Minutes of the Regular Meeting of January 21, 2015
The Board of Education of Community Unit School District No. 1, Coles and Cumberland Counties,
Illinois met in regular session on Wednesday, January 21, 2015 at the Administration Building – 410
West Polk Avenue, Charleston, Illinois 61920
At 6:30 p.m., President Miller called the meeting to order and asked for roll call.
The following board members were present:
Ron Miller, President
Brenda Coffey, Secretary
Kelly Miller, Treasurer
Scott Clarke
Charles Jarrell
The following board member was absent:
Jason Coe, Vice President
Susan Daniels
The following staff members were present:
Jim Littleford, Superintendent
Todd Vilardo, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction
David Kuetemeyer, Financial Consultant
Visitors 16 and 2 Members of the Press
Mr. Littleford reviewed Addendum items to the board book which included:
Revised Board Agenda
VII. Consent Agenda: Employment
Recommendation: Transfer paraprofessionals at Jefferson Elementary School, effective
1/22/2015.
Under Public, Staff Comments, Written Communication, Mr. Littleford reported that no requests had
been received to address the Board of Education. However, the District received three (3) Freedom of
Information Act requests, which were honored by the District.
1) Vincent Miles requested closing records for each debt issuance since January 1, 1984. Mr.
Littleford said this request amounted to 594 pages, which have been bundled at a charge of
$89.10 and is available for pick-up or to be mailed at an approximate cost of $20.00. As of
this date, the District has not heard from Mr. Miles.
2) Scott Reeder of the Illinois Policy Institute requested provisions within the district’s
collective bargaining agreement providing for compensation (pay and/or benefits) for union
officials while performing union-related activities and the pay record of the employee(s) who
receive this benefit.
3) Tim Hutton requested school records for his grandfather Leo Lyman, born May 3, 1906.
President Miller asked if there were any requests from the Board of Education to remove any of the
consent agenda items or addendum items for discussion. Hearing none, Mr. Littleford reviewed the items
under Consent Agenda.
IV. Consent Agenda: Standard Items
A. Approve the minutes of the Regular Board Meeting of December 17, 2014.
B. Approve the bills and payrolls for the month of December 2014.
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C. Approve the Activity Fund Accounts for the CUSD #1 attendance centers, period ending
December 2014.
VI. Consent Agenda: New Business
Request/Gifted Sick Leave Days
Grant 349 (three hundred forty-nine) gifted sick leave days to Donna Williams, LBS1 teacher at
Charleston High School.
Closed Session Minutes
Approve the minutes of the closed session meetings held on August 20, 2014, September 17, 2014,
October 15, 2014, November 19, 2014, December 3, 2014, and December 17, 2014; and further, not
to make public the minutes of the closed sessions.
Destruction of Closed Session Verbatim Audio Records
Authorize the destruction of all Closed Session Audio Tapes beginning February 2013 through July
2013 for regular and special meetings.
VII. Consent Agenda: Appointment/Employment
Accept a letter of retirement from Donna Williams, LBS1 teacher at Charleston High School,
effective at the end of the 2019-2020 school year.
Accept a letter of resignation from Al Lord, Freshmen Boys’ Basketball Coach at Charleston High
School, effective immediately.
Grant an unpaid leave of absence to Meagan Taylor, classroom teacher at Carl Sandburg
Elementary School, effective for the 2015-2016 school year.
Grant a request from School Psychologist Katie Williams to go from full time to half time
employment status, effective January 5, 2015 for the remainder of the 2014-15 school year. Mrs.
Williams’ work assignment will be located at Charleston Middle School and Ashmore Elementary
School.
Approve the transfer of Susan Banyai into the position as a Title 1 Paraprofessional at Jefferson
Elementary School, effective January 5, 2015.
Approve the employment of Lisa Foster as a full time 1:1 Special Education Paraprofessional for
student #08113 at Jefferson Elementary School, effective January 22, 2015. This employment was
contingent upon the receipt of all information required for employment.
Approve the employment of Ben Pertl as a Freshmen Boys’ Basketball Coach at Charleston High
School for the remainder of the 2014-15 school year. This employment was contingent upon the
receipt of all information required for employment.
Approve the employment of Angela Warman as the Flag Corps Coach at Charleston High School,
beginning with the 2015-16 school year.
Approve the list of substitutes and volunteers for Community Unit School District No. 1, effective
December 8, 2014 – January 12, 2015.
Addendum
Approve the transfer of Rebecca Paul into the position as a 1:1 special education paraprofessional
for student #08931, effective January 22, 2015.
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Approve the transfer of Michelle Tanner into the position as a 1:1 special education
paraprofessional for student #81004, effective January 22, 2015.
President Miller recommended that the Board of Education approve items under IV through VII inclusive
on the Consent Agenda and in the addendum. Mrs. Miller moved and Mr. Jarrell seconded the motion.
On roll call vote:
AYE: K. Miller, Jarrell, Clarke, Coffey, R. Miller
NAY: none
Abstain: none
Motion carried
Under the Superintendent’s Report: Update/2014 CHS Girls Holiday Tournament
During Winter Break, Charleston High School and the Trojan Booster Club hosted the 2014 Girls
Holiday Basketball Tournament. Athletic Director Jim Wood was happy to announce the tournament was
a ‘huge success’ and finished in the black, with no monetary costs to the district. Mr. Wood attributed
that to the sponsorship and support. Mr. Wood presented a financial breakdown and a run down on the
Tournament results (located in official board book). Mr. Wood indicated that the Booster Club would
like to keep the tournament going.
Mr. Wood answered questions from the Board and Administration. He concluded that the Holiday
Tournament Committee will be meeting in the near future to discuss all aspects for the tournament and to
work on improvements for next year.
President Miller thanked Mr. Wood for the update.
Fiscal Resources
Superintendent Jim Littleford provided an overview of an IASA Illini Division meeting that he and
Financial Consultant David Kuetemeyer attended. He reported that Illinois Association of School
Administrator’s Director Brent Clark speculated regarding Governor Rauner’s ‘Education Plan’ as related
to General State Aid, Pension, Reform, and the potential Pension Cost Shift.
- Governor Rauner wants to restore General State Aid, but has obstacles to overcome – not sure
how long that will take.
- It was speculation that the Illinois Supreme Court will rule the Pension Law unconstitutional in
May.
- It was speculation that the pension cost shift will take place somewhere around the first of July.
- Special Education requirements are to be looked at more in line with Federal requirements.
- Schools may be given the choice to eliminate driver’s education and rely on the free enterprise
system.
- The State Superintendent position was down to three finalists.
Mr. Littleford reported that Central Office administrators have been planning since October to find ways
to increase revenues and remain as responsible stewards of fiscal resources. They have begun to draft a
3-year plan for reductions and will make a presentation to the Board of Education at a later date. He also
reported that as of this date, the District’s Health insurance fund has expended all reserves and $425,000
has been transferred from the Education Fund into the Health Insurance Fund. Mr. Littleford indicated a
topic that the group will need to address for upcoming ESP negotiations will be the redesign of the CUSD
#1 Health Insurance program.
Statement of Economic Interest Filings
As required by law, members of the Board of Education must annually file a Statement of Economic
Interest with the County Clerk. The forms will be mailed to each individual’s home address within the
next few weeks and must be filed with the County Clerk no later than May 1, 2015.
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Dr. Clarke moved and Mr. Jarrell seconded a motion that the Superintendent’s Report was received by the
Board of Education.
On roll call vote:
AYE: Clarke, Jarrell, K. Miller, Coffey, R. Miller
NAY: none
Abstain: none
Motion carried
Contractual Agreement/School Psychologist, for Remainder 2014-2015 School Year
It was the recommendation of the superintendent that the Board of Education approve a contractual
agreement with Cheryl Armstrong to serve as a School Psychologist at Mark Twain Elementary School,
for the remainder of the 2014-2015 school year, not to exceed 100 days. Dr. Clarke moved and Mrs.
Miller seconded the motion.
On roll call vote:
AYE: Clarke, K. Miller, Jarrell, Coffey, R. Miller
NAY: none
Abstain: none
Motion carried
Recommended Action New Business: EIASE Services for the 2015-2016 School Year
Based upon the recommendation of Special Education Coordinator Cathy Chaplin, the superintendent
recommended that the Board of Education authorize the purchase of the “Fee for Service” programs
and “Tuition” based services from EIASE for the 2015-2016 school year as outlined.
The District will purchase the “Fee for Service” as follows:
 Itinerant Vision Services
 Prevocational Services
 Rehabilitation Services (Occupational and Physical Therapy)
 Itinerant Adapted Physical Education
Second, the district will continue to participate in the tuition programs of Kansas Treatment and
Learning Center (TLC), Diagnostic and Developmental Center (DDC), and the Hearing Impaired
Program. Third, the district will continue to operate the self-contained emotional disability classroom
at Charleston High School and continue to provide services for emotional disability students
transitioning to and from Kansas Treatment and Learning Center and Charleston schools. In addition,
the district will provide its own ED Collaborative Services. Since EIASE has chosen another placement
option for their Hearing Impaired program, CUSD #1 will not be providing classrooms beginning with
the 2015-2016 school year. The district will continue to provide classroom space for the Project Help
program operated by EIASE and located in Charleston schools. Project Help is currently housed at
Jefferson Elementary School, (3 classrooms).
Mr. Jarrell moved and Dr. Clarke seconded the motion.
On roll call vote:
AYE: Jarrell, Clarke, K. Miller, Coffey, R. Miller
NAY: none
Abstain: none
Motion carried
Establish Special Board Meeting/Interview Final Candidates for CHS Assistant Principal Position
On December 30, 2014, brochures were sent out announcing the vacancy for the position of Charleston
High School Assistant Principal with an application deadline of January 20, 2015. An application
screening committee will be utilized on Tuesday, January 27, Wednesday, January 28, and Thursday,
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January 29 to select candidates for the position. Materials will be available to screen between 7:00am –
4:00pm. Two interview teams will interview up to six (6) candidates for the position on Saturday,
February 7 from 8:00am – 3:00pm. The Board of Education will interview the final two to three
candidates at a special board meeting.
It was the recommendation of the superintendent that the Board of Education establish Wednesday,
February 25, 2015 at 5:30pm as a Special Board meeting to interview the final candidates for the position
of Assistant Principal for Charleston High School. Dr. Clarke moved and Mr. Jarrell seconded the
motion.
On roll call vote:
AYE: Clarke, Jarrell, K. Miller, Coffey, R. Miller
NAY: none
Abstain: none
Motion carried
New/Revised School Board Policies, Administrative Procedures & Exhibits – 1st Reading
It was the recommendation of the superintendent that the Board of Education adopt, in tentative form
Board Policies, Administrative Procedures, and Exhibits as listed on first reading. The tentative policies
will be placed for public review until final adoption at the February 18, 2015 board meeting.
Newly Established School Board Policies, Administrative Procedures/Exhibits
4:110-E
Contractor Services Agreement
7:140-E
Letter to Parents/Guardians Regarding the Right to Privacy in the School Setting Act
7:185
Teen Dating Violence Prohibited
7:185-E
Memo to Parents/Guardians Regarding Teen Dating Violence
Revised School Board Policies/Administrative Procedures/Exhibits
2:30
School District Elections
2:100
Board Member Conflict of Interest
2:110
Qualifications, Term, and Duties of Board Officers
4:30
Revenue and Investments
5:10
Equal Employment Opportunity and Minority Recruitment
5:30
Hiring Process and Criteria
5:30-AP2
Investigations
5:35
Compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act
5:35-AP1
Fair Labor Standards Act Exemptions
5:35-AP2
Employee Records Required by the Fair Labor Standards Act
5:35-AP3
Compensable Work Time for Non-Exempt Employees Under the FLSA
5:35-AP4
Fair Labor Standards Act 12-Step Compliance Checklist
5:35-E
Volunteer Agreement Executed by a Non-Exempt Employee
5:190
Teacher Qualifications
5:190-E3
Letter to Teacher Who is Not Highly Qualified
5:200
Terms and Conditions of Employment and Dismissal
5:240
Suspension
6:20
School Year Calendar and Day
6:60
Curriculum Content
6:60-E
Notice to Parents/Guardians of Students Enrolled in Family Life and Sex Education
Classes
6:65
Student Social and Emotional Development
6:160
English Language Learners
6:250
Community Resource Persons and Volunteers
6:250-E
Resource Person and Volunteer Information form and Waiver of Liability
6:310
Credit for Alternative Courses and Programs, and Course Substitutions
7:70
Attendance and Truancy
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7:140
7:180
7:190-AP1
7:280-AP
8:30
8:80-AP1
8:95
Search and Seizure
Preventing Bullying, Intimidation, and Harassment
Student Handbook – Hazing Prohibited
Managing Students with Communicable or Infectious Diseases
Visitors to and conduct on School Property
Gifts to the District
Parental Involvement
Mr. Jarrell moved and Dr. Clarke seconded the motion.
On roll call vote:
AYE: Jarrell, Clarke, K. Miller, Coffey, R. Miller
NAY: none
Abstain: none
Motion carried
At 7:13pm, President Miller 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)
President Miller indicated that the Board of Education would review the results of the evaluation for
Superintendent of Schools.
Dr. Clarke moved and Mr. Jarrell seconded the motion.
On roll call vote:
AYE Clarke, Jarrell, K. Miller, Coffey, R. Miller
NAY: none
Abstain: none
Motion carried
At 8:05pm, Dr. Clarke made a motion to reconvene from closed session. Mr. Jarrell seconded the motion.
On roll call vote:
AYE: Clarke, Jarrell, K. Miller, Coffey, R. Miller
NAY: none
Abstain: none
Motion carried
At 8:06pm, Mr. Jarrell moved to adjourn from the board meeting. Dr. Clarke seconded the motion.
On roll call vote:
AYE: Jarrell, Clarke, K. Miller, Coffey, R. Miller
NAY: none
Abstain: none
Motion carried
Ronald L. Miller
President, Board of Education
Brenda L. Coffey
Secretary, Board of Education
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