Mt. Zion Board of Education holds August Meeting
President Jeffrey Sams called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. on August 12, 2025.
Board members present were: Jeffrey Sams, Michelle Shumaker, Eric Law, Kyle Janvrin, Kent Newton, Regan Deering, and Dr. Courtney Gaine Cuddy.
Administration present consisted of: Dr. Travis R. Roundcount, Superintendent of Schools; Brian Rhoades, Associate Superintendent; Justin Johnson, High School Principal; Julie Marquardt, Mt. Zion Jr. High School Principal; Randy Thacker, Mt. Zion Intermediate School Principal; Heather Ethell, McGaughey Principal; Renea Smith, Special Education Administrator.
The Pledge of Allegiance was cited by those present and led by Jeffrey Sams.
Regan Deering introduced a motion to approve the Regular Meeting minutes of July 12, 2025. Seconded: Michelle Shumaker. Motion carried: 7-0.
VISITOR COMMUNICATIONS
James Bond:
• Donated a check to Braves Closet and acknowledged the school for doing great things:
– Buying school supplies
– Students getting in free to events
– Braves Closet
STAFF COMMUNICATIONS
Dr. Roundcount:
• Updated everyone regarding the new lighting put in the Board Room
• Science lab-the construction workers met substantial completion, allowing teachers to be able to set up the rooms.
GENERAL DISCUSSION
Travis Roundcount:
• Gave a recap of the F.O.I.A requests and responses for the past six months.
Kyle Janvrin:
• Asked for a follow-up from last month’s thought to using E-Learning for emergency and snow days. Discussion was had.
SPEECH SERVICE CONTRACT WITH LINKUP TELETHERAPY
Regan Deering presented a motion to authorize the district to enter into an agreement with Linkup Teletherapy for speech services during the 2025-2026 school year, subject to the contract attached. Seconded: Michelle Shumaker. Motion carried 7-0.
REVIEW AND RELEASE OF EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES PRIOR TO 2025
Regan Deering presented a motion to approve keeping Executive Session Minutes prior to August 2025 closed. Seconded: Michelle Shumaker. Motion carried 7-0.
DESTRUCTION AND DISPOSAL OF THE VERBATIM RECORDINGS PRIOR TO FEBRUARY 2024
Michelle Shumaker presented a motion to authorize the destruction of the verbatim audio recordings closed from the closed session meetings of the Mt Zion Board of Education prior to February 2024. The range of the Board Meeting dates included are August 2023 through February 2024. Seconded: Dr. Courtney Gaine Cuddy. Motion carried 6-1.
CONSIDER APPROVAL OF TITLE IX RESOLUTION
Jeffrey Sams presented a motion to consider approving a resolution supporting Title IX and Fairness In Girls Interscholastic Sports. Seconded: Regan Deering. Roll Call: Dr. Courtney Gaine Cuddy, Kyle Janvrin, Eric Law, Regan Deering, and Jeffrey Sams, yea. Kent Newton and Michelle Shumaker, nay. Motion carried 5-2.
FUND WARRANTS
Eric Law presented a motion to approve payment of the enclosed list of Quick Pay and Fund Warrant Checks. Seconded: Michelle Shumaker. Motion carried 7-0
FINANCIAL TREASURER’S REPORTS –
Regan Deering introduced a motion that the presented Financial Treasurer’s Report be accepted and filed for audit. Seconded: Dr. Courtney Gaine Cuddy. Motion carried 7-0.
FY 2026 TENTATIVE BUDGET
Regan Deering introduced a motion to place the Tentative FY 2026 Budget on display and schedule a public hearing on the budget for September 16, 2025. Seconded: Michelle Shumaker. Motion carried 7-0.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
There was no Executive Session
PERSONNEL: AS PRESENTED
Kyle Janvrin presented a motion to approve the following personnel as outlined below, pending a drug test and background check for new employees. Seconded: Michelle Shumaker. Motion carried 7-0.
Amanda Richardson – McGaughey Elementary – Special Education PreK TA, effective: August 13, 2025; Michael DeMeio – Mt. Zion Junior High – JH Assistant Track Coach, effective: August 1, 2025; Lexi Richardson – Mt. Zion Grade – Special Education Teaching Assistant (Pending Certification), effective: August 13, 2025; Max Barrows – Mt. Zion Junior High – JH Assistant Track Coach, effective: August 1, 2025; Robin Pygott – Mt. Zion Intermediate – Lunchroom Supervisor, effective: August 13, 2025; Chris Ellis – Mt. Zion High School – Part-Time Math Instructor, effective: August 13, 2025; Drew Hartrich – Mt. Zion High School – Bass Fishing Boat Captain Volunteer, effective: August 12, 2025; Ben Ford – Mt. Zion High School – Bass Fishing Boat Captain Volunteer, effective: August 12, 2025; Stephanie Croft – McGaughey Elementary/Mt. Zion Grade – Librarian Assistant, effective: August 13, 2025; Elizabeth Durkee – Mc Gaughey Elementary – Special Education PreK TA, effective: August 14, 2025; Ethan Osborne – Mt. Zion District – Braves TV Sponsor, effective: August 13, 2025; Dustin Heitz – Mt. Zion Junior High – Junior High Cross Country Assistant Coach, effective: August 13, 2025; Logan Grunden – Mt. Zion Intermediate – 2nd shift custodian, effective: August 18, 2025.
Employment of sub teachers (effective with the first day worked): Lauren Kyburz, Ryan Janssen, Kathleen Black, Charles Brown, Kristine Plqatzbecker and Ashley Kennedy.
Employment of Sub TSUB Security Officers (effective with the first day worked): Adam Skundburg, Mike Foster, Larry Brooks, Matt Travis, James Steven, Josh Metoyer, Sean Higgins, Gaige Floyd and Noah Ruenger.
PERSONNEL: AS PRESENTED
Michelle Shumaker presented a motion to accept the resignation of Certified and Non-Certified Employees. Seconded: Eric Law. Motion carried 7-0.
Julie Patterson – Mt. Zion Transportation – Bus Driver, effective: August 11, 2025; JD Arnold – Mt. Zion High School – Varsity Baseball Coach, effective: July 15, 2025; Kris Platzbecker – Mt. Zion High School – Special Education TA, effective: August 12, 2025; Lisa McConnell – McGaughey Elementary – BASAP Assistant, effective: August 12, 2025; Embralynn Cuttill – Mt. Zion High School – Student Custodial Worker, effective: August 12, 2025; Colton Allen – Mt. Zion High School – Special Education TA, effective: August 5, 2025; Debborah Shewmaker – Mt. Zion Intermediate – 2nd Shift Custodian, effective: August 5, 2025; John Larrison – Mt. Zion Junior High – Junior High Boy’s Baseball Coach, effective: August 13, 2025; Sherry Stewart – McGaughey Elementary – BASAP Assistant, effective: August 13, 2025.
NEXT REGULAR MEETING
Jeffrey Sams announced Tuesday, September 16, 2025, 6:30 p. m. as the next regular meeting of the Board of Education, to be held at the Mt. Zion C.U.S.D. #3 District Office, 1595 W. Main St., Mt. Zion, IL 62549.
ADJOURNMENT
Kyle Janvrin introduced a motion to adjourn the Board of Education Meeting at 7:15 p.m. Seconded: Kyle Janvrin. Motion carried 7-0.
