The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
By David Grimes, Quill Correspondent
The Union School Board approved a preliminary tax levy of about 4.3%, or $1,990,250 against an expected $45,900,000 in expected assessed valuation, payable in 2003, at their November 6 meeting.
Superintendent Dean Irlbeck told the board that while the figure is subject to change before they will be asked to adopt a final ax levy next month, the preliminary figure is down about .4% from what the district received in local taxes last year.
The Education and Operations and Maintenance Funds draw most heavily on the school's budget, according to Irlbeck.
Board members were also told an extra vehicle is needed for Union's eight special needs students who travel o Colchester and Macomb schools each day to attend classes.
Irlbeck said the need is a result of discipline problems stemming from extended travel time is urgent.
"The students are on the bus for about an hour and a half," he said.
The extra time is required for the three stops made to accommodate the students. Their special needs range from learning disabilities to severely handicapped and confined to a wheelchair.
Irlbeck recommended the board look for a used car in the price range of $4,000 to $6,000. He said 67% to 80% of the cost would be recouped through state transportation cost reimbursement.
The students affected currently are all transported to McDonough County on a mini-bus. Five of the students attend classes at Colchester and three at Macomb through Union's involvement with the West Central Illinois Cooperative.
Athletic Booster Club President Nancy Alexander told board members the group has taken in $4,000 in receipts so far this school year from concession sales and is looking at other fund raising possibilities such as selling sweatshirts and selling raffle tickets at ball games. The club has a current membership of 71.
In his repot to the board on the latest consolidation meeting with Southern, Doug Sams said the two schools met with consolidation study planners on November 4.
Should these two districts decide to pursue a consolidation pact, Sams said, a Committee of 10 will need to be created of five people from each district, with one from each district needing to be a school board member.
Bill Allaman said he had been asked by a number of people if Union plans to consolidate.
Sams said it is important to be careful what information is given out to the public this early in the process, but also said the two schools were determined not to repeat the mistakes of the consolidation group from LaHarpe, Roseville, Northwest and Colchester in not getting adequate information out to the communities to educate them prior to the election.
That four-district consolidation proposal was defeated at the polls November 5 by a margin of roughly 2 to 1 at Roseville and LaHarpe.
Dennis Reaves asked about the prospect of Lomax-area students figuring into the consolidation. "They would have to deactivate first," Sams said.
Sams said he plans to begin drafting articles to be published in area newspapers on the consolidation process.
"I think the public is ready to get information," Allaman said.
In his superintendent's report, Irlbeck reviewed feedback received at the October 30 goal-setting session.
Those attending believe school should be safe, friendly and business-like, he said. Challenges the school faces include seeking needed funding in light of the decline in state aid, finding ways to increase parent involvement and finding ways to combat the "biggest threat to the district"Ñapathy.
Sams commented that he thought the evening had the lowest turnout ever.
Irlbeck agreed.
"We have to get over the apathy hump," he said.
Space was difficult to find in the parking lot the next day, however, it was noted, when parents were invited to attend Halloween activities at Union.
Beth Webber said she was concerned that an accident involving a student may happen, based upon her experience with reckless drivers in the parking lot before and after school hours.
She was appointed by board president Joe Bigger to head a committee to investigate the issue.
Irlbeck added that administration has been working on some solutions to correct the problem.
Principals Pat Collins and Tony Ryan briefed the board on school report cards for the high school and elementary school, respectively.
Collins said areas of success include a significant rise in Union's graduation rate, which is higher than the state average, and a 95% senior daily attendance rating.
While numbers were down in some areas, Collins said the main focus should be on reading, writing and math, and "I don't see that as a problem."
The Prairie State Achievement Examination is given to 11th grade students.
At the elementary level, Ryan told the board that "data can be dangerous," if not interpreted correctly.
The Illinois Standards Achievement Test is given to students in grades 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8.
Union's eighth graders scored within two points for the state average in the area of reading, about 15 points below the state average in math, and 10 points below the state average in writing.
But in those same areas, Union third graders scored .3% higher that the state average in reading, .8% higher in math and only 3% below the state average in writing.
Taking into account the variables involved, Ryan said he was very pleased with the test results overall.
Testing was done at Union this past spring.
In other business, the board approved a school calendar amendment allowing for early dismissal at 12:45 p.m. on February 13 for the purpose of a school improvement day.
The board also approved the hiring of Arleen Harris and Megan Harris as volleyball coaches and Jacob Miller and Pat Lynch as baseball coaches.
Parsons arrived late.
Union's Advisory Council meets December 5 at 6:30 p.m.