001my first board meeting, I had no idea that um there is public participation that we don't actually participate in. We listen to your concerns, but the board does not um communicate that basically. Um so, uh we are governed by public comments. Um under board policy 2230 is set by state law. Um the board policy establishes public comment portion of the meeting during which individuals may address the board and make public comments but the board not engage in conversation. There's 20 minutes designated at the beginning of this for public participation to allow as many people as possible. Um, we'll have you speak when recognized. Individuals are typically, depending on the amount of people who actually want to speak, limited to 3 to 5 minutes for an overall 20-minut time period. if multiple people plan to speak.
002Um if you uh a lot of times it works better if you have a spokesperson um to relay your message um and that way everyone and their message can be heard. And we had one person call in asking to be on the agenda uh which was Rich Shields. Is he here? >> No. Okay. And then we have others who would like to address the board. How many do you have? >> Two. Okay. Does Anyone want to go first? I have Ken. Is it Kenneth Eller? >> I can go first. Whichever you like. >> First of all, I want to thank you for starting this board meeting with a moment of silence to acknowledge Kate's passing. My name is Sarah Van Kley and um my reason for speaking tonight is to discuss Caitlyn Eller, who is
003now forever 12. She suffered for years, but we only have minutes to plead for her justice. I'd like also to note that bashing and threats will not bring Caitlyn back. They will not prevent any future similar tragedies. Both fail to honor Caitlyn's memory and even enter territory many consider bullying. That's the kind of behavior that cost this community a beloved daughter, sister, friend, Christian, and cheerleader. Saying the school administrators and educators quote did nothing, is neither fair nor honest. Saying they didn't do enough, though likely accurate, does not better equip anyone to keep bullying from costing this community yet another young life. Every adult who interacted with Caitlyn on a daily basis has played her last day on Earth hundreds if not thousands of times over in their head, wondering what, if anything, they could
004have done differently or better. Even those of us who saw her only occasionally are still asking ourselves those questions. The answers will not be provided to this community until a complete and transparent investigation spare redactions for student privacy occurs. Some answers we may never have. The goal should be to review what occurred in so much as to draft a plan for how to move forward in a way that puts measures in place empowering and equipping all involved to do enough so this never happens here again. God forbid the situation presents itself. It's worth mentioning here that in the state of Illinois, inducement to suicide is a class three felony. I'm going to say that again just in case there are any kids who think it's cool to tell people to go kill themselves listening. Just
005in case there are any parents who might sit silently by and permit such behavior to occur without attempting to intervene. That's a class three felony in the state of Illinois. Inducement to suicide is a class three felony and it elevates to a class four when the person acts on set inducement. I will say further that any adults present when said inducements were made who failed to intervene could and should be charged with contributing to the delinquency of a mind. If we can focus on how to reduce or eliminate bullying, make mental health matter, and choose kindness, we can honor Caitlyn's memory in a way that allows her death to be a force for change for the better. House Bill 4675, which was introduced ironically the day after Caitlyn passed, will when signed into law, in
006my opinion, have any district with a child suicide provide a complete and full report after a transparent investigation to the Illinois State Board of Education. That bill includes provisions to protect student privacy and might offer answers into how to prevent any more children from feeling like taking their life is the only way out of being bullied. The report would be reviewed by ISBY or the Illinois State Board of Education and if appropriate, corrective actions recommended or possibly required if deemed necessary by said board. Isby's mission is to provide each and every child with a safe and healthy learning conditions. This bill will better support our state in doing so. I have a son who's here with me tonight and he almost always eats lunch in the principal's office or in the main office to avoid
007bullying in cafeteria and that is a very much appreciated accommodation. Though I wish we lived in a world that it wasn't necessary. What I'm trying to teach my son right now, let me start here. He was sick with influenza A for just a little over a week and he was out for I think eight or nine days and Caitlyn also sometimes ate lunch in the office and Courtland was on the basketball team and Caitlyn was on cheer so they traveled together for away games sometimes. What I'm trying to teach him is that the guilt that he feels for not being there. To bust bullying with her is not his. It belongs to us adults. It belongs to we adults who even though we don't know what the enough is yet or even if we could
008have done something more, that belongs to us, not to my 12-year-old son. So, I'd like you to um join with me in praying if you will, please. It's how I'm going to conclude what I have to say. Please join me in prayer. Father God, we thank you for this opportunity to exercise our First Amendment rights. We thank you for Caitlyn and for the bright, wonderful spirit that she brought to this earth. and we thank you for all the many times that she glorified your name in church. Lord, equip us, oh God. Bless us with the wisdom, the compassion, the energy, and any other resource. God forbid there is a next time to know whatever enough is and to have it in our hearts to do whatever enough is to save the next child who feels
009ending their life is the only way out. We ask these blessings in Jesus name. I I just I don't know where to go with it. It's really crazy for both. I ain't trying to push fries at nobody either. It's just one of the things to where I just I don't know because I went to school for it and then it took a said if anything happened to my daughter because of something like this that I would take it in to show my ass. I'm doing my best to try to be the best person I can. But shortly after I I'm dealing with this now and I I don't know where to go with it. I don't know. I just don't know. I just I don't understand why. I just don't understand why. I don't know.
