The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Joy Swearingen, Quill Correspondent
The Illini West High School board took a look at a new crisis management app that will be on the phones of all staff in the school this fall.
At their meeting July 20, Superintendent Jay Harnack demonstrated the Crisis Go system that gives staff instant communication in the case of emergency.
The app has quick icons for connecting with all staff, to just administration, or directly to E9-1-1.
“There are multiple kinds of alerts,” Harnack said. “There are staff assist, medical emergency, lock down, fire, missing student, intruder, weather. Anyone can activate them. If you are a PE teacher out on the football field and see someone coming across the parking lot with a gun, it doesn’t need to be an administrator that sounds the alert.”
Check lists can be sent to teachers, and the office can tell if these checks are being done. If someone is not going through the protocol, Harnack can send a check-in message. There are many quick responses available to staff including a panic button. Rosters can be sent to teachers for the class when an event occurs, to help account for all students.
There will be a QR code for substitutes to be part of the system for a day, and then the app will expire from their phones. All staff and students have been uploaded onto the system.
“We are 85 percent done, and when teachers come back we have time to cycle them all through training,” he said. “This has been a good company to work with, and I think it will increase our security a great deal.”
There are also limited versions of Crisis Go for students to report tips related to bullying, harassment or some other threat that will go directly to administration. Parent or community apps are an option.
The board authorized Harnack to prepare a tentative budget. A 2022-2023 budget hearing was set at the start of the board meeting at 7 p.m. on Sept. 21. The tentative budget will be available for public inspection at 600 Miller Street, Carthage, during regular business hours beginning on Aug. 18.
The board approved an LED light replacement plan from Ameren. The actual cost should be over $35,500. However with Ameren discounts, the cost to the district is $11,000.
Harnack reported that work is underway on the HVAC project in the gym. With supply chain issues, he believes it will not be completed before school starts. There should be little disruption to P.E. classes and athletic practices as it is finished.
Light replacement in the gym has been completed. Painting and floor refinishing continue. Improvements are being made to visitor bleachers and other areas near the track and football field. Other projects include roof replacement on three portables and cold patch repairs to the parking lot. Several new information screens have been mounted near the entrance of the high school to give information to students and parents as well as helping at athletic events.
Principal Jim Short’s report noted that Summer Credit Recovery classes ended on June 30 with 15 students earning credit for failed classes. Those that did not make the deadline will be given a tutoring section in their schedule to continue recovery work.
Registration opened July 18 and is going well. Families can register online, or use a computer at the school, where help is available.
The first day back for teachers is Monday, Aug. 15, for two institute days. The first day back for students is Wednesday, Aug. 17. Freshman Loop and open house are Monday, Aug. 15.
Action was postponed on a lease agreement for the high school building with Carthage Elementary School, following a joint meeting of the two boards prior to the IWHS board meeting.
“I feel comfortable with the information given for the revisions we discussed,” Harnack said. The agreement will be finalized at a later meeting.
A new part of the PBIS (Positive Behavioral Incentives and Supports) plan includes a Charger Store with school gear and some items or gift certificates donated by community businesses. Students can earn Charger Bucks that can be spent at the store.
The PBIS goal is recognizing positive behavior and rewarding students who meet expectations set at Illini West with incentives, quarterly trips or fun days for those that qualify.