November 2023 Board Minutes
November 14, 2023
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 14, 2023 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: Bill Jacquot, Shanna Eddinger, Trista Freeman, Eric Peterson and Steve Moore. Thad Walker and Aaron Littig were absent. New member Peterson took the oath of office. 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
Eddinger motioned, with a second from Jacquot, to approve the minutes of the October 10th regular meeting. Roll call vote resulted: Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; Peterson yea; and Moore, yea; there being five yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
Eddinger motioned, with a second from Freeman, to approve the financial reports and bills to be paid. Roll call vote resulted: Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; Peterson yea; and Moore, yea; there being five yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
ADMINISTRATORS REPORTS
The building principals provided an update of student recognitions, activities and accomplishments. WHS Principal Vortman introduced two students requesting early graduation - Carlee Hinegarner and Raegan Evans. Eddinger motioned to approve their requests, and Freeman seconded the motion. Roll call vote resulted: Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; Peterson yea; and Moore, yea; there being five yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
Superintendent Blankenship reported on maintenance projects, noting both the WHS security doors and the cafeteria tables have been subject to delays.
BUILDING COMMITTEE REPORT
The committee is still working to investigate all possible options for WHS, and Dr. Blankenship will be meeting with possible consultants.
TAX LEVY
The tentative tax levy for 2024 was reviewed, with a hearing scheduled for the December meeting, to be followed by a vote.
PROPERTY TAX RELIEF GRANT
Jacquot motioned to submit an application for the annual ISBE Property Tax Relief Grant. Freeman seconded the motion and roll call vote resulted: Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; Peterson yea; and Moore, yea; there being five yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
ACTIVITY ACCOUNTS
Per the auditor’s recommendation, several activity accounts need to be transferred from the schools to the district office. Freeman motioned, with a second from Eddinger to approve these transfers. Roll call vote resulted: Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; Peterson yea; and Moore, yea; there being five yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
INTERFUND TRANSFER
Jacquot motioned to approve the Education Fund paying the O&M Fund $295,732.30 per the results of the FY23 financial audit. Freeman seconded the motion and roll call vote resulted: Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; Peterson yea; and Moore, yea; there being five yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
PRESS 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.
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 there were none.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Eddinger motioned at 7:45 PM to enter into closed session. Jacquot seconded the motion and roll call vote resulted: Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; Peterson yea; and Moore, yea; there being five yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
Freeman motioned, with a second from Eddinger, to return to open session at 8:08 PM. Roll call vote resulted: Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; Peterson 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 student discipline.
PERSONNEL ACTION
Eddinger motioned to approve Annika Kaufmann as volunteer assistant for the high school girls basketball program. Freeman seconded the motion and roll call vote resulted: Jacquot, yea; Eddinger, yea; Freeman, yea; Peterson yea; and Moore, yea; there being five yeas and no nays, the motion passed.
CHANGE MEETING TIME
President Moore announced the December 12th meeting would be held in the WGS Library, starting at 4:00 PM due to basketball games.
ANNOUNCEMENTS / ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:13 PM.
