The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
At the Wednesday, January 15, 2020, regular board meeting of the West Central C.U.S.D. #235 Board of Education Superintendent Markey presented the five-year enrollment projections. It is anticipated that enrollment will decline by approximately 14 students over the next five years. ( The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m.in the West Central Elementary School cafeteria by Board Vice-President Brendan Schaley and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Under Good News Items the following items were highlighted:
Congratulations were given to Jay Blender for being selected to be inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Coach Blender will be recognized by West Central between the JV and the Varsity Boys Basketball games on Friday, February 14.
West Central C.U.S.D. #235 received a $1,502 donation from the West Central Athletic Association to be applied toward unpaid lunch accounts.
West Central C.U.S.D. #235 has received a FY20 School District Library Grant in the amount of $750.
West Central C.U.S.D. #235 received a $1,146 donation from the Oquawka United Methodist Church to be applied toward unpaid lunch accounts.
The elementary continues to collect Box Tops. We just received our quarterly check of $287.60 for those collected from our community members. Please download the app and keep sending them our way.
The elementary collected 1,094 non-perishable food items during the month of December. These items were donated to FOCC to assist individuals within our community.
The third graders at West Central Elementary opted to collect goodies for the Western Illinois Animal Rescue, a local animal shelter, instead of having a gift exchange in the classroom.
The following 5th and 6th grade students were selected to participate in ILMEA All-State: Alex Bell-Canfield, Josh Covert, Corri DeMent, Tucker DeVries, Simon Fisher, Brody Foley, Katelyn Ford, Cooper Gibb, Rebecca Hinshaw, JT Hurka, Marissa Spiker, Miley Stimpson, and Aiden Todd. Twenty West Central students were nominated. Of those 20, 13 were selected.
Items approved under the Consent Agenda included the following:
The minutes of the December 18, 2019, Regular Meeting and Closed Session.
The December 2019 bills, December 2019 building Activity Account Reports with the exception of the Activity Account Report for WCHS, the December 2019 Treasurer's Report, and review of the District Financial Report.
Superintendent Markey presented the board with tentative job descriptions for the positions of Maintenance Director, Head Custodian, Custodian, Transportation Director/Grounds Keeper, and Bus Driver. The board will review these over the next month and take action on them at the February 19, 2020, board meeting.
The board reviewed and heard reports from the building principals; Jason Kirby on behalf of Shane Tucker, Athletic Director; Melinda Frakes, District Technology Coordinator; and Shaila Ayer, District Psychologist and Special Education Director. .
Included in the oral reports were the following:
WCES is planning a PTC Spring Picnic in an effort to increase participation in PTC.
WCES held a PBIS refresher.
WCMS has three new students.
WCHS has two new students.
WCHS is in the process of MAP testing.
Thank you given to the Technology Team for their service and for providing for extremely beneficial professional development opportunities this past November.
WCHS will be hosting Girls Basketball Regionals.
The WCHS Girls Basketball team was nominated for Hometown Heroes.
The schedule for 8-man football will come out February 1.
The board approved:
Board Policy 8:30 Visitors to and Conduct on School Property as presented.
Pay for Substitute Cooks, Custodians, and Associates at the rate of $9.25 per hour.
The 2019-2020 District Seniority List for Certified and Support Personnel as presented.
The Corporate Resolution for West Central C.U.S.D. #235 Flexible Benefits Plan with American Central Insurance as presented.
The Life/Safety Amendment for West Central Elementary to replace an existing HVAC rooftop unit as presented.
The offering of a SAT Prep class as presented.
The board entered closed session at 6:27 p.m. to discuss 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. 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.
C. Student disciplinary cases.
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, for purposes of semi-annual review of the minutes as required.
The board exited closed session at 7:42 p.m.
The board took the following action in regard to personnel:
approved the Intent to Retire of Deb Lescallett as an Early Childhood teacher effective the last day of the 2019-2020 school year with thanks for her service to the District,
accepted the resignation of Toni Hendrickson as a part-time Title I Associate effective December 20, 2019, with thanks for her service to the District,
accepted the resignation of Jennifer Hoogerwerf as a WCHS Secretary and the District Substitute Coordinator effective December 31, 2019, with thanks for her service to the District,
approved the employment of John Martinez as a District Custodian as presented,
approved the employment of Mike Lewis as a District Associate as presented,
approved the employment of Gayla Todd as a District Associate as presented,
approved the employment of Connie Sue Torrance as the District Substitute Coordinator as presented,
approved the employment of Ryan Muegge as a SAT Prep Course Instructor as presented,
approved the employment of Michael Holloran as a SAT Prep Course Instructor as presented,
approved Nichole Johnson as a volunteer 6th Grade Volleyball Coach as presented,
approved the correction to previous board action and minutes of the August 6, 2019, board meeting to include in the motion a $1,500 stipend pay for the District Substitute Coordinator as presented,
The board approved the Resolution to release Closed Session minutes per Exhibits A and B as presented.
The board was reminded that the next regularly scheduled meeting will be Wednesday, February 19, 2020, at 6:00 p.m. in the West Central Elementary cafeteria. ria.
All board members were present at roll call with the exception of Jodi Arnold, Mike Lenahan, and Steve Lumbeck. Student Representative to the Board of Education Emijah Jones was in attendance. Also present were Superintendent Markey, WCHS Principal Jason Kirby, WCMS Principal Joe Peters, WCES Principal Kathy Lafary, WCES Assistant Principal Andrea Freiden, Technology Director Melinda Frakes, WCATS President Cathie Smith, and Music Teacher Danna Cory. Jessica Booton and Jennifer Mills were present to present a check to West Central in the amount of $1,502 from the West Central Athletic Association to be applied toward unpaid lunch accounts.
The board adjourned their meeting at 7:50 p.m.