The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
by David Grimes, Quill Correspondent
Union school board members dealt with an ambitious agenda at their second regular November meeting Nov. 20, including a 90 minute closed session to deal with student and personnel issues.
Miller was absent.
While no formal action was taken regarding the closed session matters, a number of other issues were decided during the meeting.
School attorney John Canna, Orland Park, discussed the bond process with the board and urged them to consider paying off current bond indebtedness in order to re-issue bonds a lesser rate of interest.
About $225,000 of bond indebtedness remains to be paid from the original building and life safety bonds issued in 1990 when Union's Elementary building was constructed.
The school district's next coupon date comes next February, with the next following date coming in August 2003.
The board took no formal action regarding bonds.
In other business, the board listened as Ann Davies, Oquawka, presented a case for establishing a 7th and 8th grade football program at Union. Her 12 year old son, Dusty Chandler and other Union sixth grade boys, could benefit by learning football fundamentals prior to participating in Union's high school football program, Davies said.
Davies' request for a junior tackle football program was backed up by several parents and Union staff members who attended the meeting in a show of support.
"It would help teach them techniques and basics prior to their freshman year," said Union football coach Pat Lynch. "And that would help make us a lot more competitive against the schools we play."
There are 27 boys who have indicated an interest in participating in the program. Cost to outfit a team would run about $125 per player.
The program would be volunteer-based and underwritten by parent donations and fundraising efforts.
The board tabled discussion of the request until a future date.
In his report, elementary principal Tony Ryan said recent parent-teacher conferences went well and that mid-term reports have been sent out.Congratulations were extended to Kayla Henshaw and Austin Sharp for a job well done at the Geography Bee.
In her report, high school principal Pat Collins said 135 people attended the Madrigal Dinner Nov. 16 and 17. A recent in-service session resulted in Union faculty better understanding the role of the special ed teacher as well as the regular classroom teacher.
Upcoming events Union will participate in include the Burlington Christmas Parade at 6:00 p.m. on Nov. 30, the Stronghurst Christmas Parade at 10 a.m. on Dec. 7 and the Stark County Speech Meet on Dec. 14. The current semester ends and Christmas break begins December 20.
In his consolidation committee report, Doug Sams told the board that he had not met with Southern since the last board meeting, but said he did talk with Southern Superintendent Charlie Barber at a recent ball game.
"He said a letter from La Harpe had been received," Sams said, "so we'll be discussing that at our next meeting."
In his report, Superintendent Dean Irlbeck said that the district has purchased a 1994 Chrysler Concorde for $2,500 to alleviate the special ed student transportation problem.
Board members additionally approved the purchase of a 1996 7-passenger Chevy Astro van for transportation of students to extra-curricular activities at a cost of $5,500.
A sick bank program for non-certified district employees was approved and the resignation of Russell Liston of his custodian position was accepted.
Approval was given for a $20,000 transfer from working cash to the education fund.
The board next meets for its first regular December meeting on Dec. 4 at the unit office at 6:30 p.
An Advisory Council meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 5.