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 Board members present were Jeff Brooks, board president; Lori
Birnbaum, vice president; Tish Podunajec, secretary; and Jason Toft.
Superintendent Jennifer Hamm was present and around 50 guests.
After approval of the agenda, school board president Jeff Brooks
welcomed comments from the public.
CEL teacher Jill Urish addressed the board about opening up the
lines of communication between teachers, administration, and the
board. She explained that she felt that during the (recent)
selection of a superintendent, the teaching staff was informed
through third parties and was perplexed that decisions directly
affecting the staff were coming to them indirectly. Urish would like
for the board and teachers to be able to trust each other. This
would require “keeping lines of communication open.”
Brooks acknowledged these concerns by noting that in a small town
community it seems that everyone knows what is happening.
Mark Shew, a parent of two CEL students, next addressed the board,
stating that he feels the leadership needs to be more transparent,
have better communication, and lead by keeping the community
informed about what is going on. Shew said the board has never
addressed communication in official ways (such as their website)
about the recent resignation of Superintendent/Principal Hamm. He
also noted that when [board member] Ben Roland stepped down, nothing
was shared. Shew said he knows being on the board can be a “crappy
job.” He wants better communication about having interviews and
asked the board whether they are following proper aspects and
whether they have to post anything.
Brooks explained that the board does not have to post [the
administrative jobs].
Shew asked that the board let people know they are conducting
interviews and says he has quashed rumors around town about the
school.
After hearing from Urish and Shew, the board went into a brief
closed session.
Teacher Beth Steffens, who had a vested interest in the recent
hiring, made the observation that some are concerned that the board
has not let people know about the hiring process. They interviewed
[candidates] last Tuesday without people knowing they were
interviewing and not posting the job. Steffens noted that they
interviewed two people they already knew.
When the board returned from the closed session, Brooks announced
the appointment of Laura Irwin as the new superintendent/principal,
and Dwane Morris and Brandi Splitter to the vacant board seats.
Morris’s term will be four years and Splitter’s two years. They were
immediately sworn in by the board.
The monthly board meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 19, 2015 at
6:00 p.m. The public is welcome to attend the open meeting.
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The following is a timeline leading up to the issues dealt with in the May 14
board meeting:
In the April 7 elections, there were three open board seats and three
candidates. However, only two candidates could be elected as all three were from
East Lincoln Township. By law only three board members can be from East Lincoln
and one already sitting board member was from East Lincoln.
Board members Brooks and Podunajec retained their seats. Going into the regular
April 21 board meeting, everyone knew one member would need to be appointed to
fill the seat being vacated by board member Kenny Golden.
At the regular April 21st board meeting, the members who were re-elected took
their oath. During the meeting, Mrs. Hamm announced her resignation as she had
accepted a position as assistant superintendent in the Galesburg School
District.
April 22 the school sent out an email on behalf of the board indicating that
individuals interested in filling the vacant seat needed to submit a letter by
May 6th.
April 28 the school/board sent an email indicating there would be a special
board meeting at 6 p.m. on April 30th. The only item on the agenda was executive
session. Ben Roland submitted his resignation as a member which was accepted at
the April 30 meeting.
May 1 an email was sent indicating the board was accepting letters of interest
for the now two vacancies on the board. Both the April 22 and May 1 emails
indicated interested individuals would be interviewed Thursday, May 14 and
seated before the regular meeting on May 19.
May 4th an email was sent announcing a special board meeting for Thursday, May
7th at 5:30 p.m. the agenda listed non-action items of board vacancies and
executive session.
May 8 an email was sent indicating the board decided to extend the opportunity
to submit letters of interest for the board vacancy. The email again indicates
that interested individuals would be interviewed May 14 and seated on May 19.
[Angela Reiners]
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