The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

Baseball Field Reworked At West Central

At the July 17, 2019, regular meeting of the West Central C.U.S.D. #235 Board of Education, the board expressed their gratitude for the volunteer work and financial assistance in the upgrades of the baseball field in Stronghurst by the Stronghurst Summer Ball program. They have reworked the baseball field and painted the storage buildings and bleachers.

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. in the elementary library by Board Vice President Brendan Schaley.

All board members were present at roll call with the exception of Jodi Arnold and Bryan Spence. Student Representative to the Board of Education Wesley Stewart, Superintendent Paula Markey, WCES Principal Kathy Lafary, WCES Assistant Principal Andrea Frieden, WCMS Principal Joe Peters, WCHS Principal Jason Kirby, WCHS Assistant Principal/Athletic Director Shane Tucker, and Technology Director Melinda Frakes were also present.

Vice President Schaley then led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Jessica Booton, President of the West Central Athletic Association (WCAA), formerly known as the West Central Heat Sports Boosters, was present to address the board about the West Central Athletic Association. Present with Jessica Booton was Jaimee Hines and Jennifer Lafary.

Jessica Booton, on behalf of the WCAA, thanked Mindy Clark and those who have served the organization previously. The organization name has changed as well as the leadership. The new officers are Jessica Booton, President; Jaimee Hines, Vice President; Jennifer Lafary, Secretary; and Amy Ford, Treasurer.

The Board approved proposed policy changes to the following Board policies as presented on First Reading:

1.Policy 2:110- Qualifications, Term, and Duties of Board Officers

2.Policy 2:140- Communications To and From the Board

3.Policy 2:150- Committees

4.Policy 2:140-E Exhibit- Guidance for Board Member Communications, Including Email Use

5.Policy 2:230- Public Participation at Board of Education Meetings and Petitions to the Board

6.Policy 2:240- Board Policy Development

7.Policy 4:20- Fund Balances

8.Policy 3:60- Administrative Responsibility of the Building Principal

9.Policy 4:90- Activities Fund

10.Policy 5:35- Compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act

11.Policy 5:40- Communicable and Chronic Infectious Disease

12.Policy 5:180- Temporary Illness or Temporary Incapacity

13.Policy 6:40- Curriculum Development

14.Policy 6:340- Student Testing and Assessment Program

15.Policy 5:130- Responsibilities Concerning Internal Information

16.Policy 5:310- Compensatory Time-Off

17.Policy 6:110- Programs for Students at Risk of Academic Failure and/or Dropping Out of School and Graduation Incentives Program

18.Policy 7:170- Vandalism

The board approved the consent agenda as presented. Items approved under the consent agenda included the following:

• the minutes of the June 26, 2019, Regular Meeting and the Closed Session Minutes of June 26, 2019,
• all bills as presented, and
• the District Treasurer's Report as presented.

In other business the board:

• heard a brief update from Superintendent Markey on the summer work progress.
• Superintendent Markey presented the unaudited FY19 Budget Summary as of June 30, 2019. Preliminary numbers indicate that we operated in FY19 under budget in all areas and with a deficit in the Life/Safety fund only. As of July 17, 2019, the State of Illinois owes the District $145,091.
• Superintendent Markey presented the board with the proposed 2019-2020 District Student Handbook. This proposed handbook has combined the elementary, middle school, and high school student handbooks into one District Student Handbook.
• approved a proposal from Skyward for the District Financial Software Program as presented.
• approved the purchase of 2018 Chevy Express van as presented.

The following future agenda items were noted:

a. FY20 Tentative District Budget

The board entered closed session at 6:34 p.m. to discuss the following subjects:

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.

E. Discussion of minutes of meetings lawfully closed under the Open Meetings Act, whether for purposes of school board approval of the minutes or semi-annual review of the minutes as required by the Act.

The board exited closed session at 6:58 p.m.

The board took the following action in regards to personnel:

• accepted the resignation of Ethan Siebers as a Physical Education teacher with thanks for his service,
• accepted the resignation of Caralea Link as Head Cook with thanks for her service,
• employed Betty Watermann as District Bus Driver pending completion of all pre-employment requirements,
• employed Kimberly Thompson as the WCES Secretary pending completion of all pre-employment requirements,
• employed Rose Garner as a part-time District Cook pending completion of all pre-employment requirements,
• accepted the resignation of Ethan Siebers as the 8th Grade Girls' Basketball Coach with thanks for his service,
• accepted the resignation of Ethan Siebers as a Middle School Boys' Baseball Coach with thanks for his service,
• accepted the resignation of Robert Fleming as the 6th Grade Volleyball Coach with thanks for his service,
• accepted the resignation of Robert Fleming as the WCHS Girls' Track Coach with thanks for his service,
• accepted the resignation of Dennis McMeekan as the 6th Grade Boys' Basketball Coach with thanks for his service,
• reviewed and approved the Resolution to Release Closed Session Minutes Per Exhibits A and B as presented,
• approved a three-year contract for Kathy Lafary as the WCES Principal as presented,
• approved a one-year contract for Shaila Ayer as the District Special Education Director and School Psychologist as presented, and
• approved an amended three-year contract for Jason Kirby as the WCHS Principal and Head Football Coach as presented.

The board was reminded that the next regularly scheduled meeting will be Wednesday, August 21, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. in the North Campus Library.

The board will hold a special meeting on Thursday, August 1, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. in the North Campus Library.

There being no other business to come before the board, the board adjourned their meeting at 7:15 p.m.