Minutes of the Regular Meeting of December 17, 2014
The Board of Education of Community Unit School District No. 1, Coles and Cumberland Counties, Illinois
met in regular session on Wednesday, December 17, 2014 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
Susan Daniels
Charles Jarrell
The following board member was absent:
Jason Coe, Vice President
The following staff members were present:
Jim Littleford, Superintendent
Todd Vilardo, Assistant Superintendent
David Kuetemeyer, Financial Consultant
Visitors 120 and 1 Member of the Press
Mr. Littleford reviewed Addendum items to the board book which included:
IV. Consent Agenda:
A. Adopt Resolution/Interfund Loan – Working Cash Fund to Transportation Fund
Remove recommendation to adopt Resolution - the District was able to meet fiscal responsibilities for
the transportation invoice for November 2014.
Under Focus on Students and Good News Reports, Mr. Littleford presented Certificates of Recognition to
the following individuals.
Jefferson & Ashmore Elementary School Character Education Students
The Character Education students from Jefferson and Ashmore Elementary Schools were chosen by their
teachers representing the trait of Respect. Roxanne Cornebise, School Counselor is in charge of the program.
Respect….a respectful student shows respect by recognizing, considering and properly honoring one’s
self, others, parents and family, teachers and staff, property and the environment.
4th GradeJosh Sipes
James Hess
Kenna McPeak
Alivia Sims (Ashmore)
Tristan Williams
Kaylie Hutton
Sofia Cornebise
Caleb Oakley
5th GradeCasey Fisher
Chris Weber
Josh Will
Wade Wright
Kiley Vanderport
Jasmin Cooley
Lyla Long
Vanessa Willardson
Mitch Cox
6th GradeCade Landrus
Ethan Humphreys
Lindsey Ulrey
Isabella Keiffer
Bailey Day
Ryan Wang
Averie Bosler
October 15, 2014 students were recognized for the trait of Responsibility - 6th grade students Drew
Dowland and Kaiden Hutchens were not able to attend the meeting.
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CMS Softball Team & Coach Blain Mayhall – in September the softball team competed in the IESA State
Tournament. The softball team finished the season 17 – 2 and 2nd place in the State. 2014 CMS Lady Trojan
Softball team: Ramsey Armstrong, Faith Beever, Elizabeth Buescher, Dee Campbell, Bailey Cox, Kennedy
Cox, Amanda Davis, Makayla Davis, Kennedy Fellers, Rainer Fullermoore, Olivia Hiltebeitel, Dru Howell,
Olivia Lane, Sydnie Littleford, Macey McElravy, Mya McElravy, Payton Melton, Haleigh Misner, Madision
Morecraft, Megan Morecraft, Kacee Nicholson, Emily Price. Head Coach: Blain Mayhall, Asst. Coaches:
Amber May, Tory Wilson, Hannah Dowling, Katherine Kennedy.
Charleston High School – Advanced Chamber Ensemble
Director Juliane Sharp and the Charleston High School Advanced Chamber Ensemble were in attendance and
sang a Christmas carol (Mary, Did You Know) for the Board of Education and audience. Chorus members:
Haiven Bowersock, Alysa Eubank, Annie Ethridge, Trevor Gibson, Nathan James, Keridwen McDaniel, Jaz
Monahan, Shaelyn Randall, Liz Stephens, Brooke Tozer, Emma Walker, Scott Walker, and Haley White
Ashmore Elementary School – Taylor Ratliff
Taylor is a 4th grade student attending Ashmore Elementary School and at the beginning of the 2014-15 school
year, she developed a recycling plan for the school. To earn credit toward her Jr. Girl Scout Bronze award,
Taylor explained her recycling plan to the Board and audience. Mr. Littleford also recognized Rebecca Gallo,
4th Grade Teacher, Mark Richardson, School Custodian & Ashmore PTO for their help in implementing the
recycling program at Ashmore.
CHS Art Students – Ally Bower, Ethen Lawson and Natalie Staton, for being recognized at the Millikin
University High School Art Show. Ethen and Natalie had their work accepted for the show which is a major
honor in that less than half of the entries get accepted to the show. Ally not only was accepted but she received
Best in Show and was awarded a $2,000 scholarship and a monetary award of $200. Toni Satterfield is the
CHS and CMS Art teacher of these students.
