Carbondale Reporter

Unity Point Community Consolidated School District 140 Board met April 18.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The regular meeting of the Unity Point Board of Education was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by the President, Amanda Pangrazio, with the following members present: Morteza Daneshdoost, Elizabeth Mackenbach, Lisa DiBiase, Amanda Pangrazio, Courtney O’Dell, Brent Pease and Sylvia Thoms. Others present were: Dr. Lori James-Gross, Michelle Brown, Leslie Varble and Mary Beth Goff.

Morteza Daneshdoost requested the Panaroma contract be discussed after Executive Session. Courtney O’Dell made a motion, seconded by Morteza Daneshdoost to approve the Agenda as amended. Motion carried 7-0 with all voting yea.

Sylvia Thoms made the motion, seconded by Morteza Daneshdoost to approve the minutes of the March 21, 2024 Regular Meeting Minutes as presented, copy attached. Motion carried 7-0 with all voting yea.

Elizabeth Mackenbach made the motion, seconded by Sylvia Thoms to approve the minutes of the March 26, 2024 Special Meeting Minutes as presented, copy attached. Votes were as follows: Morteza Daneshdoost – yea; Elizabeth Mackenbach – yea; Lisa DiBiase – yea; Amanda Pangrazio – abstain; Courtney O’Dell – yea; Brent Pease – yea; Sylvia Thoms – yea. Motion carried 6-0-1.

Morteza Daneshdoost made the motion, seconded by Sylvia Thoms to approve the following Consent Agenda items:

- Approval of Bills

- Presentation of Financial Reports

- Jackson County SFST April Distribution

- Tri-County Special Education Cooperative Reports

- Correspondence

- Letter of Resignation, Tabitha Nolen, Media Specialist

- Letter of Resignation, Nicole Cornelison, Multi-age Teacher

- Letter of Resignation, Jennifer Meredith, 4th Grade Teacher

- Letter of Resignation, Jesica Aldridge, 1st Grade Teacher

- Letter of Resignation, Derek Williams, 5/6 PE Teacher

- Letter of Concern, Heather Simonds, Parent

- Memorial Note of Thanks for Tom Sadowski, from Shari Sweeney, Retired UP Teacher

- Letter of Resignation, Caitlyn Patalas, Speech Path

Motion carried 7-0 with all voting yea.

Amanda Pangrazio recognized guests and visitors that were present.

Public Comments:

Amanda Roberts, Parent – There is a lack of control, safety and transparency in this school. Behavior issues with another student in her child’s class. Letter attached.

Jennifer Musoiu – UPEA members and staff want to be considered to be allowed in Executive Session to discuss student behavior.

Michelle Brown, Business Manager, reviewed the District’s revenue and expenditure for the 3rd Quarter of FY24.

Michelle Brown reviewed a cash flow report outlining projects to be funded by the Working Cash Bond, Debt Certificate and Facility Sales Tax revenue.

Lisa DiBiase made the motion, seconded by Elizabeth Mackenbach to approve the Intergovernmental Agreements with ROE 30 Alternative School Programs. Motion carried 7-0 with all voting yea.

Presentation of the First Reading of PRESS Policies Update – Issue 114. Policy updates will be on review until the time of the second reading and approval at the May 14th Board meeting.

The Board discussed moving forward with recording of Board of Education Meetings and posting those meetings to the District’s website.

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

1. Current Enrollment/Registration Figures (as of 4/12/24)

2. Bus Safety – Installation of Video Camera Information Update

3. 2024-2025 Online Registration Process Update

4. Monthly Behavior Data/Suspension Report

5. Continuous School Improvement Update

6. Student Awards and Recognition

7. FY25 Consolidated District Plan

Elizabeth Mackenbach made the motion, seconded by Courtney O’Dell to approve the FY25 Consolidated District Plan. Motion carried 7-0 with all voting yea.

Lisa DiBiase made the motion, seconded by Morteza Daneshdoost to move the employment of current personnel/granting of tenure discussion to Executive Session. Motion carried 7-0 with all voting yea.

Morteza Daneshdoost made the motion, seconded by Lisa DiBiase to hire the following staff: 1. Part-Time Bus Driver – Robin Simmons (effective April 9, 2024)

Motion carried 7-0 with all voting yea.

