Macon Reporter

Sullivan Community Unit School District 300 Board met June 8.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

The regular meeting of the Board of Education of Sullivan Community Unit School District No. 300 of Moultrie, Shelby, and Coles Counties, Illinois was duly called and held at 6:30 p.m., at the Sullivan High School Media Center within the boundaries of said District.

President White called the meeting to order at 6:31 p.m.

Roll Call – Present: Florey, Green, Horn, Stollard, White

Roll Call – Absent: Grooms, Wood

Citizens Non-Agenda

Items: None

Informational Items: None

Consent Agenda: Motion by Florey, seconded by Green, to approve the following items on Consent Agenda:

Minutes of the May 11, 2020 Regular Meeting.

Authorized bills in the amount of $373,044.42; and, the treasurer’s report.

Approved the prevailing wage resolution as presented.

Appointed Becky Batman as School District Treasurer.

Set fees for 2020-2021 school year.

Approved the contract for audit services as presented.

Accepted the retirement notification of SMS teacher, Scott Bales at the end of the 2022-2023 school year.

Approved property/casualty/liability insurance renewals.

Upon roll call, all voted yea.

Action Items: Appoint Board Committee Members – President stated that it is necessary to appoint Board committee members to the following committees:

Negotiations – Horn, Wood, White

Closed Session – White, Horn, Stollard

EIASE Governing Board – Florey, Green as alternate Sullivan Community Education Foundation – Stollard Alumni Association – Wood

IASB Abe Lincoln Division Representative – Grooms IASB Convention Assembly Delegate – White, Green Performance Goals & Indicators – White, Grooms, Horn

Stollard moved, seconded by Florey. On roll call, all voted yea.

Approve Qualification Requirements for Health Insurance – Superintendent Walk requested that the Board provide a contribution towards health insurance coverage only to those who meet the threshold of required hours. Green moved. Stollard seconded. On roll call, all voted yea.

Food Service Contract Renewal: Superintendent Walk stated that Aramark has requested an additional $14,600 to account for different wage increases. That is permissible through ISBE if both parties agree to the costs. The district will see no state funding increase next year where Aramark will get 2.75% increase while their costs have been lower for the last part of this school year. Walk requested that the Board not renew the Aramark food service management contract.

Horn asked if food service would be put out to bid.

Superintendent Walk stated the District would move to a self-operated food service. The main difference is having ability to make up differences in labor and food service and having more control over the menu. It will be work, but cost-wise it will be very cost neutral. It has potential to be a little bit cost prohibitive but has a chance for increased revenues. Superintendent Walk has had several discussions with Bushue and auditors from the Illinois State Board of Education regarding profitability and human resource issues.

Sue Sides addressed the Board stating she would not be able to work for the school because she took the IMRF early out retirement option and is not allowed to work for any IMRF employer.

Stollard moved. Seconded by Green. On roll call, all voted yea.

Closed Session – Grooms moved, seconded by Florey, to enter closed session at 6:44 p.m. to discuss appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees; collective negotiations matters; student discipline; matters related to individual students; litigation; and minutes of meetings lawfully closed pursuant to statute sections 5 ILCS 120/2 [c] 1, 2, 9, 10, 11, 14. On roll call, all voted yea.

Open Session – Green moved, seconded by Florey, that the Board return to open session and approve the closed session minutes of May 11, 2020 regular meeting at 6:59 p.m. On roll call, all voted yea.

Employment of Elementary School Principal – Superintendent Walk stated that due to the resignation of Heather Ethell, there is a need to employ an elementary principal. Several applications were received. Mrs. Leslie Guyot is the recommended candidate. Stollard moved that the Board employ Mrs. Leslie Guyot as Elementary School Principal effective July 1, 2020. Florey seconded. Upon roll call, all voted yea.

Approval of Elementary School Principal Contract – Stollard moved that the Board approve the elementary school principal contract as presented. Florey seconded. On roll call, all voted yea.

Approval of Food Service Director Job Description - Sullivan School District will move to a self-operated food service program for the 2020-2021 school year. In order to make that transition, it is necessary to hire a food service director and approve the food service director job description. Green moved that the Board approve the food service director job description as presented. Stollard seconded. Upon roll call, all voted yea.

Employment of Food Service Director – Stollard moved that the Board employ Jessica Keith as food service director. Florey seconded. Upon roll call, all voted yea.

Approval of Personnel Report - Florey moved, seconded by Green, that the Board approve the personnel report. On roll call, all voted yea.

Superintendent’s Report: Superintendent Walk reported that schools have received guidance allowing fewer than 10 students at a time for various activities. We will begin remediation, summer school, and strength and conditioning training for athletics. The district received approval from the Moultrie County Health Department to move forward and are awaiting approval from the district insurance carrier. The goal is to start on Monday, June 15 with temperature checks, school personnel masks inside the building, and social distancing. Elementary school activities and extended school year will be postponed until July because of the flooring project.

The flooring project is underway with an anticipated mostly complete date of July 15. The food program will be moved July 1 to the high school cafeteria to allow the flooring project to be finished.

The approved state budget is a flat budget. It is doubtful that mandated categorical payments will be received. Flat funding is approximately $250,000 less than we anticipated. The district’s fiscal condition still remains favorable, but we are starting to discuss what will happen if we lose significant money from the state. The district’s final budget will be approved at the end of June.

Adjournment: Being no further business before the Board at this time, there was a motion made by Stollard, and seconded by Florey, to adjourn at 7:13 p.m. On roll call, all voted yea.

https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/786907/2020-06-08_Minutes.docx.pdf