Carbondale Reporter

Unity Point Community Consolidated School District 140 Board met Sept. 25.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Public Budget Hearing 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: Chris Borders, Lisa DiBiase, Morteza Daneshdoost, Elizabeth Mackenbach, Courtney O’Dell and Brent Pease. Others present were: Dr. Yaa Appiah McNulty, Michelle Brown, Griffin Groves and Mary Beth Goff.

Lisa DiBiase made a motion, seconded by Elizabeth Mackenbach, to approve the Agenda as presented. Motion carried 6-0 with all voting yea.

Morteza Daneshdoost recognized guests and visitors who were present.

Public Comments:

No Public Comments

Michelle Brown, Business Manager, presented the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget and conducted the Public Budget Hearing.

Jason Buehner entered the meeting at 6:08 p.m.

Lisa DiBiase made the motion, seconded by Courtney O’Dell to approve the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget as presented. Motion carried 7-0 with all voting yea.

Elizabeth Mackenbach made the motion, seconded by Courtney O’Dell to adjourn the Public Hearing at 6:39 p.m.

The regular meeting of the Unity Point Board of Education was called to order at 6:39 p.m. by the President, Morteza Daneshdoost, with the following members present: Chris Borders, Jason Buehner, Lisa DiBiase, Morteza Daneshdoost, Elizabeth Mackenbach, Courtney O’Dell and Brent Pease. Others present were: Dr. Yaa Appiah McNulty, Michelle Brown, Griffin Groves and Mary Beth Goff.

Lisa DiBiase made a motion, seconded by Elizabeth Mackenbach, to approve the Agenda as amended to move Public Comment section up to after “Approval of Agenda”. Motion carried 7-0 with all voting yea.

Morteza Daneshdoost recognized guests and visitors who were present.

Public Comments:

Becky Borowitz – Teacher and UPEA Member – Thanked the bargaining team for their time and effort to get the new contract approved. The Bargaining Committee utilized interest based bargaining and she felt it was very meaningful and meant a great deal to the UPEA Bargaining Committee.

Erin Ashley – Parent and Resource Coordinator for Jackson County. She worked with Jen Sykes on the StoryWalk outside and talked about how she was able to secure a grant from the IL Arts Council in the amount of $11,500 to upgrade the walking path and provide some audio options.

END OF PUBLIC COMMENTS

Lisa DiBiase made the motion, seconded by Jason Buehner to approve the minutes of the Augst 21, 2025 Regular Meeting Minutes as presented, copy attached. Motion carried 7-0 with all voting yea.

Elizabeth Mackenbach made the motion, seconded by Chris Borders to approve the following Consent Agenda items:

- Approval of Bills

- Presentation of Financial Reports

- Jackson County SFST September Distribution

- ISBE EIS FY25 Salary Report

- Correspondence

- Illinois Arts Council Grant Award $11,500, Creative Projects 2026 – Erin Ashley and Jen Sykes

- Letter of Resignation – Tim Ward, Asst Girls’ Basketball Coach & Boys Track Coach - Letter of Resignation – Emma Wager, Head Softball Coach

Motion carried 7-0 with all voting yea.

Lisa DiBiase made the motion, seconded by Jason Buehner to approve the administrative estimated expenses for the Join Annual Conference. District personnel to attend the Joint Annual Conference in Chicago will be Yaa Appiah-McNulty and Michelle Brown. Motion carried 7-0 with all voting yea.

Dr. Morteza Daneshdoost, Board President, provided the Board with an update regarding a Board retreat/Strategic Planning facilitated by the Illinois Association of School Boards.

Dr. Yaa Appiah-McNulty, Superintendent, Dr. Mary Beth Goff, Principal for Instruction, and Mr. Griffin Groves, Dean of Students, provided the following Administrative Updates:

1. Enrollment Report

2. PBIS/School Discipline Update

3. Continuous Improvement Team Update/Professional Learning Communities

4. Needs Assessment & School Improvement Plan

Brent Pease made the motion, seconded by Elizabeth Mackenbach to enter into Executive Session at 8:10 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 7-0 with all voting yea.

Brent Pease made the motion, seconded by Elizabeth Mackenbach to enter into Regular Session at 8:56 p.m. Motion carried 7-0 with all voting yea.

Lisa DiBiase made the motion, seconded by Brent Pease to approve the minutes from the September 25, 2025 Executive Session. Motion carried 7-0 with all voting yea.

Lisa DiBiase made the motion, seconded by Brent Pease to approve the proposed collective bargaining agreement and supplemental Memorandum of Understanding between the Unity Point Board of Education and the Unity Point Education Association (2025-2028). Motion carried 7-0 with all voting yea.

Jason Buehner made the motion, seconded by Elizabeth Mackenbach to approve the proposed classified staff salary increases (2025-2028). Motion carried 7-0 with all voting yea.

Chris Borders made the motion, seconded by Jason Buehner to employ Rachel Gregson as the Girls’ Basketball Assistant Coach. Motion carried 7-0 with all voting yea.

Admin Remarks – The admin team reported they are thankful for their team.

Board Remarks – Very thankful for Yaa and they feel lots of positivity in the community. Chris Borders offered some assistance with Treasury Bonds to increase interest income. Elizabeth Mackenbach spoke with Jennifer Hargrave, Student Council Sponsor, about some fundraising opportunities. She asked that it be put on next month’s agenda.

Lisa DiBiase made the motion, seconded by Chris Borders to adjourn the meeting at 9:07 p.m. Motion carried 7- 0 with all voting yea.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cZi1f7yBrGqKAHa4pOFWmIuf0XoQDy4q/view