm and High School Graduation for May 10, 2024 to begin at 6 pm was made by Wallace and seconded by Kizziar. Roll call vote: all ayes. Mr. Fritch reminded members their group picture will be at 5:30 pm before High School Graduation.

Mr. Fritch presented the 2024-25 school year calendar and stated the teachers have all agreed with this proposal. Motion to approve 2024-2025 SY calendar Option A as presented was made by Wallace and seconded by Kizziar. Roll call vote: all ayes.

Motion to purchase full-page ad in Pirata Yearbook was made by Wallace and seconded by Simmons. Roll call vote: all ayes.

Motion to post for Early Childhood teacher for 2024-25 SY was made by Jeffords and seconded by Kizziar. Roll call vote: all ayes.

Motion to post for Elementary K-6 self-contained classroom teacher for 2024-25 SY was made by Jeffords and seconded by Wallace. Roll call vote: all ayes.

Motion to approve Madison Babes and Bo Bramlet as volunteer assistant coaches for 5th and 6th grade basketball was made by Jeffords and seconded by Kizziar. Roll call vote: all ayes.

Motion to hire Kale Rister as full-time substitute teacher for 2024-25 SY pending proper licensure was made by Kizziar and seconded by Wallace. Roll call vote: all ayes.

Motion to approve overnight field trip for the FFA to attend Ag Legislative Day in Springfield, IL March 12th and 13th was made by Wallace and seconded by Jeffords. Roll call vote: all ayes.

Motion to approve overnight field trip for the Student Council to go to Springfield, IL May 2 – 4 was made by Wallace and seconded by Jeffords. Roll call vote: all ayes.

Motion to approve out-of-state field trip for the choir to attend The Planets at the Carson Center in Paducah, KY on March 11th was made by Wallace and seconded by Kizziar. Roll call vote: all ayes.

Mr. Fritch distributed a copy of Amendment #8 written by our architects and explained the fire alarm system failed inspection, the outdated 1970s model has to be replaced. It is estimated to cost around $150,000. In order to use our Health/Life Safety funds there needs to be an amendment made to the 10-Year Health/Life Safety Plan. Motion to approve Amendment #8 to the 10-Year Health/Life Safety Plan was made by Wallace and seconded by Simmons. Roll call vote: all ayes.

Under Old Business, Mr. Fritch updated the Board on the ball fields. We have someone who could haul and spread the dirt, do all the work for the fields. Member Jeffords had a quote from C & L Parts for dirt and hauling. Chris Walker has been approved to order the backstop mat from BSN and the district will cover the cost. We need to wait until Spring to start the project and have to be completed by August. New lights have been installed and carpet cleaned in the batting cage. Working on finding heaters and exhaust fans. We will continue to do what we can in the meantime.

With no further business to be discussed, a motion was made by Jeffords and seconded by Simmons to adjourn the meeting until the next meeting to be held on Thursday, March 21, 2024 at 7:00 pm in the J.H. Hobbs Memorial Library. All members present voted aye.

Meeting adjourned at 9:05 pm.

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