Carbondale Reporter

Unity Point Community Consolidated School District 140 Board met March 23.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The regular meeting of the Unity Point Board of Education was called to order at 6:02 p.m. by the President, D. W. Presley, with the following members present: Morteza Daneshdoost, Susan Murphy, John Longueville, D. W. Presley, Amanda Pangrazio, Sylvia Thoms and Robin Warne. Others present were: Lori James-Gross, Michelle Brown, Leslie Varble and Mary Beth Goff.

Morteza Daneshdoost made the motion, seconded by Sylvia Thoms to approve the Agenda as amended to include additional items of correspondence. Motion carried 7-0 with all voting yea.

Sylvia Thoms made the motion, seconded by Susan Murphy to approve the minutes of the February 16, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes, copy attached. Votes were as follows: Morteza Daneshdoost – abstain; Susan Murphy – yea; John Longueville – abstain; D. W. Presley – yea; Amanda Pangrazio – yea; Sylvia Thoms – yea; Robin Warne – yea. Motion carried 5-0-2.

D. W. Presley made the motion, seconded by Morteza Daneshdoost to approve the following Consent Agenda items:

- Approval of Bills

- Presentation of Financial Reports

- Jackson County SFST March Distribution

- Correspondence

- Letter of Retirement from Chris Midden, Science Teacher, effective end of 2025 School Year

- Non-Resident Pupil Request from Greg Kaufmann, Technology Specialist, effective 23/24 SY

- Letter of Retirement from Lynette Beaupre, Kindergarten Teacher, effective end of 2024 SY

- Note from Students to Suzanne Phillips, Bus Driver

Motion carried 7-0 with all voting yea.

D. W. Presley recognized guests and visitors that were present.

Public Comments – None.

UPEA Remarks – Spoke about members attending the NEA Conference.

Morteza Daneshdoost made the motion, seconded by Amanda Pangrazio to amend the 2022-2023 School Calendar. Motion carried 7-0 with all voting yea.

Morteza Daneshdoost made the motion, seconded by Sylvia Thoms to reschedule the May 2023 Board Meeting to May 25, 2023 due to graduation. Motion carried 7-0 with all voting yea.

John Longueville made the motion, seconded by Sylvia Thoms to approve the 2023-2024 Proposed School Calendar as presented. Motion carried 7-0 with all voting yea.

Michelle Brown, Business Manager, provided an update regarding upgrading our bus fleet.

Dr. Lori James-Gross, Superintendent, Leslie Varble, Principal for Instruction, and Mary Beth Goff, Dean of Students, provided the following Administrative Updates:

1. Enrollment Report (as of 3/16/23) - 646

2. Continuous School Improvement Update – Mrs. Varble provided an overview of items addressed by CIT on March 20th

1. Title I Consolidated District Plan

Morteza Daneshdoost made the motion, seconded by Amanda Pangrazio to employ the following individual(s):

1. Bus Driver – Suzanne Phillips (4.5 hour/day) – effective immediately

2. Substitute Bus Driver – Jim Crane

Motion carried 7-0 with all voting yea.

D. W. Presley made the motion, seconded by John Longueville to enter into Executive Session at 6:48 p.m. to consider the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees of the public body and the placement of individual students in special education programs and other matters relating to individual students. Motion carried 7-0 with all voting yea.

Susan Murphy made the motion, seconded by Amanda Pangrazio to enter back into Regular Session at 7:41 p.m. Motion carried 7-0 with all voting yea.

Morteza Daneshdoost made the motion, seconded by Amanda Pangrazio to approve the minutes from the March 23, 2023 Executive Session. Motion carried 7-0 with all voting yea.

Morteza Daneshdoost made the motion, seconded by John Longueville to amend the Superintendent’s contract ending in 2025 as discussed. Motion carried 7-0 with all voting yea.

Board Remarks – None

Administrative Remarks – None

D. W. Presley made the motion, seconded by Sylvia Thoms to adjourn the meeting at 7:47 p.m. Motion carried 7-0 with all voting yea.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0By9oNBHIBuxFOTZFRDBoajNxMmc?resourcekey=0-2zU5E9clkeS2kHnNhSyXJg