MINUTES OF THE Regularly scheduled MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF
STAUNTON COMMUNITY UNIT DISTRICT #6, Macoupin and Madison Counties, Illinois, held in the
school Library on Monday, September 26, 2016.
I. Call to order/Roll Call
A. President Chris Tingle called the Regular Meeting of the Board of Education to order at 7:15 pm in the
school Library. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Roll was taken: Board members Dave Lamore, Stefanie
Legendre, Kim Peterson, John Renner and Chris Tingle were present. Scott Skertich and Janice Kinder were
absent. Administration in attendance were Superintendent Dan Cox, High School Principal Brett Allen and
Grade School Principal Nancy Werden.
Approval of Regular Meeting Agenda
Peterson made a motion to approve the regular agenda as posted. Renner seconded the motion. On a roll call
vote: Lamore, Legendre, Peterson, Renner and Tingle voted to approve the agenda as posted.
Skertich and Kinder were absent.
II. Recognition of Public/Visitors
President Tingle acknowledged Kelly Costa, reporter from the Staunton Star Times, Allan Schreier and
Alex Van Hooser. Alex questioned if her 5 year old can ride the bus (she lives at 8th and college) because the
bus stops in front of her house and the family is presently without a vehicle. She says that she lives 1.3 miles
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from school-and the bus stop is 1 1/2 miles from school. State law mandates that students must be 1.5 miles or
more to be eligible to for school transportation. She asked that the Board make an exception and allow her 5
year old to ride the bus to school.
III. Consent Agenda
A. Approval of Bills/Payroll/Treasurer's Report for August and revised July Report
B. Approval of Minutes from August
Regular and closed meeting minutes.
C. Approval of Personnel Report

