December 2023 Board Minutes
December 12, 2023
The Board of Education, Community Unit School District No. 1, 149 South Elm Street, Winchester, Illinois counties of Scott, Morgan and Greene, met in regular session on Tuesday December 12, 2023 at 4:00 PM in the Winchester Elementary School library.
President Steve Moore called the meeting to order with the following members answering roll call: Thad Walker, Shanna Eddinger, Trista Freeman, Eric Peterson, Aaron Littig and Steve Moore. Bill Jacquot was absent. Also attending were Superintendent Kevin Blankenship, WGS Principal Jessica Crawford, WGS Assistant Principal Nic ZuHone, WHS Principal Denny Vortman, and Administrative Assistant Becky Lashmett.
LEVY HEARING / ADOPTION
A public hearing on the proposed tax levy was conducted, with no questions or comments. Littig motioned to approve the tax levy as presented. Walker seconded the motion and roll call vote resulted: Walker, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; Peterson yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being six yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
MINUTES / FINANCIALS
Eddinger motioned, with a second from Littig, to approve the minutes of the November 14th regular meeting. Roll call vote resulted: Walker, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; Peterson yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being six yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
Walker motioned, with a second from Eddinger, to approve the financial reports and bills to be paid. Roll call vote resulted: Walker, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; Peterson yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being six yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
ADMINISTRATORS REPORTS
The building principals provided an update of student recognitions, activities and accomplishments. Superintendent Blankenship reported on the implementation of a crisis management program and an update of maintenance projects, noting both the WHS security doors and the cafeteria tables continue to be subject to delays.
BUILDING COMMITTEE REPORT
The committee continues to look at options for WHS which include both renovation of the existing building as well as construction of a new building. Dr. Blankenship has met with possible consultants, and will hopefully have a recommendation for the January meeting.
PRESS POLICY UPDATE
Following a first reading of the recommended policy updates in November, Littig motioned to approve the proposed changes as presented. Eddinger seconded the motion and roll call vote resulted: Walker, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; Peterson yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being six yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
PROPERTY TAX ABATEMENT
For the past several years, $60,000 in local property tax funds for the WGS building bond have been abated, with the bond payment coming from the County Sales Tax. Walker motioned, with a second from Eddinger, to again abate $60,000 in property taxes and to transfer $60,000 from sales tax to bond repayment. Roll call vote resulted: Walker, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; Peterson yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being six yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUESTS / PUBLIC COMMENTS
President Moore asked the status of Freedom of Information requests, and Superintendent Blankenship reported there were none. President Moore then asked for questions or comments from the audience, and there were none.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Freeman motioned at 4:47 PM to enter into closed session. Littig seconded the motion and roll call vote resulted: Walker, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; Peterson yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being six yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
Freeman motioned, with a second from Eddinger, to return to open session at 5:19 PM. Roll call vote resulted: Walker, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; Peterson yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being six yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
President Moore announced the purpose of the executive session was for personnel matters and student discipline.
PERSONNEL ACTION
Eddinger motioned to approve Lindsay Chapman as certified aide beginning January 3rd, Colin Bigley as WCC baseball volunteer and to accept the resignation of Krista Kunz as WCC volleyball coach. Roll call vote resulted: Walker, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; Peterson yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being six yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
ANNOUNCEMENTS / ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:20 PM.
