The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Joy Swearingen, Quill Correspondent
For the first time in months, the Illini West High School board and visitors at their meeting Feb. 16 did not wear face masks.
The district has reverted back to the Return to School plan from July 2021, after a ruling by Judge Raylene Grischow of the Seventh Judicial Circuit Court in Sangamon County.
The court issued a restraining order on rules issued by the IDPH and ISBE in September 2021 requiring everyone in schools to wear masks, ordering those employed by schools to be vaccinated for Covid or provide weekly negative Covid tests, and quarantining from the school building anyone who was a “close contact” with a confirmed probable case of Covid.
The board approved a proposal from Laverdiere Construction to build an accessibility ramp and hand rail at the east entrance/exit door of the band room. The cost of the project is $16,366.
The bid is based on drawings made by Klingner and Associates for the east side of the high school building.
Superintendent Jay Harnack and the Illini West transportation committee reviewed lease quotes from three vendors for school buses. The board approved the recommendation for five-year leases on two buses at $16,965.78 per year/per bus from Midwest Bus Sales.
The committee recommended annual maintenance agreements for each bus which includes monthly maintenance visits, oil changes, warranty work and preparation for inspections.
Price includes a new Seon three camera system on each bus. Five year maintenance agreement to be added to the lease price are $1,500.00 per bus per year for the first 3 years and $1,800.00 a year per bus for the last 2 years.
The board received the technology report. It included goals and a survey of a staff focus group.
Survey results showed items done well at IWHS are internet speed, technology infrastructure one-on-one technology for students.
Areas where could IWHS can improve are increasing the use of digital curriculum resources (textbooks, assessments, etc.). More technology professional development is needed to help teachers use technology for instruction.
Goals for the future include:
The board discussed several options for in-depth planning -- work sessions or a planning retreat. It was decided to meet for one to two hours before some regular meetings. The first work session will be before the next meeting on March 16. Further work sessions will be held quarterly or as needed throughout the year.
In the principal’s report, Jim Short noted post season success of wrestlers, Lance Belshaw competing at state and Shawn Watkins at the sectional, and the dance team competing at state. He outlined basketball regional action for boys and girls teams.
The 5Essentials survey is up and running. A 20 percent participation rate is needed for a data report to be generated.
Teachers have been sent a link and are completing their portion. The link for parents is on the website, and a school reach call was sent encouraging parents to participate. Students were offered the survey at school on Feb 15.