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West Central Board Discusses Reopening

At the January 20, 2021, West Central School Board meeting the board discussed the reopening plan for the 2020-2021 school year. With the hope of being able to extend the academic day when it is safe and feasible to do so following the state guidelines, the administrative team will continue to work on plans to extend the academic day to a 2:00 p.m. dismissal then leading to return to a normal dismissal time.

The board which met on Wednesday, January 20, 2021, was called to order at 6:00 p.m.in the West Central Elementary School cafeteria by Board President Jodi Arnold by leading the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance..

All board members were present at roll call. Also present were Superintendent Markey, WCHS Principal Jason Kirby, WCMS Principal Joe Peters, WCES Principal Kathy Lafary, WCES Assistant Principal Andrea Freiden, WCHS Assistant Principal Shane Tucker, District Psychologist/Special Education Director Shaila Ayer, IT Wade Alexander, WCATS President Cathie Smith, Elementary Teacher Nikki Mills, Music Teachers Danna Cory and Matt Stewart, and Community Members Dillan Vancil and Jessica Booton.

Under Good News Items the following items were highlighted:

• West Central C.U.S.D. #235 received a $3,500 donation from the Henderson County Handicapped Children’s Trust fund to be applied toward transportation costs associated with the handicapped children in Henderson County.
• Congratulations was given to Max Carnes for making the Illinois Shrine Game at Illinois Wesleyan! The game is currently scheduled for June 19, 2021, at 11:00 a.m.
• Congratulations was given to Grant Sibley for being selected into the ILMEA All-State Chorus.
• Congratulations twas given to Ashley Shultz for being named to the Dean’s List at Carl Sandburg College for part-time students.
• Congratulations was given to Carter Shultz and Liam Reid for being named to the Honors List at Carl Sandburg College for part-time students. Because of the dual credit offerings at West Central, Carter will graduate from West Central with 37 credit hours and will have completed more than one year of college coursework while in high school. Liam will graduate with 18 credit hours which is a little more than one semester of college coursework.

The agenda was approved as presented with no additions or deletions.

Jessica Booton was present to address the board.

Items approved under the consent agenda included the following:

• The minutes of the December 16, 2020, Regular Meeting.
• The December 2020 bills, December 2020 building activity account reports, the December 2020 treasurer’s report, and review of the district financial report.

Superintendent Markey presented the five-year enrollment projections. It is anticipated that enrollment will decline by approximately 23 students over the next five years.

The board discussed a possible 3-year bus lease with Midwest Bus Sales and the purchase of the leased activity bus. The board will take action on this 3-year bus lease at the February 17, 2021, regular board meeting.

The board reviewed and heard 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 approved and adopted the following board policies on 2nd reading as presented:

• Policy 3:40 – Superintendent;
• Policy 4:80 – Accounting and Audit;
• Policy 4:90 – Student Activity and Fiduciary Funds;
• Policy 4:150 – Facility Management and Building Programs;
• Policy 5:270 – Employment At-Will, Compensation, and Assignment;
• Policy 6:20 – School Year Calendar and Day; Policy 6:300 – Graduation Requirements;
• Policy 6:310 – High School Credit for Non-District Experiences; Course Substitutions; Re-entering Students;
• Policy 6:315 – High School Credit for Students in Grade 7 or 8;
• Policy 6:320 – High School Credit for Proficiency;
• Policy 6:340 – Student Testing and Assessment Program;
• Policy 7:100 – Health, Eye, and Dental Examinations; Immunizations; and Exclusion of Students;
• Policy 7:140 – Search and Seizure; Policy 7:300 - Extracurricular Athletics.

12. The board approved Alternative Bid #1 for casement windows in the amount of $146,809 and Alternative Bid #2 for blinds in the amount of $8,599 from Laverdiere Construction to replace the windows and blinds in West Central Elementary as presented.

In other business the board:

• approved the bid in the amount of $88,500 from Carroll Seating Company to replace the hallway lockers in West Central High School as presented.
• approved a purchase agreement with T-Mobile for the sale of the District’s FCC license as presented.
• approved the 2020-2021 District Seniority List for Certified and Support Personnel as presented.
• approved the offering of a SAT Prep class as presented.
• approved a student’s request to graduate at the end of 1st semester of the 2021- 2022 school year pending completion of all graduation requirements.
• approved a request to make recommended adjustments to the organization of the WCHS Activity Account as presented.

The board entered closed session at 7:31 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 9:16 p.m.

20. The Board took the following action in regard to personnel:

• 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,
• The board approved the Resolution to release Closed Session minutes per Exhibits A and B as presented.

The next board meeting will be Wednesday, February 17, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. in the West Central Elementary cafeteria.

Prior to the regular board meeting, West Central C.U.S.D. #235 will hold a hearing for the purpose of receiving public comment on a proposed waiver application to allow children of non-resident district employees to attend a West Central School either tuition free or at a reduced tuition rate.

There being no other business to come before the board, the board adjourned their meeting at 9:22 p.m.