The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

West Central Seeking Bids For Reconstruction Work

On Wednesday, March 16, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. West Central C.U.S.D. #235 board of Education approved the authorization for the architect to seek bids for classroom expansion at the west end of the west corridor at WCHS; seek bids for a hallway window wall replacement in the west corridor at WCHS; and to seek bids for a new security enclosure between the main building and the Industrial Arts building at WCHS.

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. in the West Central Elementary School cafeteria by Board President Lonnie Brent with all board members present at roll call.

President Brent led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Under Good News Items the following items were highlighted:

• WCHS Students of the Month for February
• English - Emilee Landers
• CTE - Nick Brokaw
• Fine Arts - Tommy Murphy
• Math - Trystan Cox
• PE - Sarah Muff
• Science - Molly Parsons
• Social Studies - Abby Clem
• WYSE Team qualified for sectionals. Audrey Vice and Brianna Akers qualified for the WYSE State Competition.
• Seven high school students were inducted into the National Honor Society: Nick Brokaw, Grace Brent, Maddie Benge, Braeden Reed, Ali Link, Laura Newton, and Aurdrey Vice.
• FFA Meats Judging Team was 1st place team overall at the Section #4 Meats Contest. Team members were: Nick Brokaw, Brock Bigger, Tavian DaVolt, and Jon Anderson
• FFA Livestock Judging Team was 11th at Liberty Livestock Judging with Alec Vancil placing 20th individual. The team consisted of Alec Vancil, Heidi Ford, Damien Fues, and Nick Brokaw.
• The FFA Junior Team placed 1st overall at the Liberty Livestock Judging Contest. Ruby Gittings was 2st place individual. Dayne Gittings was 2nd place individual. Dexter Ricketts was 8th place individual. Kaylynn and Collin Hennenfent were the other two team members.
• Rachel Reynolds, WCMS 6th grade teacher, was honored on February 29 with the WQAD My Favorite Teacher Award. Eighth grader Sarah McVey wrote an essay explaining why Miss Reynolds was her favorite teacher and sent it to the TV station.
• WCE hosted the annual PTC Carnival. It was a huge success as many families attended the event and enjoyed the activities.
• Under the direction of Mr. Pilger, a video was created to encourage the students to do their best on the upcoming PARCC.
• The Toothmobile, in partnership with Eagle View, visited the district and provided services to over 80 students in the form of cleanings, exams, and sealants.
• The elementary participated in FFA week by completing activities within the classroom with our high school students and attending an event sponsored by the local farm bureau where several sessions were organized to introduce the students to various agricultural topics.
• Six thousand pennies were counted by the Kindergarten classes and donated to the Henderson County Library.
• A group of West Central students, Mr. Boyle, and Mrs. Markey joined the Highway 34 Coalition and traveled to Springfield to meet with Governor Rauner, Senator Sullivan, and Representative Hammond to lobby for funding for the continuation of the Highway 34 project.

There were no additions or deletions to the agenda.

There were no comments from the public.

The board approved the Consent Agenda. Items approved under the Consent Agenda included the following:

• The minutes of the February 17, 2016, Regular Meeting and Closed Session

• The February 2016 bills, February 2016 building Activity Account Reports, the February 2016 Treasurer's Report, and review of the District Financial Snapshot.

The board approved:

• the 2016-2017 school district calendar as presented.
• the Senior Class Trip to the Chicago area.
• Superintendent Markey and Assistant Principal/Athletic Director Ben Rees to pursue a potential agreement to co-op golf with West Prairie.
• a proposal for lining the deep pump station manhole at WCHS.
• continued membership in the Illinois High School Association.
• continued membership in the Illinois Elementary School Association.
• directed Superintendent Markey to begin work on the FY17 District budget.

The board approved the following proposed board policy revisions on Second Reading:

• Policy 2:160 - board Attorney
• Policy 2:160-E - Exhibit - Checklist for Selecting a board Attorney
• Policy 2:260 - Uniform Grievance Procedure
• Policy 4:50 - Payment Procedures
• Policy 5:50 - Drug- and Alcohol-Free Workplace; Tobacco Prohibition
• Policy 5:270 - Employment At-Will, Compensation, and Assignment
• Policy 5:290 - Employment Termination and Suspensions
• Policy 6:140 - Education of Homeless Children
• Policy 7:10 - Equal Educational Opportunities
• Policy 7:40 - Nonpublic School Students, Including Parochial and Home-Schooled Students
• Policy 7:310 - Restrictions on Publications
• Policy 7:325 - Student Fundraising Activities
• Policy 7:90 - Release During School Hours
• Policy 8:10 - Connection with the Community
• Policy 8:80 - Gifts to the District

The board reviewed and heard reports from the building principals; Ben Rees, Athletic Director; Melinda Frakes, District Technology Coordinator; and Nancy Smith, District Psychologist and Special Education Director.

In other business:

• Mrs. Lafary reported PARCC testing. Fourth grade tested last week. Third grade is testing this week, and fifth grade is testing next week.
• Mrs. Burns reported that Miss Reynold is involved with Illinois Reads Council, and it will launch in Mt. Sterling on April 2. Author Crystal Chan will visit WCMS on April 1 at 9:30 a.m.
• Mr. Schneider updated the board on two Job Fair visits to Southern Illinois University and University of Illinois.
• Mr. Schneider reported that eight teachers are involved in a book study of What Great Teachers Do Differently by Todd Whitaker.
• Mr. Rees reported that spring sports are in full swing, and updated the board regarding attendance at the Lincoln Trail Conference AD meeting.
• discussed Media facility needs and options.
• discussed the proposal to host a summer volleyball league.
• heard electronic and oral presentations from the WCE, WCMS, and WCHS School Improvement Teams regarding their proposed School Improvement Plans.

The board entered closed session at 9:05 p.m. to discuss matters related to personnel and contract. The board exited closed session at 9:45 p.m.

The board took the following action in regards to personnel:

• accepted the intent to retire from Kris Peterson as WCMS Physical Education/Health teacher at the end of the FY16 school year
• accepted the intent to retire from Jay Blender as WCHS Physical Education teacher at the end of the FY16 school year and Head Girls' Basketball Coach
• accepted the resignation of Tiffany Adams as WCHS English teacher and Yearbook Sponsor
• accepted the resignation of Jeffrey Durham as a Special Education teacher
• accepted the resignation of Rebecca Tee as an Associate
• approved a Maternity Leave for Tonya Neira beginning May 2
• approved the reemployment of Joe Pilger as WCE Assistant Principal
• approved the reemployment of Kathy Lafary as WCE Principal
• approved the reemployment of Chris Conlee as WCMS Assistant Principal
• approved the reemployment of Julia Burns as WCMS Principal
• approved the reemployment of Ben Reese as WCHS Assistant Principal/Athletic Director
• approved Rhonna Hand as a long-term substitute for a maternity leave
• approved Karen Gall as a Homebound Tutor
• approved Robert Berry as a WCHS Volunteer Track Coach
• accepted the resignation of Richard Clifton as WCHS Head Boys' Basketball Coach
• accepted the resignation of Alyssa Hawk as the WCHS Dance Team Sponsor.

The board was reminded that the next regularly scheduled meeting will be Wednesday, April 20, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. in the West Central Elementary cafeteria.

There being no other business to come before the board, the board adjourned their meeting at 9:55 p.m.