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Board Hears West Central First 100 Days Highlights

At the February 19th West Central Community Unit School District #235 board meeting, President Brendan Schaley led the meeting in the Pledge of Allegiance.

The board heard highlights of the FirstI100 Days of School:

• February 10th, WCE hosted a parent program for the 4th and 5th grade students and their families.
• The Title Team were thanked who created a fun activity involving an Escape Room linked to a topic in the science curriculum.
• Mrs. Mills and her third grade students thanked participants in the “Love Makes the World go Round” activity which helped reach their goal of receiving a piece of mail from each state. The mail was displayed in the elementary entryway. What a great way to show a simple act of kindness.
• Eighth grader, Islia Rodeffer was one of 150 students out of 1,000 applicants throughout Illinois, selected as a member of the new Junior ILMEA State Choir. It was a great experience.
• Both Middle School Boys Basketball teams had great seasons with the 7th graders making it to Sectionals (after a Regional Championship at home), and the 8th graders made it to their Regional Championship game.
• February Rise and Shine acknowledgments were: Adam Boyle, Allison Harden, Ariel Dillard, Amy Chandler, Bailey Stombaugh, Brice McBride, Chris Ervin, Connie Wiley, Erin Clark, Jackie Biggs, Janis Link, Jessie Winters, Judy Kelly, Kathy Lafary, Kayla Crum, Kelly Davis, Kristin Lumbeck, Mackenzie Johnson, Nikki Mills, Bob Flemming, Ross Parcel, Brittney Kugler, Byron Helt and Coach Kelly.
• The First West Central Alumni basketball weekend was held earlier in February, and one to watch grow.

Mandated Reporters Child Abuse

Board members were reminded that they are “Mandated Reporters” in the State of Illinois for suspected or reported child abuse. All board members signed a mandated reporter acknowledgment form that will be kept on file in the district office.

FOIA Requests

The Board head that two FOIA requests had been received and answered.

1 - One was from the Illinois Retired Teachers Association. The Illinois Retired Teachers Association annually asks for names and contact information for any certified staff that are retiring this year.

2 - The Galesburg Reporter requested any emails over the last 12 months that included the phrases “Lucky Calkins” and “Units of Study”. Both requests were completed within the needed time frame.

State Lunch Monitor Visit

Superintendent Day provided an update on our State Lunch Monitor visit that happened in January. The Lunch Monitor provided a list of areas to make changes and improvements on moving forward; menu compliance, serving sizes, offer vs. serve training, appropriate meal components and point of sale training for appropriate charging of meals. They will work on plans for the needed changes and share that information with staff, students and families as needed.

10-Year Health Life Safety

Superintendent Day discussed the need to set a Building and Grounds Committee meeting in order to start working on a timeline of projects in WC 10-Year Health Life Safety list as they work on plans for needed repairs. This will connect to the upcoming bond issue late in the summer/early fall. The board discussed holding a work session specific to this issue in a few weeks so that all Board members are able to participate and discuss the projects. Supt. Day will work on setting up a meeting date and time noting that no formal action will take place at that meeting, it will just be a work session to discuss projects and make plans for the future.

In Other Business

The Board unanimously approved the following:

• the farm lease 5 year extension as presented.
• declaring the 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan SE as surplus.
• The WCHS volleyball summer overnight tournament in Clinton, IA, as presented.

The Board entered closed session at 6:41 p.m. to discuss Personnel and Negotiations.

They returned to open session at 10:04 p.m.

The personnel appointments were approved:

• Volunteers for:
• WCHS Bass Fishing Team-Clinton Stimpson, Dave Knustrom, Lewis McGraw, Steve Fryrear
• WCHS Baseball Coach-Darren Steele
• WCHS Volleyball Coach-Amanda Corzatt
• New Appointments:
• WCES After School Tutors-Stacie Anderson, Nikki Mills, Samera Lesher, Karri Wallace, Jessica Winters, Loren Fox, Julie Ricketts, Laura Lewis, Dylan Brooks, Michelle Johnson, Kara Keating and Allissa Wheeler.
• District Bus Driver-Sheila Moore
• Leaves:
• District Librarian-Tiffany Ouellette-maternity leave

Approved the three year contract extension for Bryan Taylor, Brittney Kugler, Byron Helt, Jason Kirby, and Joel Zaiser from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028.

The regular February meeting was adjourned at 10:07 p.m.

Present were Lauren Chockley, Mindy Clark (Board Secretary), Karl Gullberg, Josh Higgins, and Brendan Schaley. Board members Sarah Bigger and Dillan Vancil were absent. Also present were Superintendent Stacey Day, Jaime Shultz (District Secretary), Kathy Lafary (WCES Principal), Bryan Taylor (WCES Asst Principal), Brittney Kugler (WCMS Principal), Byron Helt (WCMS Ass’t Principal), Jason Kirby (WCHS Principal), Jamie Hennings, Joel Zaiser (WCHS Ass’t Principal/Athletic Director), and community member Matt Weber.