Saunemin Community Consolidated School District 438 Board of Education met Feb. 17.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
Members Present
Tasha Bunting (arrived 7:04pm)
Derek Chandler
Josh Coffey
Eric Johnson
Mary Ludwig
Evan Rich
Brandon Sancken
Members Absent
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by President Eric Johnson. Roll call was answered as indicated, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Others present included Superintendent, Mr. Gary Doughan, Assistant Principal, Mr. Michael McDermaid and Teacher, Mrs. Lisa Doughan.
Public Recognition (Strategic Priority #6: Community Engagement and Communication) a) Comments from Public/Employees
There were no comments from the public.
Motion to Approve the Consent Agenda that includes the following: (Strategic Priority #3: Finances that Support Student Learning)
a) Minutes from the January 13th, 2026 meeting
Motioned by Sancken and Seconded by Chandler
Aye: Ludwig, Coffey, Chandler, Sancken, Rich and Johnson
Motion carried 6-0
b) Payroll, Bills and Financials for the month of January 2026
Motioned by Chandler and Seconded by Rich
Aye: Coffey, Chandler, Sancken, Ludwig, Johnson and Rich
Motion carried 6-0
c) Approve Treasurer’s Report for January 2026
Motioned by Ludwig and Seconded by Coffey
Aye: Chandler, Rich, Ludwig, Johnson, Sancken and Coffey
Motion carried 6-0
Superintendent’s Report
● Changes to the Freedom of Information Act state that if a public body has a reasonable belief that a request has been submitted by artificial intelligence, the requestor has 30 days to verify they are a person. If they fail to do so within this timeframe, the public body may deny the request.
● Junk mail is no longer a public record subject to production under FOIA or retention under the Local Records Act.
● Changes to the Open Meetings Act effective January 1, 2026, a public body may no longer hold a meeting on an election day.
● Mr. Doughan recently received two new FOIA requests.
● Eggenberger Lawn Service is no longer providing mowing services so proposals are requested and due by March 6, 2026.
● We are excited to go live on Monday, March 9, 2026 with Apptegy Rooms.
● Mr. Doughan attended the Education Advisory Committee meeting with State
Representative Jason Bunting on Friday, February 6th.
● Winter MAP benchmarking is complete and we are looking at the student growth report data.
● PTO had a meeting on March 17th at 5:30pm in the cafeteria.
● Our Fannie May fundraiser is due back on Tuesday, February 24th. We are selling candy and popcorn and our goal is to sell 450 items.
Assistant Principal/Athletic Director
● The boys basketball season has officially wrapped up.
● Volleyball regionals begin Saturday, March 7th, as the season comes to a close. Best of luck to the team.
● We have two new candidates in the hiring process for the upcoming track season.
● Discipline has been pretty good with only a few issues.
Action Items
a) Approve Seniority/RIF lists
Motioned by Bunting and Seconded by Ludwig
Aye: Bunting, Rich, Johnson, Coffey, Chandler and Ludwig
Abstain: Sancken
Motion carried 6-1
b) Approve Riley Cole as head track coach for the 2026 track season
Motioned by Sancken and Seconded by Coffey
Aye: Bunting, Johnson, Ludwig, Rich, Coffey, Chandler and Sancken
Motion carried 7-0
c) Approve Peyton Cheek as assistant track coach for the 2026 track season
Motioned by Coffey and Seconded by Chandler
Aye: Rich, Ludwig, Coffey, Chander, Sancken, Bunting and Johnson
Motion carried 7-0
Old Business
None
New Business
None
Adjournment
Motioned by Sancken and Seconded by Coffey to adjourn the meeting at 7:34 p.m.
Aye: Bunting, Johnson, Ludwig, Rich, Coffey, Chandler and Sancken
Motion Carried 7-0
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