Vandalia Holds Board of Education Meeting

DEBORAH SIMCOX
Correspondent
Preceding November’s regular Board of Education meeting was a Public Hearing regarding the intent of the Board to sell $3,200,000 School Fire Prevention and Safety Bonds and $2,000,000 Working Cash Fund Bonds. This was the last opportunity for the Public to ask questions and to discuss these Bonds. No calls, emails, or requests at the meeting were reported.
The regular Board meeting proceeded after the Public Hearing with the NHS presentation on GPA alignment to new grading scale. The current scale is 3.5 and the proposed scale will be 3.8.
The following items on the Consent Agenda were approved:
• New District Treasurer – Jordan Horst,
• Clerk Treasurers Bond – This is for bonding the people who handle money,
• Second Reading of Press Plus Issue 115, (regarding Board Policy,) and
• First Reading of Press Plus Issue 117.
Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Garrison reported that the general session of the Triple I conference was “Trust Matters More Than Ever” by David Horsager who spoke of the 8 Pillars if Trust: Clarity, Compassion, Character, Competency, Commitment, Connection, Contribution, and Consistency. Garrison stated, “We are committed to our vision of Vandalia ONE. By owning it, naming it, and embracing the message we heard at the general session and throughout the conference, we will be discussing the 8 Pillars of Trust over the next four months and determine action steps that are memorable and repeatable.”
Vandalia Community High School Principal Randy Protz reported that he had received a letter from County Clerk and Administrator Jessica Barker commending High School Student Preston Emerick, who assisted with the general election. He also reported that:
• Jostens Renaissance recognized VCHS with the School Culture Builder Award as the school has participated in their “culture challenges” and used provided materials over the past few years,
• November 12 financial aid night was attended by 24 people,
• December 18 at 7:30 p.m. in the High School gym will be the grades 5-12 band/choir concert. Eight students (approximately 10 %) were sent to the ILMEA all district band and choir last weekend. A Vandalia chapter of Illinois Music Honor Society will be starting,
• FFA Job Interview CDE – 1st place at the sectional competition will be moving into District this spring. Kasey Clanton won the Dairy Division in NAIL Livestock Show,
• Student Council held a bake sale at Friday’s Red/White Basketball game to benefit Caring & Sharing,
• FCCLA members will be creating the first week of December to donate locally to foster families,
• December 14 will be a performance at the Festival of Lights. The Pep Band is hoping to add drum line performances on the court during basketball game halftimes, and
• Art Club will be starting their winter arts & crafts classes, including a Crochet Club, and then beaded friendship bracelets, shrinky dink key chains, embroidery basics and button making classes.
Vandalia Junior High Principal Brian Kern reported that:
• On First Quarter Honor Roll were 94 students in 4th grade, 92 students in 5th grade, 80 students in 6th grade, 78 students in 7th grade, and 61 students in 8th grade,
• Girls’ Basketball is ending with 7th grade Regional on 11/18 and 8th grade Regional on 11/23,
• Boys’ Basketball has home games on 11/26 & 12/14, and 7th grade Tournament on 12/16, 12/17 & 12/19,
• Wrestling has home meets on 12/12 & 1/9/25,
• Bank/Chorus has Winter Concert on 12/18 at 7:30 p.m. at the High School gym, and
• Caring & Sharing Food Drive is 11/25 – 12/11.
Vandalia Elementary School Principal Greta Krueger reported that:
• Foundations for Teaching Students and Mrs. Kelly has been frequently assisting with technology and lunches,
• Tuesday, December 17 at 7 p.m. will be the 2nd grade musical in the VES gym,
• VES students were asked to bring non-perishable food items for Caring & Sharing, to be picked up December 17,
• VES is partnering with Drake Thompson of Turning Leaf, Co. for a candle fundraiser for money for field trips and other enrichment activities. The top two sellers will receive a $500 scholarship from Drake Thompson at their High School graduation. Candles will be ready for pickup on December 18,
• Wednesday, December 16 will be a school wide pajama day and additional activities for staff and students will continue throughout that week, and
• VES Paraprofessional Keli Richey has been assisting with organizing and fundraising and Krispy Kremes in the absence of the PTO. Tim Chapman donated his U-Haul from Elephant’s Attic so that VES could get 900 dozen donuts picked up.
OKAW Area Vocational Center Director Nick Casey reported that:
• Education class assisted with the Cancer Fundraiser at Little Lambs and also with several items at VES,
• Metro East Industries, Ranken, and UTI presented to the OKAW students, and
• Roof, soffit and windows are finished and the siding is half completed on the Building Trades Home. HVAC is being installed.
Special Education Coordinator Keri Buscher reported that:
• HS TLC Class attended the Carlyle Fall Dance,
• Mrs. Campbell’s JH TCL/Cross Categorical class and Mrs. Goodin’s JH 4th grade class baked bread and shared with the community,
• Mrs. Murray’s HS TLC class went shopping and prepared a Friendsgiving feast,
• Rotary is sponsoring a Christmas meal and gifts to three classes (K-8), 25 students and 13 staff members,
• School Staff attended a seminar ENGAGING, MOTIVATING & MANAGING HARD TO REACH, UNINTERESTED & DISRUPTIVE STUDENTS, and
• Book studies will begin in December: “School of Engagement” by Jonathan Alsheimer for teachers and “The Paraprofessional’s Handbook for Effective Support in Inclusive Classrooms” by Julie Causton-Theoharis.
Board then moved to Executive Session. After the Executive Session, these Action Items were approved:
• Tentative Tax Levy with final approval at the December meeting,
• OKAW Joint Agreement Resolution (This is an annual contract with each of the schools and with OKAW to bus students to Vandalia for OKAW program.),
• GPA Alignment to New Scale for NHS,
• District Resignations: Pam LaDuc – VJHS part time Library Aide – effective December 31, 2024; Marjorie Weaver – HS Interpretive Aide – effective November 15, 2024,
• District Leave of Absence: Heather Thompson – effective September 13 until further notice,
• District Transfers: Jessica Torbeck – School Psychologist; Megan McDowell – School Psychologist,
• District Employment: Tina Tinker – Floating Custodian, and
• District Coaches/Volunteer Coaches: Makayla Tinker.
The next regular meeting is Thursday, January 16, 2025 at 6 p.m. in the Administrative Board Room.