State golf qualifiers Jim Mammen, board president, began
the meeting by presenting certificates of recognition to the state
qualifiers from the golf teams. Among the girls, Katlyn Hasprey was
a state qualifier, and coach Christine Randall was presented a
certificate as well. Among the boys there were two qualifiers,
Collin Antoine and Jordan Perry. Both students were given
certificates, as was the coach, Chris Ciaccio.
School report card
Principal Todd Poelker presented the school report card from the
previous semester. This report provides information on ACT and PSAE
scores from tests taken in April. There were 188 students who took
the tests last spring, including 28 alternative education students.
Poelker began by saying that in the areas of math and science,
students are improving in test scores. He attributes part of this
improvement to the quality of course work LCHS presents the
students. "Not only taking enough years of a particular subject, the
rigor of the course work is really going to play a bigger part in
how well you do on the ACT," said Poelker.
The composite ACT score for the school, minus those students who
receive significant accommodations, is 20.6. "That is the score that
is actually reported," Poelker said. He further explained that if
you remove the scores of the alternative education students, the
composite score would be a whole point higher at 21.6.
The score of 20.6 is below the state average by three-tenths of a
point.
Poelker also said that while students are improving in math,
English and most areas of science, biology results indicate room for
improvement.
Insurance renewal
Superintendent Robert Bagby reported that WRM America will be the
new liability insurance provider for LCHS. WRM was quoted at a price
of $49,724, which is $8,000 less than the next lowest bid offered to
the school.
Bagby explained that the school will be receiving full coverage
from this plan. The new coverage period began Oct. 1.
Administrative reports
Vice Principal Rhonda Hyde reported that enrollment as of Sept.
30 was 849 students. Hyde also reported that the number of
disciplinary reports for August and September has been lower this
year than last year.
Bret Hitchings, LTEC director, reported that it appears progress
has been made concerning the creation of cosmetology classes as part
of LTEC. Hitchings reported that LTEC has experienced a lot of
tribulation in trying to find a partner to work with the school.
Illinois law requires that LTEC partner with someone who is
independent from both LTEC and LCHS. Furthermore, the classes would
have to be located within five miles of the school grounds.
Hitchings has been working with
Hairmasters out of Bloomington, and he reported that a
representative of that company is working on receiving certification
from the state but would like to see written assurance from the
school beforehand. While the LTEC board has approved such an
assurance, the LCHS school board still has to vote on the approval
next month.
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Board member Marianne Krusz reported
that there is still roughly $392,000 left that can be spent to
improve the school building and related grounds. Krusz asked the
board for direction on what the district should label as the next
priority for grounds improvement. Krusz presented several possible
ideas:
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The home economics
classroom would benefit greatly from new cabinets and
countertops.
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The fencing around
the tennis courts could stand to be replaced; however, replacing
the fencing would likely result in replacing all of the fencing
around athletic fields for aesthetic reasons.
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A school oven that
was purchased in 1959 no longer works, and a replacement will be
necessary.
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The ceiling in the
back gym needs to be re-examined, and insulation is exposed in
parts of it.
-
A new concession
stand for athletic events could be built to replace the old one.
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Finally, the sound system in the
auditorium could be replaced.
Krusz said she would like to see improvement in the appearance of
the school come first. "We'd (the building and grounds committee)
like to do outside to start with because of the 1 percent sales tax.
It's the community's money. We'd like them to see it, whether it was
building something, moving something, freshening up," said Krusz.
Board member Burgandy Henderson said she believes the first
priority should be the students, and what they need for a better
education should come first.
It was agreed upon by the board that replacing the dead oven and
having new cabinets and countertops installed in the home economics
room will come first. The board is currently looking into gathering
bids from carpenters for the home economics improvements.
Those present at the meeting included Jim Mammen, board
president; Reatha Owen; Jim Allen; Mark Aughton; Burgandy Henderson;
Marianne Krusz; Robert Bagby, LCHS superintendent; Todd Poelker,
principal; Rhonda Hyde, vice principal; Bret Hitchings, LTEC
director; and Sam Knox, activities director.
[By DEREK HURLEY]
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