010I just I don't know. Sorry. >> Okay. >> Understand. Is there anyone else that would like to speak before? >> I just want to add one thing. We have a petition respectfully requesting the board consider complying with House Bill 4674 in advance of it passing. over 3,100 signatures and I'm happy to download and provide those digitally verified signatures to the public for consideration next. Okay. Um I guess I want to as we go into close session here, this is going to be the first time we've met since this tragedy happened. Um we will go in and um review your public statements, the administration reports that have asked to be presented to us, reports from both Sangaman and Mon County Sheriff's offices to asssure that um you know, we're looking for all policies that were followed
011and as they should have been. Um and due to student privacy laws, when we come back out of um close session, we will not be addressing the topic again as we're not allowed. Um and just let you know um how the the remainder of the meeting will go. Um so I want to give one last opportunity. Anybody that would like to speak before we close something? >> Sure. >> My son, what's your name? Baker. >> Baker. My son has graduated. However, he was born with a birthday and I in junior high and high school. I cannot say that bullying was not the inst instigator, but he intended to hang himself as well. Mr. Field went above and beyond. The high school was amazing for my son and I wish that everybody had that experience. I
012do know that parents have been taking it upon themselves and in a junior high level. I saw that last night the volleyball girls were being bullied from other schools and there was a child at the other school who had a fake knife and like made a cutting motion across their neck and pointed to our girls. My daughter took it upon herself to not take this anymore and went to the coach and appro approached her and told her the situation appropriately and let them handle handle it. My daughter and her friends should not be the ones who are having to be the adults and that the parents on the volleyball team have witnessed that tournaments other schools children bully our children. It's something that the parents are also standing up for. So it this whole episode
013has changed how I have seen other people handle it. and how we're not letting it go anymore. But it shouldn't have taken this for people's attention. I know what I walk through and we still walk the walk after our son. And God forbid it ever gets that point with my daughter. Steps have to be changed in the school as well. And these children Kaitlyn's friends, Carly's friends are 10 to 14 and they're fighting harder than we've seen some adults fight for themselves. And that's not fair to lay on the children either. They shouldn't have to be their own bodyguards. And we need more adults to step up and protect our children. And we expect that it would be the school. We zoom the kids here for eight hours or whatever it is a day, thinking
014they're safe. And I'm also sorry that I don't think the children who are being bullied should be the ones segregated to the principal's office to eat lunch to feel safe. It should be the opposite. The ones inducing that are antagonizing are the ones who should be segregated. Why are the kids being bullied be the ones who are made to feel even more different because they can't sit with their friends or fear because systems backwards. I understand. Um I I appreciate your comments and um like I said we will go into review and and try to review every single step and um just take this all on your adment. I appreciate you coming and sharing your stories this evening. >> Okay. Can you stand up for me? >> My name is Corbin Franklin. My name is
015Corbin Franklin and I'm one of the St. Valley middle school kids that was one grade above. She was in sixth grade. I was seven. Um so me and Kaitlyn, we were both bullied. We are both in very similar ways. Um, Caitlyn's was way more severe. I just wanted to come here to show that every kid can be strong enough to make it through. They just have to keep pushing no matter how hard it is. >> Thank you. Thank you very much um for coming up and and sharing tonight. Um at this time I would um need to make a motion to go into close session to discuss matters relating to individual students under open meetings act section 2C10 and other reasons as stated on the agenda. >> Motion made by Josh Hbert. Is there a
016second? >> Second. Please. Camel, yes. Guerrero, yes. Filbert, >> yes. >> Leaper, yes. Stall, >> yes. >> Wood, >> yes. >> Brown, yes. >> 67. >> All right. At this time, we have to ask everyone to leave as we go into close session. Um, as it's all private matters. So, I need a motion to accept the close session minutes as writing close session. I've got a motion by Jeff. Second by Miss Campbell. All please stall. >> Yes. >> Wood. >> Yes. >> Brownie. >> Yes. Campbell. >> Yes. >> I need a motion to accept the resignation of Bobby Gilbert effective February 27th, 2026. >> Hick. Second. Second. >> Browning. Call please. Stall. >> Yes. >> Woods. >> Yes. Brownie, >> yes. >> Campbell, >> yes. >> Herrerero, yes. Gilbert, >> yes. >> Leafer, yes. >>
