November 13, 2023 at 6:30 PM - Regular Meeting

1. Call to Order with the Pledge of Allegiance.
 

2. Roll Call.
 

3. Adopt Official Agenda giving the President discretion to take items out of order or in executive session as needed.
 

4. Approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting held on October 2, 2023, and Special Meeting held on October 24, 2023..
 

5. Consider approval of bills as presented in the amount of $766,145.50 be authorized; that salaries for the month of November 2023 be authorized; that quick pay for October 2023 in the amount of $1,319,590.72 be approved; and that December 2023 salaries and bills to be quick paid be authorized.
 

6. Teacher and School Leadership Grant Presentation.
 

7. Requests signed by interested citizens who attend the Board of Education meeting who request to speak to the Board. 
 

8. Consent Agenda.   (Items 7-A through LL - Personnel Committee Recommendations)
 

8.A. Approve the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) for Hannah Coleman, speech language pathologist, effective January 23, 2024, through April 23, 2024.  Mrs. Coleman will be using her accumulated sick and personal leave days in conjunction with her FMLA and will be docked for the remainder of this leave.  Commencement or termination of this leave may be adjusted.
 

8.B. Approve a Medical Leave of Absence for Hannah Coleman, speech language pathologist, effective April 23, 2023, through the close of the 2023-2024 school year.  Ms. Coleman is requesting to use any remaining sick or personal leave she has left after her FMLA.  Ms. Coleman will be docked for any remaining days after her sick and personal days have been exhausted.
 

8.C. Approve the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) for Melissa Fields, teacher, effective October 11, 2023, through November 27, 2023.  Ms. Fields will be using her accumulated sick and personal leave days in conjunction with her FMLA and be docked for the remainder of her leave.  Commencement or termination of this leave may be adjusted.
 

8.D. Employ Ma'Kayla Harris as a permanent substitute teacher, effective October 20, 2023, contingent upon successful completion of pre-employment requirements.
 

8.E. Accept the written resignation of Valeska Hill, administrator, effective at the close of the 2028-2029 school year.  Ms. Hill is requesting to retire under Article 50 - Early Retirement Incentive of the Cahokia Federation of Teachers contract.  Ms. Hill would also like to reserve the right to apply for any additional state retirement incentives that may become available before her retirement date.
 

8.F. Employ Walter Latinette as a permanent substitute teacher, effective October 6, 2023, contingent upon successful completion of pre-employment requirements.
 

8.G. Employ Deanna McDaniel as a substitute teacher, effective October 6, 2023, contingent upon successful completion of pre-employment requirements.
 

8.H. Accept the written resignation of Vicky Miller, teacher, effective at the close of the 2028-2029 school year.  Ms. Miller is requesting to retire under Article 50 - Early Retirement Incentive of the Cahokia Federation of Teachers contract.  Ms. Miller would also like to reserve the right to apply for any additional state retirement incentives that may become available before her retirement date.
 

8.I. Amend the effective date of Arnold Neely, teacher, from September 22, 2023, to September 18, 2023.
 

8.J. Appoint Paul Prude as head teacher at Wirth Middle School, effective September 18, 2023.
 

8.K. Accept the written resignation of Shannon Taylor as head counselor, effective at the close of the 2023-2024 school year.
 

8.L. Accept the written resignation of Mary Thierry, teacher, effective January 29, 2024.
 

8.M. Accept the written resignation of David Walker, band director, effective October 2, 2023.
 

8.N. Employ Leslie Williams as a permanent substitute teacher, effective October 18, 2023, contingent upon successful completion of pre-employment requirements.
 

8.O. Create a Career and Technical Education Counselor position.
 

8.P. Create a Head Dance Coach position.
 

8.Q. Increase the substitute teacher pay from $90 per day to $150 per day, effective immediately.
 

8.R. Employ Allison Brown as a lunchroom/playground aide, effective October 20, 2023, contingent upon successful completion of pre-employment requirements.
 

8.S. Employ Merton Brown as a shift custodian, effective November 1, 2023, contingent upon successful completion of pre-employment requirements.
 

