Southern Illinois News

Anna Community Consolidated School District 37 Board of Education met Jan. 21.

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_____ __________ __________

Brent Sims      ____X_____ __________ __________

Superintendent Brent Boren

Principals, Mark Laster, Angela Clay, Rob Lannom

Staff, Jenny Hall

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

A motion was made by Cheryl Ligon and seconded by Lottie Smith to approve the consent agenda of the following items: Minutes of the December 17, 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; Lottie Smith, yea; Brent Sims, yea. Motion carried.

A motion was made by Josh Gooden and seconded by Jim Hammer to enter a hearing on E Learning day. Voice vote. Motion carried.

A motion was made by Cheryl Ligon and seconded by Jim Hammer to adjourn the hearing on E Learning days. Voice vote. Motion carried.

A motion was made by Pam Needling and seconded by Josh Gooden to put school insurance and workers compensation out for bid. Roll call vote. Josh Gooden, yea; 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 Josh Gooden to approve the use of E Learning days. Roll call vote. Josh Gooden, yea; Jim Hammer, yea; Pam Needling, yea; Cheryl Ligon, yea; Lottie Smith, yea; Brent Sims, yea. Motion carried.

Superintendent Boren reported that the District purchased the property at 109 Warren Street. The boiler project is now complete with training forthcoming. The 4th grade boys’ bathroom was rebuilt over Christmas with the girls’ bathroom slated for spring break or summer. Title I (School Improvement) grant was boosted in the amount of $290,000. Several different programs are paid for annually, so in order to spread the longevity of this grant we will be purchasing these programs on five-year contracts. This will help free up a portion of our Ed Funds. Mr. Boren will be attending a training on artificial intelligence in schools. Metal detectors are delivered and in progress. The first STEM night will take place on March 11, 2025 for grades 3-5. Food will be served and the Mad Science organization will present Fire and Ice. Mr. Boren will be obtaining asbestos removal quotes due to failing tiles.

Mr. Laster reported that report cards will go home on January 17. SST meetings will be scheduled. Certified staff evaluations will be complete by the end of January. Mid-year ELA and math student assessments have been given, and we are in the process of gathering and analyzing this data. Multiple additional safety measures are in process at the Davie/Jr High building. These include metal detectors, staff to monitor them, clear backpacks for all students, and Threat Zero training.

A motion was made by Jim Hammer and seconded by Josh Gooden 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).

Board entered Executive Session at 6:38 p.m.

Board returned to Regular Session at 7:07 p.m.

A motion was made by Josh Gooden and seconded by Jim Hammer to hire Grace Rich as a Speech and Language Pathology Assistant for the remainder of the 2024-2025 school year. Roll call vote. Josh Gooden, yea; Jim Hammer, yea; Pam Needling, yea; Cheryl Ligon, yea; Lottie Smith, yea; Brent Sims, yea. Motion carried.

A motion was made by Josh Gooden and seconded by Jim Hammer to adjourn at 7:09 p.m. with the next Regular Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, February 18, 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/5324914/January_21__2025_minutes.pdf