Mt Zion Community Unit School District 3 Board met Feb. 22.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
CALL TO ORDER
President Jeffrey Sams called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Board members present were: Jeffrey Sams, Nathan Brock, Michelle Shumaker, Matt Beavers, Kyle Janvrin, Kent Newton, and Kristi Niles.
ADMINISTRATION PRESENT
Administration present consisted of: Dr. Travis R. Roundcount, Superintendent of Schools; Brian Rhoades, Associate Superintendent; Billy Rockey, District Technology Director; Justin Johnson, Mt. Zion High School Principal; Julie Marquardt, Mt. Zion Jr. High School Principal, Randy Thacker, Mt. Zion Intermediate School Principal; Gary Gruen, Mt. Zion Grade School Principal; and Heather Ethell, McGaughey Elementary School Principal.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was cited by those present and led by Matt Beavers.
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Kent Newton presented a motion to approve the Regular Meeting minutes of January 18, 2022. Seconded: Michelle Shumaker. Roll Call: Nathan Brock, Michelle Shumaker, Matt Beavers, Kyle Janvrin, Kent Newton, and Jeffrey Sams, yea. Kristi Niles abstained. Motion carried 6-0. (See Book of Attachments.)
EXECUTIVE MEETING MINUTES
Michelle Shumaker introduced a motion to approve the Executive Meeting minutes of January 18, 2022. Seconded: Kyle Janvrin. Roll Call: Michelle Shumaker, Matt Beavers, Kyle Janvrin, Kent Newton, Jeffrey Sams, and Nathan Brock, yea. Kristi Niles abstained. Motion carried 6-0. (See Book of Attachments.)
VISITOR COMMUNICATIONS
Board President Sams introduced James Bond who requested to speak about bus drivers.
STAFF COMMUNICATIONS
Dr. Travis Roundcount 1) provided a chart to Board members which documented the total positive Covid cases and quarantines among staff and students since the beginning of the school year; 2) introduced Mt. Zion Grade School Principal, Gary Gruen, who shared a presentation about the garden project at Mt. Zion Grade School. Mr. Gruen credited 2nd grade teachers Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Wilson for initiating the project, 2nd grade students, High School FFA students, and High School Ag Teacher Mr. Walker for implementing the project, and the Mt. Zion Foundation for Quality Education for funding the project; 3) introduced Billy Rockey, District Curriculum & Technology Director who shared District wide curriculum and technology updates including but not limited to: District textbook audits, new math curriculum, new math textbooks, 102 new security cameras throughout the District, improvements to WIFI and system security, and new computers for all staff and students. In addition, the Mt. Zion Foundation for Quality Education funded over $183,400 within the last year, which allowed educators to purchase new technology supplies, classroom supplies & furniture, and library books. It also allowed educators to attend exciting professional development conferences too. 4) provided an update on the Apex Clean Energy wind turbines coming to Dalton City and shared the long-term revenue outlook for the school District; the District may receive up to $140,000 from this project. Visit: racehorseflatswind.com to learn more.
REVIEW AND RELEASE OF EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES PRIOR TO FEBRUARY 2022
Matt Beavers presented a motion to approve keeping the Executive Session Minutes prior to February 2022 closed. Seconded: Nathan Brock. Roll Call: Matt Beavers, Kyle Janvrin, Kent Newton, Kristi Niles, Jeffrey Sams, Nathan Brock, and Michelle Shumaker, yea. Motion carried 7-0. (See Book of Attachments.)
DESTRUCTION AND DISPOSAL OF THE VERBATIM RECORDINGS PRIOR TO AUGUST 2020
Nathan Brock introduced a motion to authorize the destruction of the verbatim audio recordings from the closed session meetings of the Mt. Zion Board of Education prior to August 2020. This specifically includes closed session meetings from: February 2020 through July 2020. Seconded: Kristi Niles. Roll Call: Kyle Janvrin, Kent Newton, Kristi Niles, Jeffrey Sams, Nathan Brock, Michelle Shumaker, and Matt Beavers, yea. Motion carried 7-0. (See Book of Attachments.)
