The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Joy Swearingen, Quill correspondent
After several months of discussion, the Illini West High School board voted down a co-operative sports agreement with Southeastern High School.
Under the plan, Illini West would be the administrative district, and all aspects of current Illini West teams, the Chargers name, colors and mascot, would continue.
Officials from Southeastern spoke at the April board meeting, stressing that they wanted more opportunities for their students. They did not propose joining the schools in any sports that would raise the IHSA Class rating for Illini West.
During discussion, board member Wyatt Green expressed support for the agreement, noting that Illini West as well as Southeastern could benefit. He noted decreased enrollments and participation on teams.
“If we co-op with Southeastern, our total enrollment will still be less than (Illini West) was in 2008. That’s how many students we have lost,” Green said. He noted the benefit of having more buses and drivers available for games.
In voting no, Shaun Lohmeyer said, “The whole process seems rushed.”
Green and Beth Newton voted yes for the agreement. Lohmeyer, Beth Webster, Darcy Stonger, Brian Covert and Shannon Kissinger voted no.
The board approved a three-year contract for teachers that will go into effect July 1, 2025. The contract has already been approved by the teachers.
The agreement includes a 3.96 percent pay increase in the first year of the contract, 3.80 percent increase in the second year, and 3.66 percent increase in the third year.
“There were no major language changes to the contract,” according to Superintendent Jay Harnack. There are some minor wording revisions of the existing contract, including those needed to adjust hourly pay for extra duties to reflect the new pay scale, he said.
A request from the City of Carthage for a letter of support for the TIF District amendment was voted down, 1 to 6, with Newton voting yes.
The amendment to add 10 years to the current Carthage TIF District agreement will be submitted to the state legislature for approval. The TIF district, formed in 2008, is set to expire in 2032.
Harnack said Illini West loses about $100,000 in tax dollars that are diverted to the TIF district, but receives a distribution of around $30,000 each year.
While the legislature makes the final decision whether to approved the amendment, letters of support from key taxing bodies affected by the TIF district carry weight on the state’s approval.
Harnack said the parking lot work would take about 30 days to complete. He did not yet have a confirmed starting date for the project.
The district’s e-learning plan was approved, after a required hearing for public comment, held at the beginning of the meeting.
Principal Amanda Congdon reported on a plan for summer school for students who are marginally behind on credits required for graduation. Illini West will offer credit recovery through ROYALS instead of in-person at Illini West. This plan is being developed by IW staff, counselor Ryan Bliss and the ROYALS program, which is part of the Regional Office of Education.
First reading of the new student handbook was approved. Harnack said this is a complete rework of the handbook, which Principal Congdon is coordinating, based on the Illinois Principal’s Association handbook. It will be organized differently and will be in digital version.
“She will get a new model handbook as changes are made,” said Harnack.
After executive session, the following positions were approved:
Abigail Gindlesberger as English teacher, Tyler Cregger as business teacher, and Tiffany Shepler and Christine Murphy as Scholastic Bowl sponsors.
Resignations were accepted from John Amschler as FFA co-sponsor and green house sponsor; Jessica Knicl and Ashtyn Miller as Scholastic Bowl sponsors; LaShay Ramirez as NHS, FBLA, and Yearbook sponsor and assistant softball coach; and Tyler Rasmussen as drama coach.
The fee schedule for the 2025-2026 school year was approved.
In other business, the board: