The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Improvements to the Illini West parking lot will continue next summer. The project was expected to be completed in August.
It was designed by Martin Engineering Company of Springfield. Hood Construction Group Midwest, LLC was awarded the work for a bid of $215,069.
“The district did not accept the work that was performed from a construction perspective,” explained Superintendent Jay Harnack.
At their regular meeting Oct. 15, the board approved a contract with Landmark Engineering Group Inc. for assessment of the current parking lot condition and rehabilitation work that is needed.
“Right now the issue with the previous contractor is ongoing. Landmark is the firm that did the third party evaluation for us,” Harnack said.
Landmark took over for the previous engineer and is carrying Illini the project forward. They will handle all the specs for rehabilitation of the existing status of the parking lot through completion.
Landmark will make a comparison of the work done by Hood Construction versus Martin Engineering’s design, grades and slopes specified in the plans.
After the meeting, Harnack said that Hood Construction has agreed to make corrections to the project under the supervision of Landmark.
The parking lot can be used as it is during the remainder of the school year. Air temperatures will not be suitable for paving work until April, so the rehabilitation work will be done in the summer of 2026.
At the monthly meeting of the Regional Office of Education, information was provided on enrollment trends for schools in the four-county Region 26.
Enrollment at all schools in Hancock, Fulton, Schuyler and McDonough counties has decreased over the past 15 years except in Macomb.
“It is certainly something to monitor since we are trending downward,” said Harnack.
A levy hearing was set for the start of the December board meeting, at 7 p.m. on Dec. 17. After hearing public comments about the proposed levy, the board will act on the levy request for funds for the 2026-27 school year.
Principal Amanda Congdon reported on plans for the Veterans’ Day services.
“We are working in conjunction with Dallas City, La Harpe and Carthage Primary/Middle schools for Veteran’s Day,” Congdon said in her report.
“Understanding that no school has the space to facilitate all student bodies we are working with all schools to have two Veteran’s Day activities – one at Illini West in the morning and one at La Harpe in the afternoon.”
The board approved early graduation requests for Kaylee Kerr, Ryder Hyneck, Avery Hunter and Victoria Reynolds-Ayala. Graduation was set at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 17, 2026.
An overnight trip was approved for the Illini West Drama Club to attend a drama workshop at Illinois State University on Jan. 8, 9 and 10, 2026. Ten students will attend, traveling in an activity bus.
The board approved hiring Bill Rasmussen as a volunteer boys basketball coach. The resignation of Brittnee Jarrett as district administrative assistant was approved.
Harnack reported that bids were received for the abatement of asbestos in the high school front offices so the flooring may be replaced.
The architect was expected on site Oct.16, to assess what is needed to replace the gymnasium bleachers and resurface the outdoor track.
Harnack noted that school districts will be required to offer mental health screenings to students, at least once a year, beginning with the 2027-2028 school year.
This requirement is only in effect for school years in which the state has provided a screening tool that offers a self-report option for students that is made available to districts at no cost.
The Illini West administrative team will participate in the regional Safe School safety drill at Western Illinois University later in October.
These drills offer a variety of safety exercises with local schools and area first responders.