Southern Illinois News

Community Unit School District #201 Board of Education met May 14.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

CALL TO ORDER

On May 14, 2024 at 6:33 p.m. President Hoover called to order the regular meeting of the Community Unit School District 201 Board of Education.

Roll Call

Members Present: Adina Hoover, Jessica Radogno, Angela Steketee, Kevin Marren, Leah Conover

Members Absent: Whitney Rogers, Carlos Hevia

Also present: Superintendent Jack Baldermann, Business Manager,

Anthony Ruelli, the Superintendent’s Administrative Assistant,

Shannon Cossairt.

Pledge of Allegiance

Adina Hoover led the Assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.

RETIREE RECOGNITION

The Board thanked all those who are retiring this school year.

● Kathy Lott - 26 years - Spanish Teacher

● Joanne Stefiuk - 31 years - Student Services Administrative Assistant

● Bonnie Grahn - 24 years - Administrative Assistant to WHS Dean, Counseling Athletics

● Debbie Dickert - 10 years - District certified Nurse

● Michelle Lighty - 9 years - EL Teacher

● Karen Walsh - 22 years - Elementary Teacher

● Linda Paulin - 12 years - Principal's Administrative Assistant

CLOSED SESSION

Motion by Ms. Conover, second by Mr. Marren, to enter closed session to discuss personnel issues and student discipline, and superintendent’s evaluation.

Ayes: Radogno, Steketee, Marren, Conover, Hoover

Nays: None.

Motion Carries.

The Board entered closed session at 6:55 p.m.

The Board returned to open session at 7:37 p.m.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

April 23, 2024

Motion by Ms. Steketee, second by Ms. Conover, to approve the minutes of the April 23, 2024, regular meeting of the Board of Education, as presented.

Ayes: Radogno, Steketee, Marren, Conover, Hoover

Nays: None.

Motion Carried.

April 23, 2024 - Closed

Motion by Ms. Steketees, second by Mr. Marren, to approve the minutes of the closed session of the April 23, 2024, regular meeting of the Board of Education, as presented.

Ayes: Radogno, Steketee, Marren, Conover, Hoover

Nays: None

Motion Carried.

PUBLIC COMMENT

No public comment at this time.

CONSENT AGENDA

Motion by Ms. Radogno, second by Mr. Marren to approve the consent agenda as presented:

1. Personnel Recommendations:

● Margaret Bartkus- Elementary Instructional Coach

● Cassandra Torrisi- Social Worker

● Vanessa Possidoni

● Francis Keirnan-Sr. High Assistant Football Coach

● Alexander Pietrzak-Volunteer Basketball Coach

● Kelly Slattery-Board Certified Behavior Analyst

● Resignations

● Request for Reduction in Hours

2. Ratification of April 2024 Regular Payroll

3. Approval of Audit Engagement

4. Disposal of Equipment

Ayes: Steketee, Marren, Conover, Hoover, Radogno

Nays: None.

Motion carried.

INFORMATION and DISCUSSION

Proposed Student Handbook Revisions Second Reading

This is the second review of the changes that will be made to the student handbooks. BoardDocs includes an additional document which includes changes we have to make which are reflective of school code. Adam Kordalewski, Assistant Principal/ Dean, WHS, asked the Board if they had any questions with the updates being made. The Board did not have any questions. The changes will be made later in the meeting for approval.

Monthly Financial Statements

Mr. Anthony Ruelli, Business Manager, gave the Board an update on the financials for April 2024. He shared information regarding the revenue and expenditure and the comparisons to previous years. All documents are attached in BoardDocs.

Before and After School Care

Mr. Ruelli gave the Board an update on an afterschool care program he and Edith Courington have been working with the Park District on. The program would be hosted at Manning School while the employees would be from the Park District. The program would take place next fiscal year.

WJHS Increasing Math Minutes

Superintendent Baldermann discussed with the Board that the junior high would like to increase the amount of math minutes the students would receive starting next year, if approved. Currently students only receive 40 minutes of math per day and the junior high would like to increase this. The increase in minutes would allow students to connect with the material and instruction. This will also allow for more guided practice in a day. The Board will approve this later in the meeting.

Tax Levy Update Mr. Ruelli gave the Board an update on the tax levy.

SASED Lease Agreement

Currently SASED rents one classroom at WJHS. Next year they would like to rent two classrooms at the junior high to meet their needs.

Board Meeting Topic Calendar

Ms. Hoover let the Board know that the topic calendar for Board members is available in Boarddocs.

Curriculum Materials for WJHS and WHS Math

Next year the District would like to purchase and implement a new math curriculum at the junior high and high school. They would like to purchase the research based materials from Carnegie. The purchase is presented for approval later in the meeting.

Officer Terms

President Hoover asked the Board their thoughts on the current policy of having Board members serve one year terms. Ms. Hoover and Ms. Conover is wanting feedback on have the policy changed to two year terms.

Superintendent Evaluation Tool

In April the Board and Superintendent Baldermann participated in a workshop hosted by the IASB on a tool to use for the superintendent’s evaluation. The Board will be presented with the opportunity to approve the tool which would be used moving forward later in the meeting.

ACTION ITEMS

1. Approval of Student Handbook Changes

Motion by Ms. Conover, second by Ms. Steketee, to approve the recommended revisions to the elementary, junior high and high school 2024-2025 student handbook changes, as presented.

