Mt Zion Community Unit School District 3 Board met Jan. 17.
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, Nathan Brock, Michelle Shumaker, Matt Beavers, Kent Newton, and Kristi Niles. Kyle Janvrin was absent.
Administration present consisted of: Dr. Travis R. Roundcount, Superintendent of Schools; Brian Rhoades, Associate Superintendent; Justin Johnson, Mt. Zion High School Principal; Randy Thacker, Mt. Zion Intermediate School Principal; Gary Gruen, Mt. Zion Grade School Principal; Heather Ethell, McGaughey Elementary School Principal; Billy Rockey, Curriculum and Technology Director; and Renea Smith, Special Education Administrator.
The Pledge of Allegiance was cited by those present and led by 4th grade students: Cosette Hutti and Ella Johnson.
Matt Beavers introduced a motion to approve the Regular Meeting minutes of December 20, 2022. Seconded: Kristi Niles Roll Call: Nathan Brock, Michelle Shumaker, Matt Beavers, Kent Newton, Kristi Niles, and Jeffrey Sams, yea. Motion carried 6-0. (See Book of Attachments.)
Nathan Brock presented a motion to approve the Executive Meeting minutes of December 20, 2022. Seconded: Michelle Shumaker. Roll Call: Michelle Shumaker, Matt Beavers, Kent Newton, Kristi Niles, Jeffrey Sams, and Nathan Brock, yea. Motion carried 6-0. (See Book of Attachments.)
President Sams introduced James Bond who spoke about School Board members, High School parking fees, and discrimination.
Dr. Roundcount:
1) Shared that administration has continued discussing Makaylah Adams’ ideas. If anyone would like to sponsor a cultural club or group, please let administration know.
2) Shared that two of the six tennis courts at Fletcher Park may be converted to Pickleball courts. He is talking with the Village about possible alternative options because six tennis courts are the ideal for meeting Mt. Zion students’ needs.
3) Explained that the District is looking into installing handrails to the middle section of bleachers at the High School football field. There currently are no handrails, which could pose a safety issue.
4) Introduced Billy Rockey who: shared improvements to curriculum and technology in the District, highlighted recent staff professional development activities and provided a brief overview of the District’s EL program.
5) Introduced Randy Thacker who: expanded on the great gains being made in the District’s EL program, discussed the post-Covid attendance rates and statewide testing trends, shared about the Intermediate School’s “Buddy Program” and introduced 4th grade teacher, Mr. Gherardini, who shared about “Battle of the Books”. Mr. Gherardini invited Board members to visit the Intermediate School to join in the excitement of this program, which quickly gained momentum among Intermediate students and has expanded to building-wide participation for the first time this year.
• Nathan Brock introduced a motion to approve the first reading of Policy 2:210 related to organizational school board meetings. Seconded: Matt Beavers. Roll Call: Matt Beavers, Kent Newton, Kristi Niles, Jeffrey Sams, Nathan Brock, and Michelle Shumaker, yea. Motion carried 6-0. (See Book of Attachments.)
• Kristi Niles presented a motion to approve the recommended changes to the 2023-2024 High School Student Course Planning Handbook. Discussion took place. Seconded: Michelle Shumaker. Roll Call: Kent Newton, Kristi Niles, Jeffrey Sams, Nathan Brock, Michelle Shumaker, and Matt Beavers yea. Motion carried 6-0. (See Book of Attachments.)
Matt Beavers introduced a motion to approve the presented District and School Improvement Plans for the Mt. Zion School District as required by the Illinois State Board of Education. Discussion took place and Nathan Brock thanked all administration and teachers for their hard work to achieve such commendable scores. Seconded: Michelle Shumaker. Roll Call: Kent Newton, Kristi Niles, Jeffrey Sams, Nathan Brock, Michelle Shumaker, and Matt Beavers, yea. Motion carried 6-0. (See Book of Attachments.)
Matt Beavers presented a motion to approve payment of the presented list of Quick Pay check numbers: 32815-32940, Fund Warrant check numbers: 32941-32944, and Athletic Imprest check numbers: 14614-14702. Seconded: Kristi Niles. Roll Call: Kristi Niles, Jeffrey Sams, Nathan Brock, Michelle Shumaker, Matt Beavers, and Kent Newton, yea. Motion carried 6-0. (See Book of Attachments.)