Approval of Recommendations for Hire:
1. Food Service Substitute(s)-Tina Posey
2. Assistant Cheerleading Coach-Hannah Vesper; Stipend to be split with current coach Tabitha
Miller
3. Approval of substitute teacher-Jackie Fritz
 Acceptance of resignations
The Board accepted the resignation of Rebecca Furlong, Educational support person/Paraprofessional,
effective immediately
D. Approval of Application for Recognition of Schools
E. Authorization to Post the Administrative Salary Compensation Report, Teacher Salary
Compensation Report, District Budget, and Collective Bargaining Agreement to the District
Website
F. Acceptance of Donations
First United Baptist Church-$200 for Art and Shop Class supplies
G. Approval of updates and revisions to Board of Education Policies
2:70 School Board: Vacancies on the School Board-Filling Vacancies
5:310 -Educational Support Personnel; Compensatory time off
6:100- Instruction: Using animals in the Education Program
6:235-Instruction: Access to Electronic Networks
7:10- Students: Equal Educational opportunities
7:270- Students: Administering medicines to students
7:340- Students: Student Records
8:90- Community Relations: Parent Organizations and Booster Clubs
8:90- Community Relations: Public suggestions and concerns-Specific language and copies of policies
were included during the first reading at the regular meeting of the Board of Education held in
August
H. Destruction of Closed Session Recordings older than 18 months
Superintendent Cox recommended the approval of the consent agenda as presented. Peterson made a
motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. Tingle seconded the motion. On a roll call vote:
Lamore, Legendre, Peterson, Renner and Tingle voted to approve the agenda as presented. Skertich and
Kinder were absent.
IV. Administrator Reports
A. Principals reports:
Grade School by Nancy Werden
STAR testing has been completed to get baseline data for the school year. This gives us a general
idea of student reading and math levels and we can use this as a tool, in conjunction with grades and
student growth assessments in various areas, to determine what interventions may be needed for
students. These tests are run throughout the year so we can gauge how the students are doing and what
strategies we can put in place to help them become more successful in areas that they may be struggling.
Baseball wrapped up the season with a record of 9-4.
She told the Board that we are staring our volleyball season and soon will begin our basketball
seasons. The first home volleyball game was September 20. Our student council will be running the
concession stands and all game dates and times are posted on the website.
The Staunton PTO just wrapped up Book Fair week. The week began with Grandparents’ Day
Breakfast and preview to the Book Fair in the multipurpose building. Grandparents’ Day included a
pancake and sausage breakfast (over 300 people made reservations), book sales, and a photo booth. The
week continued in the community room and each class got to go to the fair to purchase books. Family
Literacy/Meet the Principal night was held on Thursday and the week closed with a lunch for students
who completed the Summer Reading Program at Dairy Queen (28 students went after completing the
summer reading form and turning it in at the beginning of the year). The Book Fair was a success and
the PTO is looking forward to the Spring Book Fair. She thanked the Staunton PTO for all their hard
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work and sending the message that reading is important and fun. She noted that the PTO has done a lot
for the school and their dedication has impacted students and teachers in such a positive way. She stated
that we appreciate all that they have done and continue to do for our school and community.
High School by Brett Allen
Homecoming week kicked off yesterday. The week began with the Homecoming Play,
Crowning, Powder Puff Football Game, and Bonfire on Sunday September 25th and it comes to an end
with the Homecoming Dance on Saturday October 1st. The theme this year is Around The World.
Student Dress Up Days
Old People Day - Monday
Beach/Tourist Day - Tuesday
Around The World Day - Wednesday
Fandom Day - Thursday
Red and White Day/Toga Day for Seniors - Friday
He thanked the Student Council Members, Mrs. Baima, and Mrs. Larsen for planning the
