North Clay School Board Met Wednesday

Louisville, IL-(Effingham Radio)- Results of the North Clay School Board meeting can be viewed below.

1. Call to Order; Roll Call and Pledge of Allegiance at 6:00pm. Board members present were: Barry Adair, Ryan Ballard, Aaron Kincaid, Jon Carroll, Kim Smith and Anthony Dawkins. Absent was Jason Griffy. Others present included: Superintendent Keith Price, Elementary/Junior High School Principal Ben Borries, High School Principal Sarah Newby and Assistant Principal/Athletic Director Rich Grubaugh. 
2. Consider Adoption of the Agenda Approved 6-0
3. Public Comments and Recognition of Guests 

• Athena VanDyke spoke to ask about the ability of homeschool students’ ability to take part in the intergovernmental agreement between the school district and the Flora Public Library. She also urged everyone to contact their state representatives to advocate against the passage of a bill in the Illinois General Assembly that would result in the banning of Native American Mascots. 
• The members of the 8th grade volleyball team were recognized for their Regional Championship. Two other students were recognized as they were selected for a student recognition award by Elementary/Junior High School Principal at the Illinois Principal Association Student Recognition Banquet, they were: 8th grader Karissa Browning and 8th grader Nathanial Martin. 

4. Declare Certified Results of the Board Elections held April 1, 2025 Approved 6-0

Election Business: 

1. Adjournment of Current Board sine die Approved 6-0
2. Installation of Board Members 

Before installation of elected board members, outgoing board member, Jonathan Carroll, was thanked for his 8 years of dedicated service North Clay Community School District #25. 

New board member Ashely Brooks, re-elected members Barry Adair, Ryan Ballard and Anthony Dawkins took the oath of office. 

Organizational Business: 

1. Appointment of President Pro-Tem and Secretary Pro-Tem to preside until new officers are elected Barry Adair was appointed President Pro-Tem and Aaron Kincaid was appointed Secretary Pro-Tem. 
2. Call to Order and Roll Call of new board 

Board members present were: Barry Adair, Ryan Ballard, Aaron Kincaid, Kim Smith, Anthony Dawkins, and Ashley Brooks. Absent was Jason Griffy. 

3. Nominations and Election of President Ryan Ballard was nominated and elected President. Vote 5-0, with 1 abstaining
4. Nominations and Election of Vice-President Aaron Kincaid was nominated and elected Vice-President. Vote 5-0, with 1 abstaining
5. Nominations and Election of Secretary Ashley Brooks was nominated and elected Secretary. Vote 5-0, with 1 abstaining
6. Establishing Board Committee Assignments Committee membership was assigned as the following: Academic Excellence is Brooks and Ballard 

• Finance is Adair and Kincaid 
• Transportation/Buildings and Grounds/Safety is Dawkins and Adair 
• Negotiations is Ballard and Kincaid 
• Extra-Curricular/Athletic is Griffy and Dawkins 
• Admin Committee is Smith and Brooks 
  
• Handbook Committee is Griffy and Ballard

7. Establish dates, times and place for regular monthly Board meetings Approved 6-0 8. Consider to adopt all existing appointments, policies, rules, regulations and contractual obligations of the previous Board of Education Approved 6-0

New Business: 

1. Consider Approval Consent Agenda of Regular Board Meeting Approved 6-0
2. Approval of Minutes; 
3. Treasurer’s Report; 
4. Approval of Bills, Personal and Sick Leave; 
5. Approval of Field Trips: Enrichment DC Trip 
6. Recognition of Guests, Public Comments, and Positive News 

Positive News included: 

North Clay Elementary/Junior High School 

• March PBIS Jr. Monthly Winners – Juan Mora, Bradessa Scott, MacKinley McCarty, Ezzi Levi, Lucas Rosch, and Tommy Fleener. 
• April Junior Deputies – brought to you by the Clay County Sheriff’s Department and Sgt. Lewis. 2nd Grade – Joey Arnold & Peyton Hildebrand, 3rd Grade – Noelle Sparks, Wyatt Kessler, & Aubrey McIntosh, 4th Grade – Ruby Eason & Liam Adams. 
• IAR State Testing has concluded for the 3rd – 8th Grades. 
• April 7th – 11th – Book Fair provided by Mrs. Ruesken and a bevy of volunteers.
• April 9th – Assembly “Adventures in Reading” by Doug Scheer – for Pre-K through 5th grade – huge success
• April 9th – The PTO sponsors Grandparents night in conjunction with the Book Fair and a Magician – Doug Scheer
• April 15th & 16th – Pre-K/Kindergarten Screenings 11 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. 
• April 23rd – 5th Grade Science Assessment 
• April 24th – 8th Grade Science Assessment 
• April 25th – Junior High Dance 
• April 28th – Enrichment – Bedford, Indiana 
• April 29th – Spring Sports Pictures 
• April 30th – Pre-K Transportation Themed Family Night 
• Kindergarten Orientation 

