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Board of Education Monthly Meeting Summary: January 29

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The Edwardsville Community Unit School District #7 Board of Education met on Monday, January 29, 2024, in the Liberty Middle School Auditorium for its monthly board 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 District #7 Board of Education Board Docs once approved by the Board.  

Scott Ahart Sworn In 
Scott Ahart, who was appointed to fill the vacant board seat that was previously held by John McDole, was officially sworn in. Ahart will serve the remainder of McDole’s term, which expires in April 2025.  

Bond Projects Update 
Dr. Patrick Shelton provided an update on the bond projects, including: 

Updated timeline for secure double entry: 

  • Summer 2024: Cassens, Goshen, Liberty, Midway, Worden 

  • Summer 2025: EHS, Glen Carbon, Leclaire, Nelson, Woodland 

  • Summer 2026: Columbus 

  • Lincoln’s will be done with the new construction at that building, while Hamel’s is still being worked through based on building options 

Lincoln construction: 

  • Phase 1 (summer 2023-summer 2025) which includes: a 60,000 square foot addition that will include a competition gym, storm shelter/annex gym, library/media center, commons, six classrooms, and a multi-purpose room.  

  • Phase 2 (summer 2024-2027) which includes: 90,000 square foot renovation, will be handicap accessible, classroom and hallway renovation, and offices and student support area.  

EHS Commons: 
The 8,000 square foot expansion will begin in the summer of 2024. This will include a full renovation of bathrooms and cost approximately $6.9 million. 

The project at Hamel has been paused to evaluate additional options due to the asbestos mitigation that is needed and the timing of that, as well as construction costs.  

The district’s plan for addressing water and drainage issues at Midway is complete with the installation of a new storm sewer and new French drain. The ground on the north and east sides of the building were regraded and sod installed. This will be watched for a year to see if it takes care of the moisture problems or if additional work is needed.  

Anti-Bullying Week 

District #7 will host an Anti-Bullying Week February 26-March 1. Speaker Stu Cabe, CEO of the Ovation Company, will visit each school, spreading the message: "Be Nice." The district will also host two parent nights with a two-pronged approach of defining and identifying strategies within District #7 to address bullying coupled with Stu’s message.  

Secondary (grades 6-12) Parent Night: Tuesday, February 27, 6:30 – 8 p.m., at Liberty Middle School 

Elementary (grades K-5) Parent Night: Thursday, February 29, 6:30 – 8 p.m., at Albert Cassens Elementary 

Free childcare is available for the Elementary Parent Night. Parents should sign up by February 20 at www.ezchildtrack.com/ecusd7/parent

Preschool Grant  
Jessica Tatum, Early Childhood Coordinator, gave a presentation on preschool and early childhood in District #7 and shared that the district has been awarded a grant to serve an additional 34 students. This will increase the total number of students served to 170. Currently 136 students are served between Goshen Elementary and Glen Carbon Elementary.  

In other action, the board: 

  • Approved the Lincoln Middle School asbestos abatement bid. The asbestos abatement work at Lincoln is scheduled for the summer of 2024 in preparation for the total renovation of the 1925 building. The work to be performed includes the abatement of the center staircase and classrooms east and north of the corridor on the first floor and the classrooms to the north of the corridor at the second and third floors of the 1925 building. The work will include the removal and disposal of asbestos containing pipe insulation, duct insulation, joint compound on drywall, chalkboard and mastic, terrazzo stairs and floor tile and mastic.   

  • Approved the first reading of policy updates – which includes Board Policy 7.60 on residency and moving forward with allowing children of full-time district employees to attend the district tuition free if space exists. If recommended policy updates are Board approved in February, District #7 administrators will develop guidelines for this policy, taking into account the availability of space.  

Next Meeting:  
Monday, February 12 – Board of Education Work Session (6 p.m. at Liberty Middle School) 
Monday, February 26 – Board of Education Monthly Meeting (7 p.m. at Liberty Middle School) 

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