The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Joy Swearingen, Quill Correspondent
The tentative budget for the 2023-2024 school year at Illini West High School was approved by the board during their regular meeting Aug. 17.
A public hearing will be held at 7 p.m. Sept. 20, at the beginning of the next board meeting, allowing time for the public to make comment. The proposed budget is currently on display on the district webpage or at the Illini West High School district office. It is expected to be acted on during the September meeting.
Superintendent Jay Harnack explained his budgeting strategy.
“It is conservative on revenues, aggressive on expenditures,” Harnack said. “The fund that we will always struggle with is transportation, with the size of the district.”
The budget anticipates just a little over $220,000 more in spending than the district will take in, for the five main funds – education, operations and maintenance, transportation, working cash and tort.
The total estimated revenue to these five funds is $5,423,413, with anticipated expenses of $5,650,476. Current balances held by the district will cover any deficit in the year’s budget. No deficit reduction plan is required.
Harnack reported that the first day of school, which was the day of the meeting, had gone well.
“I want to commend Mrs. Congdon and Mr. Surprenant, and the rest of our staff. It was a great start, very organized. The kids were really positive throughout the day,” he said.
“A big part of that goes to our summer staff. The place looks fantastic, the cafeteria got a facelift.”
He noted the value of adding a social worker to the district staff.
“She is a tremendous addition. Two months from now, we will wonder how in the world we ever got along without one.”
New principal, Amanda Congdon, echoed Harnack’s praise for the staff.
“Teachers’ institute went off without a hitch. We shared a lot of information, and I learned a lot,” Congdon said. “We had a fantastic turn out for freshman open house. We were able to hand out a lot of the Chromebooks that night, and get rolling with the kids.”
The board approved a revision in the lease agreement with the West Central Illinois Special Education Cooperative for the two portable classrooms they use at Illini West. The agreement is for four years, July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2027.
WCISEC will pay $16,000 per classroom, a total of $32,000 per year, plus an annual reimbursement of $1,500 for utilities. The lease cost is the actual cost that Illini West pays for the building, which has increased this year.
The coop is comprised of all the school districts in the region, who send students or share services through the coop.
The board approved hiring Doug Jones as a bus driver and David Rogers as bus driver and custodian. The board accepted with regret the resignation of Roger Duffy as custodian.
Revisions to the coaching hand book were approved which clarify IHSA and district training requirements for coaches.
The board approved an overnight trip request for the volleyball team for two tournaments in July 2024 in Springfield, and in Jefferson City, Mo.
First and second readings of board policy manual items were approved. Text books and unused phones were declared as surplus items to be sold or discarded.
The board plans a work session prior to their September board meeting, to discuss transportation and the farm lease.