Carbondale Reporter

Johnston City Community Unit School District 1 Board of Education met Sept. 23.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Board of Education of the Johnston City Community Unit School District No. 1 met at a regular Board meeting held on September 23, 2025 with the FY26 Budget Hearing beginning at 5:00 p.m. at the Unit Office, 1113 Grand Avenue, Johnston City, IL. President Chris Cullum called the meeting to order and asked the clerk for the attendance roll call.

ROLL CALL

Present: Chad Barras, Jimmy Dean, John Etherton, Patti Martin, and Chris Cullum Absent: Randy McIntosh and John Van

Motion made by Chad Barras and seconded by Jimmy Dean to conduct the FY26 Budget Hearing at 5:01 p.m.

Voting Aye: Barras, Dean, Etherton, Martin, and Cullum

Motion Carried.

No comments from the audience.

Motion made by John Etherton and seconded by Patti Martin to adjourn the FY26 Budget Hearing at 5:05 p.m.

Voting Aye: Barras, Dean, Etherton, Martin, and Cullum

Motion Carried.

President Chris Cullum called the meeting to order at 5:05 p.m. and asked the clerk for the attendance roll call.

Present: Chad Barras, Jimmy Dean, John Etherton, Patti Martin, and Chris Cullum Absent: Randy McIntosh and John Van

Motion made by Jimmy Dean and seconded by Chad Barras to enter Closed Session to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees, specific individuals who serve as independent contractors, or specific volunteers of the District or legal counsel for the District, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee, a specific individual who serves as an independent contractor, or a volunteer of the District or against legal counsel for the District to determine its validity. However, a meeting to consider an increase in compensation to a specific employee of a public body that is subject to the Local Government Wage Increase Transparency Act may not be closed and shall be open to the public and posted and held in accordance with this Act. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) at 5:05 p.m.

Voting Aye: Barras, Dean, Etherton, Martin, and Cullum

Motion Carried.

Motion made by Chad Barras and seconded by Jimmy Dean to adjourn Closed Session at 5:58 p.m.

Voting Aye: Barras, Dean, Etherton, Martin, and Cullum

Motion Carried.

Motion made by John Etherton and seconded by Patti Martin to reconvene to Open Session at 5:58 p.m.

Voting Aye: Barras, Dean, Etherton, Martin, and Cullum

Motion Carried.

Motion made by John Etherton and seconded by Chad Barras to approve the consent agenda consisting of the following:

A. Approval of Regular and Closed Session Minutes of the 8/21/25 Regular Meeting and the Regular Session Minutes of the 9/12/25 Special Meeting

B. Approval of Treasurer’s Report

D. Approval of the Following Financial Reports: FY26 Administrative Compensation Report, FY25 Administrator and Teacher Salary Reports, FY26 IMRF Compensation Report, FY25 School Contracts over $25,000.00

Voting Aye: Barras, Dean, Etherton, Martin, and Cullum

Motion Carried.

Motion made by Chad Barras and seconded by Patti Martin to approve the bills for payment.

Voting Aye: Barras, Etherton, Martin, and Cullum

Abstaining: Dean

Motion Carried.

Steve Sims, Architechniques, provided construction updates to the Board.

Motion made by John Etherton and seconded by Patti Martin to approve the FY26 Budget as presented.

Voting Aye: Barras, Dean, Etherton, Martin, and Cullum

Motion Carried.

The Board reviewed the District’s Bullying Prevention Policy and determined that no changes are necessary at this time.

Motion made by John Etherton and seconded by Patti Martin to approve the SIU Educational Agreement as presented.

Voting Aye: Barras, Dean, Etherton, Martin, and Cullum

Motion Carried.

Motion made by Chad Barras and seconded by John Etherton to approve the driver’s education vehicle agreement as presented.

Voting Aye: Barras, Dean, Etherton, Martin, and Cullum

Motion Carried.

Motion made by John Etherton and seconded by Patti Martin to declare items as surplus as presented.

Voting Aye: Barras, Dean, Etherton, Martin, and Cullum

Motion Carried.

Motion made by Chad Barras and seconded by Patti Martin to approve the overnight and out of-state trips for the FFA to the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, IN, on October 29-30, 2025; HS Girls’ Golf to the Regionals in Mount Carmel on September 29-30, 2025, Sectionals at the University of Illinois-Savoy on October 5-6, 2025, and State in Decatur on October 9-10, 2025; and the HS Boys’ Golf Sectionals in Effingham on October 5-6, 2025, State in Bloomington on October 9-10, 2025.

Voting Aye: Barras, Dean, Etherton, Martin, and Cullum

Motion Carried.

Motion made by Jimmy Dean and seconded by Patti Martin to employ the High School Spring Coaches as presented, Allison Johnson as a High School Co-Assistant Softball Coach, Madison Weber as a High School Co-Assistant Softball Coach, and to approve Ashley Carmickle as a Volunteer High School Assistant Softball Coach.

Voting Aye: Barras, Dean, Etherton, Martin, and Cullum

Motion Carried.

Motion made by John Etherton and seconded by Patti Martin to employ Elisabeth Cheek as a Part-Time LPN.

Voting Aye: Barras, Dean, Etherton, Martin, and Cullum

Motion Carried.

Motion made by John Etherton and seconded by Patti Martin to employ Jordan Norris as a Part-Time Custodian.

Voting Aye: Barras, Dean, Etherton, Martin, and Cullum

Motion Carried.

Mrs. Pietrantoni provided the following updates to the Board: the bus accident that occurred Monday morning was handled well by Becky Vancil and staff, a plan was developed to address Jefferson Elementary humidity and drainage issues, enrollment has continued to drop, the District received the highest score in the past 4 years on the Illinois Special Education Accountability and Support System LEA Determination, and the District is beginning preparation for the new modular unit for wraparound program.

Motion made by Chad Barras and seconded by Patti Martin to adjourn the meeting at 6:30 p.m.

Voting Aye: Barras, Dean, Etherton, Martin, and Cullum

Motion Carried.

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