Ball-Chatham Community Unified School District 5 Board of Education met Jan. 28
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
Members present
Joe Bolletta, Kelvin Coburn, Carrie Jeffries, Brent Kulavic, Lisa Lipe, Amanda Ostermeier Ryan Murphy – Absent
Meeting called to order at 6:45
2. OPEN SESSION
2.01 Call Meeting to Order – Vice President Brent Kulavic called the meeting to order at 6:45 PM
2.02 Pledge of Allegiance – All rose for the Pledge of Allegiance
2.03 Roll Call – Members Present – Joe Bolletta, Kelvin Coburn, Carrie Jeffries, Brent Kulavic, Lisa Lipe, Amanda Ostermeier Member Absent – Ryan Murphy
2.04 Approval of Agenda – Vice President Brent Kulavic asked for a motion to approve the agenda for the meeting of January 28, 2026
It was moved that the Ball-Chatham School  Board approve the agenda.Â
Motion by Carrie Jeffries, second by Kelvin Coburn.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yes: Joe Bolletta, Kelvin Coburn, Carrie Jeffries, Brent Kulavic, Lisa Lipe, Amanda Ostermeier
3. ACTION ITEMS FROM CLOSED SESSION
3.01 Approve Closed Minutes from December 17, 2025
It was moved that the Ball-Chatham School Board approve the Closed Session Minutes from December 17, 2025.
Motion by Lisa Lipe, second by Amanda Ostermeier.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yes: Joe Bolletta, Kelvin Coburn, Carrie Jeffries, Brent Kulavic Lisa Lipe, Amanda Ostermeier
3.02 Item from Closed Session the Termination of EmployeeÂ
It is the recommendation of the administration to dismiss a bus driver, for violation of Board Policy as discussed in closed session.Â
It was moved that the Ball-Chatham School Board approve the termination of employee Ms. Judy Faulstich.Â
Motion by Amanda Ostermeier, second by Joe Bolletta.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yes: Joe Bolletta, Kelvin Coburn, Carrie Jeffries, Brent Kulavic, Lisa Lipe, Amanda Ostermeier
4. COMMUNICATIONS
4.01 Citizens- Opportunity for Visitors to Address the School Board Concerning any Agenda Topic – None spoke.
5. CONSENT ITEMS
5.01 Adoption of Consent Agenda Items
It was moved that the Ball-Chatham School Board adopt the consent agenda items as recommended by the Superintendent.
Motion by Kelvin Coburn, second by Carrie Jeffries.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yes: Joe Bolletta, Kelvin Coburn, Carrie Jeffries, Brent Kulavic, Lisa Lipe, Amanda Ostermeier
(Consent), Minutes: 5.02 Minutes of Regular Board Meeting, December 17, 2025
(Consent), Minutes: 5.03 Minutes of PTAC Committee Meeting September 22, 2025
(Consent), Minutes: 5.04 Minutes of PTAC Committee Meeting January 12, 2026
(Consent), Minutes: 5.05 Minutes of Facilities and Grounds Committee Meeting, January 13, 2026
(Consent), Minutes: 5.06 Minutes of Facilities and Grounds Committee Meeting, January 22, 2026
(Consent), Minutes: 5.07 Minutes of Facilities and Grounds Committee Meeting, January 26, 2026
(Consent), Minutes: 5.08 Minutes of Finance Committee Meeting, January 20, 2026
(Consent): 5.09 Treasurer/Financial Report
(Consent): 5.10 School District Accounts Payable
(Consent): 5.11 School Activity Account Reports
(Consent): 5.12 FOIA Requests
6. PERSONNEL CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
6.01 Adoption of Consent Personnel Agenda Items
It was moved that the Ball-Chatham School Board adopt the personnel consent agenda as recommended by the Superintendent.
Motion by Joe Bolletta, second by Kelvin Coburn.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yes: Joe Bolletta, Kelvin Coburn, Carrie Jeffries, Brent Kulavic, Lisa Lipe, Amanda Ostermeier
(Consent): 6.02 Resignations
(Consent): 6.03 New Hires
(Consent): 6.04 Retirements
(Consent): 6.05 Transfers
(Consent): 6.06 Leaves of Absence
7. NEW BUSINESS
7.01 Approval of BES HVAC Bid
Facilities Director, Jared Koester, presented the proposed bids that were received for the Ball Elementary HVAC Renovation Project.
