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Illini West School Reports On Meeting

The regular monthly meeting of the Board of Education of Illini West HSD #307 was held on Wednesday, February 23, 2011.

Chargers of the Month for February are Caitlyn Fink and Mason Beals. Graduation requirements were increased as follows: Class of 2013 to 23 credits, Class of 2014 to 24 credits, and Class of 2015 to 25 credits.

The 2011-2012 Calendar was approved. First day of student attendance is scheduled for Monday, August 22, 2011. If no snow days are used, the last day of student attendance will be May 21, 2012.

Madalyn Owak was hired as Head Volleyball Coach for the 2011-2012 school year. Amy Rampley was moved to a Level II Secretary position.

The State of Illinois has forced school districts across the state to make some very tough financial decisions.

Illini West is looking at a possible loss of $600,000 next year as the district will not receive reorganization money, federal stimulus money and faces more cuts in transportation funding.

After careful considerations and long hours of discussion over the last several months, the Illini West Board of Education reached some very difficult decisions at this meeting.

In order to make up for the loss in revenue next year, the board will make changes in administrative staff, administrative support staff, certified staff, non-certified staff, and extra-curricular reductions. Not only is the board looking at cuts in personnel, but will be making other changes that will provide savings to the district.

As the first phase of cuts for next year, Resolutions for Non-reemployment were approved at this meeting for the following certified staff members: Tammy Belshaw, Math Teacher; Elaine Dion, School Improvement Coordinator; Alan Draper, English Teacher; Rosa Hausch, Spanish Teacher; and Ruth Vacek Special Ed Teacher. Rhonda Miller, Special Education Coordinator, was reassigned to a 9-month teaching position.

In the next few months, the board will be making decisions on non-certified staff and extracurricular reductions.