MT. ZION SCHOOL DISTRICT REPORT CARD AND IMPROVEMENT PLANS
Kent Newton introduced a motion to approve the presented District and School Improvement Plans for the Mt. Zion School District as required by the IL State Board of Education. Seconded: Michelle Shumaker. Discussion took place. Roll Call: Kent Newton, Kristi Niles, Jeffrey Sams, Nathan Brock, Michelle Shumaker, Matt Beavers, and Kyle Janvrin, yea. Motion carried 7-0. (See Book of Attachments.)
CONSIDER AMENDING THE MT. ZION SCHOOL DISTRICT COVID-19 PLAN
Dr. Roundcount summarized the proposed changes to the District’s Covid-19 plan. Discussion took place and an attempt was made to call School District attorney, Barney Mundorff, for further clarification and questions; however, he did not answer. Michelle Shumaker made a motion that this agenda item be tabled until Mr. Mundorff called back. Seconded: Kristi Niles. Roll Call: Kristi Niles, Jeffrey Sams, Nathan Brock, Michelle Shumaker, Matt Beavers, Kyle Janvrin, and Kent Newton, yea. Motion carried 7-0. (See Book of Attachments.)
FUND WARRANTS - JANUARY 2022- FEBRUARY 2022
Nathan Brock introduced a motion to approve payment of the presented list of Fund Warrant check numbers: 30952-31069 and Athletic Imprest check numbers: 13920-14050. Seconded: Kristi Niles. Roll Call: Jeffrey Sams, Nathan Brock, Michelle Shumaker, Matt Beavers, Kyle Janvrin, Kent Newton, and Kristi Niles, yea. Motion carried 7-0. (See Book of Attachments.)
FINANCIAL TREASURER’S REPORTS - DECEMBER 2021- JANUARY 2022
Matt Beavers presented a motion that the presented Financial Treasurer’s Reports be accepted and filed for audit. Seconded: Michelle Shumaker. Roll Call: Nathan Brock, Michelle Shumaker, Matt Beavers, Kyle Janvrin, Kent Newton, Kristi Niles, and Jeffrey Sams, yea. Motion carried 7-0. (See Book of Attachments.)
BID AUTHORIZATION FOR PAPER AND CUSTODIAL SUPPLIES
Kristi Niles introduced a motion to authorize the administration to solicit paper and custodial supply bid quotations for the 2022-2023 school year according to the presented specification sheets. Seconded: Kyle Janvrin. Discussion took place. Roll Call: Michelle Shumaker, Matt Beavers, Kyle Janvrin, Kent Newton, Kristi Niles, Jeffrey Sams, and Nathan Brock, yea. Motion carried 7-0. (See Book of Attachments.)
BID AUTHORIZATION FOR THE MT. ZION INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL ROOF PROJECT
Matt Beavers presented a motion to authorize the administration to advertise and solicit bids for the Mt. Zion Intermediate School Roof Project, as per specifications developed by Architectural Expressions. James Fouse, Senior Architect of Architectural Expressions, led discussion and answered questions related with this project. Seconded: Nathan Brock. Roll Call: Matt Beavers, Kyle Janvrin, Kent Newton, Kristi Niles, Jeffrey Sams, Nathan Brock, and Michelle Shumaker, yea. Motion carried 7-0. (See Book of Attachments.)
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Matt Beavers introduced a motion to go into Executive Session at 7:32 p.m. for the purpose of discussing the appointment, employment, reassignment, leave of absence, compensation, possible litigation, resignation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees of the public body, and collective negotiating matters. Seconded: Kristi Niles. Roll Call: Kyle Janvrin, Kent Newton, Kristi Niles, Jeffrey Sams, Nathan Brock, Michelle Shumaker, and Matt Beavers, yea. Motion carried 7-0. (See Book of Attachments.)
RETURN TO OPEN SESSION - TO SPEAK WITH ATTORNEY
Kristi Niles presented a motion to return the meeting to order at 7:46 p.m. to receive Barney Mundorff’s phone call to openly discuss the amendments to the District’s Covid-19 plan. Seconded: Kyle Janvrin. Discussion took place and Mr. Mundorff clarified that, due to Judge Grimshaw’s recent ruling, it was founded that schools do not have legal authority to require masks; only the Illinois Department of Public Health has that authority. He believes it is in the School District and Board’s best interest to no longer require masks. Roll Call: Kent Newton, Kristi Niles, Jeffrey Sams, Nathan Brock, Michelle Shumaker, Matt Beavers, and Kyle Janvrin, yea. Motion carried 7-0. (See Book of Attachments.)