8.T. Approve Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) for Clyde Browning, custodian, effective October 11, 2023, through January 12, 2024.  Mr. Browning will be using his accumulated sick and personal leave in conjunction with his FMLA and be docked for the remainder of this leave.  Commencement or termination of this leave may be adjusted.
 

8.U. Employ Racierra Collier as a lunchroom/playground aide, effective October 20, 2023, contingent upon successful completion of pre-employment requirements.
 

8.V. Appoint Paul Culley as lead maintenance, effective October 23, 2023.
 

8.W. Approve the intermittent Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) for Marion Deboe, restorative justice, effective October 16, 2023, through the close of the 2023-2024 school year.  Mr. Deboe will be using his accumulated sick and personal leave in conjunction with his FMLA and will be docked for the remainder of this leave.  Commencement or termination of this leave may be adjusted.
 

8.X. Employ Gary Dively as a shift custodian, effective October 20, 2023, contingent upon successful completion of pre-employment requirements.
 

8.Y. Employ Ethel Evans as a lunchroom/playground aide, effective October 20, 2023, contingent upon successful completion of pre-employment requirements.
 

8.Z. Accept the written resignation of Andrea Gilbert, Title I Paraprofessional, effective October 19, 2023.
 

8.AA. Appoint Andrea Gilbert as 21st Century Program Manager, effective October 23, 2023 through June 30, 2024.
 

8.AB. Employ Ashley Harris as a paraprofessional, effective October 6, 2023, contingent upon successful completion of pre-employment requirements.
 

8.AC. Employ Dariell Hinkle as a paraprofessional, effective October 6, 2023, contingent upon successful completion of pre-employment requirements.
 

8.AD. Employ Demond Jennings as an assistant wrestling coach at Wirth Middle School, effective November 6, 2023, contingent upon successful completion of pre-employment requirements.
 

8.AE. Accept the written resignation of Kimberly Johnson, security guard, effective October 3, 2023.
 

8.AF. Employ Ronda Johnson as a lunchroom/playground aide, effective September 22, 2023, contingent upon successful completion of pre-employment requirements.
 

8.AG. Employ Chester Jones, shift custodian, effective October 6, 2023, contingent upon successful completion of pre-employment requirements.
 

8.AH. Approve the intermittent Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) for Heather Jones, technology, effective October 3, 2023, through April 30, 2024.  Ms. Jones will be using her accumulated sick and personal leave days in conjunction with her FMLA and docked for the remainder of this leave.  Commencement or termination of this leave may be adjusted.
 

8.AI. Employ Donal Kenner as a shift custodian, effective October 6, 2023, contingent upon successful completion of pre-employment requirements.
 

8.AJ. Accept the verbal resignation of Kiera Nichols, paraprofessional, effective October 18, 2023.
 

8.AK. Approve the intermittent Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) for Felisha Watts, restorative justice, effective August 11, 2023, through the close of the 2023-2024 school year.  Ms. Watts will be using her accumulated sick and personal leave in conjunction with her FMLA and be docked for the remainder of this leave.  Commencement or termination of this leave may be adjusted.
 

8.AL. Appoint the following as game workers for the 2023-2024 school year, effective October 9, 2023:
 
Anitra Dorsey
Markeshia Williams
 

8.AM. Approve the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) for Roscoe Dowell, teacher, effective November 1, 2023, through November 17, 2023.  Mr. Dowell will be using his accumulated sick and personal leave days in conjunction with his FMLA.  He will be docked for the remainder of this leave.  Commencement or termination of this leave may be adjusted.
 

8.AN. Accept the written resignation of Michele Knickerbocker, teacher, effective at the close of the 2028-2029 school year.  Ms. Knickerbocker is requesting to retire under Article 50 - Early Retirement Incentive of the Cahokia Federation of Teachers contract.  Ms. Knickerbocker would also like to reserve the right to apply for any additional state retirement incentives that may become available before her retirement date.
 

8.AO. Approve Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) for Diana Lee, teacher, effective November 2, 2023, through November 14, 2023.  Ms. Lee will be using her accumulated sick and personal leave in conjunction with her FMLA and be docked once exhausted.  Commencement or termination of this leave may be adjusted.
 

8.AP. Employ Darielle Odom as a permanent substitute teacher, effective October 20, 2023, contingent upon successful completion of pre-employment requirements.
 

