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Union #115 Board Hears Praises For Successes In Administrative Reports

Commendations and congratulations were offered during a regular Union School District #115 Board Meeting last week.

At 6:00 p.m. February 18, board members met in the library at Biggsville, and after hearing an update from the Advisory Council, the board was shown the slide presentation that had been shown at the Bus Driver's Appreciation Breakfast.

The bus driver breakfast was hosted by the UES Student Council and was a huge success. Drivers were very appreciative, said Tony Ryan, Union Elementary Principal. Principal Ryan also reported on several other matters relating to Union Elementary including the following:

• The Science Olympiad Team had an excellent showing.
• Pre-School Family Fun Night was a success.
• Union was host to the County Spelling Bee.
• The 6th grade boys' basketball team earned 2nd place at the Yorkwood tournament.
• Karen Rima, Union High School Principal, reported on several matters relating to Union High School including the following:
• The math curriculum meeting.
• Date and times for the summer school sessions.

School Improvement Teams will meet with the Regional Office of Education.

The internal review for the Elementary is currently underway.

Congratulations were offered to the following:

• students who exceeded state requirements on the Prairie State Achievement Test and have earned the Prairie State Award. Amy Bigger, Josh Higgins, Nathan Lutz, Kelsey Olson, Katie Petermann, Ashley Reaves, and John Weber.
• the 86 elementary students who earned the Union Elementary Golden Apple Award for the month of January.
• the WYSE Team. They placed 4th overall at the regional competition. Blake Byers received 1st place in engineering graphics, and Loren Reed tied for 2nd place. John Weber tied for 3rd in computers. Byers and Reed will advance to the sectional competition.
• to Justin Stewart and Alex Miller. Justin won the County Spelling Bee Contest and Alex was runner-up.
• to the Science Olympiad Team. They placed 4th overall at the regional competition and will advance on to the State competition.
• to Laura Lewis and the Union Elementary Student Council for the Bus Drivers Appreciation Breakfast.

Congratulations to Beverly Zielke, who was nominated by a former student for Who's Who Among America's Teachers.

The board approved the following by consent:

• minutes of the January 21 and February 4, 2004 meetings.
• revised board calendar.
• financial reports.

The board approved the Union High School Curriculum Handbook with clarifications and revisions.

The 4th through 12th grade math team met recently to analyze ITBE scores and to develop a Math Computation Rubric.

The board received spring sports and activities schedules.

Deb Martin explained to the board this year's Fine Arts Extravaganza theme and activities that will go on.

Dean E. Irlbeck, Superintendent, reported on:

• Information on legislation.
• Consolidation report.
• Maintenance projects and repairs.

After the board approved the bills and payroll as submitted, they entered into closed session at 7:29 p.m. for discussion of personnel, employment, and negotiations, and returned to open session at 8:03 p.m.

The board employed Norris Crooks as a part-time custodian, then adjourned at 8:05 p.m. until March 3, 2004.

Members present were Allaman, Bigger, Kage, Parsons, and Weber. Absent were Miller and Sams.