Minutes of the Regular Meeting of January 15, 2014
The Board of Education of Community Unit School District No. 1, Coles and Cumberland Counties,
Illinois met in regular session on Wednesday, January 15, 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
Jason Coe, Vice President
Brenda Coffey, Secretary
Scott Clarke
Susan Daniels
Charles Jarrell
The following board member was absent:
Kelly Miller, Treasurer
The following staff members were present:
Jim Littleford, Superintendent
Todd Vilardo, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction
David Kuetemeyer, Financial Consultant
Visitors 97 and 2 Members of the Press
Mr. Littleford reviewed Addendum items to the board book which included:
IV. Consent Agenda:
B. 1 Provided summary of cash and investments as of December 30, 2013 and expenditure
recapitulation of the bills and payrolls for Charleston CUSD #1. Due to a medical leave at
Central Office, the specific lists were not available when book was being assembled.
VII. Consent Employment:
Removed a recommendation to employ the CHS 2014 Spring Musical Director.
Under Focus on Students and Good News Reports, Mr. Littleford complimented the artwork provided
by the Carl Sandburg Elementary School students. Heather Bryan is the art instructor.
Mr. Littleford presented Certificates of Recognition to the following:
The Charleston Joint PTA and Michelle Lassak, for their effort in supporting students, teachers, and
instruction. Each year the PTA sponsors a number of Scholastic Book Fairs in each of the Charleston
Elementary Schools. Mrs. Lassak has volunteered her time to help plan for the book fairs and find
enough volunteers to run them. From 2008 to 2013 the PTA has raised a total of $59,261.78 for the three
elementary schools.
Barbara Haddock, School Counselor for Mark Twain and Carl Sandburg Schools for organizing the
‘Christmas for Kids’ event. Mrs. Haddock organized the ‘Christmas for Kids’ event that was held
Monday, December 16 at Carl Sandburg. Christmas for Kids was able to assist over 65 Mark Twain and
Carl Sandburg families which included gifts to over 140 children. Each child received at least 2 toys and
a ‘warm thing’ (piece of clothing, boots, blanket, etc). Volunteers for the event included 17 staff
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members, 3 administrators, 2 parents, and 2 community members. The program exists because students
and their families donate gifts for other children.
Under Public, Staff Comments, Written Communication, President Miller asked if there were any
requests or written communications to the Board of Education. A request was received from Kathie
Bossert.
Mrs. Bossert introduced herself stating she has served the district for the past 18 years as a Social Worker
for Carl Sandburg and Jefferson Elementary Schools. In her tenure she has served in all CUSD #1
buildings. She noted that on the agenda, the Board would consider services from EIASE for the 2014-15
school year and consideration would be given to discontinue Itinerant Collaborative Behavior Services
from EIASE. Mrs. Bossert stated that she came in support of her colleague, Sue Peadro, a friend, close
co-worker, and employed by EIASE as the Itinerant Collaborative Behavior Services instructor assigned
to Charleston CUSD #1.
The Board of Education thanked Mrs. Bossert for her comments and support.
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 18, 2013.
B. Approve the bills and payrolls for the month of December 2013.
C. Approve the Activity Fund Accounts for the CUSD #1 attendance centers, period ending
December 2013.
VI. Consent Agenda: New Business
Closed Session Minutes
Approve the minutes of the closed session meetings held on August 21, 2013, September 18, 2013,
October 16, 2013, November 18, 2013, December 2, 2013, and December 18; 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 January 2012 through June
2012 for regular and special meetings.
Declaration of Surplus Inventory - Charleston Middle School
Declare the referenced inventory from the Charleston Middle School Media Center as surplus and
available for sale or disposal.
VII. Consent Agenda: Appointment/Employment
Accept a letter of resignation from Jill Shafer, as a 1:1 Special Education Paraprofessional for
student #12391 at Jefferson Elementary School, effective December 31, 2013.
Approve the transfer of the following special education paraprofessionals at Carl Sandburg
Elementary School into the positions as listed, effective January 16, 2014:
Nikki Edwards
1:1 Special Education Paraprofessional for student #25611 to the
position as a 1:1 Special Education Paraprofessional for student #08162.
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Bri McKay
1:1 Special Education Paraprofessional for student #08113 to the
position as a Special Education Program Paraprofessional.
Approve the transfer of the following special education paraprofessionals at Jefferson Elementary
School into the positions as listed, effective January 6, 2014:
Rami Mayhall
Classroom Special Education Paraprofessional to the position as a
1:1 Special Education Paraprofessional for student #07218.
