 Contact with the district's transportation provider, First Student,
resulted in an agreement to work with the district to consolidate
routes in order to eliminate small bus loads and ultimately be more
efficient with time and fuel costs. Of the feeder schools contacted,
only Chester-East responded positively.
Bagby said Beason had fewer than 10 students picked up, and LCHS
students sharing the ride would help fill the bus. Negative parental
comments focus on the issue of young children riding with older
students when routes are shared. Bagby suggested that paying a
monitor would cost less than running the second bus.
Several changes within the high school district's practice would
reduce costs and waste, according to Bagby. Some of those would be
restrictions on mileage except for Illinois High School Association
meets and conference games; restriction of field trips; no overnight
trips unless the cost was covered by the booster club or sponsorship
group for that sport or club; implementation of a transportation fee
(which would be a last resort); and reduction of the number of
coaches for sports that attract low participation.
An example given was golf. For 21 players, there is a coach and
an assistant, at a cost of $15,000-$20,000 per year. The district
pays the Elks $6,000 to use the course for the season and pays
$3,000 to other locations. Board member Marianne Krusz asked if
anyone had tried to reduce the Elks fee, and Bagby said not since he
came to Lincoln, but it was something to consider.
Small groups could take one of the small white buses. They hold
14 riders plus the driver and get better mileage. Currently one
sponsor refuses to take a small bus because he or she does not like
to drive it. Bagby said that in the future it may not be an option
to have the luxury of riding on a 71-passenger bus merely because
you don't want to drive. The issues were tabled to the May meeting.
Mr. Hitchings reported that the Workforce Readiness Expo was
well-received, and feedback from presenters said the students were
engaged and responded to the information. The building trades class
has been a major construction group for the new animal shelter. An
open house is scheduled for May 11, at 4 p.m. Hitchings is
concerned that losing federal Perkins funding will force closure of
several programs, such as LTEC.
Mrs. Sloot said the highest enrollment in March was 826, and as
of April 28 the total was 823. There are fewer disciplinary problems
this school year and fewer dropouts. Last year over 100 students
dropped out. She did not have this year's count.
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Mr. Bagby and cafeteria manager Laurie Lawson will attend a May
meeting in Clinton to learn about co-op purchasing for schools.
Food, supplies and even office items can be purchased at discounted
rates if purchased in quantity with other school districts. The
superintendent will report back to the board at the May meeting.
To address summer projects in the Information Materials Center,
the girls' restrooms, removing carpeting and other such jobs, the
superintendent suggested hiring two individuals for summer help.
Rick Hobler retired from the board after serving from 2002 to the
current meeting date. The superintendent's office received a letter
from elected board member Stacy May, stating that due to work
schedule and responsibilities she was declining the position. David
Welch did not seek re-election. Consequently, there are two
positions open on the LCHS board -- a four-year and a two-year term.
Board members elected officers: Jim Mammen, president; Darrell
Vermeire, vice president; and Reatha Owen, secretary. In addition,
the board appointed Phyllis Hahn as treasurer and Jill Awe as
recording secretary. Assignments for committees were tabled until a
full board is seated.
After a closed session, the following new hires were announced:
Lauren Sahander, for family and consumer science, and Jacob Hunter,
ag instructor.
The next regular board meeting is scheduled for May 16, at 7
p.m., in the IMC.
[By MARLA BLAIR]
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