Homecoming Week, crowning and dance. In addition, he thanked Mrs. Costello and Mrs. Larsen
for their dedication to the Homecoming Play. Special recognition was given to the class sponsors
and other staff members for the time and energy.
Staunton High School will be continuing the Student of the Month Program this year. This
program is meant to honor the student(s) that have shown improvement or hard work in one or all
of their classes. Teachers will nominate a student and a team of faculty members will decide who
wins the award each month.
SHS will offer the PSAT on October 19th to all Junior students and any Freshmen or Sophomore
student who registers. The PSAT is a necessary assessment in preparing students for the SAT that
they are now required to take in the spring of their Junior year per the State Board of Education.
Additionally, this test is required to be entered into the National Merit Scholarship competitions
and to be eligible for some employer sponsored scholarships.
Mrs. Cress met with the senior English classes last week. She sent home the SHS College and
Financial Aide Survival Kits. In addition she discussed future career choices with the classes.
Over the course of the Fall semester she will be scheduling individual counseling meetings with all
members of the senior class.
There will be a Financial Aid presentation for freshmen, sophomores and juniors and their
parents on October 26th from 5:30-6:00 PM. There will be a Financial Aid presentation for seniors
and their parents on October 27th from 5:30-6:00 PM. After both presentations there will be a
FAFSA completion workshop to file the FAFSA in our computer lab with assistance from a
Financial Aid advisor from SIUE. She will not be promoting SIUE, only assisting with financial
aid.
SHS is offering the ACT test on Saturday, October 22nd. Approximately 30 students from SHS
and area schools have signed up for the ACT.
On Wednesday, October 7th, senior students will be attending a field trip to Lewis & Clark
Community College to learn more about their programs and tour the campus.
Mrs. Costello wanted Mr. Allen to report that the following people performed at the Staunton
Arts Fair on Sunday, September 18th: Missy Huddleston and Noah Young performed solos for the
crowd. Terry Mosser accompanied. Also, Choir students in 6-12th grades will present their fall
concert on Wednesday, October 19th @ 7 PM in the auditorium. Students will be performing a
variety of jazz songs.
A variety of SHS students had pieces submitted at the Staunton Art Fair the weekend of
September 17th & 18th.
October is National Bullying Prevention Month and Staunton High School is joining schools and
organizations across the country to STOMP Out Bullying™ in observation of National Bullying
Prevention Month. The goal is to encourage communities to work together to stop bullying and
cyberbullying by increasing awareness of the prevalence and impact of bullying on all children of
all ages. On October 3rd, SHS will be participating in the “Blue Shirt Day” as part of the
campaign. Additionally, we will be hosting a “Caught you Caring Canned Food Drive” and
classes will be competing in a door decorating contest.
B. Superintendent Dan Cox
School Improvement Day/Strategic Planning – The school improvement day on 9/23 will be the
beginning of the District renewing the strategic plan containing mission, vision, values, and goals
for the foreseeable future. Last week a team of facilitators were trained to work with stakeholders
in all sessions. He opened the session by addressing our previous plan, that many of the objectives
have been accomplished and/or changes to outside/internal factors require a renewal. Lastly he
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briefly addressed the three following areas that we have worked on over the past couple of year
and will continue to do so into the future.
1) Leadership – We have had turnover in leadership which has not always been easy.
2) Trust – We are working to rebuilding trust through transparency, relationships, input, and our
actions.
3) Efficiency/Creativity/Patience – We are attempting to navigate difficult financial challenges
while maintaining programming and services for kids by using these attributes.
4) This Friday a random sampling of students will participate in planning and during the
afternoon all employees will have the provide input into the plan.
Steps:
9/23 – Student & Employee Sessions

