North Clay School Board Hears Update On School Construction Project

Louisville, IL-(Effingham Radio)- The North Clay School Board met for their regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, February 19.

Consider Approval Consent Agenda of Regular Board Meeting Approved 7-0 

1. Approval of Minutes; 
2. b. Treasurer’s Report; 
3. c. Approval of Bills, Personal and Sick Leave
4. d. Approval of Field Trips 
5. Recognition of Guests, Public Comments, and Positive News

Riley Poe, senior student, was recognized as one of two North Clay High School students who earned the honor of being named an Illinois State Scholar. Our other Illinois State Scholar was high school senior Gavin Wyrich. Other visitors included representatives from South Central FS who were present to discuss the fuel bids. 

Citizen Athena VanDyke spoke during public comments. She voiced concern about the Junior High Cheerleaders not being present at the Regional Game and also about the CEO program for high school students not currently receiving college credit for their participation in the program. 

High School Principal Sarah Newby, Elementary/Junior High School Principal Ben Borries and Athletic Director/Assistant Principal Rich Grubaugh presented positive news for the district. They included: 

North Clay Elementary/Junior High School 

• Jr. High PBIS monthly winners for January – Madalyn Sparks, Bently Fulk, Lane Ruholl, Amelia Wendling, Khloe Davis, & Kyler Durbin. 
• January 22ns – Jr. High School Spelling Bee – with 10 students participating in the Clay County Spelling Bee on January 31st in Flora 
• February Jr. Deputies – 2nd Grade – Adelee Mann and Layla Harrison, 3rd Grade – Aubrey Harrington, Scarlett Eason, and Ellie Avitia, 4th Grade Sawyer Hosselton and Gabriel Mora. Present by SRO Sgt. Lewis 
• February 5th – IPA Administrative Assistants Banquet at Richard’s Farm. 
• North Clay Students are Top Notch. 
• Feb 10th – Pre–K Family Night – Valentine’s Day Party 
• Feb. 12th – Elementary Spelling Bee 2 – 3rd Grade winner Willa Carroll and 4 – 5th Grade winner Waylon Smith. 
• Feb. 19th – Spring Pictures 
• Students participated in the FCCLA Chemo Buddies Donation Drive. Very happy to help a very worthwhile cause. 

North Clay High School 

• High School January Students of Month were Alaina Holloman, Gavin Hosselton, and Cooper Givens 
• FCCLA collected items for Chemo Buddies and will be taking the items to donate. Heather Green from the Southeast Illinois Area Health Education Center came and spoke to any high school student that was interested in a career in healthcare. She discussed a variety of pathways available for students and provided booklets that break down all of those options with salary and years of schooling needed. 
• The Educators for Tomorrow Club enjoyed a visit from Megan Pierson and Kacie Kemme from the Effingham 4–H Extension Office. They spoke about their Teen Teacher program which gets education–oriented HS students into various classrooms and allows them to build experience with teaching while providing materials all free of charge. 
• Personal businesses for CEO are underway! Parker Whitis is making homemade dog treats, Matia Price is wholesaling a jewelry line and Sydney Kincaid is making candles. All three will showcase their businesses at our upcoming Trade Show on Wednesday, April 20th. 
• The Accounting I and II students attended the SIUC Accounting Challenge. They had fun trying to make the tallest hat in the team challenge, test taking, and spending time with their peers. Congratulations to Carlie Holkenbrink for placing 2nd in the Accounting II testing category! The Info Tech I class mailed out professional business letters in late fall and have gotten many replies from local business and from some major corporations. The businesses either sent a letter back or came in person to speak to the class. 
• 6 FFA Juniors attended the Farm Bureau Acquaintance day at Wabash Valley college. The 1 day conference helped them develop their skill set and knowledge in the agriculture industry. 
• Sierra Payne and Paris Van Dyke both interviewed for their American Degree. The American FFA degree is the highest achievable degree within the organization. They will be recognized during both the State and National FFA Conventions this year. 
• Haven Cash, Ava Fleener, Andrew Fleener, and Karlie Guinn interviewed for their State FFA Degree. This is earned through their SAE records, FFA involvement, and community service. They will be awarded their degrees during the State FFA Convention in June. 
• 22 North Clay students attended the National Farm Machinery Show in Louisville KY. We had a great day seeing some amazing equipment and innovation the Agriculture industry has to offer! Ava Prichard was named the Section 23 FFA Proficiency Award Winner with her SAE recordbook on Agriculture Education. She now advances to a Distinct Interview in March at Benton High School. 
• The Section 23 dodgeball tournament was held in February. 20 NC FFA members enjoyed a fun night of pizza and dodgeball and meeting other members from Section 23. 
• The State FFA Ground Zero (freshman/sophomore) Leadership Conference was held at SIU–C. These students had a great time meeting out State FFA Officers and developing their leadership skills. 
• Leigha Ruesken, Myah McGee, Mila Zink, Kimmy Guinn, Kenzie Willenborg, Paisley Silvers, Kaleb Townsend, Weston McKnelly, Trenton McConnell, and Gavin Blair. 
• The Section 23 Public Speaking and Varsity Quiz Bowl competitions were held at Edward’s County High School. Very proud of this group for stepping out of their comfort zone, working hard and representing North Clay with pride. 
• Congratulations to Mila Zink on her 1st place finish in the FFA Creed speaking contest. She will now advance to district competition in April. 
• The Quiz Bowl team finished 3rd. Team members included Haven Cash, Lawnee Erwin, Brooke Koelm, Shelly Pierson and Leigha Ruesken. 
• FFA Creed – Mila Zink and Paisley Silvers 
• Varsity Prepared speaking – Ava Pritchard 
• JV Prepared public speaking – Alaina Worland 
• Mrs. Newby and Mr. Grubaugh will be attending the Greenville University Job Fair on February 20th and the Eastern Illinois Job Fair on February 26th. 

