Mount Pulaski CUSD 23
Superintendent Fred Lamkey to retire in 2024
Superintendent Search Group selected by the Board

 

[May 18, 2023]     On Saturday, May 13, 2023, the MPCUSD23 School Board conducted a special meeting to seat and establish the newly elected board as well as participate in a district-wide Data Retreat.

The Board first conducted an item under Old Business and approved an athletic co-op between Tri-City, Sangamon Valley and Mt. Pulaski for junior high softball. Mt. Pulaski only had 9 students committed to playing next school year pressing administration to look for a co-op. The motion passed 6-1. After completing business, outgoing Board Member Rob Smith was recognized for his four years of service to the Board of Education and credited for his leadership, especially in the area of finance.

New Board member Blane Olson took the Oath of Office along with incumbent members Ashley Combs and Chris Brown. In the Board’s reorganization, meeting dates will remain the third Monday of each month except for January and February, where they will be held on the third Wednesday of the month to avoid school holidays. Officers were also chosen with Eric Cowan remaining as the Board President, Deanne Mott as the Board Vice-President and Ashley Combs as Board Secretary. The MPCUSD23 Bookkeeper, Kathy Tschantz, was once again approved as the Board Treasurer. The location and time meetings will be at the MPGS Learning Center at 7:00 PM. Committee organization was also discussed, but the Board did not make any decisions on what committees would be created.

The Mt. Pulaski CUSD 23 Board of Education called their regular meeting to order on May 15, 2023 at 7:00 PM in the MPGS Learning Center. All members were present.

Under Recognition of Public, three IESA state qualifiers from the MPGS Track team were present. 8th grader Owen Cyrulik placed 3rd in the mile, 7th grader Olivia Smith placed 8th in 200, 8th grader Carter Clark finished 13th in the discus. Additionally, Piper Tyson placed 2nd in the discus.

The Board approved the Consent Agenda which included the payment of bills, the sales tax revenue report and board minutes from the regular meeting on April 18, 2023 and executive session minutes from April 18, 2023. In addition the Board renewed the district’s memberships with the IHSA and IESA. The motion passed 7-0.

Under Reports, Superintendent Lamkey informed the Board that district SRO Officer, Sergeant Josh Pharis, would be creating signage to put at school entrances to indicate the district has a County Deputy on duty. Mr. Lamkey also reported that there were two out of school suspensions in the last month, one at MPGS and the other at MPHS. In addition, there were seven in-school suspensions at the high school.

In New Business, Mr. Waterkotte’s FCCLA ParliPro Team presented on their request to attend the National FCCLA Conference in Denver to participate in competition. The students gave a summary of the conference itinerary and thanked the Board for their consideration of this trip. The Board approved their trip 7-0.

Next, the Illinois Association of School Boards made their pitch to the Board to be the search group for the upcoming superintendent vacancy. Last summer, Superintendent Lamkey announced his intent to retire from his position in June of 2024. The Board plans to begin the search for the next superintendent this summer and conclude the search by December/January. The Board voted 7-0 to approve the IASB Search Committee.

The Board then discussed CKH which is a district initiative that addresses social emotional learning by building structures that allow better relationships among teachers, staff, students, administration and board members. Some board members have concerns that CKH hampers discipline, but district administrators assured the Board that it does not affect disciplinary action. Superintendent Lamkey spoke to the Board explaining that changes are made each year in its implementation as each building reflects and evaluates on their practices. The Board supported the district’s ongoing efforts with CKH and asked to be kept informed on its progress.

Superintendent Lamkey updated the Board on two more potential athletic co-ops on the horizon. The first co-op involves wrestling, as Warrensburg-Latham ended their co-op with the high school this winter. Mr. McVickers has been in touch with Riverton and Tri-City discussing a potential wrestling co-op with the two districts. The Board gave permission to continue working on this agreement.

Hartem also approached our district for a co-op in high school golf. Hartem only has one student participating in golf and asked if they could join our team. The Board had discussion on the request and agreed to allow the administration to move forward with this agreement as well.

Each year Regional Office of Education #17 does a paper bid which allows all districts in their jurisdiction to purchase paper in bulk at a good savings. The Board approved 7-0 to participate in this program once again.

The Policy Committee then conducted the second reading of the most recent policy update. The items of consideration were mostly limited to language changes and legal updates. Mr. Wilham and Mr. Brown did note that there were added responsibilities put upon the board president when considering new hires. The committee recommended Superintendent Lamkey refresh legal responsibilities with President Cowan. The second reading was approved 7-0 and the update was adopted 7-0.

The last piece of the district-wide paving project from last fall included additional fencing on the high school and grade school campuses. The project includes a gate on the MPGS playground to limit student access to the street during the school day, fences around the dumpsters at MPGS and MPHS and a privacy fence along the west boundary of the north MPHS parking lot. Multiple bids were considered with General Fence having the lowest bid. The Board approved the project 7-0.

Over the past few months, the Board has discussed extending the SRO Officer position to full-time from part-time. The Board believes that a full-time officer is needed to keep our schools safe and approved the motion 7-0.

Next on the docket was the Personnel Report, which was approved 7-0 containing nine hires and four resignations.

Hires

• Stacy Hickey as District Nurse

• Travis Dodson as MPGS ELA Teacher

• Jim Bishop as MPGS Head Custodian

• James Anderson as MPGS Girls Basketball Coach

• Alora Goodey as MPGS Volleyball Coach

• Reagan Kirk as MPGS Cheer Coach

• Ryan McVickers as MPHS Girls Basketball Coach

• Ryan Deibert as MPHS Boys Basketball Coach

• Jared Washko as MPHS Volunteer Assistant Baseball Coach

Resignations

• Morgan Lolling as MPGS Paraprofessional, MPGS and MPHS Assistant Volleyball Coach

• Jon Tribler as MPHS Business Teacher, MPHS National Honor Society Sponsor, MPHS Assistant Track Coach, MPGS Boys Basketball Coach and MPGS 5th and 6th Grade Basketball Coach

• Mark Graue as MPHS Scholastic Bowl Coach

• Hank Wuethrich as MPHS Night Custodian

Mrs. Fricke informed the Board that Kaleb Hild was the MPHS Senior of the Month and Lillian Hild was selected the Senior of the Year!

After the Executive Session, the meeting was adjourned with no further actions being taken. The next regular meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 21, 2023 at 7:00 PM in the MPGS Learning Center.

[Sarah Farris
Administrative Professional
Mount Pulaski CUSD 23]