Cassandra Stevens Burgess

The meeting addressed various financial matters, including the approval of numerous interfund loans, the payment of bills, and the adoption of a resolution to abate taxes for the payment of alternate bonds. The board also approved an amended school calendar, an agreement with National Louis University, and summer programming, including driver's education. Personnel actions were finalized, consisting of one retirement, four resignations, one new employment hire, and the re-employment and granting of tenure to several teachers. Furthermore, the board addressed student disciplinary matters, reviewed district grants, and discussed energy contracts and pending litigation.

This document outlines Herrin High School's Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) Plan, designed to enhance educational experiences and student success by building teacher capacity to meet diverse student needs through tiered interventions and progress documentation. The plan defines MTSS as a systemic approach using data-based collaborative decision-making to evaluate and modify instruction and implement research-based interventions. It emphasizes high-quality instruction, continuous progress monitoring, and increasingly intensive interventions across three tiers (Core, Interventions, Individual Interventions) for academic (English, Math) and behavioral support, involving student, teacher, administration, counseling, and parent responsibilities.

The board meeting included the approval of the treasurer's report and a resolution to authorize a transfer from the education fund to the debt service fund for lease payments. Key new business items included the approval of the school calendar for the 2026-2027 academic year, the date for the 8th grade celebration, the district discipline improvement plan, and an agreement with Liberty University. The board also conducted a semi-annual review and resolution regarding closed meeting minutes and authorized the destruction of specific verbatim records. Personnel actions were taken regarding multiple resignations and new hires across the district, and the board engaged in an executive session to discuss litigation.

The board meeting included a presentation from the Herrin Junior High School 'Engaging Youth for Positive Change' group, which provided research and data on student vaping and recommended the implementation of a restorative tobacco response policy that emphasizes education and accountability over exclusionary discipline. The board also reviewed personnel recommendations, including several retirements, resignations, and new employment appointments across various school departments, and addressed the posting of new vacancies.

The Board of Education discussed the high cost of bids for the Tiger Health Center project, which significantly exceeded the budget and anticipated grant funding. The discussion explored options for re-engineering the building structure to reduce costs or potentially renovating existing structures. The board also addressed personnel matters, including accepting the resignation of a high school science teacher and a head football coach, and authorized the posting of these vacancies.