Mt. Zion Board of Education holds April meeting

President Jeffrey Sams called the regular meeting of Mt. Zion CUSD #3 to order at 6:30 p.m. on April 14, 2026.

Board members present were: Jeffrey Sams, Kent Newton, Michelle Shumaker, Eric Law and Dr. Courtney Gaine Cuddy. Regan Deering arrived at 6:45 pm.

Administration present consisted of: Dr. Travis R. Roundcount, Superintendent of Schools; Brian Rhoades, Associate Superintendent; Justin Johnson, Mt Zion High School Principal; Julie Marquardt, Mt Zion Junior High Principal; Randy Thacker, Mt. Zion Intermediate School Principal; Heather Ethell, McGaughey Elementary School Principal; Kelly Fox, Dean of Students; Diann Durbin Athletic Director; Renea Smith, Special Education Director; and Billy Rockey, Director of Technology.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Paisley Myers and Brooks Kent from Mrs Kyburz’s third grade class, and Addison Owens and Kinzer Jackson from Mr. Grove’s third grade class.

Michelle Shumaker introduced a motion to approve the meeting minutes of March 10, 2026. Seconded: Dr. Courtney Gaine Cuddy. Motion carried: 5-0.

VISITOR
COMMUNICATIONS
Amy Ensign spoke about the American Heart Association fundraiser done at the Grade School. The school district has raised $825,684 since participating in the fundraiser.

STAFF
COMMUNICATIONS
Kelly Fox gave an update on the Junior High’s attendance and the High School indoor track facility.
Michelle Shumaker let everyone know that she will be resigning from being on the Foundation Committee. Eric Law will be replacing her on that committee position.

GENERAL DISCUSION
Michelle Shumaker read a thank you card from the Special Education Staff at Mt. Zion.

SECOND READING OF THE 2026-2027 DISTRICT HANDBOOK
Dr. Courtney Gaine Cuddy presented a motion that the Second Reading of the Mt. Zion School District Handbook be approved with the changes as indicated o the attachment. Seconded: Michelle Shumaker. Motion carried 6-0

SECOND READING OF THE LIST OF POLICIES
Michelle Shumaker presented a motion to approve the First Reading of the list of policies as presented. Seconded: Eric Law. Motion carried 6-0.

SPEECH SERVICE CONTRACT WITH LINKUP TELETHERAPY SOLUTIONS
Regan Deering presented a motion to authorize the district to enter into an agreement with LINKUP Teletherapy for speech services during the 2026-2027 school year, and authorize the superintendent to renew annually, as needed. Seconded: Eric Law. Motion carried 6-0.

CONSOLIDATED DISTRICT PLAN AND TITLE POLICY
Dr. Courtney Gaine Cuddy presented a motion to approve the consolidated district plan and title policy 6:170 attached as required by the state of Illinois. Seconded: Michelle Shumaker. Motion carried 6-0.

FUND WARRANTS
Michele Shumaker presented a motion that the presented Financial Treasurer’s Report be accepted and filed for audit. Seconded: Regan Deering. Motion carried 6-0.

FINANCIAL TREASURER’S REPORTS
Eric Law presented a motion that the presented Financial Treasurer’s Report be accepted and filed for audit. Seconded: Kent Newton. Motion carried 6-0.

CONSIDER APPROVAL FOR OUTDOOR TRACK RESURFACE
Michelle Shumaker presented a motion to authorize the Administration to advertise and solicit bids to replace pavement at the Mt. Zion Grade bus drive as shown in the attached picture. Seconded: Eric Law. Motion carried 6-0.

PRELIMINARY FY 2027 BUDGET
Dr. Courtney Gaine Cuddy introduced a motion to authorize the Superintendent and his designees to obligate up to 75% of the Fiscal Year 2027 Preliminary Budget for purchased services, supplies, and capital outlay until the final Fiscal Year 2027 District Budget is adopted. Seconded: Michelle Shumaker. Motion carried 6-0.

FUEL CONTRACT
Michelle Shumaker introduced a motion to authorize the district to enter into an agreement with Evergreen FS for fuel services during the 2026-2027 school year, and authorize the superintendent to renew annually, as needed. Seconded: Regan Deering. Motion carried 6-0.

BID AUTHORIZATION FOR CONCRETE
Regan Deering introduced a motion to introduced a motion to authorize the administration to advertise and solicit bids to replace pavement at the Mt. Zion Grade bus drive as shown in the attached picture. Seconded: Dr. Courtney Gaine Cuddy. Motion carried 6-0.

EXECUTIVE SESSION
Regan Deering introduced a motion to go into Executive Session at 7:04 p.m. for the purpose of discussing the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of an employee or office of the public body, negotiating matters, and safety procedures. Seconded: Michelle Shumaker. Motion carried 6-0.

RETURN TO OPEN SESSION
Eric Law presented a motion to return the meeting to order at 7:51 p.m. Seconded: Regan Deering. Motion carried 6-0.

PERSONNEL: EMPLOYMENT OF CERTIFIED AND NON-CERTIFIED EMPLOYEES
Regan Deering 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 6-0.
Employment: Garrett Knock, Mt. Zion Grade, PE Teacher (effective August 13, 2026); Kati Buckles, Mt. Zion Junior High, Literature and Composition Teacher (effective August 13, 2026); Hunter Graham, Mt. Zion Grade, Student Custodian (effective April 7, 2026); Vincent Carson, Mt. Zion High School, 3rd Shift Custodian (effective April 12, 2026); Colleen Scherer, Mt. Zion Junior High, Special Education Teacher (effective August 13, 2026); Felipe Phillips, Mt. Zion High School, Boys Head Basketball Coach (effective April 14, 2026); Bryson Richardson, Mt. Zion High School, Assistant Boys Track Coach (effective April 14, 2026).
Employment of Sub Teachers: Brittney Bruce, Ella Sommer, Nick Stroud, Ann Durkee.

PERSONNEL: ACCEPT THE LEAVE OF ABSENCE REQUEST FROM CERTIFIED AND NON-CERTIFIED EMPLOYEES
Michelle Shumaker presented a motion to accept the leave of absence request from certified and non-certified employees Seconded: Eric Law. Motion carried 6-0.
Leave of Absence request of certified and non-certified employees: Stacey Stine, Mt. Zion Food Service, requesting unpaid leave of absence (effective January 5-May 28, 2026); Tracie Manning, Mt. Zion District, requesting unpaid leave of absence (effective February 2-April 21, 2026).

PERSONNEL: ACCEPT THE RESIGNATIONS AND RETIREMENTS OF CERTIFIED AND NON-CERTIFIED EMPLOYEES
Kent Newton presented a motion accept the resignations and retirements of certified and non-certified employees. Seconded: Michelle Shumaker. Motion carried 6-0.
Resignations and Retirements of Certified and non-certified employees: Steve Graham, Mt. Zion Grade, Second Shift Custodian (effective April 10, 2026); Ann Durkee, McGaughey Elementary, Special Ed Pre-K TA (effective end of 2025-2026 school year); Amber Mathews, Mt. Zion Intermediate, Food Service (effective April 10, 2026); Dalton Collins, Mt. Zion High School, Assistant Tennis Coach (effective March 30, 2026); Richard Hansen, Mt. Zion High School, Social Studies Teacher (Effective end of the 2029-2030 school year); Denise Hatayama, Mt. Zion Grade, second grade teacher (effective end of 2029-2030 school year); Allison Perry, Mt. Zion Grade, second grade teacher (effective end of the 2029-2030 school year).

PERSONNEL: APPROVE THE PRINCIPAL ONE-YEAR EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT
Regan Deering presented a motion to approve the principal one-year employment contract. Seconded: Michelle Shumaker. Motion carried 6-0.
One-year employment contract: Kathryn Rodgers, McGaughey Elementary, Principal (effective July 1, 2026 for the 2026-2027 school year).

APPROVE THE DEAN OF STUDENTS RETIREMENT NOTICE AND FOUR-YEAR EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT
Eric Law presented a motion to approve the Dean of Students retirement notice and four-year employment contract. Seconded: Dr. Courtney Gaine Cuddy. Motion carried 6-0.
Approve Dean of Students Retirement and four-year employment contract: Kelly Fox, Mt. Zion Junior High, Dean of Students, per the employment contract (effective end of the 2029-2030 school year).

NEXT REGULAR MEETING
Jeffrey Sams announced Tuesday, May 12, 2026, 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
Eric Law made a motion to adjourn the Board of Education Meeting at 7:55 p.m. Seconded: Dr. Courtney Gaine Cuddy. Motion carried 6-0.