• Kristi Niles introduced a motion that the presented Financial Treasurer’s Report be accepted and filed for audit. Brian Rhoades expressed gratitude for Board Members’ patience as the financials are getting caught up. Seconded: Michelle Shumaker. Roll Call: Jeffrey Sams, Nathan Brock, Michelle Shumaker, Matt Beavers, Kent Newton, and Kristi Niles, yea. Motion carried 6-0. (See Book of Attachments.)
• Nathan Brock presented a motion to adopt, as per Board Policy 4:10, the FY 2024 Budget Calendar as outlined. Seconded: Kristi Niles. Roll Call: Nathan Brock, Michelle Shumaker, Matt Beavers, Kent Newton, Kristi Niles, and Jeffrey Sams, yea. Motion carried 6-0. (See Book of Attachments.)
• Nathan Brock introduced a motion to approve contracts for $17,500 with BLDD as the architect for the Mt. Zion Grade gym floor replacement. Seconded: Michelle Shumaker. Roll Call: Michelle Shumaker, Matt Beavers, Kent Newton, Kristi Niles, Jeffrey Sams, and Nathan Brock, yea. Motion carried 6-0. (See Book of Attachments.)
• Matt Beavers presented a motion to go into closed session at 7:35 p.m. for the purpose of discussing the appointment, employment, reassignment, leave of absence, compensation, possible litigation, resignation, discipline, negotiating matters, and performance or dismissal of specific employees of the public body. Seconded: Kristi Niles. Roll Call: Matt Beavers, Kent Newton, Kristi Niles, Jeffrey Sams, Nathan Brock, and Michelle Shumaker, yea. Motion carried 6-0. (See Book of Attachments.)
• Michelle Shumaker introduced a motion to return from closed session at 9:57 p.m. Seconded: Kristi Niles. Roll Call: Kent Newton, Kristi Niles, Jeffrey Sams, Michelle Shumaker, and Matt Beavers, yea. Nathan Brock was absent. Motion carried 5-0. (See Book of Attachments.)
• The outlined personnel-related items below were approved with a roll-call vote, pending a drug test and background check for new employees. In addition, Dr. Roundcount introduced Robert Prange as the District’s new Athletic Director beginning July 1st. The Board welcomed Mr. Prange to the Mt. Zion School District.
PERSONNEL
EMPLOYMENT, APPOINTMENT, RE-ASSIGNMENT, AND RESIGNATIONS
EMPLOYMENT:
| Bruce Drake
Mt. Zion School District Transportation | Bus Monitor
Effective January 11, 2023 |
| Robert Prange
Mt. Zion High School | Athletic Director per attached contract Effective July 1, 2023 |
| Sarah Smith
Mt. Zion Jr. High/High School | Show Choir Chaperone Volunteer Effective January 4, 2023 |
| Whitley Wilson
Mt. Zion School District | Food Service Transporter/Maintenance Effective January 9, 2023 |
| Angela Corrigan |
| Danielle Davis |
| Joshua Fisher |
| Philip Murillo |
| Dan Butler
Mt. Zion Jr. High School | Group V - Jr. High School Assistant Wrestling Effective December 20, 2022 |
| Lisa McConnell
McGaughey Elementary School | From Food Service Assistant to BASAP Assistant, 2 hours per day,
Effective January 4, 2023 |
| Kawla Hamza
Mt. Zion Intermediate School | Special Education Teaching Assistant Effective December 21, 2022 |
| Rachel Sloan
Mt. Zion High School | Group II - High School Cheerleading
Effective at the end of the 2022-2023 season |
There were no items for general discussion. GENERAL DISCUSSION
President Sams announced Tuesday, February 21, 2023, 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 meeting adjourned at 9:59 p.m. with the following roll call vote: Jeffrey Sams, Nathan Brock, Michelle Shumaker, Matt Beavers, Kent Newton, and Kristi Niles, yea. Motion carried 6-0. (See Book of Attachments.)
https://www.mtzschools.org/site/handlers/filedownload.ashx?moduleinstanceid=4751&dataid=6373&FileName=IV%20-%20Regular%20Minutes%20of%20011723.pdf
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