Macon Reporter

Mt Zion Community Unit School District 3 Board met Feb. 21.

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, Kyle Janvrin, Kent Newton, and Kristi Niles. Matt Beavers was 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; 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 3rd grade students: Isaiah Cochran, Shaun Stewart and Adalyn Girard.

Nathan Brock introduced a motion to approve the Regular Meeting minutes of January 17, 2023. Seconded: Michelle Shumaker. Roll Call: Nathan Brock, Michelle Shumaker, Kent Newton, Kristi Niles, and Jeffrey Sams, yea. Kyle Janvrin abstained. Motion carried 5-0. (See Book of Attachments.)

Kristi Niles presented a motion to approve the Executive Meeting minutes of January 17, 2023. Seconded: Michelle Shumaker. Roll Call: Michelle Shumaker, Kent Newton, Kristi Niles, Jeffrey Sams, and Nathan Brock, yea. Kyle Janvrin abstained. Motion carried 5-0. (See Book of Attachments.)

President Sams introduced James Bond who spoke about the January 17, 2023 Board Meeting.

Dr. Roundcount:

1) Shared that while the District has retained the legal counsel of Guin Mundorf, LLC for many years for all legal services, administration is now considering the possibility of using local attorneys for all non-education legal items. He will keep the Board informed of any decisions or changes.

2) Shared that he has continued communicating with the Village of Mt. Zion regarding keeping all six tennis courts in Fletcher Park and finding alternative solutions for pickleball courts. He reminded the Village that the District’s Fieldhouse, which has pickleball courts, is open for free to the public and the village could potentially use TIF District revenue to build new pickleball courts. Again, the six current tennis courts meet Mt. Zion tennis students’ needs.

Kristi Niles introduced a motion to approve keeping the Executive Session Minutes prior to February 2023 closed. Seconded: Nathan Brock. Roll Call: Kyle Janvrin, Kent Newton, Kristi Niles, Jeffrey Sams, Nathan Brock, and Michelle Shumaker, yea. Motion carried 6-0. (See Book of Attachments.)

Nathan Brock presented 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 2021 to specifically include closed session meetings from: February 2021 through July 2021. Seconded: Kristi Niles. Kent Newton shared a personal belief that verbatim recordings should not be destroyed until they are made public; he believes these recordings should be open (not closed). Dr. Roundcount reminded Mr. Newton and the Board that written minutes are retained permanently, and this agenda item specifically pertains to audio recordings of closed executive sessions, in which private/sensitive matters are discussed (ie. personnel matters, student discipline, etc.). Roll Call: Kristi Niles, Jeffrey Sams, Nathan Brock, Michelle Shumaker, and Kyle Janvrin, yea. Kent Newton, nay. Motion carried 5-1. (See Book of Attachments.)

Michelle Shumaker introduced a motion to approve the second reading of Policy 2:210 related to organizational school board meetings. Seconded: Kristi Niles. Roll Call: Kristi Niles, Jeffrey Sams, Nathan Brock, Michelle Shumaker, Kyle Janvrin, and Kent Newton, yea. Motion carried 6-0. (See Book of Attachments.)

Nathan Brock presented a motion to approve the five-year (2023-2028) Sports Medicine Service Agreement between Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS) and the Mt. Zion Community Unit School District #3. Dr. Roundcount clarified that this is in reference to Dustin Fink, the athletic trainer, who works with Mt. Zion student athletes. When researching other potential providers for comparison purposes, Dr. Roundcount found that DMH was higher in cost and two other potential providers did not have the staffing to meet the District’s needs. Discussion took place and it was recognized that Mr. Fink does an excellent job providing comprehensive services to students, therefore renewing this contract is the best option for the District at this time. Seconded: Kristi Niles. Roll Call: Jeffrey Sams, Nathan Brock, Michelle Shumaker, Kyle Janvrin, Kent Newton, and Kristi Niles, yea. Motion carried 6-0. (See Book of Attachments.)