Review project scope and events.

Identify District successes, issues.

Identify vision for the future.

Identify district priorities
9/26 – An e-mail survey will be sent to all Board members, administrators, staff, and
community members within the school district.
10/6 – Community Session 6:30-8:00 – Same format as student/employee sessions. Additional
community sessions will be held if necessary.
Thurs, 11/15 6:30 p.m. Special BOE Meeting Strategic Planning Board Session/Close Out

This session will be facilitated by Big River Group. All board members need to be in
attendance if at all possible as this date is not flexible. The district is splitting the cost for travel
with another organization.

Session participants: Board, Administrators, Facilitators

Review and affirm results from prior meetings.

Select final vision.

Select final priorities.

Identify benchmarks for new priorities.

ID roles and responsibilities for next steps.
Post-Session/Planning Work

Prepare final products from all sessions.

Benchmark and follow up on plan one week, one month, two months, three months, six
months, and one year following plan
December Board of Education Meeting

Present and Approve Strategic Plan containing:
o
Consensus re: past successes and history to date.
o
A refined vision.
o
A list of organizational priorities.
o
New goals aligned within each organizational priority.
o
Identified roles and responsibilities.
o
All session evaluations.
CSFST Revenue – The school district’s, with the guidance of the ROE, have agreed to use September 30th
enrollment has the baseline numbers for CSFST revenue for FY17. The District will be required to identify
students living in Macoupin and Madison Counties as revenue will be received only for students living in
Macoupin County.
Operations & Maintenance Report
Testing for Lead in Water – Local area sites (metro schools/SIUE for example) are showing lead levels in
their drinking water above the EPA’s Action Level of 15ppb. In order to be proactive we have scheduled and
completed testing of our school’s drinking water. Tests were relatively inexpensive at $25/test and took only
about 30 minutes to complete. We are currently awaiting results, which should be returned within a week. If our
levels are above the line we will have various options to consider such as running the faucets in the a.m.,
installing filters, replacing faucets, etc.
Football Field/Track Lights – After quite a bit of leg work we have located a lift that can reach the lights most
in need of being replaced. One of the poles also has a burnt transformer. We have also found an individual
willing to do the labor as Ameren is becoming reluctant to assist with these types of projects. The current plan is
to repair the transformer and replace two lights on the east side of the field. The cost of replacing the lights and
repairing the transformer is estimated not to exceed $4,000.
There are also lights on the west side that need to be replaced but prove to be much more difficult to
reach. We hope to receive some advice on that project while replacing the east lights. It will take a different
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type of lift to reach the west lights. Also, those lights cannot be reached without driving a large vehicle on the
track which will require a plywood bridge of sorts to be built. The west lights will take more planning and will
likely have to wait until next summer.
Building Committee – Based off of previous conversations held by the Board regarding reviewing request for
proposals for performance contracting and determining building projects it is recommended that a temporary
building committee be formed. This can be discussed in more detail during the meeting.
Transportation Report
Bus Evacuation Drills - Bus evacuation drills were completed on Wednesday and Thursday. Students were
given a safety presentation by drivers, filled out information sheets, and practiced opening emergency windows,
doors, and safely exiting the bus.
Air Test at A.R. Graiff-This turned out clean so the records were removed.
Discussion of Illinois Association of School Board's Fall Division
Staunton CUSD #6 will host the Fall Kaskaskia Division Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, October 25th
in the multipurpose room. Following the dinner meeting the breakout sessions will be : "Online Learning: A
Successful Alternative for Meeting Student Course Needs" and Winning Before you Start".
Presentation of 6th Day Enrollment
The total fall enrollment for Staunton CUSD#6 PK-12 is 1,297 students. K-12 enrollment has increased
by 62 students.
Review of Freedom of Information Act Requests
Gabriella Lauricella, Data Acquisition Specialist SMartProcure, asked for their electronic purchase order
number, date, line items detail, etc. The District responded by telling Ms. Lauricella that we do not maintain
purchase orders via electronic methods.
Jerry Earnest asked the for all dates and times and services rendered by Chris Paar and all emails and
text messages between any Staunton CUSD #6 and Chris Paar. Documents for these requests were included in
our response. Mr. Earnest also asked for all emails and text messages between Staunton and GRP which would
include Chris Paar. Mr. Cox responded by stating we have no correspondences with GRP which included Mr.
Paar.
V. Financial Report
A. Adoption of 2016-2017 CUSD #6 Budget
The FY 17 budget is unbalanced but does not require a deficit reduction plan. The adopted deficit across
operating funds is ($98,847) which is a decrease of 87% ($740,107) from the previous fiscal year.
Superintendent Cox recommends the Board to adopt the 2016-2017 Budget as presented in the Hearing. Tingle
made a motion to adopt the 2016-2017 Budget for the Staunton School District. Renner seconded the motion.
On a roll call vote: Lamore, Legendre, Peterson, Renner and Tingle voted to approve the 2016-2017 Budget for
Staunton School District # 6 as presented. Skertich and Kinder were absent.
VI. Unfinished Business
A. Approval and Acceptance of the purchase price submitted by the highest responsible bidder to acquire
certain property for District owned real property commonly known as Old Livingston High School Lot as
per the Public Sale conducted in accordance with Board of Education Resolution dated August 15, 2016,
