The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
by: Shirley Linder, Quill Editor
Monday evening Tammy Guile and Darlene Fox asked Southern school board members to consider letting Junior High cheerleaders cheer at away games. The ladies volunteered to sponsor the girls and transport them at no cost to the district. This is the outcome of that question.
It took 6 motions before the final vote to have a "no-cut-policy for Junior High cheerleading at home games only. No traveling squad or tournament squad" gain approval.
This means all Jr. High girls wishing to go out for cheerleading will be allowed to participate, no questions asked. No uniforms will be needed as the girls will wear shorts and t-shirts.
Last month, Pat Brokaw requested permission to enter the high school in the state cross-country series in the fall at no cost to the district. The board passed a motion to approve this request as long as there is no cost to the district.
Karen Jack and Doug Brooks had attended a meeting with Union regarding consolidation. The two groups would like to do a feasibility study which could cost approximately $10,000 split between the two schools. However, they feel sure the study can be done for less than this figure.
Mr. Buss reported the IHSA Team Academic Achievement Awards were: Fall-Volleyball (1 of 56 schools in state) and Winter: Boys Basketball ( 1 of 11 schools in state).
Prom went very well with 99 students and their guests attending. The After-prom party was held at the high school with 73 students attending. The promenade at SHS prior to the Prom Banquet at Macomb Dining Company was well received by the community, with a large crowd attending.
Mike Bundy praised the Southern principals and teachers for the fine job they are doing in the schools. "Southern has a good bunch of kids," he said.
Following agenda approval, and public comment on Jr. High cheerleading, the board went into closed session for the purpose of a student discipline hearing. At this time all non board members were asked to go outside in the cold.
Ben Borris, Lyman Schar, Terri Copeland, Jill and Mike Lenahan, and Sharri Richard went outside and after 45 minutes of standing in the cold, Mr. Barber opened the door to signal closed session was over.
The board said no decision was made, but announced a special emergency board meeting will be held to discuss student discipline on Wednesday, April 24th at 8:00 p.m.
After amending the school calendar, and approving class trips, and hearing the principals reports, it was learned that five teachers had been nominated in Burlington, Iowa for the teacher of the year award with Debra Gillam named one of three runner-ups. Debbie is 7th-8th grade language teacher at Southern Jr. High, and has taught 25 years. She received $300 plus $300 for use in her classroom.
Following the second closed session the board:
Present were: Board members Melissa Livermore, Karen Jack, Jon Corzatt, Mike Bundy, Doug Brooks, Barry Bigger. Monty Waddell was absent. Also present were: Charles Barber, Sharri Richard, Lyman Schar, Dale Buss, Tammy Guile, Larry and Darlene Fox, Ben Borries, Darrell and Adam Burrell, Jill Lenahan and Mike Lenahan, and Terri Copeland.
(Editor's note: Southern Jr. High promotion is on May 30th not the 28th as printed last month. My mistake, sorry.)