The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

School Decisions Never End

by: Shirley Linder - Quill Editor

Budgets, teachers and discipline in the upcoming 2002-2003 school year were discussed at the regular session of Southern School Board members. The meeting opened in the Unit Office at 7 p.m. Monday, June 24th.

A month earlier, at the May board meeting, the board had directed Mr. Buss to begin printing the high school handbook with the exception of the extra curricular policy.

This was discussed Monday evening and a motion passed to leave the discipline policy as it was last year except for the addition of an omitted line which was not disclosed in open meeting. All voted yes except Barry Bigger who cast a "no" vote.

Mr. Buss had not brought the elementary handbook for approval, but will have it at the July meeting.

The board also approved the Jr. High handbook.

Jim Cole was present to request new uniforms for the girls' basketball team. Following much discussion Mr. Cole was directed to check with Dan Dillard on a possible cost break due to the elastic not lasting well in the previous ones. Mr. Cole will get the information to Mr. Barber, who would contact board members for a decision. A vote was not taken.

Nadine Nice presented the volleyball budget totaling $8,454 including salaries.

Following a discussion a motion was made to accept the budget of $3,365 maximum excluding salary, with salaries to be determined at a later date.

Corzatt, Bundy, Waddell, Livermore voted yes, Bigger and Brooks voted "no."

Principal Dale Buss reported that of the 40 graduates 14 will go to Jr. College; 14 will attend a 4 year college; 2 will enter military; 6 will join the work force and 4 are undecided.

It was reported the north and south windows of the Junior High gym have been closed and fans mounted. The board directed that the windows have foam placed on the inside and out as opposed to painting.

Jim Cole was given permission to enter the Springfield tournament with the entry fee being paid from the baseball fund. Last year $450 was received back from the $500 entry fee.

The board also:

• Accepted the bid for milk from Anderson/Erickson (white .1420 and chocolate .1430)
• Accepted the bid for bread from Metz (white .75; wheat .80 and buns .84)
• Accepted the bid for 6 months for fuel from Riverland FS (unleaded .901 and Wisslead Oil (diesel (.849)

The board entered closed session at 8:15 p.m. Following closed session the board:

• upheld elementary bus suspensions for two students
• accepted the resignation of John Ockert as high school math teacher
• accepted the resignation of Rebecca Gerst as Special Education teacher
• accepted bid from Hamilton's in Stronghurst for office flooring in the amount of $1,844
• hired Eleanor Long for Special Education position-1/2 at elementary and 1/2 at high school
• hired Joe Rodeffer as high school math and physics teacher
• agreed to take 1/3 of head football coach's salary and use it to pay volunteer coach Floyd Bavery
• approved the 2002 football budget not to exceed $12,300 excluding salaries. Salaries will be determined later.

Present were board members Mike Bundy, Doug Brooks, Jon Corzatt, Monty Waddell, Melissa Livermore (arrived at 7:10) and Barry Bigger (arrived 7:22). Karen Jack was absent.

Also present were Principals, Dale Buss and Lyman Schar; Jim Cole, Nadine Nice and Terri Copeland.

The next meeting will be on Monday, July 22, 2002 at 7 p.m.