Minutes of the Regular Meeting of September 16, 2015
The Board of Education of Community Unit School District No. 1, Coles and Cumberland Counties, Illinois
met in regular session on Wednesday, September 16, 2015 at the Administration Building – 410 West Polk
Avenue, Charleston, Illinois 61920
At 6:30pm, President Coe called the meeting to order and asked for roll call.
The following members were present:
Jason Coe, President
Charles Jarrell, Vice President
Susan Daniels, Secretary
Kelly Miller, Treasurer
Scott Clarke
Ron Miller
Kevin Oakley
The following staff members were present:
Jim Littleford, Superintendent
Todd Vilardo, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction
David Kuetemeyer, Financial Consultant
Visitors 16 and 1 Member of the Press
Mr. Littleford reviewed Addendum items to the board book which included:
VI. ISBE 2015-16 Annual Application for Recognition of Schools
Corrections/placement of paraprofessionals: Ashmore, Carl Sandburg, Jefferson Schools
VII. Employment:
Remove the recommendation to employ CHS Assistant Cheer Coach.
Superintendent’s Report
A. Revised Enrollment Projects report: 2014-15 Sixth Day enrollment numbers corrected.
Under Focus on Students and Good News Reports, Mr. Littleford recognized Assistant Principal Patti
Murphy for planning a lunch meet and greet with First Student Transportation Services and CUSD #1
families in three different areas of Charleston. She planned this to help facilitate relationships with the bus
drivers, their student and parents. Mrs. Murphy worked with Director Dave Morris to arrange for buses and
their drivers to meet in the three locations. Mrs. Murphy was in attendance to accept her Certificate of
Recognition.
Public Staff Comments, President Coe asked if there were any requests or written communications to the
Board of Education. The Board of Education received a request to address the Board of Education from
Mike and Roxanne Cornebise, (letter of request located in official board book).
Mr. and Mrs. Cornebise asked to address the Board of Education regarding the scheduled MAP testing as
concerned citizens and the parents of two children enrolled in Charleston CUSD #1.
Mr. Cornebise and Mrs. Cornebise shared concerns regarding the security, validity, and administration of the
MAP testing. Mr. Cornebise stated that on Monday, when testing was scheduled to begin, the staff at
Ashmore School were informed that MAP testing was being postponed due to concerns that the system may
have been hacked. However, testing took place at the other schools. He reported that testing at Jefferson
School was interrupted for 15-20 minutes when students were kicked out of the computer. Mr. and Mrs.
Cornebise felt that the Ashmore administration was correct in their decision to postpone the start of MAP
testing until the issues of apparent hacking and testing glitches could be addressed and investigated.
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Another concern stated was staff not having enough time to prepare to administer the MAP test and not all
staff was informed of the training. Mrs. Cornebise stated that the MAP testing was scheduled during PLC
meetings, therefore, staff was out of the schools.
Another concern was about student information, data, or records, and if stolen, it could be many years before
discovered when applying for college, credit, etc. Mrs. Cornebise stated that she was an advocate for the
students over and above teachers, administrators, Superintendent and Board of Education. She said that it
was a big concern that parents were not informed of the Denial of Service and felt it would be in the best
interest to change the MAP testing dates due to the events. She said that security was breached and decisions
were being made without parents’ knowledge.
Another concern stated was in regard to the validity of the MAP test since students had disruptions as the
MAP test is used as a benchmark on student progress.
Mr. Littleford reported that Technology Director Mary Ann Pattenaude received notification from the
NWEA (Northwest Evaluation Association) Account Manager, stating that the NWEA had been the target
of repeated attacks, known as Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS), directed at their network, (notification
located in official board book). They reported that the DDoS attacks were cyber-crimes that are coordinated
to make a website or application unavailable for a period of time.
The Board of Education discussed the concerns with Mr. and Mrs. Cornebise and thanked them for bringing
their concerns forward.
The Board of Education stated that Mr. and Mrs. Cornebise brought up valid concerns and they were
confident that District Administration would provide further investigation and get back to them.
Mr. Littleford reported the District had received three (3) Freedom of Information Act Requests that were
honored by the District.
1) Joe Hart from the Illinois Education Association requested names of all non-certified support staff
employed in CUSD #1 excluding those already represented by the IEA/Affiliated local; job titles; date of
hire; work building and address; number of hours they are scheduled per week; number of months they are
scheduled per year; and, their collective bargaining unit status.