Extra–Curricular Activities 

• HS Boys BKB/Cheer Senior Night Friday 2/21, Mason Byers and Cody Zimdars named to NTC All-Tournament Team 
• HS Girls BKB Senior Night Wednesday 2/12, Regionals begin 2/15
• HS Scholar Bowl JV Tournament Thursday 2/20 
• JH Volleyball Pink Out Thursday 2/20, 8th Grade Night Tuesday 2/25 

Presentation of the FY24 Audit Superintendent Keith Price shared that the auditor, Kent Kull, from Kull and Associates informed him that the audit was not yet completed and they will be available to present the audit at the March board meeting.

Consider to accept a fuel bid The board voted 7-0 to approve for the transportation committee and superintendent to further negotiate fuel bids and present a recommendation at a future board meeting.

Consider to accept a bus bid No Action Taken 

Consider to approve the amended school calendar for the 24-25 school year Approved 7-0 

Superintendent Keith Price presented the changes to the calendar. The calendar already had 5 emergency days built in, which all were used. This makes the new last day of the 24-25 school year to be Thursday, May 29. The last day is a 12:30pm dismissal school improvement day. Also, Wednesday April 16th will now be a full day of student attendance (it was originally scheduled to be a 12:30pm dismissal school improvement day) and Thursday, April 17th, will be a 12:30pm dismissal school improvement day. This is because April 17th was one of the emergency days that was built into the calendar. An updated calendar will be posted on the school website and shared on social media outlets and pushed out via TeacherEase email and Text Alert. 

Consider approval for the Superintendent to begin developing the 25-26 School Calendar – Approved 7-0

Consider setting the Class of 2025 High School Graduation and 8th Grade Promotion Dates

Approved 7-0 High School graduation will be held on Sunday, May 18th. The Baccalaureate program will be held at 2pm and the graduation ceremony will begin at 3pm. The 8th grade promotion program will be held on Monday, May 19th, at 6:30pm. Superintendent Price stated that the plan is to host both the HS graduation and 8th promotion ceremonies in the new gymnasium, assuming all progress on the construction continues to be on schedule. 

Consider to approve marketing and advertising sponsorships Approved 7-0 

Update on Construction Project Discussion only 

• Superintendent Price stated that progress continues. In the next couple of weeks, the new bathrooms in the new south stair tower at the high school should be open for student use. At that time, students will then be able to utilize the connecting corridor between the main high school building and the vocational building. A barrier will be put up to prevent student traffic from using the corridor leading to the new gym and the commons, as those areas will still be under construction. This is welcome news, as the students will no longer need to walk outside to get to their ag and industrial arts classes. Progress also continues on the new ag classroom and shop. Painting and drywall has been completed in the corridor and connection areas. Progress in the new gym include: laying of the wood floor, installation of the scoreboard and video board, sound system and flag. The project is currently scheduled to be completed sometime during the month of April.

Closed session (Approved 7-0 at 7:28PM)  for the purpose of: 

• a. The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, security, or dismissal of specific employees of the district 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) 
• b. Collective negotiating matter between the public body and its employees or other representatives 5 ILCS 12/2(c)(2) 
• c. Student disciplinary cases 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(9) 

The Board of Education met in closed session from 7:28PM to 8:01PM 

Open The Board of Education entered into open session at 8:01 PM Approved 7-0 

Upon returning from closed session, the following motions were made: 

1. Hire Erika Yates as an elementary teacher for the 25-26 school year. Approved 7-0 
2. Accept the letter of resignation of Rich Grubaugh as head JH boys basketball coach, effective immediately. Approved 7-0 
3. Accept the intent to retire letter from Chris Mellody, effective at the end of the 25-26 school year. Approved 7-0
4. Accept the letter of resignation of Julie Koelm as High School Head Cross County Coach, effective immediately. Approved 7-0 
5. Accept the letter of resignation of Kim Travis as paraprofessional, effective at the end of the 24-25 school year. Approved 7-0 
6. Approve 2 unpaid days for Brandi Graham. Approved 7-0
7. Approve 1 unpaid day for Kendra Jones Approved 7-0. 
8. Accept the letter of resignation of Hanah Clark as High School Assistant Girls Volleyball Coach Approved 7-0 
9. Approve Dustin Smith as a high school volunteer coach for the 24-25 school year Approved 7-0 
10. Approve Levi Smith as a high school track team volunteer for the 24-25 school year Approved 7-0 
11. Approve Kim Robey as a high school track team volunteer for the 24-25 school year Approved 7-0 
12. Approve Jeremy Gaddy as a high school track team volunteer for the 24-25 school year Approved 7-0 
13. Approve Leah Goldstein as a high school track team volunteer for the 24-25 school year Approved 7-0 
14. Provide administration permission to hire non–certified staff, as needed Approved 7-0 

Committee Reports/Superintendent Report 

• In his superintendent report, Keith Price shared an update on the current status of the Egyptian Trust, which is the insurance providing group for district employees. Increasing costs resulted in member groups to be assessed an additional payment. While our district insurance costs are relatively low, the district may be seeking other options to continue to provide the most efficient option for health insurance premiums for the district. 

Adjournment at 8:15PM.