Macon Reporter

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

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: Michelle Shumaker, Jeffrey Sams, Kyle Janvrin, Kent Newton, Krisit Niles, and Nathan Brock. Regan Deering arrived at 6:45pm.

ADMINISTRATION PRESENT

Administration present consisted of: Dr. Travis Roundcount, Superintendent; Brian Rhoades, Associate Superintendent; Justin Johnson, High School Principal; Julie Marquardt, Junior High Principal; Randy Thacker, Intermediate School Principal; Heather Ethell, McGaughey Principal; Gary Gruen, Grade Principal; Renea Smith, Special Education Administrator; and Billy Rockey, Director of Technology

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

The Pledge of Allegiance was cited by those present and led by Cretta Reid from Mrs. Walsh’s 5th grade class at Mt. Zion Intermediate School.

MEETING MINUTES

Nathan Brock presented a motion to approve the Regular Meeting minutes of December 17, 2024. Seconded: Kristi Niles. Roll Call; Nathan Brock, Michelle Shumaker, Kyle Janvrin, Kent Newton, Kristi Niles, and Jeffrey Sams, yea. Motion carried 6-0. (See Book of Attachments.)

VISITOR COMMUNICATIONS

James Bond spoke of the “Parents and Kids Group” that was started in 2011. This group has helped in numerous situations such as: St Jude donations, food and gas donations, donated after a house fire, etc. This year they would like to donate to the “Braves Closet” and presented Julie Marquardt with a gift and a check for $25.00 which will be given monthly for a year.

STAFF COMMUNICATIONS

Dr. Roundcount mentioned that after a survey, the March board meeting will be held March 24, 2025 instead of March 18, 2025 due to spring break.

Gary Gruen (Grade Principal) spoke about the updates that have been going on with the RTI program.

Elizabeth Kyburz and Jessica Talty summarized a live mock trial the 3rd graders participated in at the Macon County Court House. They had a guest speaker before the mock trial to teach them about the courtroom. Judge Bollinger used four courtrooms with professional volunteers to help the students during the mock trial. The sheriff’s department then taught the students about the canine unit as well as the drones they use.

EDUCATION:

2ND READING - 2025/26 HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT COURSE HANDBOOK CHANGES

Kristi Niles presented a motion to approve recommended changes to the 2025-2026 High School Student Course Planning Handbook as presented. Seconded: Michelle Shumaker. Roll Call: Michelle Shumaker, Regan Deering, Kyle Janvrin, Kent Newton, Kristi Niles, Jeffrey Sams, and Nathan Brock, yea. Motion carried 7-0. (See Book of Attachments.

RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE ILLINOIS VISION 2030

Regan Deering presented a motion to approve a resolution supporting the Illinois Vision 2030. Seconded: Kent Newton. Roll Call: Regan Deering, Kyle Janvrin, Kent Newton, Kristi Niles, Jeffrey Sams, Nathan Brock, and Michelle Shumaker, yea. Motion carried 7-0. (See Book of Attachments.)

FUND WARRANTS

Kristi Niles presented a motion to approve payment of the enclosed list of Fund Warrants, Quick Pays, and Athletic Imprest. Seconded: Kyle Janvrin. Roll Call: Jeffrey Sams, Michelle Shumaker, Kyle Janvrin, Kent Newton, Nathan Brock, Kristi Niles, and Regan Deering, yea. Motion carried 7-0. (See Book of Attachments.)

FINANCIAL

TREASURER’S REPORT

Regan Deering presented a motion that the Financial Treasurer's Report be accepted and filed for audit. Seconded: Michelle Shumaker. Roll Call: Kent Newton, Kristi Niles, Jeffrey Sams, Nathan Brock, Michelle Shumaker, Regan Deering, and Kyle Janvrin, yea. Motion carried 7-0. (See Book of Attachments.)

FY 2026 BUDGET CALENDAR

Nathan Brock presented a motion to adopt, as per Board Policy 4:10, the FY 2026 Budget Calendar. Seconded: Michelle Shumaker. Roll Call: Kristi Niles, Jeffrey Sams, Nathan Brock, Michelle Shumaker, Regan Deering, Kyle Janvrin, and Kent Newton, yea. Motion carried 7-0. (See Book of Attachments.)

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Regan Deering presented a motion to dismiss to go into closed session at 6:54 p.m. for the purpose of discussing the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of a specific employee or office of the public body. Seconded: Nathan Brock. Roll Call; Jeffrey Sams, Nathan Brock, Michelle Shumaker, Regan Deering, Kyle Janvrin, Kent Newton, and Kristi Niles, yea. Motion carried 7-0. (See Book of Attachments.)

RETURN TO OPEN SESSION

Nathan Brock presented a motion to return the meeting to order at 8:33 p.m. Seconded: Michelle Shumaker. Roll Call: Nathan Brock, Michelle Shumaker, Regan Deering, Kyle Janvrin, Kent Newton, Kristi Niles, and Jeffrey Sams, yea. Motion carried 7-0. (See Book of Attachments.)

PERSONNEL: AS PRESENTED

Nathan Brock presented a motion to approve the following personnel-related items as outlined below, pending a drug test and background check for new employees. Seconded: Michelle Shumaker. Roll Call: Michelle Shumaker, Regan Deering, Kyle Janvrin, Kent Newton, Kristi Niles, Jeffrey Sams, and Nathan Brock. Motion carried 7-0. (See book of Attachments.)

GENERAL DISCUSSION

Regan Deering - Gave IASB updates and announced the next networking meeting will be March 6, 2025 from 6:00pm – 8:00pm.

Kent Newton – Spoke about attending the in-service for Mt Zion teachers and how beneficial it is for the teachers.

Michelle Shumaker – Read a thank you card from Renea Smith thanking the district for the donation that was made in remembrance of her mother who recently passed away. Michelle also spoke about keeping in our prayers, the families affected by the recent tragedies that have occurred to three of our Mt Zion students.

NEXT REGULAR MEETING

Jeffrey Sams announced Tuesday, February 18, 2025, 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 introduced a motion to adjourn the Board of Education Meeting at 8:37p.m. Seconded: Kent Newton. Roll Call: Regan Deering, Kyle Janvrin, Kent Newton, Kristi Niles, Jeffrey Sams, Nathan Brock, and Michelle Shumaker, yea. Motion carried 7-0. (See Book of Attachments.)

https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1739912954/mtzschoolsorg/hees50res0qygmgcxf5p/February2025BoardPacket-WEBSITE.pdf