and authorized the sale and transfer to the Purchaser Pursuant to the Resolution's terms.
The Board adopted a resolution dated August 15, 2016 declaring the property surplus and no longer
needed for school purposes. The Board intended to sell the 3.49 acres located next to the old Livingston High
School for a minimum bid of $25,000. Superintendent Cox recommend approval of the sale for $25,217.17.
Lamore made a motion to approve and accept the purchase price of $25,217.17 submitted by David Hammond,
Pink Elephant Antique Mall Corp. to acquire certain property for District-Owned Real Property Commonly
Known as the Old Livingston High School Lot, as per public sale conducted in accordance with the Board of
Education Resolution dated August 15, 2016 and authorize the sale and transfer to the purchaser pursuant to the
Resolution's terms. Renner seconded the motion. On a roll call vote: Lamore, Legendre, Peterson, Renner and
Tingle voted to approve the sale of the old Livingston High School lot for $25,217.17. Skertich and Kinder
were absent.
VII. New Business
A. Discussion of request for performance Contracting Proposals for a Guaranteed Energy savings
contract project. The District will evaluate all proposals and make a Qualified provider recommendation.
Proposal deadline will be October 26, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. A question was asked if current school Architect,
Kevin Meyer's, position would be affected, and was told it would not.
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VIII. Motion to go into Closed Session of Purposes defined in:
Kim made a motion to go into executive session at 8:07pm in the unit library. Renner seconded the
motion. On a roll call vote: Lamore, Legendre, Peterson, Renner and Tingle (Skertich and Kinder absent) voted
to go into executive session to discuss:
A. 5ILCS 120/2(c)(1)- The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or
dismissal of specific employees of the public body or legal counsel for the public body and
B. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11) – Litigation, when an action against, affecting or on behalf of the particular
public body has been filed and is pending before a court or administrative tribunal, or when the public
body finds that an action is probable or imminent, in which case the basis for the finding shall be
recorded and entered into the minutes of the closed meeting
IX. Roll call to Open Session
Peterson made a motion to return to the regular order of business at 9:00p.m. Renner seconded the motion. On
a roll call Lamore, Legendre, Peterson, Renner and Tingle voted to return to the regular order of business.
Skertich and Kinder absent.
X. Action on items discussed in closed session minutes
Personnel
Educational Support Personnel Recommendation for Hire –
Superintendent Cox recommended hiring Corrie Rizzi as an Educational Support Person/Paraprofessional in the
District. Lamore made a motion to approve Corrie Rizzi as an Educational Support Person/Paraprofessional in
the District. Peterson seconded the motion. On a roll call Lamore, Legendre, Peterson, Renner and Tingle voted
to hire Mrs Rizzi as an Educational Support Person/Paraprofessional in the District. Skertich and Kinder absent.
Temporary Assignment – Mr. Cox recommended that Monica Boyer be approved by the Board to be placed
on temporary assignment as a substitute secretary on an as needed basis to cover a position while an employee
takes care of a medical situation. Peterson made a motion to approve Monica Boyer to be placed on temporary
assignment as a substitute secretary on an as needed basis. Legendre seconded the motion. On a roll call
Lamore, Legendre, Peterson, Renner and Tingle voted to hire Monica as a substitute secretary on as a as needed
basis. Skertich and Kinder absent.
Part-Time Bus Mechanic –Mr. Cox recommends the continuance hiring of Daniel DeVries as a part-time bus
mechanic/maintenance employee not to exceed 29 hours/week at the rate of $8.25/hour. Tingle made a motion
to hire Daniel DeVries as a part-time bus mechanic/maintenance employee at $8.25/hour. Renner seconded the
motion. On a roll call Lamore, Legendre, Peterson, Renner and Tingle voted to hire Daniel as a part-time bus
mechanic/maintenance employee at $8.25/hour. Skertich and Kinder absent.
X. Correspondence
None
XI. General Discussion
The Board discussed Alex VonHoosier's request to have her daughter ride the bus to school. She had
asked that her 5 year old daughter be allowed to ride the bus that stops in front of her house. After discussing
the problem and having Superintendent Cox and Bus Director Brandon Ray take a trip to the location, it was
discovered that someone had redrawn the line in the bus garage which showed the drivers where the 1.5 mile
pick up should be. It turns out that there should not be a bus stop at the location described by Ms. VanHoosier.
That was only 1.3 miles from school and not eligible for bus transportation. State law mandates that students
must be 1.5 miles or more to be eligible to for school transportation . Options: the District could charge for the
service, Macoupin County Public Transit offers this service for $20 per month, and after listening to Mrs. Van
Hoosier's concerns, Mrs. Werden obtained a commitment from a donor/organization to sponsor the Van Hoosier
family's transportation at no cost.
President Chris Tingle stated he had been asked by a parent if their child could participate in wrestling
as an independent. He was told to tell the parent that we must pay his entry fee into the IHSA, but the parents
would be responsible for transporting their child to matches, and the school must have a n employee present at
regional tournaments and beyond. He was told to have the parent contact Mr. Redfern, Athletic Director, to be
aware of other stipulations.
Mr. Cox answered a question by Kim Peterson about what is our policy concerning drones at sporting
events. His reply, "No drones at sporting events"!
XIII. Adjournment
With no further business Lamore made a motion for adjournment. Peterson seconded the motion. All
members present voted for adjournment. Meeting adjourned at 9:40 p.m.. The next regularly scheduled meeting
will be October 17th, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. in the high school library.
Secretary, Board of Education
President, Board of Education