VG board of education approves fiscal year 2020 audit
By Kendra Hennis
The Villa Grove board of education monthly meeting was called to order at 6 p.m. on January 18, 2021 with all board members present.
Following a quick approval of the consent agenda, the board moved to Superintendent Carol Munson’s monthly report. Munson notified the board that she had met with Russ Leigh to discuss the school’s audit for the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2020. Leigh said that he had no concerns for the audit. Munson noted that the audit is over by ten percent but that they knew that would be the case due to the recent construction. The board followed by approving the 2020 audit. She then reported that 62 Villa Grove staff interested have signed up to get their COVID-19 vaccine from the Douglas County Health Department that would be adminisited soon. Munson followed saying that they were in the works to get trees planted on the grounds to honor former Villa Grove staff who have recently passed.
Villa Grove Elementary School Principal Bobby Beck then began his report by saying that MAPS testing was being finished up at the school. He said that results would be sent out soon and that he was excited to see how much students have improved since the beginning of the school year. He then notified the board that Miss Wells would be taking over the spelling bee this year. He said that he would have more information on that soon as they worked to plan at the school and coordinate with other schools in the district. Beck also said that the Regional Office of Education Health, Life, Safety visit went well, with all items noted already fixed at the school. He also noted that Pre-K screening would be held March 18 and 19 and that he would have more details for that soon. Beck ended by notifying the board that the cameras from the booster club had been installed at the end of December on the football field and in the big gym. These cameras allow sporting events and concerts to be live-streamed.
Following, Junior High and High School Principal Sara Jones congratulated Madison Burwell for being named the January Senior of the Month. She then notified the board that tentative dates have been set for indoor or outdoor graduation and promotion ceremonies. Graduation is planned for Sunday, May 30 and 8th Grade Promotion is planned for Thursday, May 27 at 7 p.m. Jones reported that peer tutoring is still happening at the school from 2:15 to 3:30 p.m. for those that would like to attend. She then said that seventh through tenth graders were also completing MAPS testing. Jones then said that she and Mr. Sims were planning freshman orientation with the possibility of allowing students to create their schedules and then come and tour the school. She then reported that students would begin signing up for next year’s classes soon. Jones ended excitedly noting that sports would be beginning soon at the school with the Illinois Department of Public Health and IHSA guidelines lifting. She said that they were currently coordinating schedules and awaiting more guidelines on how the seasons could operate. She noted that all games would be held in the big gym so that even if they were not allowed a large number of spectators the games could be live-streamed.
The board also:
* Approved the minutes of the December 21, 2020 regular board meeting.
* Approved the closed session minutes of the December 21, 2020 regular board meeting.
* Authorized the payment of bills.
* Approved the monthly treasurer’s report.
* Approved the first reading of PRESS Plus Issue #106.
* Approved moving to closed session to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, resignation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint against an employee of the public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity and specific students.
* Adjourned until the February 15 regular board meeting.