Southern Illinois News

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

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Board Vice President Jim Hammer called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.

New board member Brent Sims was sworn into position.

Roll Call

                           Present         Absent          Arr. Late

Josh Gooden  __________ ____X_____ __________

Jim Hammer   ____X_____ __________ __________

Pam Needling ____X_____ __________ __________

Cheryl Ligon   ____X_____ __________ __________

Collin Crane    __________ ____X_____ __________

Lottie Smith     ____X_____ __________ __________

Brent Sims      ____X_____ __________ __________

Principals, Mark Laster, Angela Clay, Rob Lannom

Staff, Anna Rodriguez

Visitors, Alison Smith

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

A motion was made by Pam Needling and seconded by Lottie Smith to approve the consent agenda of the following items: Minutes of the October 15, 2024, Regular Meeting, Financial Reports: Activity Fund, Revolving Fund, Treasurer’s Report, Cafeteria Report, Insurance Report, Approve Bills and Payroll. Roll call vote, Jim Hammer, yea; Pam Needling, yea; Cheryl Ligon, yea; Lottie Smith, yea; Brent Sims, yea. Motion carried.

Anna Rodriguez reported on behalf of the AEEA.

A motion was made by Jim Hammer and seconded by Pam Needling to approve the maternity leave for Autumn McMahan-Falgout. Voice vote. Motion carried.

A motion was made by Cheryl Ligon and seconded by Brent Sims to approve the tax levy. Roll call vote, Jim Hammer, yea; Pam Needling, yea; Cheryl Ligon, yea; Lottie Smith, yea; Brent Sims, yea. Motion carried.

A motion was made by Pam Needling and seconded by Jim Hammer to direct Mr. Boren to purchase the property at 109 Warren. Roll call vote, Jim Hammer, yea; Pam Needling, yea; Cheryl Ligon, yea; Lottie Smith, yea; Brent Sims, yea. Motion carried.

Superintendent Boren was happy to report that we received increased Title I funding. We are utilizing these funds to pay for all our EOC aides, instructional aides, and other non-certified positions that Title allows. We now have swings on the playground and they are a big hit! Window graphics are being finalized, and HVAC and boilers were supposed to be substantially complete by Sept. 15, but they are still incomplete. Mr. Boren is working with Waller Electric to install occupancy sensors in the building to help alleviate unnecessary utility usage. Using the matching maintenance grant, we will be installing new motorized bleachers in the lower gym. On November 14, Mr. Boren attended the ROE Superintendent’s meeting, where we were recognized for our school designation. We are still in communication with multiple solar companies to get information.

Principal Laster reported that the on-demand professional development is continuing, with around 70 who have participated in ELA and Math trainings thus far. Round one of certified evaluations is complete, and round two is being scheduled. We currently have one probationary employee, Jacob Smith. ISBE school designations are official. We celebrated our success on 10/28 with pulled pork sandwiches for all students and staff. Thank you, Mr. Boren and the cooks! Session 1 for PLCs for all teachers was held on 10/28. This is led by Chrissy Wiggs from ROE 21 and focuses on how to better use our common planning times. Sessions 2 and 3 are scheduled for 11/18 and 11/25. The math curriculum alignment team met with Chrissy Wiggs on 10/28 to discuss and develop a common format for aligning our curriculum with state standards. They will meet again on 11/18. The ELA curriculum alignment team will meet on 11/25 to begin the same process.

A motion was made by Cheryl Ligon and seconded by Lottie Smith 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)(2), student disciplinary cases. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(9), the selection of a person to fill a public office as defined in the Open Meetings Act, including a vacancy in a public office, when the public body I given the power to appoint under law or ordinance, or the discipline, performance, or removal of the occupant of a public office when the public body is given the power to remove the occupant under law or ordinance. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(3) Voice vote. Motion carried.

Board entered Executive Session at 6:06 p.m.

Board returned to Regular Session at 6:15 p.m.

A motion was made by Jim Hammer and seconded by Pam Needling to approve hiring Teresa Ralls for the 2024-2025 school year as the Davie and Jr High Cook. Roll call vote, Jim Hammer, yea; Pam Needling, yea; Cheryl Ligon, yea; Lottie Smith, yea; Brent Sims, yea. Motion carried.

A motion was made by Jim Hammer and seconded by Cheryl Ligon to adjourn at 5:30 p.m. with the next Regular Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, December 17, 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/5127801/November_19__2024_minutes.pdf