The administration is seeking approval to move forward with the Ball Elementary HVAC Renovation Project by awarding the bid to S.M. Wilson & Co. from Edwardsville, IL for $4,007,500.
This was the best complete bid, as one did come in lower but was incomplete. The Base Bid is $3,500,000 with 5% Contingency of $175,000 and Architectural Fees of $332,500 totalling $4,007,500.
The project is expected to be completed in one phase, beginning during Spring Break 2026 with substantial completed by July 31, 2026.
Superintendent Lamon added that President Ryan Murphy, although absent and cannot vote, wanted to share his full support of this project.Â
It was moved that the Ball-Chatham School Board accept the bid for the Ball Elementary HVAC Renovation Project from S.M. Wilson & Co for $4,007,500.
Motion by Joe Bolletta, second by Kelvin Coburn.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yes: Joe Bolletta, Kelvin Coburn, Carrie Jeffries, Brent Kulavic, Lisa Lipe, Amanda Ostermeier
7.02 Approval of BES HVAC Bid Alternate #1
In addition to the Base Bid, the administration is seeking the approval of three more alternative bids for specific additional elements to the base bid.Â
Alternate Bid #1 consists of classroom DOAS units and associated work. Alternate Bid #1 is $360,000 and Architectural Fees of $34,200 totalling $394,200.
This project is expected to begin during Spring Break 2026 with substantial complete by July 31, 2026.
It was moved that the Ball-Chatham School Board accept the bid for the BES HVAC Bid Alternate #1 for the Ball Elementary HVAC Renovations Project to S.M. Wilson & Co. from Edwardsville, IL for $394,200.
Motion by Carrie Jeffries, second by Amanda Ostermeier.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yes: Joe Bolletta, Kelvin Coburn, Carrie Jeffries, Brent Kulavic, Lisa Lipe, Amanda Ostermeier
7.03 Approval of BES HVAC Bid Alternate #2
In addition to the Base Bid, the administration is seeking the approval of three more alternative bids for specific additional elements to the base bid.Â
Alternate Bid #2 consists of Cafeteria RTUs and associated work. Alternate Bid #2 is $363,000 and Architectural Fees of $34,485 totalling $397,485.
This project is expected to begin during Spring Break 2026 with substantial complete by July 31, 2026.
It was moved that the Ball-Chatham School Board accept the bid for the BES HVAC Bid Alternate #2 for the Ball Elementary HVAC Renovations Project to S.M. Wilson & Co. from Edwardsville, IL for $397,485.
Motion by Kelvin Coburn, second by Joe Bolletta.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yes: Joe Bolletta, Kelvin Coburn, Carrie Jeffries, Brent Kulavic, Lisa Lipe, Amanda Ostermeier
7.04 Approval of BES HVAC Bid Alternate #3
In addition to the Base Bid, the administration is seeking the approval of three more alternative bids for specific additional elements to the base bid.Â
Alternate Bid #3 consists of HVAC in south section of building and associated work. Alternate Bid #3 is $285,000 and Architectural Fees of $27,075 Â totalling $312,075.
This project is expected to begin during Spring Break 2026 with substantial complete by July 31, 2026.
It was moved that the Ball-Chatham School Board accept the bid for the BES HVAC Bid Alternate #3 for the Ball Elementary HVAC Renovations Project to S.M. Wilson & Co. from Edwardsville, IL for $312,075.
Motion by Lisa Lipe, second by Carrie Jeffries.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yes: Joe Bolletta, Kelvin Coburn, Carrie Jeffries, Brent Kulavic, Lisa Lipe, Amanda Ostermeier
Member Carrie Jeffries thanked and recognized the attention to detail that Director Jared Koester took to explain the mechanical needs around the district buildings during the two recent Facilities and Grounds Committee meetings. Â
Additionally, Dr. Lamon shared that the upcoming Town Hall meetings will also have the mechanical needs addressed and toured at each of the individual building events.Â
7.05 Second Reading of PRESS Policies
It was moved that the Ball-Chatham School Board approve the second reading of the PRESS Policies that have been reviewed and edited.
