Carbondale Reporter

Unity Point Community Consolidated School District 140 Board met June 13.

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, Amanda Pangrazio, Courtney O’Dell, Brent Pease and Sylvia Thoms. Others present were: Dr. Lori James-Gross, Michelle Brown and Mary Beth Goff.

Morteza Daneshdoost made a motion, seconded by Courtney O’Dell to approve the Agenda as presented. Motion carried 6-0 with all voting yea.

Lisa DiBiase entered at 6:01 p.m.

Sylvia Thoms made the motion, seconded by Morteza Daneshdoost to approve the minutes of the May 14, 2024 Regular Meeting Minutes as presented, copy attached. Motion carried 7-0 with all voting yea.

Morteza Daneshdoost made the motion, seconded by Sylvia Thoms to approve the minutes of the May 20, 2024 Special Meeting Minutes as presented, copy attached. Motion carried 7-0 with all voting yea.

Courtney O’Dell made the motion, seconded by Morteza Daneshdoost to approve the following Consent Agenda items:

- Approval of Bills

- Presentation of Financial Reports

- Jackson County SFST June Distribution

- Presentation of State Budget Update

- Approval of Prevailing Wage Rate Ordinance

- Correspondence

- Letter of Resignation, Dulce Garcia, Kindergarten Teacher & Asst. Cross Country Coach

- Letter of Resignation, Brenda Jones, Part-Time Grant Coordinator (effective 7/15/24) Motion carried 7-0 with all voting yea.

Amanda Pangrazio recognized guests and visitors who were present.

Public Comments:

Jennifer Woolridge, Parent Mentor Coordinator, Parent – I stood up last month and spoke during the Public Comment section of the Board meeting and was not contacted by the school administration. I have to fight to get in front of Dr. James-Gross and Ms. Goff. Instead of reaching out/following up with parents regarding their comments at last month’s Board meeting, Dr. James-Gross contacted Partnership for Resilience. We need healing between parents, faculty, staff, administration and students.

END OF PUBLIC COMMENTS

Jim Helton, IASB, provided an update regarding the ongoing superintendent search process.

Elizabeth Mackenbach proposed a revised IASB Resolution that would consider using the IL-DCFS (Department of Child of Family Services) CANTS (Child Abuse and Neglect Tracking System) as a means to fulfill the Employment History Review of Faith’s Law.

Discussion on recording of Board of Education meetings and public posting to district website. Additional discussion regarding upgrading the microphone system.

Courtney O’Dell made the motion, seconded by Elizabeth Mackenbach to award the diesel fuel bid to Hines Oil Company. Motion carried 7-0 with all voting yea.

Morteza Daneshdoost made the motion, seconded by Brent Pease to award the electric supply contract to HomeField Energy for a 1-year contract. Motion carried 7-0 with all voting yea.

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

1. 2024-2025 Registration Update

2. Panorama Climate Survey Update

3. Bus Safety – Installation of Video Camera Information Update

4. 2024 Summer School Update

5. Monthly Behavior/Suspension Report

6. 2024-2025 Proposed Athletic Handbook Revisions

7. 2024-2025 Proposed Global Handbook Revisions

8. 2024-2025 Proposed Kidz Klub Handbook Revisions

9. 2024-2025 Proposed Student/Parent Handbook Revisions

Brent Pease made the motion, seconded by Morteza Daneshdoost to approve the 2024-2025 Athletic, GLOBAL and Kidz Klub Handbook Revisions. Motion carried 7-0 with all voting yea.

Elizabeth Mackenbach made the motion, seconded by Brent Pease to enter into Executive Session at 7:42 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.

Lisa DiBiase exited at 10:45 p.m.

Sylvia Thoms made the motion, seconded by Morteza Daneshdoost to enter back into Regular Session at 10:59 p.m. Motion carried 6-0 with all voting yea.

Elizabeth Mackenbach made the motion, seconded by Morteza Daneshdoost to approve the minutes from the June 13, 2024 Executive Session. Motion carried 6-0 with all voting yea.

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

1. Amanda Carsrud – Voluntary Transfer from PREK to Kindergarten

2. Natasha Riddle – PREK Teacher (effective 1/6/25 contingent upon December completion of student teaching)

3. Alex Renier – 3rd Grade Teacher

4. Rachel Gregson - Librarian

5. Kerri Quarta – Reassignment – Director of Data, Reporting and Technology Integration

6. Emily Rosenow – PREK Classroom Aide

7. Samantha Reh – Library Aide

8. Heather Hines – Food Service Coordinator

9. Cheri Burrow – Head Cook

Motion carried 7-0 with all voting yea.

Admin Remarks – None.

Board Remarks – Mrs. DiBiase’s exit interview will be moved to July’s agenda.

Morteza Daneshdoost made the motion, seconded by Elizabeth Mackenbach to adjourn the meeting at 11:02 p.m. Motion carried 6-0 with all voting yea.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1R0biCvWh6gItjLr7GErn7LJXGuwFw6hey0CC3QxVXms/edit