The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Illini West School Board
by Joy Swearingen, Correspondent
Intruder training and lock down drills are held regularly at Illini West High School. In light of the most recent school shooting event, Principal Scott Schneider reminded the district board of these procedures at the Illini West School board meeting Feb. 22,
The district uses the ALICE school security program, with steps that include Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter and Evacuate.
"The teachers just recently had their training," Schneider said. "We are going to be communicating with the kids in more detail about the procedures, and stress what they should expect and what they should do."
Also in his report, Schneider said that 37 students from the Career Technical Education department had attended a career day at Southeastern.
"This was a great opportunity for kids, not necessarily on track to attend a four-year college, to get a close look a lot of good job opportunities."
David Mueller was hired as a math teacher for the coming year. Robbie Middle was hired as study hall supervisor.
The board approved the course catalog for the 2018-2019 school year which had been outlined last month.
Schneider and the math staff have developed "math group" companion classes for algebra and geometry that should help students grasp these math concepts. The course catalog added ag classes in vet tech and food science tech, and introduced an aerobic PE class. Other changes to the catalog were in course content descriptions and titles.
The board heard the first reading of a number of changes in the student handbook. The handbook is reviewed by a group that includes community members, students, staff parents and a board member and administrator.
Plans for summer life safety work on the building were approved and sent back to the architect to seek bids. This includes exhaust work and renovation of bathrooms, exhaust work in the home economics room and industrial arts workshop, and adding new stage curtains.
Additional work on the home economics room will be funded with WACS (Western Area Career Services) grant money.
First reading of changes to the board policy was approved, bringing the district in line with changes in the state school code.
Fundraising events were approved for the softball team and the MD Department.