Kristi Niles introduced a motion to approve payment of the presented list of Quick Pay check numbers: 32949-33121, Fund Warrant check numbers: 33122-33136 and Athletic Imprest check numbers: 14703-14814. Seconded: Michelle Shumaker. Roll Call: Nathan Brock, Michelle Shumaker, Kyle Janvrin, Kent Newton, Kristi Niles, and Jeffrey Sams, yea. Motion carried 6-0. (See Book of Attachments.)

• Kristi Niles presented a motion that the presented Financial Treasurer’s Reports be accepted and filed for audit. Seconded: Michele Shumaker. Roll Call: Michelle Shumaker, Kyle Janvrin, Kent Newton, Kristi Niles, Jeffrey Sams, and Nathan Brock, yea. Motion carried 6-0. (See Book of Attachments.)

Nathan Brock introduced a motion to authorize the administration to solicit paper and custodial supply bid quotations for the 2023-24 school year according to the presented specification sheets. Seconded: Kristi Niles. Roll Call: Kyle Janvrin, 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 receive the following bids for the gym floor removal and asbestos abatement at Mt. Zion Grade School and award a contract to Alloy Group for the bid amount of $122,450 as outlined, and to receive the following bid for the gym floor installation and award a contract to HDI Enterprises LLC for the bid amount of $276,062 as outlined. Seconded: Michelle Shumaker. Brian Rhoades summarized the motion being presented, and discussion took place regarding ways to protect the new floor from everyday wear and tear. Roll Call: Kent Newton, Kristi Niles, Jeffrey Sams, Nathan Brock, Michelle Shumaker, and Kyle Janvrin, yea. Motion carried 6-0. (See Book of Attachments.)

Kristi Niles introduced a motion to authorize the administration to advertise and solicit bids for the Mt. Zion Junior High/High School cafeteria, HVAC, roof, and special education project. Dr. Roundcount summarized the motion being presented. Discussion took place regarding the timeline of this project and making sure the major renovations will be complete before the 2023-2024 school year starts. Seconded: Michelle Shumaker. Roll Call: Kristi Niles, Jeffrey Sams, Nathan Brock, Michelle Shumaker, Kyle Janvrin, and Kent Newton, yea. Motion carried 6-0. (See Book of Attachments.)

Nathan Brock introduced a motion to go into closed session at 7:09 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: Jeffrey Sams, Nathan Brock, Michelle Shumaker, Kyle Janvrin, Kent Newton, and Kristi Niles, yea. Motion carried 6-0. (See Book of Attachments.)

Kristi Niles presented a motion to return from closed session at 10:08 p.m. Seconded: Nathan Brock. Roll Call: Nathan Brock, Michelle Shumaker, Kyle Janvrin, Kent Newton, Kristi Niles, and Jeffrey Sams, yea. Motion carried 6-0. (See Book of Attachments.)

Kristi Niles introduced a motion to approve the personnel-related items, as presented, pending a drug test and background check for new employees, and including: the presented 2023-2024 Educational Support Staff personnel and administrative one-year contracts as presented for: Justin Johnson, High School Principal; Julie Marquardt, Jr. High School Principal; Randy Thacker, Intermediate School Principal; Heather Ethell, McGaughey School Principal; William Rockey, Director of Curriculum and Technology; and Renea Smith, Special Education Administrator; and multi-year contract for Travis Roundcount, Superintendent, 2023-2028; and multi-year contracts for Brian Rhoades, Associate Superintendent; and Gary Gruen, Grade School Principal/Summer School Director, 2023-2027.

