Richland County Community Unit School District 1

The meeting's agenda included recognition of the 2025-2026 Illinois State Scholars. The consent agenda covered approvals for various reports, including building and discipline reports across several schools (RCELC, RCES, RCMS, RCHS, Special Education, RiseUp), destruction of old audio recordings, and the second reading and adoption of numerous policies ranging from fiscal management and employment terms to curriculum and student rights. Financial discussions involved the Treasurer's Report, Balance Sheet, and approval of bills. Administrative reports included the Superintendent's State of the District Report and Statements of Economic Interest. New business centered on considering a resolution authorizing the issuance of General Obligation School Bonds not to exceed $9,000,000 for building alterations and repairs, and $12,000,000 for refunding outstanding obligations. The session concluded with scheduled executive sessions to discuss personnel matters, real property purchase/lease, pending litigation, and closed session minutes.

Key discussion topics for this Regular Meeting of the Board of Education included recognition of the State FFA Agronomy CDE Winners. The agenda covered several consent items, such as building reports for various facilities (RCELC, RCES, RCMS, RCHS, Special Education, RiseUp) and the first reading and consideration of numerous policies spanning board governance, fiscal management, employment, curriculum, and student rights. Financial reports review included a comparison of funds between November 2024 and November 2025. New Business items focused on approvals for the FY25 Audit, a Risk Management Plan, a School Maintenance Grant, and several construction/equipment contracts and bid requests related to athletic buildings and a scoreboard. The board also planned to enter executive session to discuss personnel matters, collective negotiating matters, real property purchase/lease, pending litigation, and closed session minutes.

The meeting included discussions regarding the placement of the RCHS Marching Band during football games. The board discussed current general obligation bonds, 1% sales tax bonds, and current bond debt, as well as options for financing a new Athletic Complex, including the use of SR bonds or cash on hand. Presentations were given on estimated budgets, options, and timelines for the complex, including considerations for turf versus grass. The board also discussed a possible student discipline action and voted to expel a student for the remainder of the 2025-2026 school year and the first semester of the 2026-2027 school year, with referral to an alternative school.

The board discussed the possibility of a new athletic complex, reviewing presentations from FGM Architects, Byrne and Jones, and ATG-Ram Industries, focusing on layout preferences, water runoff considerations, parking, and costs associated with grass versus turf fields. The board also discussed the potential for community access to the track and football field after hours, concerns about turf temperature, and the components of the athletic building, including restrooms, locker rooms, and storage. Additionally, the board considered incorporating JROTC and wrestling into the athletic building plans. The board also discussed ADA items in the high school that need to be fixed and the possibility of Benardi Securities sharing information about bond finances.

The board discussed concerns regarding the recent bank bid that was approved at the special meeting on May 27, 2025. The board chose to rescind the action taken on May 27, 2025, and to rebid. The board entered into an executive session to consider information regarding appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of individual employees.