Board of Education Monthly Meeting Summary: February 2026

The Edwardsville Community Unit School District #7 Board of Education met on Monday, February 23, 2026, in the Liberty Middle School Auditorium for its monthly meeting. 

These are not the official meeting minutes and do not include every detail from the meeting, but rather a summary to assist the District #7 community. The official minutes can be found on the Board of Education Diligent website once approved by the Board.

To read a summary of the February Board of Education work session held on February 9, click here. 

From the Superintendent's Report

• Black History Month in District #7 highlights the achievements and contributions of Black Americans through interactive exhibits, specialized coursework, and district-wide events, reinforcing learning that extends beyond February and throughout the school year.
• District #7 leadership and representatives from EEA (Edwardsville Education Association), ESSPA (Edwardsville School Service Personnel Association), and EFSE (Edwardsville Federation of Secretarial Employees) will continue discussions regarding District policies with a focus on the social media policy. This work is centered on clarity, consistency, and shared understanding, ensuring staff not only know the policies but understand the rationale and professional standards behind them.
• District #7 will host a breakfast for senior members of the community on Friday, April 17, from 8-9:30 a.m. at Edwardsville High School. The morning will provide an opportunity for senior community members to hear district updates, meet our administrators, ask questions, and engage in conversation about the great things happening across District #7. Senior members interested in attending can RSVP by emailing cfrancis@ecusd7.org or by calling 618-655-6014. 

At each Board meeting, Interim Superintendent Dr. Allen Duncan shares a few “Shoutouts” he receives from community members. Monday night’s Shoutouts went to:

• Ryan Lipscomb, EHS Band Director, for his leadership and dedication in planning and coordinating the band trip to London, an experience years in the making that provided students with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
• Michelle Wilkerson, Liberty School Counselor, for cultivating meaningful student leadership opportunities through the Den Leaders program, by empowering students to design and lead impactful projects like Project Cupid, which resulted in more than 1,000 Valentine’s Day cards for local nursing home residents and showcased incredible student ownership, confidence, and heart.
• Josh Fark, Cassens Special Education/FLS Teacher, for creating a classroom filled with engaging, meaningful learning experiences while maintaining exceptional communication that makes families feel like true partners in their child’s education, making this school year an especially memorable and positive one.
• Abby Carlson, Columbus Third Grade Teacher, for the exceptional care, encouragement, and communication she pours into her classroom, consistently supporting students both academically and personally while partnering with families in a way that is positive, meaningful, and truly heartwarming.
• Jaimee Henderson, EHS Math Teacher, for her enthusiasm, organization, and passion for math, consistently going above and beyond to communicate with parents, provide extra support and accessible resources for students, and even seeking honest student feedback through a semester survey to continually strengthen her instruction and ensure every student feels confident and prepared.

Email Dr. Duncan (aduncan@ecusd7.org) if there is a staff member you would like to give a “Shoutout” to.

Recognitions

• EHS sophomore Damon Davis and Columbus fourth-grader Hazel Baker were named District #7’s December Students of the Month. Damon was recognized as an outstanding Peer Buddy who demonstrates patience, compassion, and genuine friendship toward fellow students. Hazel was honored as a quiet leader who treats others with kindness and respect while helping create a welcoming and supportive classroom environment.
• Goshen pre-K student Amjad Jaber and EHS freshman Kate Hayman were named District #7’sJanuary Students of the Month. Amjad was recognized for the responsible way he follows classroom rules and routines, while Kate was honored for consistently demonstrating positivity and effort, and approaching each day with enthusiasm, embracing challenges, and exemplifying perseverance, teamwork, and respect.
• EHS Cheerleading team was honored for earning a third-place finish at the IHSA state competition February 7.
• Goshen Elementary, Glen Carbon Elementary, Albert Cassens Elementary, and Edwardsville High School earned Exemplary designation from the Illinois State Board of Education. This distinction represents the highest rating awarded by ISBE and is given to schools performing in the top 10% statewide with no underperforming student groups.
• Four EHS coaches were honored for recent accolades, including Mark Heiderscheid, selected to the Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association Hall of Fame; Kirk Schlueter, named the Illinois High School Tennis Association Girls Assistant Coach of the Year; Mike Sabatino, named the American Baseball Coaches Association National Assistant Coach of the Year; and Dave Lipe, named the National High School Coaches Association Tennis Coach of the Year.
• The Lincoln School Alumni Foundation was recognized for its continued generosity and significant financial investment in District #7 students, including dedicated support of the home-school liaison position, which has served more than 75 families this school year.

In action, the Board approved: 

• Purchase of K–5 SPARK Physical Education curriculum materials and a six-year professional development license for approximately $65,000, with implementation beginning in the 2026–2027 school year.
• Summer 2026 Lincoln Middle School furniture (Phase 2) through state contract pricing totaling $481,931.70.
• Reupholstering of EHS auditorium seating by Carroll Seating at a cost of $79,475, included in the FY26 Operations and Maintenance Fund budget.
• The $494,800 base bid from Millennium Construction LLC for the EHS South renovation, including Alternate Bids #1 and #2, funded through the Operations and Maintenance Fund. The project will relocate District offices and result in approximately $217,596.12 in annual lease savings.
• A resolution to issue approximately $10,645,000 in General Obligation Refunding School Bonds, Series 2026, to refund the District’s 2017 Bonds. The refunding is projected to generate approximately $470,000 in interest savings and will allow for accelerated repayment while maintaining the current bond and interest tax levy rate.
• Submission of a Health Life Safety Amendment for Summer 2026 asbestos abatement at Lincoln Middle School, allowing the work to be funded through the Health Life Safety Fund.
• An extracurricular field trip to Greece and Italy in June 2027 for EHS students, led by English teacher Lexi Keller.

March Meetings:

Monday, March 9: Board of Education Work Session (6 p.m. at Liberty Middle School)

Monday, March 23: Board of Education Board Meeting (7 p.m. at Liberty Middle School)