August 2024 Board Minutes
August 13, 2024
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 August 13, 2024 at 6:30 PM in the Winchester Elementary School gymnasium.
President Steve Moore called the meeting to order with the following members answering roll call: Thad Walker, Bill Jacquot, Shanna Eddinger, Trista Freeman, and Steve Moore. Aaron Littig and Eric Peterson were absent. Also attending were Superintendent Kevin Blankenship, WGS Principal Jessica Crawford, WHS Principal Denny Vortman and Administrative Assistant Becky Lashmett.
MINUTES / FINANCIALS
Freeman motioned, with a second from Eddinger, to approve the minutes of the June 11, 2024 regular meeting and the July 23, 2024 special meeting. Roll call vote resulted: Walker, yea; Jacquot, yea; Freeman, yea; Eddinger, yea; and Moore, yea; there being five yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
Freeman motioned, with a second from Walker, to approve the financial reports and bills to be paid. Roll call vote resulted: Walker, yea; Jacquot, yea; Freeman, yea; Eddinger, yea; and Moore, yea; there being five yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
ADMINISTRATORS REPORTS
Administrators reported on the preparations for the start of school and Superintendent Blankenship thanked the Ministerial Association for the teacher’s institute luncheon.
CO-OP COMMITTEE REPORT
In order to remain competitive in the area, the committee recommends an increase in officials’ pay for the 2024-2025 school year, and Freeman motioned to approve the recommendation. After a second from Walker, roll call vote resulted: Walker, yea; Jacquot, yea; Freeman, yea; Eddinger, yea; and Moore, yea; there being five yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
WHS BUILDING UPDATE
Superintendent Blankenship reported there does not appear to be community support for a new building, and that focus would be turned to needed renovations, After discussion, he will bring to the board a synopsis of the options for pursuing renovation - including traditional architect-led or a performance based contractor. He will also begin working on prioritizing the list of projects to be completed, which would need input from the architect on any projects to be completed under the Health Life Safety program.
FY25 BUDGET
The tentative FY25 budget was presented. President Moore announced that the document was on public display, and a hearing will be conducted at the September 11th regular meeting.
ANNUAL APPROVALS
Freeman motioned, with a second from Eddinger, to approve the Risk Management Plan Expenditures for FY25. Roll call vote resulted: Walker, yea; Jacquot, yea; Freeman, yea; Eddinger, yea; and Moore, yea; there being five yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
Jacquot motioned, with a second from Eddinger, to approve the FY25 Threat Assessment Team. Roll call vote resulted: Walker, yea; Jacquot, yea; Freeman, yea; Eddinger, yea; and Moore, yea; there being five yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
PROCUREMENT CARDS
Jacquot motioned, with a second from Eddinger, to approve participation in the IASBO p-Card program, a specialized program designed for a more accurate tracking and accounting of credit card use and purchases. Roll call vote resulted: Walker, yea; Jacquot, yea; Freeman, yea; Eddinger, yea; and Moore, yea; there being five yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
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EMPLOYEE HEALTH INSURANCE
Jacquot motioned, with a second from Eddinger, to accept the Insurance Committee and administrative recommendations to utilize Health Alliance as health insurance provider for FY25. Roll call vote resulted: Walker, yea; Jacquot, yea; Freeman, yea; Eddinger, yea; and Moore, yea; there being five yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
USE OF FACILITIES
Eddinger motioned to approve use of district facilities by recognized youth athletic organizations, and by IEC for their June 2025 annual meeting. Roll call vote resulted: Walker, yea; Jacquot, yea; Freeman, yea; Eddinger, yea; and Moore, yea; there being five 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 it was asked what the plans were for Band. Superintendent Blankenship indicated attempts to find and recruit qualified applicants are continuing. Donnie Campbell then pointed out two maintenance issues he had noted.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Freeman motioned at 7:54 PM to enter into closed session. Eddinger seconded the motion and roll call vote resulted: Walker, yea; Jacquot, yea; Freeman, yea; Eddinger, yea; and Moore, yea; there being five yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
Freeman motioned, with a second from Walker, to return to open session at 8:59 PM. Roll call vote resulted: Walker, yea; Jacquot, yea; Freeman, yea; Eddinger, yea; and Moore, yea; there being five yeas and no nays, the motion passed. President Moore announced the purpose of the executive session was for personnel matters and campus security under 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (4.5).
PERSONNEL ACTION
Freeman motioned to approve the following staffing recommendations for FY25; Alexis Burwinkle / SLP, Amanda Van Tuyle / library aide, Jenna Cook / special education aide, David Moore / Pre-K bus driver and Bonnie Fitch / substitute for WHS Special Education for up to 120 days. Eddinger seconded the motion and roll call vote resulted: Walker, yea; Jacquot, yea; Freeman, yea; Eddinger, yea; and Moore, yea; there being five yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
Freeman, with a second from Walker, motioned to approve the FY25 Stipend Assignments as presented. Roll call vote resulted: Walker, yea; Jacquot, yea; Freeman, yea; Eddinger, yea; and Moore, yea; there being five yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
Freeman motioned, with a second from Eddinger, to renew the shared services agreement for transportation with the Bluffs CUSD #2 for FY25. Roll call vote resulted: Walker, yea; Jacquot, yea; Freeman, yea; Eddinger, yea; and Moore, yea; there being five yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
Walker motioned, with a second from Freeman, to extend the ban of Kenneth Smith from school grounds / activities until August 15, 2025. Roll call vote resulted: Walker, yea; Jacquot, no; Freeman, yea; Eddinger, yea; and Moore, abstain; there being three yeas, one abstention and one nay, the motion passed.
ANNOUNCEMENTS / ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:02 PM.
