Saunemin Community Consolidated School District 438 Board of Education met April 15

Ms. Mary Ludwig / Board Member | Saunemin Community Consolidated School District 438

By Kristine Gonzales-Abella

May 13, 2025

Saunemin Community Consolidated School District 438 Board of Education met April 15.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Members Present

Tasha Bunting

Josh Coffey

Eric Johnson

Mary Ludwig

Evan Rich

Marcie Rich

Members Absent

Brandon Sancken

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 and Assistant Principal, Mr. Michael McDermaid.

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 March 11th, 2025 meeting

Motioned by Coffey and Seconded by Bunting

Aye: Coffey, Bunting, Rich and Johnson

Abstain: Ludwig and M. Rich

Motion carried 4-2

b) Payroll, Bills and Financials for the month of March 2025

Motioned by Bunting and Seconded by Ludwig

Aye: Coffey, M. Rich, Bunting, Ludwig, Johnson and E. Rich

Motion carried 6-0

c) Approve Treasurer’s Report for March 2025

Motioned by M. Rich and Seconded by Coffey

Aye: M. Rich, E. Rich, Ludwig, Johnson, Bunting and Coffey

Motion carried 6-0

Adjournment

Motioned by M. Rich and Seconded by Coffey to adjourn the meeting at 7:05 p.m.

Aye: Bunting, E. Rich, Johnson, Coffey, M. Rich and Ludwig

Motion Carried 6-0

Oath of Office and Seating of New Board Members

Re-elected board members read the oath together as a group and sign the document.

Organization of the New Board of Education

a) Appointment of President Pro Tem, Eric Johnson

b) Appointment of Secretary Pro Tem, Josh Coffey

c) Call to Order

i) Roll Call 7:13 p.m.

Members Present Members Absent

Tasha Bunting Brandon Sancken

Josh Coffey

Eric Johnson

Mary Ludwig

Evan Rich

d) Election of Officers

i) Nominations and Election of Board of Education President, Eric Johnson

Motioned by Coffey and Seconded by Ludwig

Aye: Rich, Ludwig, Coffey, Bunting and Johnson

Motion carried 5-0

ii) Nominations and Election of Board of Education Vice President, Tasha Bunting Motioned by Rich and Seconded by Ludwig

Aye: Ludwig, Coffey, Bunting, Rich and Johnson

Motion carried 5-0

iii) Nominations and Election of Board of Education Secretary, Josh Coffey

Motioned by Johnson and Seconded by Ludwig

Aye: Coffey, Bunting, Ludwig, Johnson and Rich

Motion carried 5-0

iv) Establish Time and Place of Regular Meetings will be the second Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m.

Motioned by Coffey and Seconded by Johnson

Aye: Rich, Ludwig, Johnson, Bunting and Coffey

Motion carried 5-0

v) Designation of Depository of Funds, State Bank of Graymont

Motioned by Coffey and Seconded by Bunting

Aye: Bunting, Rich, Johnson, Coffey and Ludwig

Motion carried 5-0

vi) Designation of District Auditor, Mack & Associates

Motioned by Ludwig and Seconded by Bunting

Aye: Bunting, Johnson, Ludwig, Rich and Coffey

Motion carried 5-0

vii) Designation of District Legal Counsel, Miller, Tracy, Braun, Funk & Miller Ltd. Motioned by Ludwig and Seconded by Coffey

Aye: Rich, Ludwig, Coffey, Bunting and Johnson

Motion carried 5-0

Superintendent’s Report

● The new air conditioner for the multi-purpose room will be on a concrete pad outside the building.

● Veregy will have a contract with solid numbers by the May 13, 2025 board meeting.

● The June board meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 24, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.

● Standardized testing is completed.

● We have a P.E. teacher candidate, Riley Cole, from Streator.

● The Illinois Principal Association breakfast is scheduled for Wednesday, April 23, 2025. Noelle Logan and Brylee Taylor are our students that will receive an award.

● Graduation is scheduled for Wednesday, May 21, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.

● Athletic awards are scheduled for Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. in the gymnasium.

● NJHS has their induction ceremony on Wednesday, April 2, 2025.

● The Spring Concert is scheduled for Thursday, May 8, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.

● We will host a career fair in the gymnasium on Friday, May 2, 2025 for 8th grade students in the County.

● FOIA sent requests and we provided them with the necessary information.

● Discussed the options for a free breakfast and lunch program for next school year.

● Mark Jontry discussed the state budget at the ROE Superintendent meeting this morning.

Assistant Principal/Athletic Director

● Things are going well in the building.

● PBIS had a staff vs student volleyball game and it was a good time.

● Teachers are planning class field trips.

● Inflatables are scheduled for the last day of school on Friday, May 23, 2025.

● With nicer weather, recess will be outside.

● Track is in the middle of their season and things are going good.

Action Items

a) Approve employment of Riley Cole as P.E. teacher for the 25-26 school year pending background checks and the completion of necessary paperwork.

Motioned by Bunting and Seconded by Ludwig

Aye: Ludwig, Coffey, Bunting, Rich and Johnson

Motion carried 5-0

b) Approve 4th year probationary status for Samantha Small

Motioned by Ludwig and Seconded by Coffey

Aye: Coffey, Bunting, Ludwig, Johnson and Rich

Motion carried 5-0

c) Approve tenure status for Julie Sancken

Motioned by Ludwig and Seconded by Rich

Aye: Rich, Ludwig, Johnson, Bunting and Coffey

Motion carried 5-0

d) Approve tenure status for Lisa Doughan

Motioned by Bunting and Seconded by Ludwig

Aye: Bunting, Rich, Johnson, Coffey and Ludwig

Motion carried 5-0

e) Approve Memorandum of Understanding between Heartland Head Start and Saunemin District #438 for reciprocal services for preschool students for the 25/26 school year. Motioned by Johnson and Seconded by Coffey

Aye: Ludwig, Coffey, Bunting, Rich and Johnson

Motion carried 5-0

Old Business

a) Building Committee (Eric Johnson and Josh Coffey)

b) Finance Committee; Evan Rich and Mary Ludwig

New Business

None

Closed Session

There will be no need for a closed session

Adjournment

Motioned by Coffey and Seconded by Ludwig to adjourn the meeting at 7:53 p.m.

Aye: Bunting, Johnson, Ludwig, Rich and Coffey