Ayes: Marren, Conover, Hoover, Radogno, Steketee

Nays: None

Motion Carried.

2. Approval of Consolidated Plan for Title Grants

Motion by Ms. Steketee, second by Mr. Marren, to approve the Consolidated District Plan for Title Grants, as presented.

Ayes: Marren, Conover, Hoover, Radogno, Steketee

Nays: None.

Motion Carried.

3. Approval of Title 1 School-Wide Waiver

Motion by Mr. Marren, second by Ms. Conover, to approve the Title 1 school-wide waivers for Miller, Manning, and Westmont High School, as presented.

Ayes: Conover, Hoover, Radogno, Steketee, Marren

Nays: None.

Motion Carried.

4. Approval of Core Curriculum Materials for Dual Language with Benchmark

Motion by Ms. Conover, second by Ms. Steketee, to approve the purchase of core curriculum materials for Dual Language from Benchmark at a total cost of $30,219.00, as presented.

Ayes: Hoover, Radogno, Steketee, Marren, Conover

Nays: None.

Motion Carried.

5. Approval of Curriculum Materials for WJHS and WHS Math

Motion by Mr. Marren, second by Ms. Conover, to approve the core curriculum materials for math at Westmont Junior High and Westmont High School with Carnegie for $64,185.00, as presented.

Ayes: Hoover, Radogno, Steketee, Marren, Conover

Nays: None.

Motion Carried.

6. Approval of District Architect

Motion by Ms. Conover, second by Ms. Radogno, to approve Legat as the District Architect.

Ayes: Radogno, Steketee, Marren Conover, Hoover

Nays: None

Motion Carried.

7. Approval of Construction Manager

Motion by Ms. Steketee, second by Mr. Marren, to approve Nicholas Construction as the District Construction Manager.

Ayes: Steketee, Marren, Conover, Hoover, Radogno

Nays: None.

Motion Carried.

8. Approval of the Authority for Additional May 2024 Expenditures

Motion by Ms. Radogno, second by Mr. Marren, to authorize and direct the Treasurer to pay any bills received in May 2024 that have been budgeted for the 2024 fiscal year.

Ayes: Marren, Conover, Hoover, Radogno, Steketee

Nays: None.

Motion Carried.

9. Approval of Working Cash interest Transfer Resolution

Motion by Ms. Steketee, second by Mr. Marren, to approve the Resolution transferring FY24 interest from the Working Cash Fund to the Education Fund, as presented.

Ayes: Marren, Conover, Hoover, Radogno, Steketee

Nays: None.

Motion Carried.

10. Approval of Working Cash Abatement Resolution

Motion by Ms. Conover, second by Mr. Marren, to approve the resolution for the abatement of funds from the Working Cash Fund to the Transportation Fund for FY24, as presented.

Ayes: Conover, Hoover, Radogno, Steketee, Marren

Nays: None

Motion Carried.

11. Approval of Capital Projects Transfer Resolution

Motion by Ms. Conover, second by Mr. Marren,to approve the resolution permanently transferring funds from the Capital Projects Fund to the Operations and Maintenance Fund, as presented.

Ayes: Hoover, Radogno, Steketee, Marren, Conover

Nays: None.

Motion Carried.

12. Approval of Superintendent Evaluation Tool

Motion by Ms. Radogno, second by Mr. Marren, to approve the Superintendent Evaluation Tool, as presented.

Ayes: Hoover, Radogno, Steketee, Marren, Conover

Nays: None.

Motion Carried.

13. Resolution for Termination of Support Staff Employment

Tabled.

14. Approval of Increasing Math Minutes

Motion by Mr. Marren, second by Ms. Conover, to approve the at WJHS increase of math minutes at WEstmont Junior High School starting with the 2024-2025 school year, as presented.

Ayes: Steketee, Marren, Conover, Hoover, Radogno

Nays: None.

Motion Carried.

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT

Communication

Superintendent Baldermann would like to let the graduates from the high school and junior high he is proud of all their hard work. At the June 18th meeting there will be a review of the data. It is rewarding to see all the hard work pay off.

FOIA Request

None at this time.

Update on Meeting Minutes/Agendas/Curriculum

The June 18th meeting will start at 6:30 p.m. There will be a committee meeting beforehand at 5:30 p.m.

BOARD REPORTS

Ms. Hoover reminded the Board to look at the information for the Tri-Conference. The Board would like to be more organized and review the special sessions that they could attend and make sure they take full advantage of the conference.

Ms. Steketee would like to compliment all of our talented students.

PUBLIC COMMENT

No public comment at this time.

CLOSED SESSION

Not at this time.

FUTURE MEETINGS AND EVENTSWJHS

Graduation Dance

May 17, 7:00 pm

WJHS

WHS Graduation

May 22, 7:00 pm

WHS

WJHS Graduation

May 23, 7:00 pm

WHS

Last day of School

May 24

PLC Dismissal Times

CUSD 201 Regular Board Meeting

June 18, 6:30 pm

Village Hall

COMMUNICATIONS

None at this time.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Ms. Conover, second by Ms. Steketee, to adjourn the May 14, 2024, regular meeting of the Board of Education at 8:33 p.m.

Motion unanimously passed.

https://go.boarddocs.com/il/cusd201/Board.nsf/files/D64QZK6BBE0A/$file/5.14.24%20Regular%20Minutes%20.pdf