Mt Zion Community Unit School District No. 3 Board of Education met Nov. 16.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
Vice President Nathan Brock called the meeting to order at 6:30 p. m.
Board members present were: Michelle Shumaker, Kristi Niles, Kent Newton, Nathan Brock, and Kyle Janvrin. Jeffrey Sams and Matt Beavers were absent.
Administration present consisted of: Dr. Travis R. Roundcount, Superintendent of Schools; Brian Rhoades, Associate Superintendent; Justin Johnson, Mt. Zion High School Principal; Julie Marquardt, Mt. Zion Jr. High School Principal; Gary Gruen, Mt. Zion Grade School Principal; and Heather Ethell, McGaughey Elementary School Principal.
The Pledge of Allegiance was cited by those present and led by Nathan Brock.
Kristi Niles presented a motion to approve the regular meeting minutes of October 19, 2021. Seconded: Michelle Shumaker. Roll Call: Kristi Niles, Kent Newton, Nathan Brock, Kyle Janvrin, and Michelle Shumaker, yea. Motion carried 5-0. (See Book of Attachments.)
Nathan Brock introduced: 1) Kelly Giltner who spoke about the need for more social workers and social-emotional learning District-wide; 2) Kaye Moran who spoke about the need for assessment at McGaughey Elementary School. She has not seen any Board members visit the school in the two years that she has worked there, so she invited the Superintendent, Associate Superintendent, and Board Members to visit once a year to assess conditions for all staff, teachers, and students in the building; 3) James Bond who spoke about masks and how student enrollment is only down 117 students compared to five years ago. He thanked the Board for providing a solid foundation for Mt. Zion students; and 4) Matt Kuzel who urged the Board to revisit the way Visitor Communications are handled during Board Meetings so that meaningful discussions can happen. He distributed a handout to Board members with bullet points for discussion, which included questions pertaining to: masks, local authority, government funding, and Covid vaccinations.
1) Superintendent Roundcount introduced High School principal, Justin Johnson, who gave an informative presentation about the new adaptive PE class at Mt. Zion High School. The class is led by Sarah Major, with the support of teacher aides, and consists of 27 total students. Of the 27 students, eight are in life skills/essential skills special education classes and 18 are in general education classes. Each special education student is paired with two ‘peer model helpers’ to complete class activities together as a team. Mr. Johnson showed a ‘Peer Buddy PE’ video and introduced Mrs. Major who expanded on: the class structure and schedule, what a typical week looks like in the class, and the many benefits of this program to all students; several benefits include: developing self-esteem, confidence, empathy, teamwork and leadership skills. Mrs. Major then introduced the following three students who highlighted their positive experiences as peer model helpers in the class: McKenna Crawford, Alexis Smith, and Jack Foreman. Dr. Roundcount recognized and applauded each of the speakers who helped bring the special education program (and students) back to Mt. Zion Schools from the Macon-Piatt Special Education co-op.
2) Dr. Roundcount provided a chart to Board members which documented the total positive Covid cases and quarantines among staff and students from 8/22/21 through 11/16/21.
3) Dr. Roundcount discussed efforts being made to regain local control and gave an update concerning the ongoing litigation between Hutsonville CUSD #1 and the State of IL (and its agencies) regarding “Keep it Local” efforts. 4) Lastly, Dr. Roundcount stated the District has no plans or intentions for student vaccination clinics at school. He feels this is something that parents should have done with their children, rather than students being vaccinated in the school nurse’s office without their parents/guardians. Discussion took place.
Kristi Niles introduced a motion to approve the recommended changes to the 2022-2023 High School Student Course Planning Handbook. Seconded: Kent Newton. Dr. Roundcount summarized the changes being presented and noted that, with approval, payment will be made to get the High School CEO program in place for the 2022-2023 school year. Discussion took place by the Board, Administration, and CEO Board members who were present. Roll Call: Kent Newton, Nathan Brock, Kyle Janvrin, Michelle Shumaker, and Kristi Niles, yea. Motion carried 5-0. (See Book of Attachments.)
Kristi Niles presented a motion to approve payment of the presented list of Fund Warrant Check Numbers: 30484-30639 and Athletic Imprest Check Numbers: 13819-13852. Seconded: Kyle Janvrin. Roll Call: Nathan Brock, Kyle Janvrin, Michelle Shumaker, Kristi Niles, and Kent Newton, yea. Motion carried 5-0. (See Book of Attachments.)
Kristi Niles introduced a motion that the presented Financial Treasurer’s Report be accepted and filed for audit. Seconded: Michelle Shumaker. Roll Call: Kyle Janvrin, Michelle Shumaker, Kristi Niles, Kent Newton, and Nathan Brock, yea. Motion carried 5-0. (See Book of Attachments.)
Kristi Niles presented a motion to approve the Risk Management Program as a guide for the expenditures paid from the 2021 Tort Fund levy. Seconded: Kent Newton. Discussion took place by the Board and Administration. Roll Call: Michelle Shumaker, Kristi Niles, Kent Newton, Nathan Brock, and Kyle Janvrin yea. Motion carried 5-0. (See Book of Attachments.)
