The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Illini West Board
by Joy Swearingen, J-P staff - courtesy Journal Pilot
The most exciting part of a school district's annual financial report is "the score," the 2019 estimated financial profile designation."
This score from 1 to 4 (4 being best) is calculated by Illinois State Board of Education based on several factors.
At their meeting Oct. 17, Illini West High School board learned they had a 4.0 rating, based on the fiscal data from June 30, 2018.
Lowell Yates of Gray Hunter Stenn LLP gave the district annual report.
He noted that the district had a 3.65 score in 2017 and a perfect 4.0 in 2016.
"We bought the farm last year," noted Superintendent Kim Schilson about the 2017 score. The district paid $700,000 plus on land for a potential building site that year.
"Spent. Invested. You exchanged one asset for another, and that decreased your amount of cash on hand. But low and behold, the next year you bounce right back," Yates said.
He pointed out a comparison of assessed value of property for the district over the past four years.
"Everyone wants to know the levy, and the assessed value. Did it go up or down? Your assessed value has really gone up year after year," he said.
The assessed value as equalized for the IW district rose from $129,898,188 in 2014 to $146,814,436 in 2017. While the fund tax rates have remained flat or are lower in some cases, the increase in assessed value generates more revenue for the district.
The board accepted the report as submitted.
IW athletic director, Zak Huston, addressed the board, commenting on the positive feeling among students.
"Our school pride might be at an all time high," Huston said. He cited successes of the athletes and band this fall.
"The day-in, day-out vibe at the high school is as good as it's ever been. Without a doubt, the dedication of a lot of people have made Illini West a better place. It's great to be a Charger right now."
Dean of student, Jim Short, and Grant Surprenant, Community Outreach Liaison, talked about working with tardies and unexcused absences, beginning with warnings and proceeding with consequences if the problem continues.
They use lunch or after school detention, or taking away the student's open campus option when tardies or absences continue.
"I have been having some students go to after school tutoring, so that they get some work and learning done," Short said. Some students are asking for tutoring as they work out consequences.
Surprenant noted that he tries to stress real life issues.
"I will ask a student, "What is your plan after school? To get a job? If you are late for work, do you think you would you keep your job?'"
Schilson noted these efforts are important since the new rating system for school districts includes chronic absenteeism. She said the district has received a preliminary School Report Card, that designated the district as commendable. The highest, exemplary, is very hard to get, she said.
Schilson discussed the district levy that requests funds needed for the coming school year. The final levy will be presented in November and voted on by the board in December.
"The tentative levy does not increase in an amount requiring the board to publish a notice and hold a hearing," Schilson said. "We will hold a hearing anyway, so that if people have questions they can come in and ask."
LaShay Rameriz was approved as assistant softball coach.
The board approved fundraising requests for the WCISEC to sell shirts and FFA to sell fruit, meat and cheese.
Overnight trips were approved for the FFA to attend the national convention in Indianapolis, the Farm Bureau Youth Conference in Decatur, an FFA freshman/sophomore conference in Decatur, the state FFA Convention in Springfield and the Illinois FFA Leadership Camp in Monticello.