017And motion to employ Trisha Hilderbrand as middle school track coach effective immediately. >> Campbell, is there a second? Browning call, please. Wood, >> yes. >> Browning, yes. >> Campbell, >> yes. >> Leaper, yes. Stall, >> yes. A motion to employ Samantha West as a full-time at will benefited pure professional effective at the beginning of the 26 27 school year. >> Motion made by what is there a second? >> Second Brown. >> Yes. >> Campbell. >> Yes. Hilbert. >> Yes. Stall. >> Yes. >> Okay. Consent agenda. Everyone receive your copy. Um, I need a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. >> Brownie, is there a second? >> Second. >> Uh, sorry. Camp roll, please. Campbell, >> yes. >> Gilbert, >> yes. >> Leaper, yes. Stall, >> yes. >> Wood, yes. >> Yes. >> And
018I have no ISB update with the exception of the spring meetings. available and um the potential to sign up for those online. Building reports, everyone received your building reports. >> Um are we going to look over all the fast bridge stuff in March? Is that what we >> We can I believe that is when our quarterly strategic report is >> Okay. >> Because I saw Miss Wong had something and she kind of had a little chart which I like percentages. it's easier for me to um but I thought it would be nice to go over all the buildings. >> Okay. Superintendent report sent you the list of requests. Um if you have any questions on any of those um we also have uh we have talked about the parking lot project over at the primary
019school in the south uh parking lot there. you made that a specific bus loading and unloading zone to kind of cut down on our issues with the traffic in the north parking lot and out there on the main road which has been pretty dangerous. Um so I have engaged with Martin Engineering to go ahead and start looking at that for us to get the plans drawn up so that we can put that out to be doing in summer then I think we have a pretty good plan. I'm waiting for those preliminary surveys to come back but that's kind of where we're at on that. That is of course what we uh got the school maintenance grant um from the state part of that and that is a matching grant $50,000. So that's kind of where
020we are there. I hope to have something in your hands uh for the next board meeting if we get done in time. Um the uh playground and I actually I have SVPS playground update here. So we've uh been looking at that. Miss Womb and I have been working with Pat PBlo who's our designer. Um, and we've got the initial plans done. We're looking at we looked at some initial fencing. I think the initial plans for the actual playground itself with place and all is going to be about 203,000. We're estimating fencing to go around it to keep it separate from the parking lot to be around 12,000 or so. Um, we also in looking at some of the site work have kind of determined that maybe we should do a concrete um basically a bumper.
021I don't know what you would call it exactly. Not like full sidewalk but a put a divider there to let the port in place kind of be ended on um so that none of the gravel or anything is is cut or anything like so basically like a curve. That would be a good response for it. >> Um and so we're going to look at that and see if we need to between the parking lot and that curb or if we can do the curb right up against the parking lot also or just from the parking lot >> just where the parking lot at um we're going to divide it off I think right now and I don't think we need any on the west side new we just need to do a perimeter around it
022>> say that again >> so the fencing we're not doing the fence on the back end >> parking lot That's what I thought I was. >> Yes. >> Yeah. So, it'll be that front end and then on the side and then up against the building. And we'll put some kind of gate there with the gates just so we can limit nobody coming in the back of the building too because we still will have the other playground out there. The kids do do some stuff um back there on that that black top. So, um we are looking at that and hopefully I will have final numbers for you with some concrete estimates and stuff at the next board meeting as well as when I'll bring home the summer work items. um bus bar update. Um still
023moving and shaking on that. Um I was working uh Bruce was getting set up with cameras, so I was working with him a little bit in terms of what we will need to do for temporary power because we'll still have to power the diesel uh the deck and the gasoline pumps down there after we tear the building down during spring break. Um so we have worked with them and the engineers. we'll have to set a temporary pole um and then run power off of that temporary pole to those things. And so I I don't know what that is going to cost us. Um but I do know that um Boddine also will have to do the um the electrical underground was saying they'll be able to do anything overhead right around there like it currently
024is. Um and so we're going to look at that and that will be an additional cost as well. I think I put in there for you on that bus farm update as well that we got the change order then on the ballards and moving the parking lot expansion that we had to do and the ballards were the most expensive part of this but it came out to $26,769 increase change order. So um that's kind of where we're at there but I thought it was cheaper to buy ballers to put around all the supports in the front doors than it is for a bus to accidentally bump into one of them and then take that support out and we have to fix that. So, um I think ballers will be okay. We'll be okay to get
