Macon Reporter

Argenta-Oreana Community Unit School District 1 Board of Education Met Feb. 8.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

The Board of Education of Community Unit School District Number 1, Macon and DeWitt Counties, Illinois, (Argenta-Oreana Community Unit School District No. 1) convened at 6:00 p.m. in the Argenta- Oreana Middle School/High School Library at 500 North Main Street, Argenta, Illinois pursuant to notice of regular meeting having been given in due form of law with Todd Armstrong, President, in the Chair, and with a legal quorum as follows: Maria Lightner, Jeff Schroetlin, Heather McConnell-Smith , Lori Sprague, Cory White, and Todd Armstrong. Also present: Damian Jones, Superintendent; Sean German, Principal; and Patrick Blair, Principal.

A Public Hearing was conducted for the Issuance of Working Cash Fund Bonds in the amount of $1,640,000 for the Purpose of Increasing the Working Cash Fund of the District.

Maria Lightner/Jeff Schroetlin, second, made a motion at 6:02 p.m. to close the Public Hearing for the Issuance of Working Cash Fund Bonds. The roll vote: Maria Lightner-yes; Jeff Schroetlin-yes; Heather McConnell-Smith-yes; Lori Sprague-yes; Cory White-yes; and Todd Armstrong-yes.

Staff comments, Administrative Reports and Public comments were shared.

Maria Lightner/Cory White, second, made a motion at 6:43 p.m. pursuant to the Open Meetings ACT – 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1), which permits a closed session to consider the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific certified and/or non-certified employee(s) of the public body. The roll vote: Maria Lightner-yes; Jeff Schroetlin-yes; Heather McConnell-Smith-yes; Lori Sprague-yes; Cory White-yes; and Todd Armstrong-yes.

Heather McConnell-Smith/Jeff Schroetlin, second, made a motion to reconvene the regular meeting at 6:52 p.m. The roll vote: Maria Lightner-yes; Jeff Schroetlin-yes; Heather McConnell-Smith-yes; Lori Sprague-yes; Cory White-yes; and Todd Armstrong-yes.

Cory White/Jeff Schroetlin, second, made a motion to approve the January 11, 2021 Regular Meeting Minutes. The roll vote: Maria Lightner-yes; Jeff Schroetlin-yes; Heather McConnell-Smith-yes; Lori Sprague-yes; Cory White-yes; and Todd Armstrong-yes.

Maria Lightner/Jeff Schroetlin, second, made a motion to approve payroll and bills. The roll vote: Maria Lightner- yes; Jeff Schroetlin-yes; Heather McConnell-Smith-yes; Lori Sprague-yes; Cory White-yes; and Todd Armstrong-yes.

Cory White/Lori Sprague, second, made a motion to accept the retirement of Cheryl England as 2nd grade teacher effective at the conclusion of the 2024-25 school year. The roll vote: Maria Lightner-yes; Jeff Schroetlin-yes; Heather McConnell-Smith-yes; Lori Sprague-yes; Cory White-yes; and Todd Armstrong-yes.

Maria Lightner/Lori Sprague second, made a motion to accept the resignation of Kristi Adams as 3rd grade teacher effective at the end of the 2020-21 school year. The roll vote: Maria Lightner-yes; Jeff Schroetlin-yes; Heather McConnell-Smith-yes; Lori Sprague-yes; Cory White-yes; and Todd Armstrong-yes.

Cory White/Lori Sprague, second, made a motion to hire the following: Courtney Tippit as MS First Assistant volleyball coach, Ron Houser as HS Assistant Boys basketball coach, Tim Martin as MS Assistant Boys basketball coach, Kathleen Outzen as 2nd assistant MS volleyball coach and Heidi Simms as a school bus driver conditional upon and subject to the results of a criminal background check. The roll vote: Maria Lightner-yes; Jeff Schroetlin-yes; Heather McConnell- Smith-yes; Lori Sprague-yes; Cory White-yes; and Todd Armstrong-yes.

