Murphysboro CUSD 186 board approves bids, personnel notices, calendar changes and moves to closed session

The Murphysboro CUSD 186 Board of Education on the record approved a series of routine and operational items and then voted to enter closed session to consider personnel matters.

Board members approved the agenda and consent agenda, accepted multiple personnel notices (including a resignation from Hunter Shoffley as MMS track and field assistant coach and a resignation from a special education teacher), and granted several staff requests for pay-step consideration tied to completion of graduate degrees.

Why it matters: the board’s approvals move several personnel and procurement items forward and authorize staff to pursue a kitchen serving-line replacement at Murphysboro High School that is tied to grant funding the district must spend by June 30. The motion to go into closed session signals the board planned to discuss confidential personnel and compensation matters.

The meeting included these key outcomes:

- Procurement and contracts: The board approved the low bid for the district’s fiber project (Reinhold Electric) and the low bid for maintenance trucks (Offenburg of Carbondale). The board authorized soliciting bids to replace the Murphysboro High School kitchen serving line after staff reported the initial quote exceeded the district’s bidding threshold and noted the related grant funds must be spent by June 30.

- Personnel and compensation: The board accepted resignations submitted in writing (including Hunter Shoffley’s resignation from the track and field assistant coach post and a special education teacher’s resignation), approved multiple staff requests to pursue graduate degrees with the corresponding step increase on completion (letters from Deanne Milton, Lauren Rather and Olivia Meyer were approved), and authorized hiring summer student workers and supervisors as needed.

- Athletics and student events: The board renewed IHSA membership for 2024–25 at no charge, approved an athletic training services contract with Athletico with a 5% increase, and approved an updated concussion-team roster naming Hailey Landwee as the athletic code designee. The board also set Class of 2024 graduation and baccalaureate dates; staff noted the district’s new gymnasium seats just over 2,000 and estimated last year’s attendance at under about 1,800.

- Governance and compliance: The board approved the consolidated district plan required by the Illinois State Board of Education and acknowledged a FOIA request from Smart Procure (Sherry Reed) that was answered in a timely manner.

- Executive session: The board approved a motion to go into closed session to review appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees, to hear testimony on complaints against employees, and to consider salary increases for non-union, non-certified administrative staff.

Votes at a glance (as recorded in the meeting): The transcript records voice approvals for many motions; where members were called by name to confirm votes, the record shows affirmations by Mister Brown, Mister Green, Missus Judy, Missus Bridal (also recorded in the transcript as 'Missus Brazel' in one line), and Mister Beavers. Mister Wilson was noted absent. Specific actions with named affirmations include approval of District 186 bills for March 2024 and several procurement votes.

Representative quotes from the record include a resignation letter read into the record: "With this letter, I hereby resign my position as MMS track and field assistant coach for the 2425 school year. I will remain on staff for the 2324 school year and complete the season as contracted." (letter signed Hunter Shoffley). Staff also noted, "we're supposed to spend the grant funds by June 30," as the board authorized soliciting bids for the kitchen serving-line project.

What’s next: Several items (contract awards and personnel matters) will proceed to implementation or follow-up by staff; the board moved into closed session to address confidential personnel matters. The meeting record does not include the closed-session outcome in the provided transcript.