The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

West Central To Sell Media Property

At the Wednesday, March 21, 2018, regular board meeting of the West Central C.U.S.D. #235 Board of Education the board approved a Resolution Authorizing and Directing the Sale and Conveyance of Certain School Sites of West Central C.U.S.D. #235 - Media facility and parking lot area.

An ad will run in the Henderson County Quill and the Oquawka Current over the next three weeks. All bids must be submitted to the District Office by 1:45 p.m. on Tuesday, April 17, 2018. Bids will be opened at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 17, 2018.

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m.in the West Central Elementary School cafeteria by Board President Paul Anderson. All board members, including Wesley Stewart, a Student Advisor to the Board of Education, were present at roll call.

Staff members from WCES, WCMS, and WCHS were present to present their School Improvement Plans to the board. Randy McElwee and some West Central students were present to present a proposed Co-op with United for wrestling.

President Anderson led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Under Good News Items the following items were highlighted:

• The elementary donated $355.60 to the "Almost Home Animal Shelter". These funds were collected during the annual "Send a Sucker to a Friend" fundraising event, which is supervised by Ms. Lewis.
• WCE hosted our annual PTC Carnival, which resulted in an evening full of fun. Each child selected a book, purchased with Title funds, to take home.
• The kindergarten students collected pennies to be donated to the Henderson County Library. The total amount donated was $105.34. Way to go!
• Sixth grader Arabella Cook and 8th grader Noah VanWinkle competed in the Science Olympiad at WIU on March 3. Each received two 4th place awards for their projects in Rocks and Minerals and Mystery Architecture. Mrs. Lisa Miller helps the students get ready for Science Olympiad each year.
• On Friday, March 2, the Student Council hosted a blood drive through Mississippi Valley. A total of 44 people donated and 39 units of blood were collected. As a result, Mississippi Valley rewarded the Student Council with $289. The Student Council donated this money to St. Jude.
• The Science Olympiad team placed in 5 events at the Science Olympiad held on March 3 at WIU. These events included Thermodynamics, Mousetrap Vehicle, Helicopter, Experimental Design and Game On. Team members include Brianna Kinkaid, Damien Fues, Conner Hill, Korey Bundy, Laine Gholson, Riley Peterson, Ben Krieger, David Gaylord, Nathan Wetzel, Destinee Cornic and Becca Gall.
• Nicholas Brokaw won the STAR in Ag Placement at the District Competition and will compete for the same area at State on March 24th in Champaign. He is in the top 5 in the state of Illinois in this area and will be recognized at the June Illinois State FFA convention.
• Bradon Annegers placed 2nd in the IHSA 3- point showdown for the 2nd year in a row.
• The following students were named to the Lincoln Trail Conference All-Academic Team: Corinne Booton, Payton Clark, Teressa Hartman, Carley Lafary, Brooke Peterson, Madelynn Reed, and Megan Schaley,
• The following student was named to the Lincoln Trail All-Conference Second Team: Corinne Booton.
• The following student was recognized on the Lincoln Trail All-Conference Honorable Mention: Carley Lafary.
• Laine Gholson captured first place in Computer Science at the recent WYSE competition held at Knox College. Laine advances to state on April 18 at the University of Illinois, Champagne/Urbana.
• West Central High students and staff walked up, not out, on March 14, 2018. In honor of the 17 students and staff who lost their lives in the Parkland, Florida tragedy, our students and staff took time to write positive, uplifting notes to each student and staff member in each of their classes. Every student received an envelope with all of their positive notes at the end of the day. Watching each student read their notes and talk with others about them was amazing! Very proud of these students and staff members! This event was posted on our West Central Facebook page and to date has received 940 Likes, 437 Shares, and has reached 48,964 people!
• To honor the 17 students and staff who lost their lives in the Parkland, Florida tragedy, our West Central Middle School students and staff took time to write positive, uplifting notes to each other during their homeroom period on March 14. Every student received positive notes written for them personally. Watching each student read their notes and talk with others about the notes was amazing! The smile these notes of encouragement brought to the face of each of our students was inspiring! Our students and staff are incredible!

The agenda was approved with the following additions:

13 A. Resignation

Reid Kelso, Physical Education and Social Studies Teacher

13.C. Kristen Kennelly, Spanish Teacher

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

• the minutes of the February 21, 2018, Regular Meeting and Closed Session,
• the February 2018 bills, February 2018 building Activity Account Reports, the February 2018 Treasurer's Report, and review of the District Financial Report,
• the 2018-2019 school district calendar as presented,
• the continued participation in the Illinois High School Association,
• the continued participation in the Illinois Elementary School Association,
• directing Superintendent Markey to begin work on the FY19 District budget,
• contract for Professional Services for Sewer Plant Operator, and
• proposal from Stronghurst Summer Ball Association.

In other business the board:

• heard a proposal from Randy McElwee regarding a proposal to co-op with United for wrestling. The board has asked Superintendent Markey to contact Superintendent Jeff Whitsitt and to gather additional details for consideration.
• heard electronic and oral presentations from the WCES, WCMS, and WCHS School Improvement Teams regarding their proposed School Improvement Plans.
• was updated on the status of district-wide phone system proposals.
• tabled a student request to study abroad 1st semester of the 2018-2019 school year.
• approved a proposal from Advanced Plumbing and Mechanical to install a new storm sewer line and perforated tile line at West Central High School.
• approved a proposal to repair and refinish West Central Elementary and West Central High School gym floors.
• tabled a proposal to repair the sanitary sewer at West Central Middle School.
• approved a request to designate district equipment at Media as surplus property for the purpose of selling/disposing of said property. The district will be advertising and accepting bids for the following items: a safe, handicapped ramps, and two central air conditioning units.
• reviewed and heard reports from the building principals; Jason Kirby, Athletic Director; Melinda Frakes, District Technology Coordinator; and Shaila Ayer, District Psychologist and Special Education Director.
• Mrs. Lafary added that the elementary had 76% attendance at Parent/Teacher Conferences.
• Mrs. Burns communicated that the middle school has had several new students enroll recently.

The board entered closed session at 8:40 p.m. to discuss the following:

A. 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.

B. Student discipline.

C. Superintendent Evaluation

The board exited closed session at 10:02 p.m. and took the following action in regards to personnel:

• accepted the resignation of Reid Kelso,
• accepted the intent to retire of Donna Albin with thanks for her service to the District,
• approved the employment of Amy Bole as a District Custodian,
• approved the employment of Kristen Kennelly as a Spanish Teacher,
• accepted the resignation of Amy Ford as the WCMS 8th Grade Girls' Basketball Coach,
• accepted the resignation of Steve Lumbeck as the WCMS Head Football Coach,
• accepted the resignation of Allison Rothzen as the WCHS Cheerleading Coach, and
• appointed Sarah Bigger to the Negotiations Committee.

The next regularly scheduled meeting will be Wednesday, April 18, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. in the West Central Elementary cafeteria.

Board adjourned their meeting at 10:03 p.m.