LCHS building trades, new not-for-profit to be downtown renovation partners

[December 21, 2011]  At the December school board meeting, Bret Hitchings, LTEC director at Lincoln Community High School, presented a unique opportunity for the building trades class. After a question-and-answer session with board members, Hitchings was granted approval to proceed with a renovation project with the city of Lincoln. Hitchings said after the meeting that Mayor Keith Snyder would be contacted immediately about the board's approval.

"He is waiting for word on the board's decision," Hitchings said. "The mayor would like to have a groundbreaking, of sorts, to announce the project and the new not-for-profit that will oversee the project." 

Mayor Keith Snyder, LCHS Superintendent Robert Bagby, Hitchings and David Lanterman will make a public announcement concerning this project today (Wednesday) at 9 a.m. The announcement is tentatively scheduled to take place in front of the houses at 627 and 629 Pulaski St. In case of rain, the venue will change to Snyder's office at City Hall.

At the board meeting, Brett Hitchings explained there was a new not-for-profit being formed that would address such projects as the renovation of the "twin sisters," the two-story houses that sit side by side on the corner of Pulaski and Hamilton streets in Lincoln. The city invited the building trades class to participate in renovating the old houses during the 2012-2013 school year. The class is currently building a new house at 1200 N. Sherman.

Hitchings also asked permission to begin the process of selling the building trades house prior to its completion. The building trades class will complete the house by the end of the school year. Several individuals have expressed interest in the house. Hitchings asked that the board approve an early sale, with stipulations, so an owner could have input for paint color, flooring and other details. Board member Marianne Krusz provided several instances that might lead to problems if a written agreement was not in place with the buyer.

The conclusion was that anyone who purchases the building trades house on North Sherman will pay the difference, if any, between specific materials they request and the price of materials the district would have purchased and installed. Hitchings was given permission to make the necessary contacts and to begin a bidding process.

The board meeting opened with a presentation by the students in FFA. Individual students told the board about recent competitions, and the group shared a PowerPoint presentation on FFA activity.

After the program, board president Jim Mammen told the group, "You represent the district well and we're proud of you."

Dan Barnett of R.W. Troxell and Co. introduced himself and gave a short explanation of his company's insurance offerings. R.W. Troxell represents 27 school districts across Illinois.

Superintendent Bagby told the board: "Dan would be a phone call away. This company would save us money. I trust them. We've worked together before and we know each other. I would recommend you consider switching to this company."

The presentation was an introduction for consideration, with no board discussion or a vote at this meeting.

Additional agenda items:

• The tax levy for next year will lower property taxes.

• The school sales tax will begin Jan. 1, 2012, and revenue from that source will be available later in the year.  

• Stimulus money remains available, and general state aid continues to decrease. The amount has dropped by over $188,000.
  
  "We have a balanced budget," Bagby said, "but with declining enrollment, general state aid will continue to decrease. I anticipate a balanced budget for next year also, but with a much slimmer margin. I recommend calling a budget meeting for early in the year to discuss the situation.
  
  "There are two retirements at the end of this year, and that will lead to some savings," Bagby continued. "I am going to work on the teaching schedule for 2012-2013, and the board can make some personnel decisions by March. I'll send out some dates for consideration and we can get this started.
  
  "Last year we called a public meeting for input and ideas," he said. "If there was no more general state aid, the margin for error is narrow, and we need to consider options and put a plan into place before we need it." 

• The superintendent reminded the board that Gov. Quinn has threatened to also cut transportation and make parents responsible for getting their children to school.

• The board received suggestions to consider stricter and more defined policy on fundraising by the district's groups and organizations, and to reconsider fundraising companies that make more than the student and booster organizations. The thinking is that events and fundraisers within the community should give people something for their money and benefit the cause, not corporations. Board member Mark Aughton will call a committee to review the issue.  

Principal Poelker's report:

• Logan Armbruster was November Student of the Month. He is 11th in his class and plans to go to the U of I after graduation. Brandon Rankin received the award for "Most Improved."

• Promethean boards are being used and are very popular; the teachers would like to have more of them. Teachers return from the holiday break on Jan. 3 for in-service. Promethean board training will take place in the morning and there will also be a training on ADHD.

• Board approval to have graduation at noon instead of later in the day when the gym is hot. Poelker and Bagby said families have expressed a wish to see the time change to allow more time with out-of-town visitors.

Assistant Principal Hyde:

• At the end of November enrollment was 838, the same as in October.

LTEC director Brett Hitchings:

• Business Expo will be at Jefferson Street Christian Church this spring to allow for more room and a different setup. Andi Hake will organize the event.

• LTEC will have an open house Feb. 17. There is no school that day, and other schools will be attending to tour the departments and learn about the variety of technical trainings available.

• Hitchings had a meeting scheduled to discuss a beautician program for 2013-2014.

LCHS Foundation:

• Board member Marianne Krusz said the LCHS Foundation will become more active in the near future.  

Board approval:

• The superintendent can now secure bids for refurbishing the auditorium seats. The ideal contact would charge $120 per seat. The process would include dismantling the seat, dip to strip, repaint, remove upholstery, replace foam and fabric, and replace hardware. The representative stated that never-used seats from balcony could be used for spare parts to make repairs.
  
  With immediate removal, the seats could be back in place by the time of the spring musical and end-of-the-year ceremonies and programs. While chairs are out would be a good time to repaint walls and floor and fix the ceiling.

Building and grounds discussion:

• There was ongoing consideration of resurfacing the track and finding a solution for tennis court surface.

[By MARLA BLAIR]