2) Charlene Roche, Data Acquisition Specialist of SmartProcure requested electronic record of purchase
orders dated 2015-05-29 to current for CUSD #1.
3) Construction Market Data, requested low bid and/or award information for the CHS Gym Flooring bids
received on September 2, 2015.
Consent Agenda: President Coe asked if there were requests from the Board of Education to remove any of
the consent agenda items or addendum items for discussion. There were no requests from the Board of
Education.
Mr. Littleford reviewed the items under Consent Agenda.
IV. Consent Agenda: Standard Items
A.
Approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of August 19, 2015.
B.1 Approve the bills and payrolls for the month of August 2015.
B.2 Approve the Activity Fund Reports for the attendance centers, period ending August 2015.
V. Consent Agenda: New Business
A. Approve the 2015-16 Applications for Recognition of Schools for Community Unit School
District No. 1 to be submitted to the Illinois State Board of Education.
B. Approve the 2015-16 Administrator and Certified Teacher Salary Compensation Report to be
posted on the school district website and submitted to the Illinois State Board of Education by
October 1, 2015.
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C. Approve an overnight/out of state trip request from CHS FFA Director Emily Perry to travel to
Louisville, Kentucky on October 29 – 31, 2015.
D. Approve Serious Safety Hazard Findings application #1-15-01, for a student attending Mark
Twain Elementary School. Deny Serious Safety Hazard Findings application #1-15-02, for a
student attending Charleston Middle School. Following approval from the Board of Education,
the applications will be submitted to the Department of Transportation for final review.
VI. Consent Agenda: Employment
 Accept a letter of retirement from Gary Francis, effective end of the 2019-20 school year.
 Accept a letter of resignation from David Kuetemeyer, Financial Consultant for Charleston
CUSD #1, effective December 22, 2015.
 Accept a letter of resignation from Angela Geisler as a paraprofessional at Charleston
Middle School, effective September 15, 2015.
 Grant a Leave of Absence to Katie Cantele, a Reading Recovery/Title 1 Teacher at Carl
Sandburg Elementary School.
 Grant a Family Medical Leave to Courtney Moffett, a 7th grade Mathematics Teacher at
Charleston Middle School.
 Grant a Leave of Absence to Kristin McDevitt, a Social Worker at Mark Twain Elementary
School.
 Grant a Family Medical Leave to Tricia Lampley, a paraprofessional at Carl Sandburg
Elementary School.
 Approve the employment of Cristen Kimery as a full time special education 1:1
paraprofessional assigned to student #81582 at Carl Sandburg Elementary School, effective
September 9, 2015. Employment contingent upon the continued educational needs of the
student and receipt for all information required for employment.
 Approve the employment of Amy Jackson and Haley Sparks in a split assignment as the
Charleston High School Girls; Assistant Basketball Coach during the 2015-16 school year,
contingent upon the receipt of all paperwork required for employment.
 Approve the employment of Andrew Shick in the extra-curricular assignment as Assistant
Boys’ Basketball coach at Charleston High School during the 2015-16 school year,
contingent upon the receipt of all paperwork required for employment.
 Approve the employment of Luke Fisher in the extra-curricular assignment as Head
Wrestling coach at Charleston High School during the 2015-16 school year, contingent upon
the receipt of all paperwork required for employment.
 Approve the following individuals to serve as volunteer coaches at Charleston High School
during the 2015-16 school year, contingent upon the receipt of all paperwork required for
employment.
Brian Oakley
Cross Country
Kendall Oliver
Cross Country
Ron Easter
Tennis
 Approve the following individuals to serve as volunteer coaches at Charleston Middle
School during the 2015-16 school year, contingent upon the receipt of all paperwork
required for employment.
Tory Wilson
Softball
Amber May
Softball
Hanna Dowling
Softball
Kaylie Pruitt
Softball
Kaj Holm
Cross Country
Allison Slabach
Cross Country
Trina Oetting
Cross Country
Chris Bily
Baseball
Tevin Brookins
Boys Basketball
Jerry Brookins
Boys Basketball
Tina Winings
Speech
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
Approve the list of substitutes for Community Unit School District No. 1, effective August
20 - September 8, 2015.
President Coe recommended that the Board of Education approve items under IV through VII inclusive on
the Consent Agenda and in the addendum. Dr. Clarke moved and Mr. Jarrell seconded the motion.
