The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Joy Swearingen, Quill correspondent
Three representatives from Southeastern High School gave facts about their athletic program history and the need to join a sports co-op for their students.
Jeremy Stephens, a member of the Southeastern district board, said their district enrollment has continued to decrease, with the high school at around 100 students. Since 2016 the district has studied the issue and believes the best option for a strong sports program for their students is with a cooperative agreement.
A survey done this year continues that belief.
“This study still holds true today, that we need a neighboring school district to help us out so we can continue to provide sports programs for our athletes. Competitive, stable sports can teach our student athletes valuable skills and lessons they will need in the future,” Stephens said.
“We have not helped some of our underclassmen athletes in the last 9 years. We have forced them to ‘play up’ in the varsity level when they are not ready.”
Stephens acknowledged that Illini West does not need additional students in their programs, but he added:
“There is no doubt that you would provide a stable, successful, competititive environment for our student athletes.”
This year Southeastern has joined Central High School for girls basketball, and West Prairie High School for football.
Southeastern Superintendent Tecia Lantz echoed Stephens’ call for a need to co-op their athletic programs.
“I just want to be able to give our kids opportunities,” Lantz said. But small numbers bring challenges.
“I have a kid who will be a freshman. To play basketball, he would have to start on the varsity level, which he is no where near ready for, because we do not have varsity players,” Lantz said. “To have a team, we would need to play kids that have never played before, or have our freshmen play varsity.
“We could piecemeal things with three different schools, and we are willing to do that. Obviously it would be better to go one place for everything.”
Several questions were answered related to the plan.
Lantz stressed that they would not ask to co-op in sports that, in doing so, would bump Illini West up to a higher IHSA class. That takes track and golf out of the discussion. Volleyball is not being considered, since both schools have high numbers of participants.
Lantz said they would cover all transportation of Southeastern students to Illini West for practices and games. However, if there is a need for buses, drivers or coaches, Southeastern would be willing to provide them. Also present was Southeastern board member, Eric Bunnell.
A cooperative agreement is made for two years, however, it would be reviewed annually.
No action was taken. The two boards will continue to discuss options for a possible agreement.
An organizational meeting for the Illini West board was held before the regular board meeting. The board verified the results of the April 1 election.
Three seats remained open after the election. The board appointed previous board members- Wyatt Green and Beth Webster, and a new board member, Brian Covert, to seats on the board. The oath of office was given.
Board officers were elected with Beth Newton as president, Wyatt Green as vice president, and Darcy Stonger as secretary. Stonger was appointed as district treasurer.
Board committees were appointed as follows:
Transportation, Brian Covert and Beth Newton; Building, Wyatt Green and Shaun Lohmeyer; Finance, Darcy Stonger and Shannon Kissinger; and Policy, Darcy Stonger and Beth Webster.
Bids were opened April 1 for resurfacing the high school parking lot. The project was awarded to Hood Construction Group Midwest of Rushville with the bid of $215,069.52.
Final details were approved for graduation at 2 p.m. May 18, and dates for the end of the school year.
A dual credit enrollment agreement with Carl Sandburg College was approved. This allows students to access community college level work while still in high school, earning credit with both institutions.
Overnight trip requests were approved for boys basketball players to compete in Vandalia, IL, in June and Wisconsin in July, supervised by Coach Blaise Kimmell.
An intergovernmental agreement with Carthage Elementary School District was approved to share music teacher, Scott Knicl. He will serve 75 percent with the elementary schools and 25 percent with the high school band and chorus.
The board wants to conduct a self-evaluation survey. The policy committee will draw up potential questions for the survey.
After executive session, the following positions were approved:
Marisa Roach as district administrative assistant; Grant Surprenant as co-athletic director/ administrative and John Amschler as co-athletic director/ personnel; Alana Sieg as volunteer volleyball coach.
Resignations were accepted from Tyler Rasmussen, English teacher; LaShay Ramirez, business teacher; Keela Nichols, social worker; and Sarah Salsman, district administrative assistant.