Sangamon Sun

Arthur Community Unit School District #305 Board of Education met Dec. 21.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The regular meeting of the Arthur Board of Education was called to order by President Beth Wiley at 6:00 pm on December 21, 2022 in the Arthur Lovington Atwood Hammond High School Cafeteria with the following members in attendance: Suzi Berkich, Brock Casteel, Monica Green, Kristie Mechling, Justin Wierman and Beth Wiley. Mr. Shannon Cheek and administrators were also present. Ryan Nettles was absent.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

During recognition of visitors, 4th grade students accompanied with their teachers, Mrs. Eads and Mrs. Martinez, from Arthur Grade School presented their Market Day Projects to the board. Those that presented were Kylan Salie, Caleb Wiley, Addison Cazel, Natalie Peralta, Nate Blaudow, and Bowyer McGrath. Students from the 8th grade STEM class at AGS also presented a Lego robotics project they had been working on all semester. The students that were presented were Tyler Lisanby, Cameron McGill, and Enos Gingerich along with their teacher, Mrs. Hopkins.

A public hearing on Tax Levy 2022 was held.

During public comment. Jeremy Hale spoke regarding the possibility of livestreaming the board meetings.

A motion was made by Suzi Berkich, seconded by Brock Casteel to approve the consent agenda as presented which included: the Minutes of the November 16th, 2022 meeting, bills of $299,962.28, the Treasurer's Report, First Reading of Press Policy 110, and donations. Upon roll, all members present voted yea. Motion carried.

Principal Reports were presented. See attached.

A motion was made by Suzi Berkich, seconded by Kristie Mechling to approve the tax levy as presented. Upon roll, all members present voted yea. Motion carried.

A motion was made by Suzi Berkich, seconded by Monica Green to approve asbestos bid for Arthur Grade School as presented. Upon roll, all members present voted yea. Motion carried.

A motion was made by Brock Casteel, seconded by Kristie Mechling to approve asbestos bid for Lovington Grade School as presented. Upon roll, all members present voted yea. Motion carried.

A motion was made by Suzi Berkich, seconded by Justine Wierman to approve the resolution abating the tax heretofore levied for the year 2022 to pay debt service on General Obligation Bonds (Alternative Revenue Source), Series 2014, of Arthur Community Unit School District #305, Douglas, Moultrie, and Coles Counties, Illinois. Upon roll, all members present voted yea. Motion carried.

A motion was made by Brock Casteel, seconded by Justin Wierman to approve the lease for Turf Tank as presented. Upon roll, all members present voted yea. Motion carried.

A motion was made by Justin Wierman, seconded by Kristie Mechling to approve the electric contracts with Twin City Energy/Homefield Energy as presented. Upon roll, all members present voted yea. Motion carried.

A presentation on SuperEval, and evaluation tool for superintendents and administrators was presented by Mr. Cheek.

Superintendent's Report was presented. See attached.

During Board Comment, Suzi Berkich commended the junior high school band concert and appreciated that all three schools performed together. Kristie Mechling commented she appreciates the presentations with data the principals have been giving the last few months. Beth Wiley thanked Mr. Cheek and a few board members that were able to attend the IASB Annual Conference in Chicago in November.

A motion was made by Justin Wierman, seconded by Monica Green to go into closed session at 8:06 pm under the Open Meetings Act for the 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). Upon roll, all members present voted yea. Motion carried.

A motion was made by Suzi Berkich, seconded by Monica Green to leave executive session at 8:40 pm. Upon roll, all present voted yea. Motion carried.

A motion was made by Brock Casteel, seconded by Justin Wierman to accept executive session minutes as read in executive session. Upon roll, all members present voted yea. Motion carried.

A motion was made by Suzi Berkich, seconded by Brock Casteel to approve the personnel report as presented which includes: accepting Mrs. Ferguson's letter expressing her intent to retire at the end of the 2026-2027 school year. Upon roll, all members present voted yea. Motion carried.

A motion was made by Justin Wierman, seconded by Monica Green to adjourn at 9:06 pm. Upon roll, all members present voted yea. Motion carried.

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