North Clay High School 

• FCCLA delivered 70 care packages to the Crossroads Cancer Center in Effingham. Members hosted a collection drive for granola bars, bottles of water, hard candy, socks, hand lotion, lip balm, and hand sanitizer.
• Eight FCCLA members attended the Illinois FCCLA State Leadership Conference April 9-11. Seven of those members competed in various events. Everyone came home with silver medals. Sofia Cebrian Troncoso placed 4th in her category in Fondant Cake Decorating, Paisley Silvers placed within the top 10 in Creed Speaking, and Kylee Davis placed 3rd in her category in Preschool Lesson. Other competitors were teams of Briley Mullens and Maddie Goss and Brooklyn Moats and Presley Hamilton in Fashion Apparel Display.
• Educators for Tomorrow members visited Eastern Illinois University on April 2. Students toured the campus, participated in a round table discussion with students and professors in the Education department, and enjoyed lunch on campus.
• March PBIS Winners are Riki Beccue, Brooklyn Moats, and Shooter McKinney
• Students participated in a bus evacuation drill.
• Foodservice Occupations students went to Firefly Grill for a tour and lunch.
• 21 Enrichment students went on a team building field trip to Oil Belt on April 22nd.
• Science Olympiad students who moved onto state, Jake Westendorf and Kennedy Jones will be competing on Saturday, April 26th in Crystal Lake at McHenry Community College.
• The Annual NC FFA Banquet was held in the Gym with 180 parents, members, and guests present. Students were recognized for all their achievements throughout the year.
• FFA Hosted an Impact life blood drive in the High school Gym on April 9th
• The 3rd graders are continuing to grow tomatoes in the greenhouse with the horticulture and greenhouse management classes. They will be taking their plants home soon.
• FFA Hosted a Pork Burger Cookout on April 16th
• The agriculture students have been working on the landscaping around the greenhouse – tilling, moving soil and sowing grass seed.
• NC FFA hosted 10 schools in Section 23 for the Poultry contest and AgScience Fair. ○ Our poultry team took 3rd place in the Section 23 contest with Avery Romack placing 3rd and Haven Cash 12th place. The poultry contest tests students on their general poultry knowledge, internal eggs, external eggs, carcass grading, live birds, and carcass part ID. Team members- Avery Romack, Haven Cash, Ava Pritchard, Maddie Goss, Josiah Swope, Leigha Ruesken, Izzy Barbee, Bella Price, Mila Zink, Alaina Worland, and Kylee Davis. 
• The Horticulture team placed 6th in the Section 23 contest. Team members Ava Pritchard, Hazel Ord, Mila Zink and Myah McGee. This event tests students horticulture knowledge, plant ID, landscape practicum, exam and placing classes. 
• The livestock judging team traveled to Western Illinois University! Team members Ava Fleener, Haven Cash, Avery Romack, Shelly Pierson, Maddie Goss, Karlie Guinn, Alaina Worland, Hunter Steele, Kimmy Guinn, Paisley Silvers, and Leigha Ruesken.

■ 7th overall team out of 127 teams 

■ 2nd place team sheep and goats 

■ Ava Fleener top 10 in sheep/goats and questions 

• CONGRATULATIONS NC FFA ON TWO – 1st place finishes for the North Clay Livestock Judging Team!!
• 1st in Section 23 and in the Newton Invitational. Team members – Lauryn Snell, Karlie Guinn, Avery Romack, Audrey Cammon, Mila Zink, Haven Cash, Shelly Pierson, Ava Fleener, Ava Pritchard, Hunter Steele, Lily Worthey,  Jady Logan, Kimmy Guinn, Emersyn Thompson, Leigha Ruesken, and Izzy Barbee.

■ The individual top 10 finishers were Lauryn Snell 1st in Section 3rd in invitational, Karlie Guinn 4th in section. Avery Romack 8th in Section, Audrey Cammon 9th in Section. 

• Livestock Judging at Lincoln Land Community College contest finishing 14th out of 82 teams and 465 participants from Illinois, Indiana and Iowa with Shelly Pierson as our top team member. Team members Shelly Pierson, Ava Fleener, Avery Romack, Haven Cash, Audrey Cammon, Alaina Worland, Lauryn Snell, Emersyn Thompson, Mila Zink and Karlie Guinn.

• Livestock Judging at Illinois Central College contest in Henry, finishing 6th out of 52 teams with Alaina Worland placing 5th in beef and Ava Fleener 13th overall out of 150 participants! Team members Ava Fleener, Alaina Worland, Avery Romack, Mila Zink and Shelly Pierson. ● Section 23 Ag Mechanics contest. North Clay took 4th in the team division.

○ Jacob Westendorf 2nd in Surveying 

○ Andrew Fleener 2nd in Ag Power 

○ Cade Pickens 4th in Electricity 

○ Wyatt Barber 6th in Carpentry 

○ Will Hardiek 7th in Welding 

• North Clay’s Ag Business Team had a 4th place finish at section and Haven Cash placed 9th overall as an individual. Team members Haven Cash, Carlie Holkenbrink, Leigha Ruesken and Karlie Guinn.