Meagan Taylor – Carl Sandburg Elementary School teacher – for being selected as the 2015 Master of
Science in Elementary Education-Distinguished Graduate Student, Eastern Illinois University. Meagan will be
recognized at the EIU Distinguished Graduate Student Award Ceremony in April 2015.
Under Public, Staff Comments, Written Communication, President Miller asked if there were any requests
or written communications to the Board of Education. There were no requests received.
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 November 19, 2014, and Special Board Meeting
of December 3, 2014.
B. Approve the bills and payrolls for the month of November 2014.
C. Approve the Activity Fund Accounts for the CUSD #1 attendance centers, period ending November
2014.
VI. Consent Agenda: New Business
A. Under the addendum, a recommendation was removed to adopt a Resolution to transfer funds into the
Transportation Fund as the District was able to meet fiscal responsibilities for the transportation invoice
for November 2014.
VII. Consent Agenda: Appointment/Employment
Consistent with board policies, grant a leave of absence to Kim Shambo, paraprofessional at Carl
Sandburg Elementary School.
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Approve the transfer of Sherry Toothman into the position as a Title 1 paraprofessional at Carl
Sandburg Elementary School, effective January 5, 2015.
Approve the transfer of Krista Kingery into the position as a Special Education Program
Paraprofessional at Carl Sandburg Elementary School, effective January 5, 2015.
Increase the employment status of Diana Veach from half-time to a full-time Reading Interventionist
teacher at Mark Twain Elementary School, effective January 5, 2015.
Approve the employment of Kimberly Lemmon-Rich as a full time Reading Interventionist teacher at
Jefferson Elementary School, effective January 5, 2015. This employment was contingent upon the
receipt of all information required for employment.
Approve the following people listed to serve as volunteer coaches at Charleston Middle School during
the 2014-15 school year. These assignments are contingent upon the receipt of all information required
for employment.
Matthew Brotsch
Boys’ Basketball
Tevin Brookins
Boys’ Basketball
Jerry Brookins
Boys’ Basketball
Approve the list of substitutes and volunteers for the district, effective November 10 – December 5,
2014.
President Miller recommended that the Board of Education approve items under IV through VII inclusive on the
Consent Agenda. Dr. Clarke moved and Mrs. Daniels seconded the motion.
On roll call vote:
AYE: Clarke, Daniels, Jarrell, K. Miller, Coffey, R. Miller
NAY: none
Abstain: none
Motion carried
Under the Superintendent’s Report: Presentation/FY2015 School Library Per Capita Grant
The FY2015 School Library per Capita Grant was submitted to the Illinois State Board of Education following
the October 15, 2014 board meeting. Membership to this program makes the district eligible for resource
sharing, availability of materials, networking opportunities, and additional funding for students and staff. The
program is funded through the Office of Secretary of State. Through a power point presentation CUSD #1
Media Directors –Cathy Senior, Holly Pantle and Amy Nice presented information regarding the Illinois School
Library Media Program, “Linking for Learning,” and how it works in our district, (located in official board
book). Media Directors, Jacob Roskovensky and Michele McDaniel were also in attendance.
2014 CHS Holiday Tournament Update
CHS Athletic Director Jim Wood provided an update on preparation of the Girls’ Basketball Holiday
Tournament at Charleston High School. The tournament will take place in Baker Gymnasium on December 26,
27 & 29, 2014. Mr. Wood passed out a revised tournament schedule, (see official board book). He indicated
that Chicago Orr dropped out of the tournament, so the Charleston JV team would step in to provide adequate
teams.
CHS Final Exam Schedule for First Semester
In looking toward the end of first semester, Charleston High School’s final exam schedule was provided.
Wednesday, December 17
Thursday, December 18
1st
9:00-10:15
EB
7:50-9:00
2nd
10:25-11:40
3rd
9:05-10:15
Lunch
11:45-12:35
5th
10:20-11:30
4th
12:40-1:55
Lunch
11:30-12:05
6th
2:05-3:20
7th
12:10-1:20
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Mr. Littleford announced that Institute Days were scheduled for Friday, December 19 and Monday, January 5
and students will not be in attendance. Classes will resume on January 6, 2015 to begin second semester of the
2014-15 school year.
