Macon Reporter

Mt Zion Community Unit School District 3 Board met Nov. 15.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Jeffrey Sams called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.

Board members present were: Jeffrey Sams, Michelle Shumaker, Kyle Janvrin, Kent Newton and Kristi Niles. Nathan Brock 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 Junior High Principal; Randy Thacker, Mt. Zion Intermediate School Principal; Heather Ethell, McGaughey Elementary School Principal; and Renea Smith, Special Education Administrator.

The Pledge of Allegiance was cited by those present and led by James Garver and Brooklyn Roach. Both are 4th grade students at Mt. Zion Intermediate School.

Kristi Niles presented a motion to approve the Regular Meeting minutes of October 18, 2022. Seconded: Michelle Shumaker. Roll Call: Michelle Shumaker, Kyle Janvrin, Kristi Niles, Jeffrey Sams. yea. Kent Newton abstained. Motion carried 4-0. (See Book of Attachments.)

There were no visitor communications.

Dr. Roundcount:

1) Shared that today is School Board Member Appreciation Day. He thanked the school board members for all they do for Mt. Zion School District staff and students.

2) Introduced Heather Powell with BKD/FORVIS, LLP to give an overview of the most recent audit performed and answer any questions. The audit showed an uneventful cycle. The District is showing cash-based statements and there were no federal reporting findings or audit adjustments needed.

3) Announced there was nothing to approve for construction this month; however, there will most likely be in December for BLDD Architects. O’Shea Builders will not be involved with the District’s HVAC replacements.

4) Introduced Brian Rhoades who shared that the Digital Equity Grant and the Pre-K Grant have both been approved.

5) Introduced Heather Ethell who shared a presentation on the section of McGaughey’s playground that has been revamped with new equipment and ground surfacing, thanks to funding from the Community Foundation of Macon County and the Mt. Zion School District.

6) Introduced Renea Smith who gave an update on Mt. Zion’s Special Education Department. Mrs. Smith shared information on: students’ eligibility criteria for the ASPIRE program, the life skills classrooms in Mt. Zion, and the vocational training that Mt. Zion special education students participate in.

7) Introduced Julie Marquardt who shared that the Jr. High staff is working hard to bridge the gap from the past few years and the challenges created by COVID. Mrs. Marquardt introduced Jr. High teachers Kathy Von Qualen and Jami Budd who presented about reading comprehension and utilizing the Smekens Education System. This system teaches students how to think about what they are reading. The program is relevant to all age groups, can cross over subjects outside of English Language Arts, and students can even earn grad-level credits with the program.

Kristi Niles introduced a motion to approve policy 4:175 as read. There were no changes since the first reading. Seconded: Kent Newton. Roll Call: Michelle Shumaker, Kyle Janvrin, Kent Newton, Kristi Niles, and Jeffrey Sams, yea. Motion carried 5-0. (See Book of Attachments.)

Michelle Shumaker introduced a motion to approve payment of the enclosed list of Quick Pay check numbers: 32433-32533, Fund Warrant check numbers: 32534-32549; 32604-32636, and Athletic Imprest check numbers: 14534-14590 as presented. Seconded: Kyle Janvrin.

Roll Call: Kyle Janvrin, Kent Newton, Kristi Niles, Jeffrey Sams, and Michelle Shumaker, yea. Motion carried 5-0. (See Book of Attachments.)

Kent Newton introduced a motion to approve the Risk Management Program as a guide for the expenditures paid from the 2022 Tort Fund levy. Seconded Kristi Niles. Roll Call: Kyle Janvrin, Kent Newton, Kristi Niles, Jeffrey Sams, and Michelle Shumaker, yea. Motion Carried 5-0. (See Book of Attachments)

Michelle Shumaker introduced a motion to approve the estimated amount of property tax necessary to be levied for the calendar year 2023 as outlined. Seconded: Kristi Niles. Roll Call: Kent Newton, Kristi Niles, Jeffrey Sams, Michelle Shumaker, and Kyle Janvrin, yea. Motion carried 5-0. (See Book of Attachments)

Kristi Niles introduced a motion to accept the Annual Audit Report as presented. Seconded: Kyle Janvrin. Roll Call: Kristi Niles, Jeffrey Sams, Michelle Shumaker, Kyle Janvrin, Kent Newton, yea. Motion carried 5-0. (See Book of Attachments)

Michelle Shumaker presented a motion to approve the outlined personnel-related items pending a drug test and background check for new employees.