Jeff Schroetlin/Maria Lightner, second, made a motion to approve the following volunteer coaches: Susan Daley for MS volleyball, Kyle Logue for MS boys basketball, Connor Haltom for HS baseball and Maggie Millington for HS girls basketball. The roll vote: Maria Lightner-yes; Jeff Schroetlin-yes; Heather McConnell-Smith-yes; Lori Sprague-yes; Cory

White-yes; and Todd Armstrong-yes.

Heather McConnell-Smith/Jeff Schroetlin, second, made a motion to grant an unpaid Leave of Absence for Tina Campbell, Elementary School Cook. The roll vote: Maria Lightner-yes; Jeff Schroetlin-yes; Heather McConnell-Smith- yes; Lori Sprague-yes; Cory White-yes; and Todd Armstrong-yes.

Maria Lightner/Heather McConnell Smith, second, made a motion to approve the annual Employee Health Insurance Renewal. The roll vote: Maria Lightner-yes; Jeff Schroetlin-yes; Heather McConnell-Smith-yes; Lori Sprague- yes; Cory White-yes; and Todd Armstrong-yes.

Maria Lightner/Heather McConnell Smith, second, made a motion to approve the Certificate of Resolution-Section 125 Premium Only Cafeteria Plan Ending 02/28/22. The roll vote: Maria Lightner-yes; Jeff Schroetlin-yes; Heather McConnell-Smith-yes; Lori Sprague-yes; Cory White-yes; and Todd Armstrong-yes.

Lori Sprague/Maria Lightner, second, made a motion to approve the revision to Board Policy 5:44 “Educational Support Personnel: Insurance.” The roll vote: Maria Lightner-yes; Jeff Schroetlin-yes; Heather McConnell-Smith-yes; Lori Sprague-yes; Cory White-yes; and Todd Armstrong-yes.

Cory White/Jeff Schroetlin, second, made a motion to authorize the Argenta-Oreana District Superintendent to prepare the budget for the 2021-22 school year; publish the necessary legal notices to advertise the availability of the budget for public review; and publish the time and date of the public hearing, tentatively scheduled for 6:00 p.m., September 13, 2021. The roll vote: Maria Lightner-yes; Jeff Schroetlin-yes; Heather McConnell-Smith-yes; Lori Sprague-yes; Cory White-yes; and Todd Armstrong-yes.

Facility improvement projects were discussed. No action needed.

Jeff Schroetlin/Heather McConnell-Smith, second, made a motion for the adoption of 2021-22 and 2022-23 school calendars. The roll vote: Maria Lightner-yes; Jeff Schroetlin-yes; Heather McConnell-Smith-yes; Lori Sprague-yes; Cory White-yes; and Todd Armstrong-yes.

Lori Sprague/Jeff Schroetlin, second, made a motion to set the High School Graduation and Middle School Promotion Dates for 2022 and 2023. The roll vote: Maria Lightner-yes; Jeff Schroetlin-yes; Heather McConnell-Smith- yes; Lori Sprague-yes; Cory White-yes; and Todd Armstrong-yes.

Cory White/Maria Lightner, second, made a motion to approve the disposal of unneeded items. The roll vote: Maria Lightner-yes; Jeff Schroetlin-yes; Heather McConnell-Smith-yes; Lori Sprague-yes; Cory White-yes; and Todd Armstrong-yes.

Jeff Schroetlin/Heather McConnell-Smith, second, made a motion to approve the return to school/remote and blending learning day plan options as follows: “Option 1,” additional student attendance hours on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at the Elementary School; and “Option 2,” additional student attendance hours on Wednesday at the High School/Middle School. The roll vote: Maria Lightner-yes; Jeff Schroetlin-yes; Heather McConnell-Smith-yes; Lori Sprague-yes; Cory White-yes; and Todd Armstrong-no.

Heather McConnell-Smith/Cory White, second made a motion to cancel second semester exams for the High School. The roll vote: Maria Lightner-yes; Jeff Schroetlin-yes; Heather McConnell-Smith-yes; Lori Sprague-yes; Cory White-yes; and Todd Armstrong-yes.

Heather McConnell-Smith/Lori Sprague, second, made a motion to adjourn at 7:54 p.m. The roll vote: Maria Lightner-yes; Jeff Schroetlin-yes; Heather McConnell-Smith-yes; Lori Sprague-yes; Cory White-yes; and Todd

Armstrong-yes.