November 2024 Board Minutes
November 10, 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 November 10, 2024 at 6:30 PM in the Winchester High School Home Ec room.
President Steve Moore called the meeting to order with the following members answering roll call: Thad Walker, Bill Jacquot, Shanna Eddinger, Trista Freeman, Eric Peterson, Aaron Littig and Steve Moore. Also attending were Superintendent Kevin Blankenship, WGS Principal Jessica Crawford, WGS Assistant Principal Nic ZuHone, WHS Principal Denny Vortman, and Administrative Assistant Becky Lashmett.
MINUTES / FINANCIALS
Littig motioned, with a second from Peterson, to approve the minutes of the October 15th regular meeting. Roll call vote resulted: Walker, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; Peterson yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being seven yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
Walker motioned, with a second from Littig, to approve the financial reports and bills to be paid. Roll call vote resulted: Walker, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; Peterson yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being seven yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
FY24 AUDIT
Suzanne Steckel of Zumbahlen, Eyth, Surratt, Foote and Flynn presented the results of their financial audit of the district for FY24. She noted it was a ‘clean’ audit, and Freeman motioned to accept the results. Littig seconded the motion and roll call vote resulted: Walker, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; Peterson yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being seven yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
ADMINISTRATORS REPORTS
The building principals provided an update of student recognitions, activities and accomplishments. Three of the thirteen junior high students who recently attended a leadership conference at the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta Georgia made a presentation regarding their trip, which was funded by a grant from the Tracey Family Foundation.
WHS RENOVATIONS
After several more meetings and walk-thrus with representatives of Veregy, Superintendent Blankenship recommended completing the HVAC, asbestos removal, and Common / Home Ec remodeling this year; leaving ADA improvements for the summer of 2026. Projected costs for all projects are $12 million. Rebates between $1.5 and $2.5 million are expected upon completion of the HVAC, which could be used to offset the bond, or to fund future projects. A proposed referendum resolution will be ready for consideration in December.
Eddinger motioned to enter into an agreement with Veregy to proceed, with an official contract in December or January. Walker seconded the motion and roll call vote resulted: Walker, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; Peterson yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being seven yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
TAX LEVY
The tentative tax levy for 2025 was reviewed, with a hearing scheduled for the December meeting, to be followed by a vote. Since there is no accurate updated EAV available from the County, the proposed levy reflects a 15% increase.
PROPERTY TAX RELIEF GRANT
Jacquot motioned to submit an application for the annual ISBE Property Tax Relief Grant. Peterson seconded the motion and roll call vote resulted: Walker, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; Peterson yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being seven yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
FY25 MAINTENANCE GRANT
Jacquot motioned, with a second from Walker, to submit an application for the FY25 ISBE $50,000 Maintenance Grant, with plans to improve the HVAC in the Vocational Building and replace the bus garage roof. Roll call vote resulted: Walker, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; Peterson yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being seven yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
PRESS #117 UPDATES
A first reading of proposed policy revisions as developed by the IASB PRESS service was conducted. A second reading and action is slated for the December meeting.
FFA TRIP
Freeman motioned, with a second from Eddinger, to approve an overnight trip for the FFA BUILD Conference in Bloomington. Roll call vote resulted: Walker, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; Peterson yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being seven 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 Donnie Campbell asked if the congressional township limitations on board membership were still in place. He was informed they are. Katie Tobin, John Schnelton, Jana Ala and Elizabeth Adcock spoke in opposition to the new FY25 Pre-K drop off procedure.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Freeman motioned at 8:22 PM to enter into closed session. Peterson seconded the motion and roll call vote resulted: Walker, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; Peterson yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being seven yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
Freeman motioned, with a second from Eddinger, to return to open session at 11:23 PM. Roll call vote resulted: Walker, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; Peterson yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being seven 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
Freeman motioned to accept the resignation of part-time custodian Patty Burchett. Eddinger seconded the motion and roll call vote resulted: Walker, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; Peterson yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being seven yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
Littig motioned to employ Cole Howard and Gabe Cox as freshman boys basketball co-coaches, with a second from Peterson. Roll call vote resulted: Walker, yea; Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; Peterson yea; Littig, yea; and Moore, yea; there being seven yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
CHANGE MEETING TIME
President Moore announced the December 10th meeting would be held in the WHS Home Ec room, starting at 4:30 PM due to basketball games.
ANNOUNCEMENTS / ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:29 PM.