• April 16th- FFA Cookout 
• April 23rd- HS Spring Sports Pictures
• April 23rd- FCCLA Banquet
• April 28th- May 2nd- Annual FFA Plant Sale
• April 28th- FFA Petting Zoo
• April 30th- CEO Night

Extra-Curricular Activities 

• Matia Price signed with Greenville University to continue her basketball career 
• FCA Coaches/Staff with Kyle Stortzum 
• HS Baseball Regionals 5/19-5/24 (Dieterich or S. Central) 
• HS Softball Conference 5/2-5/9 (Effingham) & Regionals 5/19-5/24 (Hutsonville or Wayne City) ● HS Track Conference 5/6 (Altamont) & Sectionals 5/14 (Girls-Newton HS) 5/21 (Boys-Altamont) ● HS Bass Fishing 5/15 Regionals (Newton Lake) 
• JH Scholar Bowl Conference 4/22-4/23 (Sigel St. Michael’s) & Regionals 4/30 (Cisne) ● JH Track Conference 5/5 (Altamont) & Sectionals 5/10 (Tuscola) 

3. Consider first reading of recommended revisions and additions to the 2025-2026 student handbooks Elementary/Junior High School Principal presented handbook suggestions. They included clerical changes and a change to the language regarding student discipline referrals and attendance and how it applies to attendance of school field trips. High School Principal Sarah Newby presented changes. They included clerical changes and language that would prevent students from wearing the hoods of their hooded sweatshirt on their head. Approved 6-0. 

4. Consider to approve registration dates and fee schedule for the 25-26 school year. Approved 6-0. The registration dates and fee schedule will be posted on the school website and shared via social media and school email. 
5. Consider set rates for substitute teachers for the 25-26 school year 

Superintendent Keith Price presented the proposal of increasing the substitute teacher pay to $150 for a full day and $75 for a half day, with TRS deducted from that amount if applicable. Approved 6-0. 

6. Consider setting rates for athletic officials for the 25-26 school year Approved 5-0, with 1 abstention. 7. Consider to approve a Summer Strength and Conditioning Program with Wabash General Hospital Approved 6-0.
7. Consider to renew membership in the IESA Approved 6-0.
8. Update on Construction Project Superintendent Keith Price stated that the project is days away from completion, with the exception of the installation of final electrical panels and other cosmetic details. 

Closed session for the purpose of: Approved 6-0 at 6:54PM 

1. The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, security, or dismissal of specific employees of the district 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) 
2. Collective negotiating matter between the public body and its employees or other representatives 5 ILCS 12/2(c)(2) 
3. Student disciplinary cases 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(9) 

The board of education met in closed session from 6:51PM to 7:10PM 

Open The board of education entered into open session at 7:53PM 

Upon returning from closed session, the following motions were made: 

1. Accept the letter of resignation of Diona Griffy as bus driver, effective immediately. Approved 6-0 2. Accept the letter of resignation of Billy Coble as 5th and 6th Grade Girls Basketball Coach and 8th grade Girls Basketball Coach, effective immediately. Approved 6-0
2. Accept the letter of resignation of Jessica Bell as 7th grade girls basketball coach, effective immediately Approved 6-0
3. Accept the letter of resignation of Doug Philips as 7th grade basketball coach. Approved 6-0 5. Hire Doug Philips as 8th grade boys basketball coach, effective immediately. Approved 6-0 6. Accept the letter of resignation of Chad Traub as District Technology Coordinator, effective January 1, 2026. Approved 6-0
4. Approve the posting of the District Technology Coordinator Position Approved 6-0 8. Re-hire all current non-certified staff, for the 25-26 school year Approved 6-0
5. Hire Michael Teague as full time custodian Approved 6-0
6. Hire Brian Swope as Junior High School Cross Country Head Coach for the 25-26 school year Approved 6-0
7. Hire Taya Baggett as music teacher for the 25-26 school year Approved 6-0
8. Hire Sam Erwin as High School Physical Education and Health Teacher for the 25-26 school year. Approved 6-0
9. Hire Sam Erwin as Head High School Cross Country Coach for the 25-26 school year. Approved 6-0 14. Hire Mackenzie Walker as High School Assistant Volleyball Coach for the 25-26 school year. Approved 6-0
10. Hire Allie Krutsinger as Junior High School Head Cheer Coach for the 25-26 school year. Approved 6-0 16. Provide administration permission to hire necessary summer school staff for 2025. Approved 6-0 17. Give superintendent authority to set District Buildings and Grounds Director (Billy Coble) contract for the 25-26 school year Approved 6-0
11. Give superintendent authority to set District Technology Coordinator (Chad Traub) pay rate for the 25-26 school year. Approved 6-0
12. Give superintendent authority to set District Bookkeeper (Jami Lewis) contract for the 25-26 school year. Approved 6-0
13. Give superintendent authority to set Food Service Director pay rate Approved 6-0 21. Give superintendent authority to set contract for District Special Education Coordinator Approved 6-0 22. Provide administration permission to hire non-certified staff, as needed Approved 6-0

There were no committee reports. 

Superintendent Report 

Superintendent Keith Price shared an update on the necessary updates regarding the Pre-K facility and discussed upcoming plans for Strategic Planning for the School District. 

Adjournment Approved 6-0 at 8:01PM 

The Board also announced their recently elected members.

From North Clay Principal Keith Price: