McLean County Times

Cornell Community Consolidated School District #426 Board met Jan. 19.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

I. Call to Order

II. Roll Call: Hart- present, Ruddy- present, Hansen- present, Groves- present, Van Weeldon- present, Wichman- present via phone, Schumm- present

III. Public Comment

-concerned parents with discussion in ELA class. Safety concerns with student having plans to kill other students in class

-more concern with teacher bringing up student weaknesses in current and last year class in ELA class

-questions with policy about threats with staff/ students

-concern with lead teacher not bringing up threats to supt

-no discretion was used at school due to teacher with ELA class

A. Discussion and Updates on COVID- probable peak with disease soon. School is running approx 8-10 students out per week between illness and quarenting. ISBE has adopted CDC guidelines. DeVore lawsuit still ongoing: lawsuit gives school the authority to decide on masks.

IV. Communications- thank you note from staff for staff lunch during teacher appreciation week

V. Action Items

A. Approve Minutes of December 15, 2021 Regular Board Meeting: Motion made by Groves, seconded by Hansen: Motion made by Hart, seconded by Groves: approved 6-0

B. Approve Minutes of December 15, 2021 Special Board Meeting: Motion made by Ruddy, seconded by Hansen: approved 6-0

C. Approve Bills, Motion made by Hansen, seconded by VanWeeldon, Hart- yes, Ruddy- yes, Hansen- yes, Groves- yes, Van Weeldon- yes, Schumm-yes: approved 6-0

D. Approve Contract with Mack & Associates for District Audit, Motion made by Hansen, seconded by Van Weeldon, Hart- yes, Ruddy- yes, Hansen- yes, Groves yes, Van Weeldon- yes, Schumm-yes: approved 6-0

VI. Reports

A. Financial- 941 reports are caught up (not paid the last 2 quarters), W2s, IMRF, ROE bills caught up. Penalties will still be coming. State taxes and unemployment paid. TRS will need to be paid- not done since June 2021. Goal is to start on monthly balancing- not done since July 2021. Benefit codes to be implemented. A list of passwords will be created for staff that need access.

-discussed budget and auditors were contacted. At approximately 43% of budget, $137,205 ahead of budget.

-grant summary:

Title 1 low income- support interventions for low income students or low reading level

Title 1 school improvement- designated for new curriculum and salaries.

Title II- staff development

Title IV, Improve School Conditions and Technology- able to pay electricity with grant

IDEA, flow through/ pre-school- Special Education grants

School Maintenance- will be used to redo front entrance

Broadband- will bring broadband into the school

ESSER II- covid relief money, can be spent through Sept 2024

ESSER III- covid relief money, can be spent through Sept 2024, work on furnace, leak in girls locker room, new polishing machine for floors, new electronic sign outside of school

B. Board Policy Updates- quarterly update from Il School Board Assoc: Mark and Troy will look over policy updates. Mostly based on new laws. Board has discretion on updates.

VII. Other

A. Entrance Remodeling- Troy Hart contacted Steve Boss (landscape architect) designs put together. Area has good drainage, but does not meet ADA requirements as there is no wheelchair ramp. Village agreed to pay for concrete only. Concerns with front doors. Will attempt to complete the project together. Bids will need to be gotten ASAP to start the process. Troy will try to get some initial quotes by the next board meeting. Will most likely take 8-12 weeks to order doors.

VIII. Executive Session – to consider appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of a specific employee(s) of the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against and employee to determine its validity; to consider collective bargaining issues: According to Section 2, Subsection (c) #1 of the Illinois Open Meeting Act.

IX. Action from Executive Session

A. Approve Employment of Sherri Countryman as Bookkeeper for 2022-23, effective immediately. motion made by Hansen , seconded by Hart, Roll call: Hart- yes, Ruddy-yes, Hansen- yes, Groves- yes, Van Weelden- yes,Wichman-yes, Schumm- yes, Motion approved: 7-0

B. Approve Employment of Randy Vincent as Interim Superintendent for 2022-23, Motion made by Van Weelden, seconded by Hart, Roll call: Hart- yes, Ruddy-yes, Hansen- yes, Groves- yes, Van Weelden- yes, Wichman- yes, Shumm- yes, Motion approved: 7-0

X. Adjourn: Next Meeting, February 16, 2022, Motion to adjourn made by Hart, seconded by Hansen, approved 7-0, meeting adjourned at 8:58

https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1878856/January_19__2022_Mtg.docx.pdf