The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

West Central School Board Approves Tentative Tax Levy

The board approved the Tentative 2016 Tax Levy as presented at the regular board meeting on Tuesday, November 15th. This year's tentative tax levy calls for an extension amount of $5,141,459 which is an increase over the 2015 levy extension amount of 4.97%. The Tentative 2016 Tax Levy is now on display in the District Office. The board will vote to approve the Final 2016 Tax Levy at the December 14, 2016, board meeting.

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m.in the West Central Elementary School cafeteria by Board President Lonnie Brent. All board members except Paul Anderson and Mike Lenahan were present at roll call.

President Brent led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Under Good News Items the following items were highlighted:

• WCE hosted our annual Donuts with Dad event and over 113 families were present to participate in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) activities. Lots of creative projects were assembled.
• WCE participated in Red Ribbon Week activities designed to raise awareness of the harmful effects caused by drugs. This event ended with a theme of Scare Away Drugs where the students wore their costumes and participated in the Halloween parade for the parents. 
• Brent Nichols and Hannah McIntire have both accepted scholarship offers to play golf and softball respectively at SCC next fall.
• Lexi and Jordan Kane donated pumpkins to FCCLA and Food Service class to use in October.
• Families of Tim Johnston and Bradon Annegers donated eggs for use in Family and Consumer Science classes.
• Family of Nancy Hull donated more fabric for use in Family and Consumer Science classes.
• Members of the Biggsville Legion Post participated in the high school morning announcements by leading the students in the Pledge of Allegiance.  Some of the veterans stayed to eat lunch with the students and to share their experiences.
• The WCMS Veterans Day program was very successful. We had a lot of positive feedback.
• Jacob Keever (Percussion) and Tucker Peterson (Baritone) were selected to perform with the Bradley University Freshman-Sophomore Honor Band. Both students performed at Bradley University on November 15, 2016 with students from about 25 other schools across Illinois.
• The WCMS Choir entertained the Henderson County Retired Teachers at their meeting recently.
• On Saturday, November 12, 2016 six students were selected by audition to participate in the Illinois Music Education Association All- District Band and Choir. The students from WCMS were Emijah Jones, Grant Sibley, and Kaitlyn Waugh. The students from WCHS were Tommy Murphy, Tucker Peterson, and Jason Strack.
• The WCMS Speech Team had ten 1st place and three 2nd place awards. The following awards were given:
• Sami Strack - 1st for Individual Opening Night, Mother Goose
• Allie and Sami Strack - 1st for Duet Dud Wars
• Kadie Dieckow and Rachel Albers - 1st for Duet A Fine Line
• Clay Lafary, Brady McGraw, Dexter Ricketts, and Ross Vancil - 1st for Group Handsome Prince School .
• They also received five out of the eleven Judge's Choice Awards.
• The WCMS Glow Run raised $701.
• Football
• Honorable Mention All-Conference Running Back, Zach Vancil
• 2nd Team All-Conference Wide Receiver, Luke Arnold
• 1st Team All-Conference Defensive Back, Zach Vancil
• Academic All- Conference: Luke Arnold, Zach Vancil, Luke Ditsworth, and Nick Browkaw
• 1st Team Academic All State - Zach Vancil
• The Hawkeye Newspaper 1st Team Wide Receiver - Luke Arnold

The meeting agenda was approved and the Consent Agenda. Items approved under the Consent Agenda included the following:

• The minutes of the October 19, 2016, Regular Meeting and Closed Session
• The October 2016 bills, October 2016 building Activity Account Reports, the October 2016 Treasurer's Report, and review of the District Financial Report.

In other business the board:

• approved offering a SAT Prep class 2nd semester at WCHS as presented.
• approved the WC Concussion Management Plan as presented.
• approved the 2016 District and School Report Cards as presented. They will now be put on display on our District website.
• approved a Resolution Authorizing and Directing the Sale and Conveyance of four lots in Stronghurst, IL as presented. Bids will be due to the District Office by 1:45 p.m. on December 12,
• reviewed and heard reports from the building principals as well as a Technology Report from Mrs. Frakes, a report from our District Psychologist and Special Education Director, Shaila Ayers, and a report from Jason Kirby, our Athletic Director.
• discussed selling the two modular buildings at the North campus in Biggsville and has opted to sell them through private sale. An ad will be placed.
• entered closed session at 7:09 p.m. to discuss matters related to students, personnel and contract. The board exited closed session at 7:55 p.m.

They took the following action in regards to personnel:

• accepted the retirement of Nick Roark with thanks for his service to the West Central District,
• employed Kristi Lumbeck as a Homebound Instructor,
• approved Colin Rothzen as a WCHS Volunteer Assistant Boys Basketball Coach, and
• approved Lucas Giertz as a WCHS Volunteer Assistant Boys Basketball Coach.
• was reminded that the next regularly scheduled meeting will be Wednesday, December 14, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. in the West Central Elementary cafeteria.

The board adjourned their meeting at 8:08 p.m.