The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Joy Swearingen-Quill Correspondent
The Illini West High School board gave final approval for the 2019-20 school year calendar at their meeting July 17. Classes will begin for students on Aug. 14.
Student registration began July 15 and can done on line at www.illiniwest.org.
A late fee of $10 will be added for those not registered by Aug. 7.
The web page has registration helps, or parents can call and set up a time to come into the school office to register. The website also includes information on supplies, fees, insurance and immunization requirements.
The last day for classes is May 21, 2020, if no make up days are added.
The calendar includes four three-day weekends during the year. Those extra days off would be used to make up emergency days as the school year progresses, rather than adding days at the end of the year.
The meeting began with technology director, Chris Greenhalge, walking board members through use of their Thinkpad tablets, as the district goes to paperless, electronic board packets.
Superintendent Kim Schilson reported on fund balances at the end of the year, June 30, 2019.
"The education and building funds are in good shape," she said. "I am a little concerned about the transportation fund. Payments were prorated and we were about $30,000 short." Cash and interest funds increased because interest rates are up.
The board set a hearing for the 2019-2020 budget at 7 p.m. on Sept. 18, at the start of the September board meeting.
Schilson told the board about two state committees she has been asked to serve.
The Government Regulations and Advocacy committee reviews upcoming legislation as it affects education. The IPEC committee of the Illinois State Board of Education helps, among its duties, set guidelines and standards for teacher certification.
Board president John Huston mentioned workshops and sessions available at the joint education conference in Chicago in November and urged members to attend. He mentioned a pre-convention session on school security and safety he plans to attend.
Following closed session, the board accepted the resignation of Danielle White as assistant volleyball coach.
They approve following coaches:
Softball - Lexi Dooley; football - Rusty Willey, Zak Huston, Landon McKeowen and Jon Shumaker; cheerleading - Ashtyn Miller; volunteer football assistants - Chad Boyer, Nick Klein, Robert Eaton, and Bryan Huff; assistant golf - Shane Murphy; baseball - Zack Burling.
The board approved the destruction of all closed session tapes prior to Jan.1, 2018, and will keep all executive session closed notes.
The board approved several policy updates, and approved designating old eight room equipment and office furniture as surplus items.