025some ballers going on there. So, that's where we're at there. Uh in terms of the Reino update, I was contacted by Mr. Flynn who was the attorney initially came to us on Monday. Um and he spoke to me just about progress about it passing in the Senate again. Um basically restate a lot of stuff he told me last time. Um, but then I was contacted by um the folks that put on the the developers um thing that I went to in December and and gave you guys information about and they asked me to go along with them to Springfield next week um to go meet with the speaker of the house um they're at the capital and he wants to just talk to us and have some questions and and there's different uh folks I
026don't even know I think the mayor indicator and some other folks are going to be involved in that as well. And then the uh the Decater and Mon County Econ County Development Commission is the person that is kind of spearheading that and asking um for us to attend. Um so Milican University I think has some people there as well that'll be part of that. So I'll hopefully have some more information or have some kind of indication of what they're thinking or where they're at. Um we meet next month or before. >> Is that what they're calling it? Decator Downs. Decator Downs is what it will be is what the the title of it is the Rino. So >> what would Milik have to do with it? >> Milicanin um has has been in discussions with
027the developers uh that I found out at theformational meeting of they want to set up like internships for students that are in business and agriculture and all of that. Um it's also the Illinois Department of Act may be responsible for part of this too because they were uh at the meeting as well that we were at um and spoke a lot about agricultural implications not only for farming food but also for the the horse breeding um I think talked about it goes all you know the Sherman there's a big horse breeder in Sherman that is pushing it a lot but the department of kind of oversees the harvest racing stuff like that as well so they are really pushing for a for a go of that but yeah Milican wants to be involved and partnering
028with them to, you know, not only bring people there, but to to be sending people there to work with the the veterinarians and business people and all of that. Um, Amar and lighting incentives. I'm still working on this. I'm meeting with another lighting assessment person on Monday. That was recommended to me by the superintendent review of the superintendent Pora. I spoke to him on the phone today. Um, and I have also applied for a community um assistance grant through Ammer um to help with any part of the copay that would be on us. But I do know for a fact after I met with the Amaran energy advisor today and he said that the lighting incentives will 100% be done after this year because the the uh fluorescent lights they will not be offering because
029fluorescent lights are going away and we have no incentive to do it. We just have to do it. So um he suggested if you're going to do it now is the time to be able to get a number of the lining in the service paid for. Um, and then I'm going to look at ways to reduce the cost if it comes in about the same where it was at with our last couple assessments. Um, but I think we'll be able to figure something out pretty well. And I, like I said, I've heard very good things about service, about materials, and about cost effectiveness for the gentleman from Monday. And I'll kind of keep you updated on all that as we go through. >> Can I back up just one second? Have they started demolition? >>
030Not yet. That won't start until spring break. So, we'll do all the disconnects and then during spring break when we don't have anybody on site, they'll they'll start demo. And Mr. Hudson thinks they can finish it probably about a day or two. He and Bruce are going to install a water shut off out there, but we're I think we're close on finishing up all the permitting and stuff that we have to do for this phase and all of that. And then we just get the disconnects done. They that we can get that done within a couple days. FS will remove the tank, propane tank for us. Then they'll get that torn down and they will start with the uh build up and hopefully the first week of April depending on weather. Of course, everything depends
031on weather and we'll kind of see what you know what we have there. Mother Nature's real kind to us in the spring. So, >> do we know what FS will charge or is that built into the bill already? >> Uh FS told us when Bruce contacted that they'll move the tank. It's $100. We're not moving it very far, so I don't think it'll cost us a whole lot. >> Uh, we'll probably have the gas line running by whoever installs the heat in there. So, because we're not going to run it just yet, but we'll pull the line, get it all moved back, we'll put all new line in from there to the facility than that. And I think that does it for my portion of the report. >> Okay. So, then new business. >> Yep.
