The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

West Central Approves Purchase Of A New Van

At the West Central School Board on Wednesday, March 18, the board approved the purchase of a 2019 12-passenger Chevrolet Express 3500 van from Bruce Foote in the amount of $25,985 as presented.

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Board President Jodi Arnold with all board members present. Also present were Superintendent Paula Markey, West Central Elementary School Principal Kathy Lafary, and District Architect Bill Phillips.

President Arnold led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Under Good News Items the following items were highlighted:

• Ms. Lewis, along with her 5th grade helpers, raised $377.30 during the Send A Sucker to a Friend event, which has been donated to the P.E. Department for new equipment.
• Miss Young coordinated the Kids Heart Challenge and raised $5,787.21 for the American Heart Association.
• WCES Kindergarten classes collected pennies for the 100th Day celebration and later donated the 8,658 pennies to the Henderson County Library for new materials.
• The Middle School Science Olympiad Team participated at Western Illinois University. Congratulations to Bella Short, Teegan Rodeffer, and Drake Vancil on a second place on their collaborative project. Teegan and Drake also received a first place for their ping pong ball parachute. Teegan and Drake presented their project to the rest of the school at the March school assembly.
• Our 8th grade volleyball team received quite a bit of praise at the United Regional. Several of their workers were very impressed by how our young ladies handled themselves during this saying they were by far the most respectful team there. Our girls played the #1 seed Lewistown to a three game match. They lost the first game 25-6 and had every reason to quit; however, they led the whole second game and were a point away from winning at 24-16 when Lewistown came back and served to win at 25-24. The last match Lewistown got ahead 10-1, but again our girls refused to quit. They got within three before Lewistown pulled away to win 25- 15. As their Principal, I could not have been prouder of our team and how they conducted themselves and represented West Central.
• Wesley Stewart qualified for the state finals in the WYSE.
• Landen Beelman was named to the 1st Team All-Conference, and Nathan Bigger was named to the 2nd Team All-Conference in basketball.
• Board members Bryan Spence and Sarah Bigger participated in the Active Shooter drill on March 10, 2020. Overall, the drills went smoothly. The District staff will reflect on the drill and make any necessary changes.

The agenda was approved as presented with no additions or deletions and there were no comments from the public.

The board approved the Consent Agenda, which included the following:

• the minutes of the February 19, 2020, Regular Meeting and Closed Session,
• the February 2020 bills, February 2020 building Activity Account Reports, the February 2020 Treasurer's Report, and review of the District Financial Report,
• 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 FY21 District budget,
• a contract for Professional Services for Sewer Plant Operator with Larry Lawson,
• the amended 2019-2020 school district calendar as presented,
• the request to change signatory names on the WCHS Activity Account at the Bank of Stronghurst,
• the request to change signatory names on the WCHS Imprest Account at Midwest Bank of Oquawka,
• the request to declare a 2003 Chevrolet Cutaway Carryall surplus for the purpose of disposing of it,
• the 2020-2021 school district calendar, and
• the request of two WCHS students to attend school half days in the 2020-2021 school year for the purpose of taking dual credit courses.

The board was provided copies of the WCES, WCMS, and WCHS School Improvement Plans for review and possible approval at the May 20, 2020 regular board meeting.

Each building's School Improvement teams will present their School Improvement Plan to the board at the April 15, 2020, regular school board meeting.

The board discussed a proposed E-Learning plan for use during the mandated school closure.

The board reviewed reports from the building principals; Shane Tucker, Athletic Director; Melinda Frakes, District Technology Coordinator; and Shaila Ayer, District Psychologist and Special Education Director.

The board also heard a report from the Building and Grounds Committee regarding current and upcoming projects.

Mr. Bill Phillips, the District Architect was in attendance to present to the Board information about the potential to apply for and receive a State Construction Grant. The board also heard a report from the Farm Committee regarding the recent sale of cattle. In other business the board approved:

• the bid from Laverdiere Construction in the amount of $73,765 for the West Central Elementary restroom repair work as presented.
• the Life/Safety Amendment to replace a unit ventilator steam coil in the West Central Middle School art classroom as presented.
• a proposal to replace the backstop fence on the baseball field at West Central Middle School as presented.
• a Warranty Deed and supporting documents to give, with no monetary exchange, Parcel 09-25-263-001 to the Village of Stronghurst for use with the Safe Pathways to School Project.
• on first reading the following Board policies:
  • Policy 2:20 - Powers and Duties of the Board of Education; Indemnification;
  • Policy 2:70 - Vacancies on the Board of Education - Filling Vacancies;
  • Policy 2:100 - Board Member Conflict of Interest;
  • Policy 2:105 - Ethics and Gift Ban; Policy 2:110 - Qualifications, Term, and Duties of Board Officers;
  • Policy 2:150 - Committees; Policy 2:200 - Types of Board of Education Meetings; Policy 2:220 - Board of Education Meetings;
  • Policy 2:260 - Uniform Grievance Procedure;
  • Policy 4:15 - Identity Protection; Policy 4:30 - Revenue and Investments;
  • Policy 4:60 - Purchases and Contracts;
  • Policy 4:80 - Accounting and Audits;
  • Policy 4:150 - Facility Management and Building Programs;
  • Policy 4:190 - Targeted School Violence and Prevention Program;
  • Policy 5:10 - Equal Employment Opportunity and Minority Recruitment;
  • Policy 5:20 - Workplace Harassment Prohibited;
  • Policy 5:30 - Hiring Process and Criteria;
  • Policy 5:50 - Drug - and Alcohol Free Workplace; E-Cigarette, Tobacco, and Cannabis Prohibition;
  • Policy 5:90 - Abused and Neglected Child Reporting;
  • Policy 5:100 - Staff Development Program;
  • Policy 5:120 - Employees Ethics; Conduct; and Conflict of Interest;
  • Policy 5:200 - Terms and Conditions of Employment and Dismissal;
  • Policy 5:220 - Substitute Teachers;
  • Policy 5:250 - Leaves of Absence;
  • Policy 5:290 - Employment Termination and Suspensions;
  • Policy 5:330 - Sick Days, Vacation, Holidays, and Leaves;
  • Policy 6:20 - School Year Calendar and Day;
  • Policy 6:60 - Curriculum Content;
  • Policy 6:150 - Home and Hospital Instruction;
  • Policy 6:300 - Graduation Requirements;
  • Policy 7:20 - Harassment of Students Prohibited;
  • Policy 7:150 - Agency and Police Interviews;
  • Policy 7:180 - Prevention of and Response to Bullying, Intimidation, and Harassment;
  • Policy 7:270 - Administering Medicines to Students;
• establishing a West Central Middle School Softball program.

The board took the following action in regards to personnel:

• accepted resignations
  • accepted the resignation of Shane Tucker as the WCHS Assistant Principal and Athletic Director as presented and with thanks for his service to the District,
  • accepted the resignation of Jacalyn Kendall as a District Bus Driver as presented and with thanks for her service to the District,
  • accepted the resignation of Quinn Leath as the WCMS 8th Grade Boys' Basketball Coach as presented and with thanks for his service to the District.
• approved EMPLOYMENT
  • approved the employment of Allison Harden as a WCES Pre-K teacher per the WCATS contract and pending completion of all pre-employment requirements,
  • approved the employment of Heather Davis as a Homebound Instructor as presented, and

The next regularly scheduled meeting will be Wednesday, April 15, 2020, at 6:00 p.m. in the West Central Elementary cafeteria.

The board adjourned their meeting at 7:51 p.m. 7:51 The board did not hold a Closed Session.