TABLED AGENDA ITEMCONSIDER AMENDING THE MT. ZION SCHOOL DISTRICT COVID-19 PLAN
Nathan Brock introduced a motion that the Board approve to continue the current optional Covid-19 mitigations for the remainder of the 2021-2022 school year. Seconded: Kyle Janvrin. Roll Call: Roll Call: Kristi Niles, Jeffrey Sams, Nathan Brock, Michelle Shumaker, Matt Beavers, Kyle Janvrin, and Kent Newton, yea. Motion carried 7-0. (See Book of Attachments.)
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Kyle Janvrin introduced a motion to go back into Executive Session at 7:52 p.m. to finish discussing the appointment, employment, reassignment, leave of absence, compensation, possible litigation, resignation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees of the public body, and collective negotiating matters. Seconded: Kristi Niles. Roll Call: Kyle Janvrin, Kent Newton, Kristi Niles, Jeffrey Sams, Nathan Brock, Michelle Shumaker, and Matt Beavers, yea. Motion carried 7-0. (See Book of Attachments.)
RETURN TO OPEN SESSION
Michelle Shumaker presented a motion to return the meeting to order at 8:55 p.m. Seconded: Kristi Niles. Roll Call: Kent Newton, Kristi Niles, Jeffrey Sams, Nathan Brock, Michelle Shumaker, Matt Beavers, and Kyle Janvrin, yea. Motion carried 7-0. (See Book of Attachments.)
PERSONNEL EMPLOYMENT/ LEAVE OF ABSENCE/ RESIGNATIONS
Nathan Brock introduced a motion to approve the outlined personnel-related items pending a drug test and background check for new employees.
EMPLOYMENT:
| Colton Allen
Mt. Zion High School | Special Education Teaching Assistant, 6.5 hours per day; Effective January 18, 2022 |
| Chloe Kuchelmeister
Mt. Zion Jr. High/High School | Show Choir Chaperone Volunteer
Effective February 23, 2022 |
| Evan Lawrence
Mt. Zion High School | Group V - High School Assistant Baseball Effective February 16, 2022 |
| Tracie Manning
Mt. Zion School District Transportation | Bus Driver
Effective January 14, 2022 |
| Tesean Bond
Darius Box Emily Chase Teran Cook Nathan Graham Melissa Highley Randy Hinshaw Kathryn Holtfreter Joseph Krouse Evan Lawrence | Penny McCullough Zach McReynolds Shania Mitchell
Carol Peters Kristine Rodriguez Teran Stephenson Hannah Thoele Jennifer VanDyke Chelsea Walters Shae Wright |
| Lora Kater
Mt. Zion Intermediate School | Unpaid leave of absence for the dates: February 1, 2, 3, and 4, 2022 |
| Amber Behm
Mt. Zion Superintendent’s Office | Fiscal Services Assistant, Accounts Payable Effective January 21, 2022 |
| Timothy Hilbrick
Mt. Zion School District Transportation | Bus Driver
Effective January 14, 2022 |
GENERAL DISCUSSION
Dr. Roundcount proposed inviting elementary students to Board Meetings again to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. This was a regular practice prior to the Covid pandemic.
President Sams shared how much he enjoys the principals’ presentations every month and all Board members agreed.
Michelle Shumaker shared a thank you card received from Dale Abbott’s family thanking the Mt. Zion Board of Education, administration, faculty and staff for the sympathy planter that was delivered to Dale’s memorial service. Dale passed away on December 23, 2021 and was the husband of Amy Abbott, who is a Spanish teacher at Mt. Zion High School.
NEXT REGULAR MEETING
President Sams announced Tuesday, March 22, 2022, 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.
ADJOURNMENT
Kristi Niles presented a motion to adjourn the Board of Education Meeting at 8:58 p.m. Seconded: Michelle Shumaker. Roll Call: Jeffrey Sams, Nathan Brock, Michelle Shumaker, Matt Beavers, Kyle Janvrin, Kent Newton, and Kristi Niles, yea. Motion carried 7-0. (See Book of Attachments.)
https://www.mtzschools.org/site/handlers/filedownload.ashx?moduleinstanceid=4751&dataid=6157&FileName=IV%20-%20Board%20Minutes%20022222.pdf
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