The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Committee of Ten Asks Southern Board For Support
by: Shirley Linder- Quill Editor
The Southern-Union Consolidation Committee of Ten would like to know if they have the Southern school board's support.
Bob Scott, representative of the committee, asked the board for two things, support and financial assistance.
Scott told board members about the public meetings the committee has held and said they were well received.
Scott said when he agreed to serve on this committee, he understood that the board supported the consolidation.
Doug Brooks said he struggles with giving board approval not knowing the answers to such things as-what buildings will be used, what the assessed evaluation will be, and other factors.
Scott said funds are needed to hire an attorney and an architect so they can proceed in obtaining this information and move forward.
Brooks said, "As an individual of the community, I don't even know if the curriculum will be better."
Brendan Schaley said those who talked with him who had gone to a public meeting recently acted as if they knew more than he did.
He indicated they were painting too rosey of a picture without knowing all the facts.
When Scott asked Brendan if he knew what was going on in the public meetings, he answered no, but that he had the Feasibility Study.
After much discussion, it was by verbal conscent of some of the board members to support the Committee Of Ten "based on the current information."
On a motion made by Brad Arnold, seconded by Melissa Livermore, the board voted to give the committee $3,000. Dan Bowman cast the only negative vote.
Karen Rima, Principal at Union High School, having approached the board last month regarding football co-oping was present again to ask for their decision. She said projections were that 20 students from Union would participate in football next year. Lincoln Trail Conference has agreed to let Union out of the conference for football. She stated she had a meeting coming up and needed Southern's decision by November 10th.
President Jon Corzatt said the board should have 30 days to decide since there was not enough information for a decision to be made.
Questions such as where practices will be held, where games will be played, if enough equipment is available, how many coaches will be needed, and transportation issues need discussed. Rima suggested two board members and the athletic directors get together and could include administrators to talk over the details.
Coach Scott Dillard expressed his concern about the suggestion for co-oping golf. Dillard said it would do no good to bring 20 Union students in and have 10 of the football players leave to play golf.
President Corzatt said they would pick two board members and Mr. Buss would call Rima the next day to set up a meeting.
The board agreed that on November 14th (Staff Development Day) Southern's teachers would spend the day at Union High School with Union teachers.
Dale Buss announced the students chosen for the All State District Music Festival to be held at Augustana College on November 22nd. They include: Jr. Treble Choir-Hannah Waterman, Brittney Grafton, Emily Smith, Sarah Heller, Rachele Jack and Brittany Nichols; Jr. Mixed Choir-Valerie Corey, Ashley Huss, Brad Davis, Jessica Hobart, Rachel Keane; Jr. Treble Choir-Robin Guile Kim Villareal, Hillary Brooks, Alex Diehl, Kylee Hendrickson and Jessica Zaiser; Senior Mixed Choir-Holly Hendrickson; Jr. Band- Jordan Brueck and Brianne Strack.
Following closed session the board:
Present were: Board members, Rod Fox, Brendan Schaley, Melissa Livermore, Jon Corzatt, Brad Arnold, Doug Brooks and Doug Bowman; Superintendent Charlie Barber; Principals, Dale Buss and Jeff Nichols; Secretary Sharri Richard; Athletic Director, Jay Blender, Coach Scott Dillard, guests, Rodney Brent, Karen Rima, Dean Irlbeck, Bryan Heap, Bob Scott.
The next meeting will be held on November 24, 2003 at 7:00 p.m.