Unity Point Community Consolidated School District 140 Board met Jan. 22.
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: Chris Borders, Jason Buehner, Morteza Daneshdoost, Elizabeth Mackenbach, Courtney O’Dell and Brent Pease. Others present were: Dr. Yaa Appiah-McNulty, Michelle Brown, Griffin Groves, and Dr. Mary Beth Goff.
Elizabeth Mackenbach made a motion, seconded by Chris Borders, to approve the Agenda as amended to add review of MOU with UPEA regarding Parent Teacher Conferences and move StoryBook Walk Update to after Public Comments. Motion carried 6-0 with all voting yea.
Courtney O’Dell made the motion, seconded by Jason Buehner to approve the minutes of the December 18, 2025 Regular Meeting Minutes as presented, copy attached. Motion carried 6-0 with all voting yea.
Old Business:
Elizabeth Mackenbach made the motion, seconded by Brent Pease to adopt PRESS Policy Update – Issue 120. These policy updates mandate new and rewritten policies on critical areas like student immigration rights (codifying the right to a free education regardless of status) and student behavior (prohibiting school-based fines/citations), in addition to updates on curriculum renumbering and personnel evaluation changes. Motion carried 6-0 with all voting yea.
New Business:
Courtney O’Dell made the motion, seconded by Brent Pease to approve the following Consent Agenda items:
– Approval of Bills
– Presentation of Financial Reports
– Jackson County SFST January Distribution
– Correspondence
– Letter of Resignation, Stephanie Jordan, 3RD Grade Teacher, effective end of 25/26 school year
– Letter of Resignation, Tanesha Davenport, Library Aide, effective immediately
– FOIA Request, Judiciocracy LLC
Motion carried 6-0 with all voting yea.
Public Comments: Jennifer Musoiu, 2nd Grade Teacher, mentioned she thought everyone did a nice job working together on the MOU with UPEA.
The Board of Education is proud to recognize 3rd Grade student Sadie Simonds for her outstanding achievement in the annual Withers Broadcasting Thanksgiving Letter Writing Contest. Under the guidance of her writing teacher, Mrs. Aldridge, Sadie’s work was selected as the winner of the K-4 category. This is a significant distinction, as Sadie was chosen from a pool of students representing schools across all of Southern Illinois. We congratulate Sadie on her success and commend Mrs. Aldridge for encouraging student participation in this regional initiative.
Jason Buehner gave an update regarding the StoryBook Walk.
Ashley Norton with Kemper CPA presented the FY25 Audit Report to the Board.
Michelle Brown, Business Manager, reviewed the district’s revenue and expenditures for the second quarter of FY26.
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. MOU with UPEA – Discussed creating a Special Board meeting to get approved
2. Amendment 2025-2026 School Calendar
3. 2025-2026 Enrollment
4. PBIS & Attendance Update
5. Data Meeting Report
Elizabeth Mackenbach made the motion, seconded by Jason Buehner to enter into Executive Session at 7:21 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 6-0 with all voting yea.
Jason Buehner exited the meeting at 8:03 p.m.
Elizabeth Mackenbach made the motion, seconded by Chris Borders to enter into Regular Session at 9:00 p.m. Motion carried 5-0 with all voting yea.
Courtney O’Dell made the motion, seconded by Chris Borders to approve the minutes from the January 22, 2026 Executive Session. Motion carried 5-0 with all voting yea.
Elizabeth Mackenbach made the motion, seconded by Brent Pease to employ Soloman McIntyre as an EOC Aide, effective immediately. Motion carried 5-0 with all voting yea.
Elizabeth Mackenbach made the motion, seconded by Courtney O’Dell to approve the Seniority List as modified. Motion carried 5-0 with all voting yea.
Chris Borders made the motion, seconded by Courtney O’Dell to approve the FY25 Audit Report as presented. Motion carried 5-0 with all voting yea.
Admin Remarks:
1) Appreciate the data meetings – excited what I’m seeing in Pre-K (Dr. Appiah-McNulty) 2) Shout out to Jonah Wager
Board Remarks:
1) Boys Basketball Team is a class-act (Courtney O’Dell)
2) Thankful for the Angel Tree posting I saw a parent post on Facebook (Chris Borders)
3) Plan to connect with Dr. Booth (CCHS) regarding the Foundation (Chris Borders)
4) Concerns regarding Cafeteria Procedures (wants to put on Agenda for Feb Board meeting – Brent Pease)
– excessive waste and single use containers
– salad bar
– students leaving lunch hungry
– food running out and having alternate meals
5) Concerns regarding the new Attendance (PBIS) Policy that went home with students (wants to put on Agenda for Feb Board meeting – Brent Pease)
Elizabeth Mackenbach made the motion, seconded by Courtney O’Dell to adjourn the meeting at 9:13 p.m. Motion carried 5-0 with all voting yea.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IWUpmNx7VF6oN66TKW6EHpFSKD3pePS-/view