Elizabeth Mackenbach made the motion, seconded by Courtney O’Dell to allow UPEA members and staff to enter Executive Session. Votes were as follows: Morteza Daneshdoost – yea; Elizabeth Mackenbach – yea; Lisa DiBiase – yea; Amanda Pangrazio – nay; Courtney O’Dell – yea; Brent Pease – yea; Sylvia Thoms – nay. Motion carried 5-2.

Morteza Daneshdoost made the motion, seconded by Sylvia Toms to enter into Executive Session at 6:59 p.m. to consider the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees of the public body and to consider matters of student discipline. Motion carried 7-0 with all voting yea.

Morteza Daneshdoost made the motion, seconded by Brent Pease to enter back into Regular Session at 11:37 p.m. Motion carried 7-0 with all voting yea.

Elizabeth Mackenbach made the motion, seconded by Brent Pease to approve the minutes from the April 18, 2024 Executive Session. Motion carried 7-0 with all voting yea.

Morteza Daneshdoost made the motion, seconded by Lisa DiBiase to grant tenure to the following staff members:

1. Jennifer Meredith, 4th Grade Teacher

2. Molly Lauterbach, Speech Path

3. Michelle Johnson, 7/8 Language Arts

Motion carried 7-0 with all voting yea.

Morteza Daneshdoost made the motion, seconded by Lisa DiBiase to employ the following non-tenured personnel for the 24/25 School Year:

∙ To Be Employed for 4th Year, Non-Tenured:

1. Jennifer Hargrave – 7/8 Literature

2. Melissa Camasta – 7/8 Science

∙ To Be Employed for 3rd Year, Non-Tenured:

1. Amanda Carsrud – Pre-K Teacher

2. Meg Stafford – Pre-K Teacher

3. Lynette Winters – Resource/Kindergarten Teacher

4. Madilyn Severs – 1st Grade Teacher

5. Lisa Janssen – Art Teacher

6. Marta Gonzalez – Social Worker

7. Sumitha McCauley – Social Worker (2.5)

8. Mary Terpinitz – Jr. High Special Education

∙ To Be Employed for 2nd Year, Non-Tenured:

1. Jessica Anderson – Pre-K Teacher

2. Nikki Rosenthal – Pre-K Teacher

3. Olivia Cravens – 1st Grade Teacher

4. Mayci Edwards – 3rd Grade Teacher

5. Jeff Mason – 7/8 Social Studies

6. Mona Shehada – EL Teacher

7. Hunter Denny – Reading/Math Interventionist

8. Jennifer Payne – Special Education Teacher

9. Caitlyn Patalas – Speech Path

∙ Employment of Part-Time Certified Faculty:

1. Hanem Shehab – Part-Time EL Teacher

2. Brenda Jones – Grant Support (Grant Funded/Hours as Needed)

Motion carried 7-0 with all voting yea.

Lisa DiBiase made the motion, seconded by Morteza Daneshdoost to hire the following personnel for the 2024- 2025 School Year:

1. Griffin Groves – Dean of Students (effective July 1, 2024)

2. James Lockhart – 4th Grade Teacher (Voluntary Transfer)

3. Jennifer Lee – K-4 Music Teacher

4. Maci Wagley – 1st Grade Teacher

5. Christina Spain – 2nd Grade Teacher

6. Marah Laramore – Multiage Teacher

7. Elizabeth McKinzie – Pre-K Speech Path

8. Nicole Cornelison – Pre-K Aide

9. Tim Ward – Head Baseball Coach

10. Emma Wager – Head Softball Coach

11. Natasha Riddle – Asst. Softball Coach

12. Marah Laramore – Head Girls’ Basketball Coach

Motion carried 7-0 with all voting yea.

Elizabeth Mackenbach made the motion, seconded by Sylvia Thoms to approve the Panorama Contract for a climate survey. Votes were as follows: Morteza Daneshdoost – yea; Elizabeth Mackenbach – yea; Lisa DiBiase – abstain; Amanda Pangrazio – abstain; Courtney O’Dell – yea; Brent Pease – yea; Sylvia Thoms – yea. Motion carried 5-0-2.

Admin Remarks – End of Year Events and Reminders

Board Remarks – Brent Pease questioned if emails should be public comment. Courtney O’Dell stated she’s still not receiving emails and would like that put on next month’s agenda.

Lisa DiBiase made the motion, seconded by Sylvia Thoms to adjourn the meeting at 11:54 p.m. Motion carried 7-0 with all voting yea.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jt1hFdUTfELCZf9m633iIw-dz9owjDa4/view