8.AQ. Accept the written resignation of Kristin Tutka, Special Education Support Specialist, effective November 21, 2023.
 

8.AR. Employ Shamiyah Wilson as a permanent substitute teacher, effective November 6, 2023, contingent upon successful completion of pre-employment requirements.
 

8.AS. Create two paraprofessional positions for the CTE Program.
 

8.AT. Approve a $50 per day training stipend for anyone considered a department trainer.
 

8.AU. Approve the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) for Michelle Connors, transportation, effective October 28, 2023, through November 15, 2023.  Ms. Connors will be using her accumulated sick and personal leave days in conjunction with her FMLA.  She will be docked for the remainder of this leave.  Commencement or termination of this leave may be adjusted.
 

8.AV. Accept the written resignation of Paul Culley as maintenance, effective October 19, 2023.
 

8.AW. Accept the written resignation of Jenay Davis, Secretary to the Chief Business Official/Recruitment, effective November 9, 2023.
 

8.AX. Approve the intermittent Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) for Camilla Deboe, restorative justice, effective October 16, 2023, through the close of the 2023-2024 school year.  Mrs. Deboe will be using her accumulated sick and personal leave in conjunction with her FMLA.  She will be docked for the remainder of her leave.  Commencement or termination of this leave may be adjusted.
 

8.AY. Accept the written resignation of Darien Donald as security officer, effective November 3, 2023.
 

8.AZ. Appoint Darien Donald as truancy, effective October 6, 2023.
 

8.BA. Approve Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) for Jessica Duncan, PC Technician, effective October 16, 2023, through October 20, 2023.  Ms. Duncan will be using her accumulated sick and personal leave days in conjunction with her FMLA, and will be docked for the remainder of her leave.  Commencement or termination of this leave may be adjusted.
 

8.BB. Accept the written resignation of Jade Edwards, bus monitor, effective October 26, 2023.
 

8.BC. Accept the written resignation of Jade Edwards, lunchroom/playground aide, effective October 26, 2023.
 

8.BD. Appoint Jade Edwards as security, effective October 30, 2023.
 

8.BE. Approve a medical leave of absence for Shonquetta Hannon, safety task force officer, effective September 7, 2023, through September 13, 2023.
 

8.BF. Approve a stipend for Carla Harris-Cole, grant manager, for additional responsibilities for 21st CCLC.
 

8.BG. Employ Nicole Johnson as a paraprofessional, effective October 20, 2023, contingent upon successful completion of pre-employment requirements.
 

8.BH. Accept the written resignation of Johnny Lindsey, maintenance, effective September 24, 2023.
 

8.BI. Employ Kia Nunley as shift custodian, effective October 20, 2023, contingent upon successful completion of pre-employment requirements.
 

8.BJ. Approve pay for Darren Powell in the amount of $367.74 for work done as a paraprofessional prior to his employment.
 

8.BK. Employ Darren Powell as a paraprofessional, effective October 30, 2023, contingent upon successful completion of pre-employment requirements.
 

8.BL. Accept the verbal resignation of Theresa Ridley, lunchroom/playground aide, effective October 25, 2023.
 

8.BM. Approve pay for Antez Stevenson in the amount of $797.82 for work done in the custodial department.
 

8.BN. Approve stipend for Sylvia Thomas, secretary, for additional responsibilities for 21st CCLC.
 

8.BO. Employ Angelique Torres as an assistant wrestling coach, effective November 6, 2023, contingent upon successful completion of pre-employment requirements.
 

8.BP. Approve the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) for Eureka Ware, truancy, effective October 10, 2023, through January 10, 2024.  Ms. Ware will be using her accumulated sick and personal leave days in conjunction with her FMLA.  She will be docked for the remainder of this leave.  Commencement or termination of this leave may be adjusted.
 

8.BQ. Approve a Medical Leave of Absence for Bernadette Wiggins, truancy supervisor, effective October 31, 2023, through January 18, 2024.  Ms. Wiggins is requesting to use any remaining sick or personal leave remaining after her FMLA and be docked for the remainder of this leave.
 

8.BR. Employ Cecil Young as a custodian, effective October 20, 2023, contingent upon successful completion of pre-employment requirements.
 

