Southwestern Community Unit School District 9

The board discussed administrative reports, including student achievements, upcoming assessments, and school activities. Key financial and operational actions included the approval of tax abatements, the issuance of General Obligation Limited Tax School Bonds for capital projects and working cash, and the purchase of a new Fully Automatic Timing System for the track program. The board also addressed personnel matters, including teaching position reassignments, new hires, retirement acknowledgments, and a reduction in a vacant position. Additionally, the date for the upcoming meeting was rescheduled due to a conflict with election day.

The meeting agenda includes administrative reports from the special education coordinator, principals, and the superintendent. Key discussion topics involve school fees, official pay rates for the upcoming year, the public school calendar, and a holiday waiver hearing. The board is set to review construction bids for summer projects, acknowledge various staff resignations and retirements, and discuss the Macoupin CEO program investment. Action items include the adoption of school calendars, approval of school fees, IHSA membership renewal, awarding construction contracts, and the hiring of various staff positions including cafeteria workers, substitute teachers, part-time mowers, and coaches. The board will also conduct a closed session for personnel and administrator evaluation matters.

Key discussions included updates on two grants: the Computer Science Equity Grant, which funded training and lesson plan development, and the CEJA grant, designated for Career and Technical Education updates, including wood shop ventilation. Administrator reports covered ongoing IEP work, preparation for an audit, the distribution of a new high school newsletter, the induction of new National Honor Society students, and the qualification of the scholar bowl team for nationals. Elementary reports detailed recent field trips, fundraising success ($14,000 from Read-A-Thon), and ongoing staff investigations into a new reading curriculum. The Superintendent reported an enrollment of 1148 and noted upcoming asbestos abatement work. Action items included approving the consent agenda containing financial reports as of December 31, 2025, and approving the lowest bid for asbestos abatement. A public hearing was held concerning the intent to sell School Fire Prevention and Safety Bonds and Working Cash Fund Bonds. Personnel actions included approving the hiring of a full-time bus driver, approving a monitor pending background checks, and granting a request for early retirement. The board also approved tuckpointing work for the Brighton North cafeteria and gym.

The Special Tax Levy Hearing involved a review of the district's cash reserve balances from June 2025 and the proposed tax levy, with no questions or concerns raised by the board. The hearing concluded quickly with a motion to adjourn. The subsequent Regular Board Meeting included congratulations for the Cross-Country Team athletes and State Scholars, and a report on enrollment and discipline. Key discussions included presentation of the Post Issuance Compliance Report and acknowledgment of several staff resignations. Action items included approving the financial report balances as of November 30, 2025, approving the resolution for the 2025 tax levy, approving the resolution allocating the 2025 tax levy, approving board policies in Press Issue 120, approving the hiring of a lunchroom worker and a volunteer assistant cheer coach, approving a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Southwestern ESP Association, approving the resolution to issue $3,600,000 working cash fund bonds, and adopting the 2025 Macoupin County Multi-Jurisdictional All Hazards Mitigation Plan.

The board meeting included discussion and acknowledgement of the resignation of a custodian and the retirement of a bus driver. The financial report was reviewed, and the preliminary 2025 levy presentation was discussed. Appointments were approved for extra-curricular activities for the 2026-2027 school year. The board approved the School Maintenance Project Grant. A full-time bus rider, a full-time custodian, and a full-time elementary sub teacher were hired. An intergovernmental agreement with Alton CUSD #11 for special education transportation was approved. The meeting also included a closed session.