EMPLOYMENT:

Chelsea Brown Mt. Zion School District	EL Teacher/Director Effective on or around December 19, 2022/ Winter Break
Elizabeth Daniels Mt. Zion Junior High/High School	Show Choir Chaperone Volunteer Effective November 15, 2022
Tanya Decotes McGaughey Elementary School	Position - Assistant Food Service, 3.5 hours per day Effective October 21, 2022
Angelynn Freund McGaughey Elementary School	Custodial Student Worker Effective November 7, 2022
Rachell Hull Mt. Zion High School	Position - Athletic Secretary, 3.95 hours per day Effective March 13, 2023
Mikayla Lehman Mt. Zion High School	Group III - High School Assistant Girls’ Basketball Effective November 15, 2022
Jacob Sams Mt. Zion Junior High School	Volunteer - 8th Grade Assistant Basketball Coach Effective October 2022
Mary Swartz Mt. Zion Junior High School	Volunteer - JH Volleyball/8th Grade Coach Effective November 16, 2022
Nicole Walls Mt. Zion Junior High/High School	Show Choir Chaperone Volunteer Effective November 15, 2022
Kris Wheeler Mt. Zion Junior High School	Volunteer - JH Wrestling Coach Effective November 15, 2022

EMPLOYMENT OF DISTRICT SUBS (effective with the first day worked):

Shanese Brady	Melissa Miller
Seth Brozio	Kimberly Mueller
Thomas Garverick	Adam Peters
David Holly	Tony Stewart
Cynthia Holmes	Sevenia Wolter

APPOINTMENT:

Traci Dyer Townsend Mt. Zion Junior High School

Group V and VII - JH Volleyball/8th Grade Coach Effective November 16, 2022

LEAVE OF ABSENCE:

Jessica Brinkoetter Mt. Zion Intermediate School	Maternity Leave of Absence; beginning approximately January 30, 2023 and returning approximately April 24, 2023
Nicole Tapscott Mt. Zion Grade School	Unpaid Leave of Absence; from December 5, 2022 through December 9, 2022

RESIGNATIONS:

Evan Lawrence Mt. Zion High School	High School Assistant Baseball Effective October 13, 2022
Nancy Smith Mt. Zion Junior High School	Group V and VII - JH Volleyball/8th Grade Coach Effective October 27, 2022

Seconded: Kyle Janvrin. Roll Call: Michelle Shumaker, Kyle Janvrin, Kent Newton, Kristi Niles, and Jeffrey Sams, yea. Motion carried 5-0. (See Book of Attachments.)

1) Dr. Roundcount shared that Chelsea Brown has been hired as the new ESL/EL teacher for the District and provided a job description summary to Board Members. 2) Michelle Shumaker shared a thank you card received from Donna May, 5th Grade teacher, for the sympathy planter she received for her dad’s passing. The Board also received a card from the Federation of Teachers for Board Member Appreciation Day. 3) Michelle Shumaker and Kristi Niles shared that they attended drills held by the schools and thanked the administration and teachers for all they do to keep our students safe. 4) Concern was expressed in regards to the new Dollar General being built next to McGaughey and how it could potentially affect student safety. Heather Ethell shared that she spoke with the general contractor who advised there will be a privacy fence installed as a separation between the new building and the school property.

President Sams announced Tuesday, December 20, 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.

Michelle Shumaker introduced a motion to adjourn the Board of Education Meeting at 7:32 p.m. Seconded: Kristi Niles. Roll Call: Kyle Janvrin, Kent Newton, Kristi Niles, Jeffrey Sams, and Michelle Shumaker, yea. Motion carried 5-0. (See Book of Attachments.)

https://www.mtzschools.org/site/handlers/filedownload.ashx?moduleinstanceid=4751&dataid=6331&FileName=IV%20-%20Regular%20Minutes%20of%20111522.pdf