Motion by Carrie Jeffries, second by Amanda Ostermeier.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yes: Joe Bolletta, Kelvin Coburn, Carrie Jeffries, Brent Kulavic, Lisa Lipe, Amanda Ostermeier
8. COMMUNICATIONS
8.01 GMS Building Presentation
GMS building Principal, Christine Lehnen, presented A Focus on Kindness in 2025-2026 to the Board.
The Kindness Wall is able to bridge socialization and social media. Created by Doug Reavis and his son, the Kindness Wall is a tool for students and staff to recognize each other in positive ways.Â
The program is designed and managed for Illinois schools by the University of Wisconsin, Whitewater campus.Â
This tool is designed to showcase shout-outs for acts of kindness as middle school can tend to be challenging for students to navigate.Â
The wall is shown on the dashboard of student Chromebooks and also in the cafeteria televisions during lunch.
Doug Reavis came in to share with the students and staff what the impact on bullying and being mean can have on one another, using personal stories to illustrate the hurt that is caused.
8.02 Communications Department Presentation
Director of Communications, Danny Frey shared the 2025-26 overview of the Communications Department.Â
Duties include external communications (messages and alerts to families and the community) and internal communications (messages and alerts to staff).
Additionally, the management of District and school websites, management of District social media, media relations, newsletters and duties/reporting as FOIA Officer.
Apptegy was launched in November (2025) and this partnership included a refreshed, new website and app. All alerts are now powered by Apptegy.
Rooms is a two-way communication tool that will now be utilized by teachers and coaches to use one app for all student communications. This will replace ClassDojo.
The Social Media statistics include 3.4K followers on Facebook, 2.9K followers on Instagram and 2.2K followers on X(formerly Twitter). Traffic on these platforms range upwards of 23.5 interactions and 1.8 Million views.
Athletics, academics, and activities are showcased throughout social media for all buildings, with the attempt to balance the coverage for all recognitions.Â
Media Relations has increased over the year with creating relationships with media members, distributing press releases, pitching stories, and being the liaison between the media and the District staff, students, and school board.
A recent feature was the story on the bus arm extension. As the FOIA Officer, there have been 25 requests to date. Last year there were 40 total requests. The subject matter ranges from contracts, purchases, and employee emails.
Crisis communications allows a structured approach for communicating during a crisis to ensure safety, clarity, and transparency.Â
A lesson learned: the balance of getting accurate information out to the public in a timely fashion is important, however it is important not to be rushed.
The communications budget is $7,695. The larger purchases/contracts for computer apps and programs are from the Technology account.
Frey shared that getting out to as many events is important for community engagement; whether he is taking photos, posting on social media, or announcing on the PA system, Frey finds it important to be visible in his role.
Finally, working with EO Sullivan for the Community Engagement efforts included creating and distributing informational materials that have been released. Â 8.03 Future Board Meeting Dates for 2025/26 SY
Vice President, Brent Kulavic shared the upcoming dates for committee and board meetings through February.Â
Thursday, January 29, 2026 Student Success Committee Meeting at 6:00 PM in the District Office
Tuesday, February 10, 2026 Facilities and Grounds Committee Meeting at 7:00 AM in the District Office
Tuesday, February 17, 2026 Finance Committee Meeting at 7:00 AM in the District Office
Wednesday, February 25, 2026 Regular Board Meeting at 6:45 PM in the District Office
8.04 Citizens- Opportunity for Visitors to Address the School Board Concerning Any Topic – None spoke.
9. ADJOURNMENT
9.01 Adjournment of Regular Meeting – 7:20 PM
It was moved to Adjourn Regular Board Meeting.
Motion by Joe Bolletta, second by Kelvin Coburn.
All in Favor. Final Resolution: Motion Carries
https://go.boarddocs.com/il/cusd5/Board.nsf/Public
