 Those present at the meeting were Darrel Vermeire, board vice
president; Reatha Owen, board secretary; Jim Allen; Burgandy
Henderson; Marianne Krusz; Robert Bagby, LCHS superintendent; Todd
Poelker, principal; Rhonda Hyde, vice principal; Bret Hitchings,
LTEC director; and Sam Knox, activities director.Finances
During the tax computation report, Bagby pointed out that the tax
rate for next year will be $2.27103. This amount is only about a
penny and a half more than in 1996. Bagby sees this as a great
accomplishment.
He explained that the board lowered the tax rate $.0539 as a show
of good faith to the taxpayers who supported the 1 percent sales tax
referendum, despite the fact that new tax laws had not gone into
effect at the time of the board vote.
However, Bagby also received some unfortunate news from the
state. The school will get only about 95 percent of what it is
entitled to this year. While this may sound like it is still a good
amount of money, the school may not receive nearly $400,000 in state
aid if current trends in the state government continue.
Bagby is worried but optimistic about the future.
"We have planned for this, and even with this, what I would call
a 'doomsday scenario,' we will have a balanced budget next year,
because of your (the board's) planning ahead," said Bagby.
LCHS explores sharing services with Chester-East Lincoln
LCHS may be sharing transportation with Chester-East Lincoln in
the future. Currently, the CEL district has five bus routes and is
trying to reduce that number to four. Bagby is unsure of what the
number of bus routes will be in the fall, and thus he cannot make a
recommendation. Furthermore, LCHS would be picking up additional
costs, but again, the board does not know what all that will entail.
"I do not have enough information right now to make a
recommendation," Bagby said.
Owen expressed that some parents could be concerned with a bus
carrying both younger and older students. Concerned parents from CEL
may be more likely to blame LCHS for any problems that arise. The
LCHS board members are willing to share, but right now there seems
to be a lull in communication between the two school districts. As a
result, the topic was tabled until the next meeting.
LCHS will share snowplowing services with CEL in the future, and
CEL will cover extra costs, such as payroll and maintenance. It will
be restricted to plowing the parking lots.
Students recognized for outstanding work
A special award was given to Amina Jackson, a runner on the girls
track team. Jackson placed fourth in the 300-meter hurdles event at
a recent varsity meet, and she has broken several records throughout
the year. Coach Neil Alexander was also present, and he
congratulated Jackson on her hard work during the season.
The woods classes were recognized by the board for taking first
place at a competition at Western Illinois University. This was the
first time LCHS students attended such an event, and the students
swept the competition. At least a dozen schools attended.
Vermeire read a letter from Mike Thornton on behalf of the Sons
of the American Legion. Thornton's letter praised the LCHS National
Honor Society for their work ethic. He expressed it is a shame more
people do not see such a positive side of the student body. Thornton
hopes the National Honor Society and the American Legion will
continue to work together.
Mammen to represent LCHS on IASB
Jim Mammen, president of the school board, was re-elected as the
delegate to the Illinois Association of School Boards. Mammen was
not present for the vote, but he had informed the board prior to the
meeting that he was willing to take the job.
[to top of second column] |
 Athletics and activities
Season ticket prices for LCHS athletic events were voted to
remain the same for the next school year. A season pass translates
to a dollar off for every ticket in a given season. Game workers'
pay scale will also stay the same.
Knox expressed his gratitude that the weather has been so great
this spring for athletic events. "Less than a handful of events were
rained out," said Knox. Both baseball and softball were maxed out in
terms of number of varsity games this season at 35 games each.
Principal's and vice principal's reports
Poelker reported the awards ceremony and graduation went very
well this year.
Individual ACT scores have been collected, but the schoolwide
score is not yet calculated.
Freshman orientation will be Aug. 9 for the incoming class.
Two new teachers are being added to the roster: Taylor Richmond
will teach physical education and coach girls basketball, and Tami
Pagel from CEL will teach special education.
Hyde reported that the disciplinary numbers were down this year
from last year. She also reported that as of April there were 812
students at LCHS.
LTEC report
Hitchings announced that the building trades house is currently
for sale. The house sits in the 1200 block of North Sherman Street.
Owen noted that the building trades students are very proud of their
work on the house this year, and students are excited about working
on next year's project: remodeling two houses near IGA.
Hitchings also reported that he is working with two potential
partners to establish cosmetology classes as part of a secondary
education program in the future. More information needs to be
gathered before a definitive decision can be made.
Building and grounds
Prairie State out of Athens will soon begin work on a new heating
and cooling system for LCHS. Currently, only two of the eight fans
on top of the gymnasium are working. All eight fans will be
replaced. The bid was considerably lower than expected at $173,980.
The bid was approved by the board.
Krusz reported on the remaining funds of the building and grounds
committee. Her report was mainly concerned with the senior gift from
the recently graduated class of 2012. She said students are
proposing that a new sign be built to place in front of the school.
Two options were presented to the board. Both options include an
electronic display. Ultimately, the decision was made to go with the
cheaper option of the two.
Staff events
A retirement party at the Knights of Columbus was on May 23,
there will be a service award luncheon at the Maple Club on May 29.
[By DEREK HURLEY]
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