Recommended Action New Business: 2015-2016 CHS Course Descriptions
Principal Trevor Doughty provided an outline of changes to the course description booklet. It was the
recommendation of the superintendent that the Board of Education approve the 2015-2016 CHS Course
Description Booklet to be made available on the district website. Dr. Clarke moved and Mrs. Daniels
seconded the motion.
On roll call vote:
AYE: Clarke, Daniels, Jarrell, K. Miller, Coffey, R. Miller
NAY: none
Abstain: none
Motion carried
Establish CHS Interact Club and Activity Account
It was the recommendation of the superintendent that the Board of Education officially recognize the
Charleston High School Interact Club and further, to establish an activity account for the club. This account
will be subject to the state guidelines regarding the use of activity fund accounts. Mr. Jarrell moved and Mrs.
Miller seconded the motion.
On roll call vote:
AYE: Jarrell, K. Miller, Clarke, Daniels, Coffey, R. Miller
NAY: none
Abstain: none
Motion carried
Adoption/2014 Certificate of Tax Levy
Financial Consultant, David Kuetemeyer reviewed information regarding the assessed valuation projection
and the proposal for the 2014 tax levy. Based upon that review, the superintendent recommended that the
Board of Education adopt by Resolution the 2014 Certificate of Tax Levy for Charleston Community Unit
School District No. 1, with a total levy amount of $12,888,455. Dr. Clarke moved and Mrs. Miller seconded
the motion.
On roll call vote:
AYE: Clarke, K. Miller, Daniels, Jarrell, Coffey, R. Miller
NAY: none
Abstain: none
Motion carried
Health Life Safety Amendments – Mark Twain Elementary School & Ashmore Elementary School
It was the recommendation of the superintendent that the Board of Education approve the Health/Life Safety
Amendments as prepared by The Upchurch Group, Inc., to install and replace three (3) heating circulating
pumps inoperable at Mark Twain Elementary School with an estimated cost of $15,000. Further, to install and
replace a heat pump that provides heating and cooling for the gym at Ashmore Elementary School with an
estimated cost of $15,000. Mrs. Daniels moved and Dr. Clarke seconded the motion.
On roll call vote:
AYE: Daniels, Clarke, Jarrell, K. Miller, Coffey, R. Miller
NAY: none
Abstain: none
Motion carried
At 7:33pm, 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)
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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)
Board Action following closed session: Transfer of Administrative Duties – effective July 1, 2015
Dr. Clarke moved and Mr. Jarrell seconded the motion.
On roll call vote:
AYE: Clarke, Jarrell, Daniels, K. Miller, Coffey, R. Miller
NAY: none
Abstain: none
Motion carried
At 8:51pm, Mrs. Daniels made a motion to reconvene from closed session. Mrs. Miller seconded the motion.
On roll call vote:
AYE: Daniels, K. Miller, Clarke, Jarrell, Coffey, R. Miller
NAY: none
Abstain: none
Motion carried
Mr. Littleford announced that Terry Diss is retiring from his position as the Mark Twain Elementary School
Principal effective June 2015. The superintendent has met with Board of Education and building administrators
to plan for filling his position. After discussion and consideration, the superintendent recommends that CHS
Assistant Principal Brandon Miller be transferred into the position of Mark Twain Elementary School Principal.
Mr. Miller has served Charleston CUSD #1 for the past three (3) years as Assistant Principal at Charleston High
School. Mr. Miller has demonstrated the capacity to be a quality educational leader and provides the ability and
talent to lead our students and staff at Mark Twain Elementary School.
It was the recommendation of the superintendent that Brandon Miller be transferred from his current position
as the Charleston High School Assistant Principal to the position of Mark Twain Elementary School Principal,
effective July 1, 2015. It is also recommended that Mr. Miller be granted a one-year, ten-month performance
goals based contract with an IRS salary of $68,743 for the 2015-2016 school year. Dr. Clarke moved and Mr.
Jarrell seconded the motion.
On roll call vote:
AYE: Clarke, Jarrell, Daniels, K. Miller, Coffey, R. Miller
NAY: none
Abstain: none
Motion carried
At 8:54pm, Mr. Jarrell moved to adjourn from the board meeting. Dr. Clarke seconded the motion.
On roll call vote:
AYE: Jarrell, Clarke, Daniels, 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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