032>> Um the band uh middle school band, it's their turn to go Six Flags in Gurnie this year. And since it uh exceeds our mileage, it is up to you guys to uh approve that. So then high school will be uh due next year, but we usually do this uh we flip-flop them every other year. So I'd ask you to do a motion to approve that trip. >> Okay. So we need a motion to approve the middle school band trip to Six Flags in Gurnie, Illinois, May 16th, 2026. So moved. >> Motion made by Jess Brown. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Stall. Guerrero. Yes. >> Yes. >> Leaper. Yes. Stall. >> Yes. >> Wood. >> Yes. >> Brownie. Yes. Yes. >> Um the next piece we have here is the play pad that
033is behind the intermediate school is a black top pad. There's a couple. Well, is just a pole. One is a pole with a basketball hoop that's very rusty and old on it. There's another a basketball hoop and then a thing that I don't know what it is. You throw a ball up in it and there's four holes and the ball I guess comes out somewhere. Nobody ever uses it, I guess, is what what I've been told. Um, so we have those things out there. The play pad itself is is gatored pretty bad. It's cracked really bad. It needs some attention. Um, so I put the bid out there. done was our only bid. Um, but the bid that they put together for us um or that I asked for is they will they will fix
034all the cracks. They'll mill out anything within there. There's only a couple spots that need to be milled out and then refilled with asphalt. They will pull the existing basketball poles in that other pole because they are straight up pole with a basketball and it's not safe like when kids are playing. You need like a gooseeneck to kind of keep them away from that pole. So, they will pull all that. Then they'll fill in those holes with a back fill type material. It's like a foam. And then they go over it with asphalt. And then they'll reseal all that. They'll they'll do all the cracks that were big enough that need to be sealed up, keep the water out of it, and then do the emulsive coat over it. Um, and then they will actually
035put the we're going to buy the basketball hoops in the poles and we're going to do gooseenecks and we're going to do four of them because we measured it up and we actually have enough space out there in that whole piece to have two full size courts pretty much and then there's a little bit of an edge that I don't know why that's there but just it's always been there. Um but they will be able to paint the lines for three-point and free throw at each one of those hoops and so we'll basically have four half courts for the kids to play on. >> Are they going to be all regulation? >> Yeah. And they'll be goose necks. So they'll actually be buried in the dirt on the outside of the pad so that they're
036not inside the pad so we do have to replace them. They don't have to tear the pad up again to put them in there. And the kids like when they're under the hood and stuff, the hole is not going to be there for them to run into or knock to whatever my buddies did. I think that's a good point though. Yeah. >> Well, but third grade does play at regulation. That's what I was trying to think of. But third third grade does play at regular high. >> My son's in second grade and he plays at regular high. So >> yeah. Well, because it is second and third grade playing together and it is regular high. Yes. So that >> so felt that would probably be the best. I'm worried about anything that was movable about
037getting torn up when session stuff like that. So >> there I mean there's a type that is adjustable height um that are still a solid base at the bottom but if you're already playing that >> height if it is second grade then it goes to regulation. >> Yeah. No point to do the additional >> you take the extra back board off that lowers it down. No. >> So, you go after kids. So, um but if you guys decide to do that, that'll be um the cost to do the fix of the pads. They'll set the poles for us and do the painting of the court um for that $26,455. And then the basketball goals, we will actually buy from BSN separate and then that'll be $7,000 and then they'll do the install for us. So,
038>> they being done >> we'll do the install of the the post. will put the hoops to step up with staff. So, >> okay. And you anticipate this for summer work as well. >> Correct. >> Okay. So, we need a motion to accept the bid from Dun Company not to exceed $26,455 for the resealing restoration of the asphalt pad at the office campus. >> Second. >> Um Hilbert and seconded by Browning. >> Hilbert. >> Yes. >> Sleeper. Yes. Stall. >> Yes. >> Wood. >> Yes. Brownie. Yes. Campbell. >> Yes. >> Um the next piece is the uh change order from PetServe related to bus barn and this would be to purchase the collars and to expand the parking lot so that we can all buses in the parking lot and that would be not to
039exceed $26,76 at this time. >> Can you tell me again how many dollars total? >> Uh 20. >> Yeah. Okay. Motion to approve the change order for fed serve for the bus bar project 26769. >> Motion made by Mr. Stall. Is there a second? >> Second one. Call please. Stall. >> Yes. >> Wood. >> Yes. >> Campbell. >> Yes. >> Herrero. Yes. >> Yes. >> Leaper. Yes. >> All right. Um, at this point in time, our next regularly scheduled meeting is March 18th at 6 PM and I would need a motion to adjourn. >> Mr. Hbert, is there a second? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Opposed? Motion passes 70.