8.BS. Approve Intergovernmental Cooperative Agreement with Southwestern Illinois College in regards to the Running Start Program for the 2024-2025 school year.
 

8.BT. Authorize the Superintendent to enter into an Independent Contractor Agreement with Touchette Regional Hospital for counseling services.
 

8.BU. Authorize the Superintendent to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with Student First Consulting Group to provide services under the Teacher and School Leader Incentive Prgam (TSL).
 

8.BV. Approve the Discipline Improvement Plan for the 2023-2024 school year.
 

8.BW. Approve the School Improvement Plans for each campus.
 

8.BX. Approve Early Kindergarten Placement Policy.
 

8.BY. Adopt Resolution #23-39 abating taxes pursuant to the Property Tax Relief Grant.
 

9. Old Business.
 

10. New Business. 
 

10.A. Consider adopting the tax levy with final levy information to be presented and voted upon by the Board of Education before submission to the county clerk's office in the spring.
 

10.B. Consider accepting the hearing officer's recommendation from the discipline hearing held on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, to expel a ninth grade Cahokia High School student for the remainder of the 2023-2024 school year.  However, the expulsion will be stayed if the student successfully completes remote learning through CUSD #187 with the guidelines of Illinois Virtual School.
 

10.C. Consider accepting the hearing officer's recommendation from the discipline hearing held on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, to expel a ninth grade Cahokia High School student for the remainder of the 2023-2024 school year with services.
 

10.D. Consider accepting the hearing officer's recommendation from the discipline hearing held on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, to expel a ninth grade Cahokia High School student for the remainder of the 2023-2024 school year.  However, the expulsion will be stayed if the student successfully completes remote learning through CUSD #187 with the guidelines of Illinois Virtual School.
 

10.E. Consider accepting the hearing officer's recommendation from the discipline hearing held on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, to expel a ninth grade Cahokia High School  student for the remainder of the 2023-2024 school year and the entire 2024-2025 school year.  However, the expulsion will be stayed if the student successfully completes remote learning through CUSD #187 with the guidelines of Illinois Virtual School.
 

10.F. Consider accepting the hearing officer's recommendation from the discipline hearing held on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, to expel a ninth grade Cahokia High School student for the remainder of the 2023-2024 school year with services.
 

10.G. Consider accepting the hearing officer's recommendation from the discipline hearing held on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, to expel a tenth grade Cahokia High School student for the remainder of the 2023-2024 school year with services.
 

10.H. Consider accepting the hearing officer's recommendation from the discipline hearing held on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, to expel a tenth grade Cahokia High School student for the remainder of the first semester of the 2023-2024 school year and the entire 2024-2025 school year with services.
 

10.I. Consider discipline of a non-certified employee, up to and including termination.
 

10.J. Consider discipline of a non-certified employee up to and including termination.
 

11. Superintendent's Report.
 

12. Administrators' Reports.

12.A. Deputy Superintendent Report.

12.B. Curriculum Report.

12.C. Educational Services Report.

12.D. Non-Certified Personnel Report.

12.E. Principal Leadership Report.

12.F. Restorative Justice Report.

12.G. Retention & Recruitment Report.

12.H. Special Education Report.

12.I. Student Activities Report.

12.J. Technology Report.

12.K. Truancy Report.
 

13. Board Committee Reports: Building and Grounds, Curriculum and Instruction, Finance, Negotiations, Personnel, Policy.
 

13.A. Policy Committee Recommendations:  The following proposed policy updates to the Board Policy Manual are available for public viewing for the next thirty days with plans for adoption at the December 11, 2023, board meeting:
Updates:  2:20, 2:120, 2:200, 2:220-E2, 2:220-E6, 4:10, 4:30, 4:60, 4:130, 4:130-E, 4:160, 5:30, 5:90, 5:190, 5:200, 5:210, 5:220, 5:250, 5:330, 6:15, 6:30, 6:50, 6:60, 6:230, 7:60, 7:70, 7:160, 7:190, 7:270, 7:285, 7:290, 8:30
 

14. Executive Session.
 

14.A. Appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, litigation, or dismissal of specific employees.  5ILCS 120/2(c)(1).
 

15. Adjournment.
 

16. Informational Items.