Carbondale Reporter

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

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The regular meeting of the Unity Point Board of Education was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by the President, Morteza Daneshdoost, with the following members present: Jason Buehner, Elizabeth Mackenbach, Morteza Daneshdoost and Brent Pease. Others present were: Dr. Yaa Appiah-McNulty, Michelle Brown and Mary Beth Goff.

Elizabeth Mackenbach made a motion, seconded by Brent Pease to approve the Agenda as amended to include a letter of retirement from Peggy Ebbs under correspondence. Motion carried 4-0 with all voting yea.

Elizabeth Mackenbach made the motion, seconded by Jason Buehner to approve the minutes of the May 15, 2025 Regular Meeting Minutes as presented, copy attached. Votes were as follows: Jason Buehner – yea; Morteza Daneshdoost – yea; Elizabeth Mackenbach – yea; Brent Pease – abstain. Motion carried 3-0-1.

Elizabeth Mackenbach made the motion, seconded by Jason Buehner to approve the minutes of the May 22, 2025 Special Meeting Minutes as presented, copy attached. Votes were as follows: Jason Buehner – yea; Morteza Daneshdoost – yea; Elizabeth Mackenbach – yea; Brent Pease – abstain. Motion carried 3-0-1.

Brent Pease made the motion, seconded by Elizabeth Mackenbach to approve the minutes of the May 29, 2025 Special Meeting Minutes as presented, copy attached. Motion carried 4-0 with all voting yea.

Elizabeth Mackenbach made the motion, seconded by Brent Pease to approve the PRESS Policy Updates – Issue 118 as presented. Motion carried 4-0 with all voting yea.

Elizabeth Mackenbach made the motion, seconded by Jason Buehner to approve the following Consent Agenda items:

- Approval of Bills

- Presentation of Financial Reports

- Jackson County SFST June Distribution

- Correspondence

- Letter of Retirement, Peggy Ebbs, 3rd Grade Teacher

- Letter of Resignation, Marta Gonzales, Social Worker

- Letter of Resignation, Elizabeth McKenzie, Speech/Language Pathologist

Motion carried 4-0 with all voting yea.

The Board welcomed and seated new Board member, Mr. Chris Borders whose term of office will extend through April 2027. Mr. Borders was administered the Oath of Office.

Roll Call: Jason Buehner, Elizabeth Mackenbach, Morteza Daneshdoost, Brent Pease and Chris Borders. Morteza Daneshdoost recognized guests and visitors who were present.

Public Comments:

NONE

Brent Pease made the motion, seconded by Jason Buehner to approve the diesel fuel bid as presented by Hines Oil Company. Motion carried 5-0 with all voting yea.

Brent Pease made the motion, seconded by Elizabeth Mackenbach to approve the electric supply bid as presented by Homefield Energy (compiled by Affordable Gas & Electric). Motion carried 5-0 with all voting yea.

TABLED: BusRight Proposal: BusRight provides all-in-one solutions for safe driver navigation on our transportation fleet.

Dr. Yaa Appiah-McNulty, Superintendent and Dr. Mary Beth Goff, Principal for Instruction, provided the following Administrative Updates:

1. 2025-2026 Registration Update

2. Panorama Climate Survey Update

3. Monthly Behavior Data/Suspension Report

4. Continuous School Improvement Update

5. Approval of 2025-2026 GLOBAL and Kidz Klub Handbook Revisions

6. 2025-2026 Proposed Athletic and Student/Parent Handbook Revisions

Brent Pease made the motion, seconded by Jason Buehner to approve the 2025-2026 GLOBAL and Kidz Klub Handbook Revisions as amended with changes to the PG/PG-13 movies (Kidz Klub Handbook). Motion carried 5-0 with all voting yea.

Dr. Morteza Daneshdoost, Board President, sought a discussion on the continued need for virtual access to monthly board meetings. Dr. Appiah-McNulty shared the potential use of OnBoard – a user friendly platform specifically designed to support the effectiveness, transparency and collaboration of School Board teams.

Courtney O’Dell, Board Member, requested an update of the completion of Exit Interviews. Michelle Brown was instructed to send email addresses to Elizabeth Mackenbach and Morteza Daneshdoost.

Elizabeth Mackenbach made the motion, seconded by Brent Pease to enter into Executive Session at 7:43 p.m. to consider the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the pubic body and to consider matters of collective bargaining. Motion carried 5-0 with all voting yea.

Jason Buehner made the motion, seconded by Elizabeth Mackenbach to enter into Regular Session at 8:27 p.m. Motion carried 5-0 with all voting yea.

Elizabeth Mackenbach made the motion, seconded by Brent Pease to dismiss an employee effective immediately. Motion carried 5-0 with all voting yea.

Brent Pease made the motion, seconded by Jason Buehner to authorize the Superintendent to hire a 3rd Grade Teacher prior to the next Board meeting. Motion carried 5-0 with all voting yea.

Brent Pease made the motion, seconded by Jason Buehner to approve the minutes from the June 23, 2025 Executive Session. Motion carried 5-0 with all voting yea.

Elizabeth Mackenbach made the motion, seconded by Brent Pease to employ the following individuals for the 2025-2026 school year:

1. Matthew Tabor – K-4 Music Teacher

2. Guadalupe Montoya – Speech Language Pathologist

3. Mariza Charicata – Social Worker

Motion carried 5-0 with all voting yea.

Admin Remarks – Dr. Yaa Appiah-McNulty thanked the Board for welcoming her and allowing her contract to start early. She’s very excited to be a part of our school team.

Board Remarks – Congratulated Dr. Appiah-McNulty on running her first board meeting.

Elizabeth Mackenbach made the motion, seconded by Brent Pease to adjourn the meeting at 8:32 p.m. Motion carried 5-0 with all voting yea.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CFngpC-iKChlL9AmwPqAsmGzFb1R57va/view