The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

West Central To Resurface Parking Lots

On June 26 the West Central School Board approved the proposal from the Henderson County Highway Department in the amount of $34,049.92 to resurface the North campus beltway, the high school student parking lot, the high school staff parking lot (northwest side of facility), the elementary staff parking lot (west side of facility), and the middle school parking lot (northwest side of facility) with an oil and chip resurfacing material as presented.

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m.in the West Central North campus library by Board President Jodi Arnold.

All board members with the exception of Mike Lenahan were present at roll call. Others present were Superintendent Paula Markey, Board Secretary Nancy Clark, Principal Kathy Lafary, Principal Joe Peters, Principal Jason Kirby, Technology Director Melinda Frakes, WCATS Co-President Cathie Smith, and Guest Mike Hines.

President Arnold led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Under Good News Items the following items were highlighted:

• Congratulations was given to Carley Lafary for being chosen as the Hawkeye's Illinois Player of the Year in softball.
• Congratulations was given to to Nathan Bigger for being chosen as the Hawkeye's Illinois Player of the Year in baseball.
• West Central and Henderson County were represented at Girls and Boys State by Peyton Jack, John Steck, Nathan Bigger, Dylan Gibbs, and Wesley Stewart. Peyton Jack, John Steck, Nathan Bigger, and Dylan Gibbs were sponsored by the Stronghurst American Legion. Wesley Stewart was sponsored by the Biggsville American Legion.
• Four FFA members visited Washington D.C. in June.
• The West Central Band will play at the Veterans Memorial Dedication Ceremony in Stronghurst on June 30, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. They will also have a band camp parade in Stronghurst on Friday, June 29, 2019 at 11:00 a.m.

The agenda was approved as presented.

Mike Hines participated in the discussion regarding the baseball field.

The board approved the Consent Agenda which included the following:

• the minutes of the May 15, 2019 Regular Meeting,
• the May 2019 bills, May 2019 building Activity Account Reports, the May 2019 Treasurer's Report, and review of the District Financial Snapshot,
• the use of the Bank of Stronghurst for the WCES, WCMS and WCHS Activity Accounts,
• the continued use of Precision Photo Imaging as the School Photographer,
• Intergovernmental Agreement with the Delebar CTE System,
• Permanent Transfer of $20,000 from the Capital Projects Fund to the Operations and Maintenance Fund.

In other business the board:

• heard an update from Superintendent Markey regarding combining the elementary, middle school, and high school handbooks into one District handbook.
• discussed hosting the back to school lunch for teachers again on August 15, 2019. The board agreed to host this luncheon.
• discussed the purchase of a large 2018 Chevy van at the cost of $26,900.
• heard an update from Superintendent Markey with regard to the switch to new health insurance.
• discussed work to be done to the baseball field at the middle school.
• discussed a proposal from Skyward for a new financial software program as a result of our current financial software program no longer being supported after July 1, 2020.
• reviewed and heard reports from the building principals.
• Some of the elementary staff participated in EngageNY training.
• Summer work is well underway.
• approved the bid from Art Metal Products in the amount of $31,065.00 for replacement of lockers in the high school boys' locker room.
• approved the renewal quote with Unland for District insurance with a premium of $133,519.
• approved a Life/Safety Amendment to replace the underground fuel tank on the North campus.

The board entered closed session at 6:55 p.m. to discuss matters related to 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. Collective negotiating matters between the school board and its employees or their representatives, or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees.

D. The placement of individual students in special education programs and other matters relating to individual students.

The board exited closed session at 7:45 p.m. and took the following action in regard to personnel:

• approved the intent to retire of Shaila Ayer as a full-time School Psychologist at the conclusion of the FY21 school year with thanks for her service,
• approved the resignation of Becky Johnson as a full-time District Custodian effective May 31, 2019 with thanks for her service,
• approved the employment of Deb Paulus as a full-time District Cook, and
• approved the employment of Keith Blair as the 7th Grade Girls' Basketball Coach.

The next regularly scheduled meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, July 17, 2019, at 6:00 p.m. in the West Central North Campus Library.

here being no other business to come before the board, the board adjourned their meeting at 7:51 p.m.