The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Joy SwearingenQuill Correspondent
To prepare for the start of school, Illini West High School has planned in-person registration days in each of the three elementary districts that feed into the high school.
The first registration day is at the Dallas City Middle School Library on Tuesday, July 29, from 12 to 6 p.m. In-person registration will continue at La Harpe Middle School Lobby on Wednesday, July 30 from 12 to 6 p.m.
The final session will be at Illini West High School on Thursday, July 31, from 12 to 6 p.m.
Parents who have any questions about these dates or other registration details can call the high school at 217-357-2136.
The first day for teacher attendance is Monday, Aug. 18. The first student attendance day is Wednesday, Aug. 20. Freshman Loop orientation is Monday, Aug. 18, beginning at 6 p.m.
In-person registration and Freshman Loop will give students a chance to find their lockers, walk their schedules, and meet teachers before the school year begins. School picture day is Aug. 26.
At their regular meeting on July 16, the board approved the second and final reading of the 2025-2026 student hand book.
“This is a complete tear down and rebuild of the hand book,” said Superintendent Jay Harnack. “To Amanda (Congdon’s) credit, this is a lot of work.
Handbooks have a tendency over time to collect things. She used the Illinois Principal’s Association handbook system, which is nice because they then have the responsibility of updating it every year.
We have a much better confidence level that everything that needs to be in there is there.”
Harnack said a functioning Chatbot is attached to the handbook so that a person can ask on the computer “What’s our policy on attendance?” “What’s our dress code?”
“What’s nice is that it will respond, and then direct you to where it got the information including the page number,” Harnack said.
He is working to have it attached to the website so it is handy for anyone to use.
Harnack said summer repair work is progressing, and the parking lot resurfacing project should be completed in a week to 10 days, well within the Aug. 1 deadline.
Principal Congdon said that all new teachers have been at school, and are getting rooms set up. Congdon and guidance counselor Ryan Bliss have switched offices.
Jessica Knicl was hired as assistant director for band and chorus. Resignations were accepted from Jessica Knicl as special education teacher and music director; from Kelly Carroll as assistant volleyball coach; and Ryan Bliss as National Honor Society sponsor.
The board authorized Harnack to prepare a tentative budget for the coming year.
A public hearing on the 2025-2026 budget was set at the start of the regular board meeting at 7 p.m. on Sept. 17.
The budget will be on display as of Aug. 15. Copies will be published, and will be sent to the Hancock, Henderson and McDonough county clerks offices.
The board voted to discontinue a shuttle provided by Dallas City Elementary District for the remainder of the summer.
Dallas City has been running a shuttle, stopping at four locations in their district to pick up students to meet the Illini West summer shuttle to Carthage.
Illini West paid Dallas City $50 per day to provide this service.
Harnack said only one student was using the DC shuttle.
The Illini West summer shuttle from Dallas City to Carthage will continue, however students using it must get themselves to the Dallas City pick up site.
The board approved allowing the Trap Shooting Team to use the name and image of Illini West.
Trap shooting is guided by the Hancock County Gun Club and is not an official Illini West sport.