The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

Board Brought Up To Speed On Consolidation

By Shirley Linder, Quill Editor

During public comment Karen Jack, Discovery Committee member, gave board members a condensed version of what has happened so far concerning consolidation handing out several papers to board members concerning facts and figures complied so far by the committee.

"Of the 3,000 surveys sent out previously to the Southern School District residents, only 302 were returned," Karen stated.

The committee is working with Union and a study that is being done should be ready in June.

Karen said, "The goal is not to lose our curriculum," stating that there will probably not be any public meetings held until fall, which she hopes will be well attended.

The board entered closed session at 7:25 p.m. for the purpose of student expulsion hearing and re-entered open session at 8:10 p.m.

In a discussion on Ag it was reported students must take Intro to Ag to be able to join FFA, but Horticulture class does not require taking Intro to Ag.

Acting on a request made last month by the Class of 2006 to go to Six Flags in St. Louis as an after prom event, the board decided to have no part in it. The money the students have in their school account, earned in Jr. High, now may be used for prom and other activities but not for a trip.

It was further stated students would need to get their own sponsors and hold fund raisers if they wished to pursue the trip. None of this can be done at school or on school property including meetings, since the board agreed to no longer be connected to senior trips beginning with the Class of 2006.

Principal Dale Buss reported:

• The spring high school music program went well
• A Certificate of Appreciation was received from the American Red Cross commending the donation for 56 units of blood from 62 donors. 23 of these were first time donors.
• A thank you was received from WIU for hosting Jeff Meyer at Southern Elementary and High School during his student training.
• Reported 265 guests visited the elementary school during Grandparents/Special person week.
• Prom and after prom went well.
• Graduation at high school went well.
• Elementary school music program went well.

The board voted to enter closed session at 8:35 p.m. for the purpose of student discipline and contract negotiations.

Following closed session the board:

• Expelled one student
• Voted to stay expulsion of one student pending successful completion of the remaining year at Southern and Monmouth Alternative for the 2003-04 year with no cost to the district and student being restricted from all Southern schools and activities.
• Upheld one elementary bus suspension
• Upheld one elementary, out of school suspension
• Upheld one high school, out of school suspension
• Accepted the resignation of Sharon Barber as Pom Pon sponsor
• Accepted the resignation of Jo Stull as Jr. High cook
• Approved a 3.5% salary increase for Principal Dale Buss for the 2003-04 school year.
• Accepted the West Central Conference invitation to participate in all current Southern activities beginning with 2004-05 school year.
• Accepted Pioneer Seed refund on behalf of the Southern Ag Alumni in the amount of $2,429.78.
• Read a thank you from Pat Brokaw in appreciation of the track opportunity given the students.

Present: Board members: Rod Fox, Dan Bowman, Brad Arnold, Brendan Schaley, Doug Brooks, Jon Corzatt and Melissa Livermore; Superintendent Charles Barber; Secretary Sharri Richard; Principal, Dale Buss; Teachers, Terri Copeland and Jeff Nichols; Guests John Gullberg and Ryan Gullberg.

The next board meeting will be held June 23 at 7 p.m.