Sangamon Sun

Ball-Chatham Community Unified School District 5 Board of Education met June 25

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Members present 

Kelvin Coburn, Carrie Jeffries, Brent Kulavic, Amanda Ostermeier, Ryan Murphy 

Meeting called to order at 6:40 PM 

2. OPEN SESSION 

2.01 Call Meeting to Order- President Murphy called the meeting to order at 6:40PM. 

2.02 Pledge of Allegiance- all present stood for the Pledge of Allegiance. 

2.03 Roll Call- In attendance Kelvin Coburn, Carrie Jeffries, Brent Kulavic, Amanda Ostermeier, Ryan Murphy. Absent were Joe Bolletta and Lisa Lipe. 

Also in attendance were Dr. Becca Lamon and Jennifer Farnsworth. 

3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA 

3.01 Approval of Agenda 

President Murphy called for a motion to approve the agenda for the meeting of June 25, 2025. The motion was made by Coburn, second by Jeffries. Final Resolution: All in favor, Motion Carries 

3.02 Action Items from Closed Session 

President Murphy called for a motion to approve the closed session minutes from May 27, 2025, May 28, 2025, and June 2, 2025 and keep the written minutes from the last six months sealed and destroy all the recordings over 18 months except those that still involve pending litigation or pending discussions. 

The motion was made by Kulavic, second by Ostermeier. Final Resolution: All in favor, Motion Carries 

4. COMMUNICATIONS 

4.01 Recognition of GHS Girls Softball State Champions 

President Murphy explained that the team was unable to be attend the board meeting as they were attending the Channel1450 Awards event. The team had only one loss all year, which proved to be a great success! This was the second time in the history of the school to win the IHSA girls softball state championship.  

4.02 Recognition of GMS State Track Finishers 

Coach Frank Verenski recognized the student athletes who placed in the IESA 4A Boys and Girls Track and Field Events. Several students were in attendance and all the names were announced. The 7th Grade Boys Team placed 4th Place overall. Verenski added that this was his first year as head coach and he enjoyed the season and was proud of the team. 

4.03 Recognition of GHS State Track Finishers 

Not in attendance tonight as Channel1450 Awards event. Ali Londrigan, McKenzie Doe III, and Larry Wills placed at the IHSA 3A Girls and Boys Track and Field State Event.   

Information: Opportunity for Visitors to Address the School Board Concerning Any Topic. There were no audience members. 

5. CONSENT ITEMS 

5.01 Adoption of Consent Agenda Items 

President Murphy called for a motion that the Ball-Chatham School Board adopt the consent agenda items (as presented) as recommended by the Superintendent. 

The motion was made by Jeffries, second by Kulavic. Final Resolution: All in favor, Motion Carries 

Action (Consent), Minutes: 5.02 Minutes of Regular Board Meeting, May 28, 2025 

Action (Consent), Minutes: 5.03 Minutes of Regular Board Meeting, June 16, 2025 

Action (Consent), Minutes: 5.04 Minutes of Facilities and Grounds Committee Meeting, June 10, 2025. 

Action (Consent): 5.05 Treasurer/Financial Report 

Action (Consent): 5.06 School District Accounts Payable 

Action (Consent): 5.07 School Activity Account Reports 

Action (Consent): 5.08 FOIA Requests 

6. PERSONNEL CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS 

6.01 Adoption of Consent Personnel Agenda Items 

President Murphy called for a motion to adopt the personnel consent agenda (as presented) as recommended by the Superintendent. 

