Carbondale Reporter

Unity Point Community Consolidated School District 140 Board met July 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, Mary Beth Goff and Griffin Groves.

Morteza Daneshdoost made a motion, seconded by Elizabeth Mackenbach to approve the Agenda as presented. Motion carried 7-0 with all voting yea.

Sylvia Thoms made the motion, seconded by Morteza Daneshdoost to approve the minutes of the June 13, 2024 Regular Meeting Minutes as presented, copy attached. Motion carried 7-0 with all voting yea.

Morteza Daneshdoost made the motion, seconded by Elizabeth Mackenbach to approve the following Consent Agenda items:

- Approval of Bills

- Presentation of Financial Reports

- Jackson County SFST July Distribution

- Updated Job Descriptions

- Correspondence

- Thank You Note from Murray State in Memory of Bob Doty, Jill Misner’s Father

- Letter of Resignation, Amy Bergman, Kindergarten Teacher

- Letter of Resignation, Jessica Anderson, PREK Teacher

- Letter of Resignation, Lucia Amorelli, Paraprofessional

- Letter of Resignation, Cale Cornelison, EOC Aide

- Letter of Resignation, Ross Pinnon, 5/6 PE Teacher, Asst. Boys Basketball Coach

Motion carried 7-0 with all voting yea.

Amanda Pangrazio recognized guests and visitors who were present.

Public Comments:

Rebecca Borowitz – Discussed how lengthy a process/timeline for ISSP (Individualized Student Success Plans). Concerned about time constraints and workload surrounding ISSP. She received a $4,000 stipend for being Nationally Board Certified and working in a hard to staff school.

END OF PUBLIC COMMENTS

IASB PRESS Plus Policy Services has provided the June 2024, Issue 115 of PRESS Plus with the most recent policy updates for Board consideration. The Board will review and approve at the August 15, 2024 board meeting.

Michelle Brown, Business Manager, discussed the end of FY2024 Financial Reports.

Morteza Daneshdoost made the motion, seconded by Sylvia Thoms to approve the annual application for use of temporary facility that houses our PREK program. Motion carried 7-0 with all voting yea.

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

1. 2024-2025 Registration Update

2. 2-4 Playground Upgrades

3. Panorama Climate Survey Results (want Special Meeting to discuss 5Essentials)

4. 2024 Summer School Report

5. Continuous School Improvement Report

6. 2024-2025 Proposed Student/Parent Handbook Revisions

Morteza Daneshdoost made the motion, seconded by Brent Pease to approve the 2024-2025 Student/Parent Handbook as presented with the understanding that it will be updated per the IPA Handbook. Motion carried 7-0 with all voting yea.

Sylvia Thoms made the motion, seconded by Morteza Daneshdoost to authorize the Superintendent to employ staff as needed and until recommended for board approval for the start of the 2025-2025 school year. Motion carried 7-0 with all voting yea.

Elizabeth Mackenbach made the motion, seconded by Lisa DiBiase to enter into Executive Session at 7:02 p.m. to consider the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees of the public body and to consider matters of collective bargaining. Motion carried 7-0 with all voting yea.

Morteza Daneshdoost made the motion, seconded by Brent Pease to enter back into Regular Session at 9:32 p.m. Motion carried 7-0 with all voting yea.

Morteza Daneshdoost made the motion, seconded by Sylvia Thoms to approve the minutes from the July 18, 2024 Executive Session. Motion carried 7-0 with all voting yea.

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

1. Adriana Valdez – PREK Teacher

2. Linda Sudano – Kindergarten Teacher

3. Eman El-Ayins – Kindergarten Teacher (Co-Teaching to assist K special education)

4. Denise Dyer – 1st Grade Teacher

5. Kathryn Rhoads – K-2 Resource Teacher

6. Naylin Ronchetto – 3-4 Resource Teacher

7. Rachel Gregson – 5-6 PE Teacher (moving from Librarian position)

8. Stephanie Parton – Media Specialist/Librarian

9. Kelsey Hagler – EOC Aide

10. Rebecca Rosenthal – EOC Aide

11. Jennifer Hargrave – Asst. Cross Country Coach

Motion carried 7-0 with all voting yea.

Sylvia Thoms made the motion, seconded by Morteza Daneshdoost to schedule a Special Board Meeting on August 8th at 5:00 p.m. in the Unity Point Library for the purpose of reviewing 5Essentials survey results and discussing exit surveys. Motion carried 7-0 with all voting yea.

Admin Remarks – Back to School Night is August 13th from 5 to 6:30. Welcome to Mr. Groves!

Board Remarks – Dept. of Natural Resources Grant is available (Elizabeth Mackenbach); Be thankful and grateful for what you have (Morteza Daneshdoost)

Morteza Daneshdoost made the motion, seconded by Brent Pease to adjourn the meeting at 9:42 p.m. Motion carried 7-0 with all voting yea.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1j-oDdhH0OlyDqk49sEwDMBL7dQKZt30J/view