On roll call vote:
AYE: Jarrell, Coe, Clarke, Daniels, K. Miller, Coffey, R. Miller
NAY: none
Abstain: none
Motion carried
Under the Superintendent’s Report, Mr. Littleford presented the 2015-2016 sixth day enrollment statistics
to the Board of Education. The statistics revealed an increase of 20 students from last year.
CHS Girl’s Holiday Basketball Tournament
Charleston High School Athletic Director Jim Wood provided a brief update on planning for the 2015
Charleston Girl’s Holiday Basketball Tournament. He reported that the Trojan Booster Club would remain
the head financial backer for the tournament. Eight teams will play in the tournament and come from the
following districts: Charleston, Effingham, Paris, Rantoul, Urbana, Decatur Eisenhower, Danville, and
Putnam County. The tournament will be held at the high school on December 28, 29 & 30. Planning is
ongoing. Mr. Wood will present a full report at the December board meeting.
Parent/Teacher Conference Dates/Times
Mr. Littleford announced that parent/teacher conference dates have been scheduled for October 22 - 23,
2015. On Thursday, On Thursday, October 22 there will be a half day of student attendance and on Friday,
October 23, no student attendance.
Dr. Clarke moved and Mr. Miller seconded a motion that the Superintendent’s Report was received by the
Board of Education.
On roll call vote:
AYE: Clarke, R. Miller, Jarrell, K. Miller, Oakley, Daniels, Coe
NAY: none
Abstain: none
Motion carried
Under Old Business: Adopt 2015-2016 CUSD #1 Budget
The superintendent recommended that the Board of Education adopt by resolution the 2015-16 budget for
Community Unit School District No. 1. Mr. Jarrell moved and Dr. Clarke seconded the motion.
On roll call vote:
AYE: Jarrell, Clarke, K. Miller, R. Miller, Daniels, Coe
NAY: Oakley
Abstain: none
Motion carried
Recommended Action New Business: Award Bid Proposal/CHS Baker Gymnasium Floor
Charleston High School Baker Gymnasium floor and roof sustained damage from a storm that took place on
June 7, 2015. District officials have been working with Prairie State Insurance Cooperative to repair damage
incurred. Health Life Safety Amendment #30 was approved by the Illinois State Board of Education on
August 19, 2015 to replace the existing floor in Baker Gymnasium at Charleston High School.
Charleston CUSD #1 accepted bids for replacement of the Baker Gymnasium floor at 2:00pm on September
2, 2015. Two (2) companies submitted bid proposals:
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Stalker Sports Floors, New London, Wisconsin
Kiefer USA, Linderhurst, Illinois
$67,652.75
$70,138.74
It was the recommendation of the superintendent that the Board of Education accept the bid proposal from
Stalker Sports Floors to replace the existing floor in Baker Gymnasium at Charleston High School for the
amount of $67,652.75. Dr. Clarke moved and Mr. Jarrell seconded the motion.
On roll call vote:
AYE: Clarke, Jarrell, K. Miller, R. Miller, Daniels, Coe
NAY: Oakley
Abstain: none
Motion carried
At 7:25pm, President Coe recommended that the Board of Education adjourn into closed session to consider
information regarding appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of
specific employees of the District or legal counsel for the District, including hearing testimony on a
complaint lodged against an employee or against legal counsel for the District to determine its validity. 5
ILCS 120/2/(c)(1)
Collective negotiating matters between the District and its employees or their representatives, or deliberations
concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees. 5 ILCS120/2/(c)(2)
Dr. Clarke moved and Mr. Miller seconded the motion.
On roll call vote:
AYE: Clarke, R. Miller, Jarrell, K. Miller, Daniels, Coe
NAY: Oakley
Abstain: none
Motion carried
At 7:48pm, Mr. Miller made a motion to reconvene from closed session. Mr. Jarrell seconded the motion.
On roll call vote:
AYE: R. Miller, Jarrell, Clarke, K. Miller, Oakley, Daniels, Coe
NAY: none
Abstain: none
Motion carried
At 7:49pm Mr. Miller moved to adjourn from the board meeting. Dr. Clarke seconded the motion.
On roll call:
AYE: R. Miller, Clarke, Jarrell, K. Miller, Oakley, Daniels, Coe
NAY: none
Motion carried
Jason Coe
President, Board of Education
Susan Daniels
Secretary, Board of Education
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