The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Joy Swearingen, Quill Correspondent
Window improvements at Illini West High School will begin in early April and are hoped to be completed by the end of the school year in May.
Superintendent Jay Harnack reported at the board’s meeting March 20, that work should begin April 8.
In his report, Harnack said: “Work will be done on the second shift, to limit instructional impact. The estimate is for a three-week project. The amount of time needed to abate asbestos on individual windows is unknown.”
He said that the staff is beginning to compile a list of summer work items which will include painting, parking lot repair and new padding for the west end of the gym.
Harnack said the final school calendar will be presented in April. If there are no more emergency days used, May 23 will be the last day for students, and May 24 the last day for teachers.
A board working session will be held before the May 15 board meeting to discuss building options following possible loss of the county sales tax increase vote on March 19. There are still up to 500 early and mail-in votes to be counted before the final result is determined.
The board approved three overnight student trips.
The Robotics team will attend the Science Olympiad, a state competition at McHenry County College in Crystal Lake, on April 19 and 20.
The girls basketball team was approved to attend the summer shootout at Lindenwood University, St. Charles, Mo., on June 17 and 18.
District winner, Miranda Klingler, will attend the FFA Proficiency State Awards Day to compete in interviews for a state proficiency award in beef placement at Mt. Zion High School, March 22 and 23.
Director of Student Services, Grant Surprenant, told the board that attendance at the high school has been higher than previously reported.
A change in the Power School program had not taken into account students who were off campus for part of a day, attending college classes, or for other reasons. This has been corrected.
Attendance for February averaged 92 percent, with freshmen at 91.7 percent, sophomores at 92 percent, juniors at 93.2 percent and seniors at 90.2 percent.
The board approved a memorandum of understanding with the Illini West High School Education Association related to tuition costs for a teacher to obtain an endorsement in driver’s education.
Following closed session, the board approved the following actions:
The district approved IHSA membership renewal for 2024-2025 school year.
First reading of the student handbook for 2024-2025 was approved.