Board of Education Monthly Meeting Summary: October 2025

The Edwardsville Community Unit School District #7 Board of Education met on Monday, October 27, 2025, in the Liberty Middle School Auditorium for its monthly session.  

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 Dilligent website once approved by the Board. 

Superintendent's Report 

• Acting Superintendent Dr. Allen Duncan has met with local mayors and will be scheduling meetings with chiefs of police for Edwardsville, Glen Carbon and Madison County.  

• District #7 will be a participant in the Halloween Parade on Friday night with central office staff and building administrators walking.  

• Construction Update:  

• The structural spay at Lincoln is complete, while the work at EHS will take place soon, weather permitting. Both tracks are awaiting lane stripping.  

• All layers of moisture barrier and all layers of sub floor have been installed for the Liberty gym. Last week, the actual gym floor began being laid down. This project is expected to be completed by the holiday break.  

• Phase 1 of Lincoln is wrapping up with punch list items being completed and minor repair issues being addressed.  

• Academic Update:

• Congratulations to Leclaire Elementary, named a Model PLC at Work School. Only 800 schools internationally have earned this distinction, including just 42 in Illinois. Leclaire is the only school in the Metro East. Read more. 

• The Illinois School Report will be released on Thursday, October 30. Why It Matters and Key Features. 

Recognitions 

• District #7 Students of the Month: EHS senior Bryson Nuttal and Albert Cassens fifth-grader Layla Turner. Nuttal consistently demonstrates responsibility and leadership by voluntarily helping clean the cafeteria after his lunch period, something he has done for awhile. Turner has made a positive impact on her classmates by sharing her firsthand knowledge of her family’s Chickasaw culture during their study of Native Americans. Through her willingness to teach her peers about the Chickasaw language and traditions, she has enriched classroom learning and demonstrated pride in her heritage. 

• Special student recognitions to EHS seniors Lia'nice Cruzin and Emma Birkenmeyer, who helped a classmate through a difficult situation, and senior Andriella Garlinghouse, who assisted a community member experiencing a medical emergency.  

• Special recognition to EHS teacher Mike Sabatino, who stopped and assisted District #7 math interventionist Ginger McDaniel following a car accident.  

• Lincoln Middle School Baseball Team, which placed fourth at the IESA State Tournament earlier this fall.  

EHS Softball Project Update  

An update was provided on the EHS Softball Project, which included discussion on adding a berm to the outfield using excess dirt from the project. The design of the backstop was reviewed with an emphasis on enhanced safety measures, along with additional fencing improvement options. Other functionality features were also discussed, including improved access for maintenance staff and considerations for storm water runoff management.  

In action, the board approved:  

• Bob Paty as the 2025 IASB Delegate to the 2025 IASB Delegate Assembly on behalf of the Edwardsville Community Unit School District #7 Board of Education.  

• A Resolution of Commitment to the 2023 Bond Priorities. The resolution reaffirms the Board’s commitment to the original list of projects tied to the April 2023 bond referendum. The top remaining priorities, in order, include: asbestos remediation and building renovations/additions at Hamel Elementary; safe and accessible playgrounds for all primary and intermediate schools; safe and accessible gymnasiums at Leclaire, Glen Carbon, and Columbus Elementary Schools; and media centers at Columbus, Woodland, and Edwardsville High School. 

Next Meeting:  
Monday, Nov. 10: Board of Education Work Session (6 p.m. at Liberty Middle School) 
Monday, Nov. 27: Board of Education Monthly Meeting (7 p.m. at Liberty Middle School)