Macon Reporter

Argenta-Oreana Community Unit School District 1 Board of Education met June 9.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Board of Education of Community Unit School District Number 1, Macon and DeWitt Counties, Illinois, (Argenta-Oreana Community Unit School District No. 1) convened on June 9, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. in the Argenta-Oreana Middle School/High School Library at 500 North Main Street, Argenta, Illinois pursuant to notice of regular meeting having been given in due form of law with Todd Armstrong, President, in the Chair, and with a legal quorum as follows: Alanna Duncan, Christine Sample, Jeff Schroetlin, and Todd Armstrong. Also present: Damian Jones, Superintendent; Sean German, Principal; Mike Williams, Principal; Jackie Rose, Principal and Tucker Mathieson, Assistant Principal.

Student recognition occurred.

Alanna Duncan/Todd Armstrong, second, made a motion at 6:05 p.m. to enter closed session pursuant to the Open Meetings ACT – 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1), (c)(2) & (c)(3) which permits a closed session to consider the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific certified and/or non-certified employee(s) of the public body, collective negotiating matters and selection of a person to fill a vacancy in a public office (school board member). The roll vote: Alanna Duncan-yes; Christine Sample-yes; Jeff Schroetlin-yes; and Todd Armstrong-yes.

Christine Sample/Jeff Schroetlin, second, made a motion at 6:43 p.m. to reconvene the regular meeting. The roll vote: Alanna Duncan-yes; Christine Sample-yes; Jeff Schroetlin-yes; and Todd Armstrong-yes.

Jeff Schroetlin/Christine Sample, second, made a motion to approve the May 12, 2025 Regular Board Meeting Minutes. The roll vote: Alanna Duncan-yes; Christine Sample-yes; Jeff Schroetlin-yes; and Todd Armstrong-yes.

Paige Sheraden was selected as School Board Member and administered the Oath of Office.

Alanna Duncan/Christine Sample, second, made a motion to approve payroll and bills. The roll vote: Alanna Duncan-yes; Christine Sample-yes; Jeff Schroetlin-yes; Paige Sheraden-yes; and Todd Armstrong-yes.

Jeff Schroetlin/Christine Sample, second, made a motion to accept the retirement of Pat Blair effective at the conclusion of the 2025-2026 school year. The roll vote: Alanna Duncan-yes; Christine Sample-yes; Jeff Schroetlin-yes; Paige Sheraden-yes; and Todd Armstrong-yes.

Jeff Schroetlin/Alanna Duncan, second, made a motion to accept the following resignations: Samantha Gibbs as middle school science teacher; Kaitlynn Landrus-Horn as PreK aide; and Amanda Phillips, Paul McClure and Austin Welker as bus drivers. The roll vote: Alanna Duncan-yes; Christine Sample-yes; Jeff Schroetlin-yes; Paige Sheraden-yes; and Todd Armstrong-yes.

Jeff Schroetlin/Christine Sample, second, made a motion to employ the following: Megan Ferrill as district teacher and Rylan Howland as district counselor on the first day of the 2025-2026 school year, contingent upon completion satisfactory to the Board of predicate legal requirements for employment, including proof of licensure, endorsement, fingerprint-based background check, and employment history review; and Tucker Mathieson as elementary school principal. The roll vote: Alanna Duncan-yes; Christine Sample-yes; Jeff Schroetlin-yes; Paige Sheraden-yes; and Todd Armstrong-yes.

Alanna Duncan/Jeff Schroetlin, second, made a motion to approve an increase in the substitute teacher daily rates as presented. The roll vote: Alanna Duncan-yes; Christine Sample-yes; Jeff Schroetlin-yes; Paige Sheraden-yes; and Todd Armstrong-yes.

Jeff Schroetlin/Christine Sample, second, made a motion to adopt the prevailing wage resolution as presented. The roll vote: Alanna Duncan-yes; Christine Sample-yes; Jeff Schroetlin-yes; Paige Sheraden-yes; and Todd Armstrong yes.

Christine Sample/Alanna Duncan, second, made a motion to keep closed session meeting minutes confidential. The roll vote: Alanna Duncan-yes; Christine Sample-yes; Jeff Schroetlin-yes; Paige Sheraden-yes; and Todd Armstrong yes.

Alanna Duncan/Christine Sample, second, made a motion to approve the elementary, middle and high school strategic action plans as presented. The roll vote: Alanna Duncan-yes; Christine Sample-yes; Jeff Schroetlin-yes; Paige Sheraden-yes; and Todd Armstrong-yes.

Christine Sample/Alanna Duncan, second, made a motion to approve the consolidated district plan as presented. The roll vote: Alanna Duncan-yes; Christine Sample-yes; Jeff Schroetlin-yes; Paige Sheraden-yes; and Todd Armstrong yes.

Christine Sample/Jeff Schroetlin, second, made a motion to approve the student and extracurricular handbook changes as presented. The roll vote: Alanna Duncan-yes; Christine Sample-yes; Jeff Schroetlin-yes; Paige Sheraden-yes; and Todd Armstrong-yes.

Alanna Duncan/Christine Sample, second, made a motion to approve the district insurance contract renewal and payment as presented. The roll vote: Alanna Duncan-yes; Christine Sample-yes; Jeff Schroetlin-yes; Paige Sheraden-yes; and Todd Armstrong-yes.

Alanna Duncan/Jeff Schroetlin, second, made a motion to approve the following facility improvement projects: elementary school parking lot sealcoating for a cost not to exceed $18,000 and upgrading/installing a new security and fire alarm system at the bus garage for a cost not to exceed $8,000. The roll vote: Alanna Duncan-yes; Christine Sample-yes; Jeff Schroetlin-yes; Paige Sheraden-yes; and Todd Armstrong-yes.

Christine Sample/Alanna Duncan, second, made a motion to approve the purchase of the following kitchen equipment: a new double oven for the elementary school for a cost not to exceed $12,000 and the purchase of a double steamer from Meridian school district for a cost not to exceed $3,500. The roll vote: Alanna Duncan-yes; Christine Sample-yes; Jeff Schroetlin-yes; Paige Sheraden-yes; and Todd Armstrong-yes.

Alanna Duncan/Christine Sample, second, made a motion to approve the high school sports CO-OP renewal agreements with Unity Christian High School for cross country, track and soccer. The roll vote: Alanna Duncan-yes; Christine Sample-yes; Jeff Schroetlin-yes; Paige Sheraden-yes; and Todd Armstrong-yes.

Christine Sample/Alanna Duncan, second, made a motion to establish the 2025-2026 student, academic, meal and extracurricular fees as presented. The roll vote: Alanna Duncan-yes; Christine Sample-yes; Jeff Schroetlin-yes; Paige Sheraden-yes; and Todd Armstrong-yes.

There were no facility usage requests at this time.

Jeff Schroetlin/Christine Sample, second, made a motion at 7:10 p.m. to adjourn. The roll vote: Alanna Duncan yes; Christine Sample-yes; Jeff Schroetlin-yes; Paige Sheraden-yes; and Todd Armstrong-yes.

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/536/Argenta_Oreana/5748690/June_25_Bd_Minutes.pdf