The motion was made by Coburn, second by Jeffries. Final Resolution: All in favor, motion Carries 

Action (Consent): 6.02 Resignations 

Action (Consent): 6.03 New Hires 

Action (Consent): 6.04 Retirements 

Action (Consent): 6.05 Transfers 

Action (Consent): 6.06 Leaves of Absence 

7. FINANCE 

7.01 Open FY25 Amended Budget Hearing 

President Murphy called for a motion to open the Budget Hearing for FY2025 Budget Amendments 

The motion was made by Kulavic, second by Ostermeier. Final Resolution: All in favor, Motion Carries 

President Murphy read the Resolution regarding the 2024-25 amended budget: Whereas, the BOE has received and reviewed the District's tentative amended budget for the 2024-2025 school year (fiscal year 2025); and Whereas, such tentative amended budget has been prepared by the administration in accordance with Section 17-1 of the School Code; and Whereas, the Secretary of the Board has made such tentative amended budget available for public inspection in the District's administrative offices beginning May 23, 2025, and has published notice of the availability of such budget for public inspection. Now, Therefore, be it resolved that a public hearing on such tentative budget and any amendments thereto shall be held at 6:00PM on June 25, 2025, at the District Administrative Office, 1475 E. Plummer Blvd, Chatham IL. 

There have been no changes to the presented amended budget presented last month at the board meeting.  

7.02 Close FY25 Amended Budget Hearing 

President Murphy called for a motion to close the FY25 Amended Budget Hearing 

The motion was made by Jeffries, second by Coburn. Final Resolution: All in favor, Motion Carries 

7.03 Approve FY25 Amended Budget 

President Murphy called for a motion to approve the FY25 Amended Budget 

The motion was made by Kulavic, second by Jeffries. Final Resolution: All in favor, Motion Carries 

8. NEW BUSINESS 

8.01 Second Reading of PRESS Policies 

President Murphy called for a motion to approve the PRESS Policies. These policies were presented at the first reading last month at the board meeting.  

The motion by Jeffries, second by Kulavic. Final Resolution: All in favor, Motion Carries 

9. COMMUNICATIONS 

9.01 Human Resources Department Update 

Lisa Nobles, Director of Human Resources presented the Annual Department Update to the board. Director Nobles reported that the department focused throughout the year on enhancing transparency, setting clear goals, and prioritizing the hiring and retention of qualified talent. The 2024–25 employee statistics included a total of 676 employees and administrators, with 94 new hires, 985 applicants, and a turnover rate of 13%. Members of the department attended job fairs across the state and increased the social media presence with the collaboration of Danny Frey, Director of Communications. This outreach, along with BCSD5 employee referrals, job boards, and the BCSD5 career site, garnered over 3,000 job applications being submitted.  

Based on exit interview questions, 85% would recommend BCSD5 to a friend, 63% resigned for life changes outside of the district control (family circumstances and retirements), and 75% were satisfied with district feedback, training, resources, and professional development. Recently negotiated bargaining agreements will improve retention based on the rate of pay and benefits. These numbers are snapshots of the data. Recently, there have been 50 new hires and 30 open positions. This is the time when HR gets busy with hiring, and some future hires were subbing to end the school year before onboarding as full-time employees.    

The Strategic Recruitment and Retention Plan was also made available within the presentation documents. 

9.02 Future Board Meeting Dates for 2025/26 SY 

President Murphy shared that there are July upcoming board meetings. Tuesday, July 8 at 7:00am will be the Facilities and Grounds Committee Meeting, Tuesday, July 15 at 7:00am will be the next Finance Committee Meeting and Wednesday, July 23 at 6:30pm will be the next board meeting. Dr. Lamon added that the next policy meeting was added after the agenda had been posted. The next Policy Committee Meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 16 at 5:30pm.  

9.03 Information: Opportunity for Visitors to Address the School Board Concerning Any Topic. There were no audience members.  

10. ADJOURNMENT 

10.01 Adjournment of Regular Meeting 

President Murphy asked for a motion to Adjourn Regular Board Meeting. 

The motion was made by Ostermeier, second by Kulavic. Final Resolution: All in favor, Motion Carries. The meeting was adjourned at 7:01 PM

https://go.boarddocs.com/il/cusd5/Board.nsf/Public