Rebecca Paul
1:1 Special Education Paraprofessional for Student #07218 to the
position as a 1:1 Special Education Paraprofessional position for student
#12391.
Approve the employment of Jennifer Peterson as a full time teacher in the Mathematics Department
at Charleston High School, effective January 16, 2014 for the remainder of the 2013-14 school
year. This employment was contingent upon the receipt of all information required for
employment.
Approve the employment of Mary Crippen as a full time 1:1 Special Education Paraprofessional for
student #03159 at Charleston High School, effective January 16, 2014. This employment was
contingent upon the receipt of all information required for employment.
Approve the employment of Steve McCann as a full time 1:1 Special Education Paraprofessional
for student #25611 at Carl Sandburg Elementary School, effective January 16, 2014. This
employment was contingent upon the receipt of all information required for employment.
Approve the employment of Cayleigh Roderick as a full time 1:1 Special Education
Paraprofessional for student #08113 at Carl Sandburg Elementary School, effective January 16,
2014. This employment was contingent upon the receipt of all information required for
employment.
President Miller recommended that the Board of Education approve items under IV through VII inclusive
on the Consent Agenda. Mr. Coe moved and Mrs. Daniels seconded the motion.
On roll call vote:
AYE: Coe, Daniels, Clarke, Jarrell, Coffey, R. Miller
NAY: none
Abstain: none
Motion carried
Under the Superintendent’s Report: Update/2013 CHS Girls Holiday Tournament
During Winter Break, Charleston High School and the Trojan Booster Club hosted the 2013 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.
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Presentation/Bridges Regional Safe School Program
Marilyn Purcell, Principal of Bridges Alternative Education Program in Lerna, Illinois and Regional
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Bobbi Mattingly were in attendance to outline programs offered to students
in grades six – twelve, who have been suspended or expulsion eligible. Mrs. Purcell provided an
overview of the program, courses offered, and how they work with the students, (located in official board
book). The Bridges Regional Safe School Program serves counties in the Regional Office of Education
#11 and has three sites located in Lerna, Paris and Shelbyville, Illinois. Currently, Bridges has a total of
89 students enrolled with 47 of those students enrolled at Lerna for first semester. Currently, they have
39 students enrolled. The Lerna site employs four teachers, with a limit of ten students per class. Mrs.
Purcell answered questions from the Board and Administration.
President Miller thanked Mrs. Purcell and Dr. Mattingly for attending the meeting.
Update/Affordable Care Act
Due to new legislation in the Affordable Care Act mandates, the district will be required to provide all
employees health insurance coverage if they reach a particular threshold of 30 work hours/week over a
12 month period minus the summer break weeks. Mr. Littleford indicated that this threshold applies to
substitute teachers and community coaches. In order to see approximately how many hours a substitute
may work in the district, Mr. Littleford reported that the schools will have substitute teachers complete
time cards during the 2014 spring semester. He noted that CHS Athletic Director Jim Wood and CMS
Athletic Director Brad Oakley are working with their coaches to determine coaching hours.
Update/District Crisis Ad Hoc Committee
The superintendent provided an update on the recent activities of the District Crisis Ad Hoc
Committee. The committee last met on December 3, 2013, and members had the opportunity to visit
Carl Sandburg Elementary School, Charleston Middle School, and Mark Twain Elementary School to
look at front entrance configurations and operational mechanics of panic buttons at each site. Technology
Assistant Kyle Perry demonstrated current camera capabilities from this board room. To ensure that the
system worked, testing took place in all CUSD #1 buildings on December 20 at 10:00am to include:
shelter in place, lock down, and all clear messages, to ensure the system worked. The committee
discussed conceal carry legislation and signage, parking lot signage and where ‘no guns’ stickers should
be placed. Mr. Littleford stated in the future another Ad Hoc Committee would be scheduled.
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, 2014.
Mr. Jarrell moved and Dr. Clarke seconded a motion that the Superintendent’s Report was received by the
Board of Education.
On roll call vote:
AYE: Jarrell, Clarke, Coe, Daniels, Coffey, R. Miller
NAY: none
Abstain: none
Motion carried
Recommended Action New Business: EIASE Services for the 2014-2015 School Year
Community Unit School District No. 1 participates in a cooperative agreement with Eastern Illinois
Area of Special Education (EIASE) for various special education services. The Governing Board Joint
Agreement Document allows member districts to annually select certain programs and services they
wish to purchase from EIASE.
