Southern Illinois News

Anna Community Consolidated School District 37 Board of Education met Dec. 17.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

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____ __________ __________

Collin Crane    ____X____ __________ __________

Lottie Smith     ____X____ __________ left at 6:55pm

Brent Sims      ____X____ __________ __________

Principals, Mark Laster, Angela Clay, Rob Lannom

Staff, Carla Whitaker, Clarissa Ralls

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

A motion was made by Pam Needling and seconded by Cheryl Ligon to approve the consent agenda of the following items: Minutes of the November 19, 2024, Regular Meeting, Financial Reports: Activity Fund, Revolving Fund, Treasurer’s Report, Cafeteria Report, Insurance Report, Approve Bills and Payroll. Roll call vote. Josh Gooden, yea; Jim Hammer, yea; Pam Needling, yea; Cheryl Ligon, yea; Collin Crane, yea; Lottie Smith, yea; Brent Sims, yea. Motion carried.

Clarissa Ralls reported on behalf of the AEEA that the staff enjoyed the Christmas party and appreciated the food and time together.

A motion was made by Jim Hammer and seconded by Collin Crane to accept the resignation of Rhonda Gotway effective December 2, 2024. Voice vote. Motion carried.

Superintendent Boren attended a webinar a few weeks ago presented by Threat Zero. This program provides initial training for students and staff, and monthly videos for students on threat detection and reporting. This includes an anonymous report line for students. Emphasis is put on training students to be proactive in threat prevention. Issues with the air conditioning and boiler at Lincoln have been resolved. Installation of occupancy switches to save energy throughout the buildings have begun. Bison chili day was successful, and Mr. Boren is working on improving bread delivery for the cafeteria. The three-year approval for E-Learning days has lapsed. A hearing date needs to be posted for re-filing next month.

A motion was made by Cheryl Ligon 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)(2), student disciplinary cases. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(9), security procedures, school building safety and security, and the use of personnel and equipment to respond to an actual, a threatened, or a reasonably potential danger to the safety of employees, students, staff, the public, or public property. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(8). Voice vote. Motion carried.

Board entered Executive Session at 5:41 p.m.

Board returned to Regular Session at 6:59 p.m.

A motion was made by Josh Gooden and seconded by Jim Hammer to expel Student “A” for two calendar years, through December 15, 2026. Roll call vote. Josh Gooden yea; Jim Hammer, yea; Pam Needling, yea; Cheryl Ligon, yea; Collin Crane, yea; Brent Sims, abstained. Motion carried.

The board directed Mr. Boren to follow up on security measures discussed in Executive Session including metal detectors, clear backpacks for Davie and Junior High students, tourniquets in every classroom, and the employment of a Student Resource Officer spending the entire day in the district.

A motion was made by Jim Hammer and seconded by Pam Needling to adjourn at 7:02 p.m. with the next Regular Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, January 21, 2025, 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/5239749/December_17__2024_minutes.pdf