Kristi Niles introduced a motion to approve the estimated amount of property tax necessary to be levied for the calendar year 2022 as outlined in the presented chart. Seconded: Nathan Brock. Discussion took place by the Board and Administration. Roll Call: Kristi Niles, Kent Newton, Nathan Brock, Kyle Janvrin, and Michelle Shumaker, yea. Motion carried
5-0. (See Book of Attachments.)
Kyle Janvrin presented a motion to go into Executive Session at 7:37 p.m. for the purpose of discussing the appointment/ employment/ reassignment/ leave of absence/ compensation/ possible litigation/ resignation / and discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body. Seconded: Kristi Niles. Roll Call: Kent Newton, Nathan Brock, Kyle Janvrin, Michelle Shumaker, and Kristi Niles, yea. Motion carried
5-0. (See Book of Attachments.)
Vice President Brock returned the meeting to order at 8:35 p.m. Roll Call: Nathan Brock, Kyle Janvrin, Michelle Shumaker, Kristi Niles, and Kent Newton, present.
Kristi Niles introduced a motion to approve the outlined personnel-related items pending a drug test and background check for new employees.
EMPLOYMENT:
| Ina Brown
Mt. Zion High School | Special Education Teaching Assistant, 5.95 hours per day; Effective November 15, 2021 |
| Casey Johnson
Mt. Zion School District Transportation | Bus Driver
Effective October 18, 2021 |
| Cameron Lamonda
Mt. Zion School District | Custodial Student Worker
Effective November 8, 2021 |
| Ciel McNamara
Mt. Zion School District Food Service | Assistant Cook, 3 hours per day
Effective November 4, 2021 |
| Paul Reeve
Mt. Zion School District Transportation | Interim Transportation Director
Effective November 29, 2021 and paid a daily rate of $205.38 per day; for any time worked prior to then |
| Allisa Willey
Mt. Zion School District Transportation | Bus Driver
Effective October 26, 2021 |
EMPLOYMENT OF DISTRICT SUBS (effective with the first day of work):
| Amber Baker Garrick Force Gary O’Conner
Leigh-Ann Bonn Melanie Long Jason Pittman John Dougherty Gary Moore Beverly Shelton Hannah Watts |
| Taylor Minton
Mt. Zion High School | Group V - High School Assistant Softball
Effective December 1, 2021 |
| John Beiler
Mt. Zion High School | From Group V-High School Assistant Softball to
High School Assistant Softball Volunteer |
RESIGNATIONS:
| Bailey Collins
Mt. Zion High School | Life Skills/Essential Skills Teaching Assistant Effective November 12, 2021 |
| Brian Dennison
Mt. Zion School District Transportation | Bus Driver
Effective November 19, 2021 |
| Merrik Eddington
Mt. Zion Jr. High School | Group VII - Jr. High School Assistant Baseball Effective October 20, 2021 |
| Russell Howe
Mt. Zion Grade School/District Office | Custodian
Effective September 17, 2021 |
| Stacey Stine
Mt. Zion School District | BASAP Assistant
Effective November 19, 2021 |
| Stacie Willis
Mt. Zion School District Transportation | Bus Driver
Effective October 7, 2021 |
1) Michelle Shumaker thanked Kelly Giltner for her input regarding the need for social workers and gave reassurance that Student Services Coordinator, Amy Schultz, would be returning to the District next school year. 2) Michelle Shumaker also thanked Kaye Moran for her input regarding the need for assessment at McGaughey, and clarified that visitors have been limited in the buildings for the past two years due to Covid, but Board members are always available and just a phone call away should the principals need them. 3) In response to Matt Kuzel’s input, Michelle Shumaker stated that the District has been in contact with its attorney regarding efforts concerning local authority and control. As far as finances, Associate Superintendent, Brian Rhoades, has always had an open-door policy and would be happy to meet to answer any questions regarding the District’s finances. Discussions are taking place surrounding his numerous concerns and, Michelle stated that she agrees with Dr. Roundcount in that she personally is not in support of school vaccination clinics at this time. 4) Dr. Roundcount added that Dustin Fink’s contract as Athletic Trainer for Mt. Zion High School is over at the end of the 2021-2022 school year, and the District will be researching options for the best way to fill this position in the future. 5) Michelle Shumaker shared a thank you card and cookies that Board members received from McGaughey Elementary School staff in recognition of Board Member’s Appreciation Day.
Vice President Brock announced Tuesday, December 21, 2021, 6:30 p. m. as the next regular meeting of the Board of Education, to be held at the Mt. Zion C.U.S.D. #3 District Office, 1595 W. Main St., Mt. Zion, IL 62549.
The Board of Education Meeting was adjourned by general consent at 8:41 p.m. Page 303
https://www.mtzschools.org/site/handlers/filedownload.ashx?moduleinstanceid=4751&dataid=6096&FileName=IV%20-%20Board%20Minutes%20of%20111621.pdf
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