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Mr. Littleford invited Special Education Coordinator Cathy Chaplin to present her recommendation for
services for the 2014-15 school year with the Board of Education.
Mrs. Chaplin echoed the comments from Kathie Bossert and emphasized that her recommendation does
not reflect Mrs. Peadro’s work. Mrs. Chaplin praised Mrs. Peadro for her competency and passion for
her work. She did say that if CUSD #1 does not continue with this service, Mrs. Peadro will not lose
her position with EIASE, she will be reassigned. Mrs. Chaplin stated she has been meeting with EIASE
Executive Director Tony Reeley in regard to effective cost savings for the District. She stated that
EIASE encourages districts to provide their own services when they have several students in the
program and to rely on the cooperative for more specialized services that have fewer students.
She reviewed a financial breakdown and how the district could provide a new Social Worker position
that would include Itinerant Collaborative Behavior Services. This would mean lower costs and more
control over the program. The fee to EIASE is approximately $73,000 per year. The district would be
able to employ the new position for approximately $30,000. The reimbursement that EIASE receives
from the State for the behavior program is $9,000 in which the district would receive.
A lengthy discussion ensued between the Board of Education and Administration.
Vice President Coe stated reservations, as he just learned about the position and it is hard to eliminate a
person who has served our district for so long.
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 2014-2015 school year as outlined:
The district inform EIASE of our desire to continue to provide our own psychological and social work
services while purchasing “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 Middle School and continue to provide services for emotional disability students
transitioning to and from Kansas Treatment and Learning Center and Charleston High School. In
addition, the district will provide its own Itinerant Collaborative Behavior Services.
Fourth, the district will continue to provide classroom space for the Project Help and Hearing Impaired
programs operated by EIASE and located in Charleston schools. The classrooms for the Hearing
Impaired program will still be available at Carl Sandburg Elementary School, Jefferson Elementary
School, Charleston Middle School, and Charleston High School. Project Help is currently housed at
Jefferson Elementary School and Salisbury Church.
Mr. Jarrell moved and Dr. Clarke seconded the motion.
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On roll call vote:
AYE: Jarrell, Daniels, Coffey, R. Miller
NAY: Clarke, Coe
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 19, 2014 board meeting.
Newly Established School Board Policy Administrative Procedures/Exhibits
4:170-AP7,E1 Operational Services – Threat Assessment Decision Tree
Revised School Board Policies/Administrative Procedures/Exhibits
2:150
School Board – Committees
5:20-AP
General Personnel – Sample Questions for Conducting the Internal Sexual Harassment in
the Workplace Investigation
5:50
General Personnel – Drug-and Alcohol-Free Workplace; Tobacco Prohibition
5:260
General Personnel – Student Teachers
6:60-AP
Instruction – Comprehensive Health Education Program
6:190
Instruction – Extracurricular and Co-Curricular Activities
6:240
Instruction – Field Trips
6:310
Instruction – Credit for alternative Courses and Programs, and Course Substitutions
7:190
Students – Student Discipline
7:305
Students – Student Athlete Concussions and Head Injuries
8:20
Community Relations – Community Use of School Facilities
8:25
Community Relations – Advertising and Distributing Materials in Schools Provided by
Non-School Related Entities
8:95-AP
Community Relations – Parental Involvement
Dr. Clarke moved and Mr. Coe seconded the motion.
On roll call vote:
AYE: Clarke, Coe, Daniels, Jarrell, Coffey, R. Miller
NAY: none
Abstain: none
Motion carried
At 7:53pm, 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)
President Miller indicated that the Board of Education would review the results of the evaluation for
Superintendent of Schools.
Mr. Jarrell moved and Dr. Clarke seconded the motion.
On roll call vote:
AYE Jarrell, Clarke, Coe, Daniels, Coffey, R. Miller
NAY: none
Abstain: none
Motion carried
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At 8:35pm, Dr. Clarke made a motion to reconvene from closed session. Mrs. Daniels seconded the
motion.
On roll call vote:
AYE: Clarke, Daniels, Coe, Jarrell, Coffey, R. Miller
NAY: none
Abstain: none
Motion carried
At 8:36pm, Mr. Coe moved to adjourn from the board meeting. Mrs. Coffey seconded the motion.
On roll call vote:
AYE: Coe, Coffey, Clarke, Daniels, Jarrell, 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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