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WC School Board Considers Naming Football Press Box

At the West Central School Board meeting on April 21st, the board received a request to consider naming the West Central High School football press box after the late Dick Goff.

Per Board Policy 4:152, the board will form an adhoc committee appointed by the board president and consisting of not less than four (4) community members, students, and staff to evaluate the request and make a recommendation to the board. The adhoc committee will be chaired by a member of the standing Building and Grounds Committee.

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. in the West Central Elementary School cafeteria by Board President Jodi Arnold.

All board members were present at roll call. Board Member Bigger joined the meeting virtually via Zoom. Also present were Board Member Elect Dillan Vancil, Superintendent Markey, WCHS Principal Jason Kirby, WCMS Principal Joe Peters, WCES Principal Kathy Lafary, WCES Assistant Principal Andrea Freiden, School Psychologist Shaila Ayer, IT Wade Alexander, Illinois State Scholars Halee Porter and Ethan VanScoy and their families.

President Arnold led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Under Good News Items the following items were highlighted:

• Halee Porter and Ethan VanScoy was recognized for being selected as Illinois State Scholars!
• COVID rapid testing is being offered to our students and staff.
• New West Central banners have been installed on our light posts at West Central Elementary and West Central High School. More are coming for West Central Middle School. Scott, Jenny, and Jake Ford installed them.
• Paige Torrance has successfully completed the program RNs in Schools- Expanding Your Special Education Role which will allow her to expand her services to West Central.
• Sadie Lenz was recognized on her recent signing with Saulk Valley College to compete in track!
• Mady Reed was recognized on being selected to the All-State Team to play in the IBCA All-Star Game on June 26!

The agenda was approved as presented.

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

• the minutes of the March 17, 2021, Regular Meeting as presented,
• the minutes of the March 30, 2021, Special Meeting and Closed Session as presented,
• the March 2021 bills, March 2021 building Activity Account Reports, the March 2021 Treasurer's Report, and review of the District Financial Snapshot as presented,
• approval of a proclamation proclaiming May 3-7, 2021, as National Teacher Appreciation Week and May 4, 2021, as National Teacher Appreciation Day as presented,
• approval of continued participation in the Illinois High School Association as presented,
• approval of continued participation in the Illinois Elementary School Association as presented,
• approval of an agreement with McDonough District Hospital for a Student Random Drug Testing Program for the 2021-2022 school year as presented,
• approval of the 2021-2022 school district calendar as presented, and
• approval of pay for West Central High School officials as presented.

In other business the board:

• was provided a copy of the 2021-2022 WCES, WCMS, and WCHS School Improvement Plans. The School Improvement Teams from each building will present their School Improvement Plan to the board at the May 19, 2021, board meeting.
• discussed proposed student fees for 2021-2022. All fees would remain the same with the exception of lunch prices. It was proposed to possibly increase lunch prices by $.10 as a result of a possible mandate to do so. The district is waiting for the calculation tool to become available to determine if this will be necessary.
• discussed a proposal from Laverdiere Construction to make repairs to parking lots on the north campus.
• reviewed and heard reports from the building principals; Shane Tucker, Athletic Director; Wade Alexander, District Technology; and Shaila Ayer, District Psychologist and Special Education Director.
• approved a proposal from WIPFLi LLA to conduct the 2021 audit for West Central C.U.S.D. #235 as presented.

Board Member Bigger exited the meeting at 6:39 p.m.

The board entered closed session at 6:42 p.m. to discuss the following:

• 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.
• 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.
• Student disciplinary cases.
• The placement of individual students in special education programs and other matters relating to individual students.

The board exited closed session at 7:25 p.m.

The board took the following action in regards to personnel:

• approved the transfer of Laura Lewis from WCES 2nd Grade teacher to WCES Title I teacher as presented,
• approved the transfer of Dylan Brooks from WCES 2nd Title I teacher to WCES 2nd Grade teacher as presented,
• approved the employment of Sebeth Dolph as a District Custodian as presented pending completion of all pre-employment requirements,
• approved the employment of Jennifer Johnson as a Student Support Specialist as presented pending completion of all pre-employment requirements,
• accepted the resignation of Amy Olson as WCHS Assistant Softball Coach as presented and with thanks for her service to the district,
• accepted the resignation of Alicia Anderson as WCHS Head Volleyball Coach as presented and with thanks for her service to the district,
• approved the employment of Josh Higgins as WCHS Assistant Baseball Coach pending completion of all coaching requirements,
• approved the employment of Dylan Voyles as WCHS Assistant Softball Coach pending completion of all coaching requirements, and
• approved Brad Ferguson as a WCHS Volunteer Softball Coach pending completion of all volunteer and coaching requirements.

The board was reminded that the next regularly scheduled meeting will be Wednesday, May 19, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. in the West Central Elementary cafeteria.

The board will hold a special meeting and a board reorganization meeting on Wednesday, April 28, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. in the West Central Elementary cafeteria.

The board adjourned their meeting at 7:31 p.m.