EMPLOYMENT - ADMINISTRATIVE ONE-YEAR CONTRACTS:

Justin Johnson, Mt. Zion High School

High School Principal per the attached employment contract; Effective for the 2023-2024 fiscal year

Julie Marquardt, Mt. Zion Jr. High School

Jr. High School Principal per the attached employment contract; Effective for the 2023-2024 fiscal year

Randy Thacker, Mt. Zion Intermediate School

Intermediate School Principal per the attached employment contract; Effective for the 2023-2024 fiscal year

Heather Ethell, McGaughey Elementary School

McGaughey Elementary School Principal per the attached employment contract; Effective for the 2023-2024 fiscal year

Billy Rockey, Mt. Zion School District

Director of Curriculum and Technology per the attached employment contract; Effective for the 2023-2024 fiscal year

Renea Smith, Mt. Zion School District

Special Education Administrator per the attached employment contract Effective for the 2023-2024 fiscal year

EMPLOYMENT - ADMINISTRATIVE MULTI-YEAR CONTRACTS:

Travis Roundcount, Mt. Zion School District

Superintendent per the attached employment contract Effective Multi-Year Contract - 2023-2028

Brian Rhoades, Mt. Zion School District

Associate Superintendent per the attached employment contract; Effective Multi-Year Contract - 2023-2027

Gary Gruen, Mt. Zion Grade School Grade School

Principal/Summer School Director per the attached employment contract; Effective Multi Year Contract - 2023-2027, with the intent to retire at the end of the 2026-2027 school year *See also Retirement Section

EMPLOYMENT:

Heather Arndt, Mt. Zion School District Transportation

Bus Monitor, 4 hours/day Effective February 8, 2023

Katie Henderson, Mt. Zion Intermediate School

Special Education Teaching Assistant, 5.95 hours/day; Effective February 6, 2023

Brenda O’Neill, Mt. Zion Jr. High/High School

Show Choir Chaperone Volunteer Effective February 22, 2023

Kolby Osborne. Mt. Zion High School

Group V – High School Assistant Baseball Effective February 27, 2023

The administrative recommendation is to approve the list of Personnel including an annual salary increase of 5% for the 2023-2024 school year.

EMPLOYMENT OF DISTRICT SUBS - EFFECTIVE WITH THE FIRST DAY WORKED:

Sara Antal

Dawn Barrett

Evan Burgett

Evan Cook

Hannah Cunningham

Kaitlyn Meachum

APPOINTMENT:

Jessica Hill Mt. Zion High School

Group II - High School Cheerleading Effective February 22, 2023

RESIGNATIONS:

Nicholas Canaday Mt. Zion High School

English Teacher Effective at the end of the 2022-2023 school year

Ciara Spellman Mt. Zion School District Food Service

Food Service Assistant Effective January 30, 2023

RETIREMENTS:

Gary Gruen Mt. Zion Grade School

Grade School Principal/Summer School Effective at the end of the 2026-2027 school year *See also Employment Section

Stephanie Marshall Mt. Zion Intermediate School

6th Grade Teacher Effective at the end of the 2026-2027 school year

Seconded: Nathan Brock. Roll Call: Michelle Shumaker, Kyle Janvrin, Kent Newton, Kristi Niles, Jeffrey Sams, and Nathan Brock, yea. Motion carried 6-0. (See Book of Attachments.)

1) The documented list of F.O.I.A. requests received and responses sent by the District between August 2022 and February 2023 was presented to the Board for informational purposes only.

2) Kyle Janvrin thanked administration and expressed gratitude and appreciation for all they do, as their contracts were renewed.

President Sams announced Tuesday, March 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.

Kristi Niles presented a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:10 p.m. Seconded: Michelle Shumaker. Roll Call: Nathan Brock, Michelle Shumaker, Kyle Janvrin, Kent Newton, Kristi Niles, and Jeffrey Sams, yea. Motion carried 6-0. (See Book of Attachments.)

ADJOURNMENT

https://www.mtzschools.org/site/handlers/filedownload.ashx?moduleinstanceid=4751&dataid=6382&FileName=IV%20-%20Regular%20Minutes%20of%20022123.pdf