The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
By David Grimes, Quill Correspondent
Six persons were approved by the Union School Board last week to serve as a group exploring consolidation possibilities with Southern.
Lonnie Brent, Kirk Lewis, Pearl Heeg, Elizabeth Sanning, and Tim Ballard with first alternate Mark Torrance were named as members of Union's Citizens Committee on Consolidation. All board members were present.
Salaries for school administrators were also set for the coming school year. High school principal Patricia Collins and elementary school principal Fred Nestler will each receive $57,500 and school guidance counselor Jack Roemer will receive $47,750.
During the public comment portion of the meeting, Todd Miller asked board members to consider delaying the start of school in instances such as Monday, March 11.
Superintendent Dean Irlbeck explained that each time inclement weather is a threat to school being held he observes local weather reports, stays in contact with local law enforcement and confers with school transportation director Rick Olson. Irlbeck said he tries to take into consideration homes where both parents work and might not be able to take the workday off to stay home with their kids.
Miller, an ISP trooper, said that while responding to a call on the 11th he observed that drivers were not slowing their speed even though the fog had resulted in zero visibility.
Additional discussion was tabled by the board until a future date.
In her principal's report, Pat Collins said that Pat Olson- McGee has been named one of 14 finalists for the Illinois State Board Teacher of the Year Award. In his principal's report, Fred Nestler said that internal review has been completed and that Rachel Earp was the winner of the Henderson County Spelling Bee.
Congratulations were extended by the board to Traci Link, Lisa Noard, Brandy Smith, Katie Wood, Dana Hetrick, Melissa Kane, Jessica Sanning, Amber Stewart, Brandon Preisman, Tyler Nelson, Grant Van Tine and Ben Hunter for being named to the Lincoln Trail Academic All Conference Team.
Michelle Kane, Traci Link, Lisa Noard, Brandon Preisman, Travis Shafer and Grant Van Tine were also congratulated as seniors who were named Illinois State Scholars.
Congratulations were also extended to Stephanie Higgins and Brandon Preisman for being named to the Lincoln Trail Conference First Team, and to Lindsey Pruett and Donny Billingsley for being named Honorable mention All-Conference.
Nestler and Collins presented revisions to the handbooks and code of conduct to the board, with action expected next month:
The board also directed Collins to explore the possibility of securing a guest speaker at high school graduation.
Business resulting from executive session included accepting the resignations of Madena Stauffer-Chauvala and teacher associate Nathan Kotleba.
New hires included Laura Lewis, teacher associate; Brad Crisco, Steve Arnold, Jon Carruthers and Eric Smith as football coaches; Mike Hurley as golf coach; Amanda Hennenfent, Debra Lescallett, Brenda Nelson and Jill Patterson for second year employment; Jon Carruthers, Kathryn Withenbury and Michael Schulte for third year employment; Jane Alexander, Nancy Chandler, Erin Crawford and Tammy Slater for fourth year employment Staff granted tenure included Dawn Ferguson, Karen Gall, Jodie Grinstead, Jody Heavner, Kristina Lumbeck, Jane Noard and Penny Rowan.
The board also unanimously approved the termination of Julie Crisco as Class Size Reduction Teacher, effective at the end of the current school year, and the hiring of Crisco as a teacher under Title II of the LNCB Act for the 2002-2003 school year.
The board adjourned at 12:36 a.m. until April 1st, 2002, at 7 p.m.