The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

Consolidation Moving Along

By: Shirley Linder-Quill Editor

Bryan Heap, spokesperson for "The Committee of Ten" updated Southern board Monday night on the progress the committee has made towards consolidation.

The committee has developed a brochure based on facts, figures and projections in a feasibility study; established committee objectives and developed a plan to create dialog with the community.

Heap said the committee members have a huge task and they take it very seriously and are trying hard to get as much information as they can. They welcome all questions and input from the community.

They are preparing to hire an attorney and have prepared a tentative budget. They requested 50% support from the Union Board and 50% from the Southern Board. Doug Brooks said, "We have to watch our budget, it will be a hard decision".

Heap also requested a liaison from the board be appointed to attend meetings. There was no action or discussion by the board.

Also, there was no report given on the meeting Jon Corzatt and Doug Brooks had attended at La Harpe School.

Karen Rima, Principal of Union High School, asked the board to consider co-oping sports next year, especially football. Union anticipates approximately 20 to participate next year in football. Doug Sams said since Union has golf and Southern does not, that could be another shared sport. President Corzatt said they would discuss it.

Jerry Keimig representing the FFA Alumni told the board they had met their pledged financial goal and would be giving the school a check. He also requested a liaison from the board to attend their meetings. He said they would like to have the board consider reinstating ag on a full time basis next year. There was no discussion by the board.

In other business the board:

• adopted the 2003-04 budget
• approved boys basketball budget of $8,833.20
• approved girls basketball budget of $8,320.34
• learned 84% of the 2003 graduating class are attending a four year college, two year college or technical school
• granted Cory Fox permission to be a half time student during second semester due to enrollment as a part-time college student.

The board entered closed session at 9:40:

Following closed:

• upheld out of school suspension of elementary student
• hired Pam Stevenson as Pre-K custodian for 2 hours per week, to be paid for by a grant
• employed Sally Day as fall play director

Present was: Brendan Schaley, Rod Fox, Jon Corzatt, Brad Arnold, Doug Brooks, Dan Bowman (arriving at 7:20), Charles Barber, Sharri Richard, Jeff Nichols, Dale Buss, Bob Scott, Karen Rima, Bryan Heap, Doug Sams, Liz Sanning, Lonnie Brent, Emily McCann, David Grimes, Jerry Keimig, Jay Blender and Jim Cole. Board member Melissa Livermore was absent.

The next board meeting will be held on Monday, October 27, 2003 at 7:00 p.m.