MAY 1, 2025 BOARD MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

 Pledge of Allegiance

A.  Adoption of Agenda

The agenda of the May 1, 2025 board meeting was approved as presented.

B.  Approval of Minutes

The minutes of the Regular Board meeting of April 17, 2025 were approved as

presented.

C.  Reports:  Superintendent – Christopher Conley

1. School Update:
   a. A construction meeting was held to discuss roofing work.  Mr. Conley stated there was a mishap with drilling holes on the roof.  Moisture Management said everything is OK and the areas will be fixed before going on.  Target date to be complete is still May 22, 2025.  Whisenhunt group asked if the Elementary project for restrooms in 3rd and 4th grade areas can be moved to 2026.  The answer was no.  High School project on May 9th or May 16th they will remove 2 boilers out and on May 2 they will remove the chiller off the roof and extend the platform for the new HVAC.  The gym painting project started today.  They started with painting the bleachers.
   b. On April 26, the volunteer staff at the high school painted the hallways at the high school.  They completed most of the main.  They look very nice.  Jake and his crew are finishing up the rest of the hallways. 

2. State Budget/Senate Bill 1 updates: No one still knows the full impact of this bill.(The threshold for a controlled project will drop to $0.70. We are currently at $0.61.) If we would go over the $0.70 it would have to go to a referendum. If enrollment would increase, it could increase our Education Fund by $100,000.00 over this current year. Mr. Conley spoke with Mr. Schwartz about Kindergarten roundup numbers. Numbers look good for the incoming Kindergarten class for 2025-26 school year. Mr. Conley stated our current enrollment is at 731students. He would like to see the number to increase for the 2025-26 school year to 740-750 students.

3. NEOLA Policies First Reading for Edgar 36.2, Volumes 36.2 Regular, and 37.1 Regular: Mr. Conley discussed the NEOLA Policies for Edgar 36.2, Volumes 36.2 Regular and 37.1 Regular, are just in the first read stage which includes adding and subtracting items from the policies.

4. Title VI information: USDOE required that local school districts complete forms that states they will not discriminate against protected classes.   Mr. Conley stated Church, Church, Hittle, and Antrim advised school districts to complete the document.  This process is now under a court ordered stay.
5. The ISBA Spring Region 6 meeting at Willie and Red’s will be on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. Mr. Conley asked for anyone wanting to attend to let him know soon so he can send in our RSVP.
6. Mr. Conley explained there were thank you cards to the Board from the Wilson Family, thanking us for allowing them to use the facilities.
7. Mr. Conley stated Janet’s last official day will be tomorrow, May 2^nd. She will continue to be a consult for us through next May. She will be greatly missed.       

D.  Opportunity for Public Comments

(No negative comments toward Corporation employees are permitted during the public meeting.  Alleged misconduct by a Corporation employee is to be addressed in an Executive session of the Board following meeting with appropriate members of the Administration.)

            None

E.  Business Office Recommendations

1. Treasurer’s Report and Approval of Claim Docket

   The claims #25719 to #25778 and the payroll of April 25, 2025, as listed in Appendix #2454, were approved for payment.    

2. Amendment to Renew Reimbursable Plus Fix Fee Food Service Management Contract

The Board approve the updated food management contract with Chartwells, as presented in Appendix #2455.

F.  Personnel

1. Kindergarten Teacher

   The Board approved Jessica Bryan as a Kindergarten teacher for the 2025-2026 school year.

2. IREAD 3 Remediation
   1. The Board approved Maggie Stein for IREAD 3 Remediation.
   2. The Board approved Hannah Owen for IREAD 3 Remediation.
3. IREAD 3 Summer School
   1. The Board approve Heylee Looper for IREAD 3 Summer School.
   2. The Board approve Libby Glentzer for IREAD 3 Summer School.
4. Latchkey Director

   The Board approved Chatney Morey as a Latchkey Director, for the 2025 – 2026 school year.

5. Seasonal Positions
   1. The Board approved Dylan Arens as a seasonal grounds position to work from June 1, 2025 – August 1, 2025 for up to forty hours weekly.
   2. The Board approved Aaron Wells as a seasonal grounds position to work from June 1, 2025 – August 1, 2025 for up to forty hours weekly.
6. The Board approved James Young as a Volunteer Assistant Softball Coach for the 2024-2025 school year.
7. The Board approved Stephen Hiatt as a Volunteer Assistant Softball Coach for the 2024-2025 school year.

G.  Opportunity for Board Communication:

Mr. Rick Jones stated he was excited to hear about the painting of the hallways and how the teachers jumped in and volunteered to get this project started on one of their days off.

Mr. Alan Wright thanked Janet for always having a smile and he appreciated her.

H.  Adjournment

The May 1, 2025 regular board meeting was adjourned at 6:20 p.m.

 The Cowan Community School Board will next meet on May 15, 2025 at the Central Office at 6:00 p.m.

 

 

Choose the meeting below to view previous meetings in a new window.

Highlights for April 17, 2025

Highlights for April 3, 2025

Highlights for March 20, 2025

Highlights for March 6, 2025