The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

Southern Approves Speech Team

By Shirley Linder, Quill Editor

Southern High School will once again have a Speech Team for the 2004-05 school year after a vote approved the measure during the regular session of the Southern School Board May 24th. Cost of the activity will be between $1000-$1500.

The board stipulated there must be a minimum of 10 and no more than 15 participates, with the activity to be reviewed again next year.

At 7:10 p.m. the board entered into closed session for the purpose of student discipline, reconvening to open session at 7:25 p.m.

Bids had been received for restoration of the Pre-K building that was smoke damaged by fire in February, however, the board decided to investigate selling the property, without the playground equipment.

The playground equipment will be moved, but the garage will be included with the house and lot. Rod Fox will talk with Attorney Mike Neff about advertising for bids.

Discussion of the sale of the five high school lots was tabled due to Attorney Mike Neff not publishing bid notices.

Principal Dale Buss reported:

• Regan Bowman and Caleb Dowell were the first grade AR point winners.
• The student council collected 59 units of blood at the May Blood Drive.
• Kim Plath has been selected by McDonough Power Company to go on a trip to Washington DC.
• The Class of 2004 plans for the future include: four year college-42.4%; two year college-45.5%; military-3%; work/undecided-9%
• The Booster Club purchased an ice machine for the high school.
• Teresa Brokaw qualified for the IHSA State Track meet in the 800 and the 1600
• Darick Clark advances to state in the 100m dash
• No major changes in elementary handbook, except for clarification of the students going to different groups after school. No parent note will require that the student be sent home.

Principal Jeff Nichols reported:

• There are minimal changes in the handbook.
• The staff would like to incorporate an Opportunity Period on Tuesday and Thursday to be used as a study hall for those students needing extra help.
• He congratulated the track teams and coaches for another fine year. 11 students advanced to the state meet.
• He also congratulated the Scholastic Bowl team and Miss Smith for a fine season.

The board entered closed session at 7:55 p.m. for the purpose of student discipline, personnel considerations and contract discussion.

Following closed session the board:

• Upheld two high school out of school suspensions.
• Upheld one junior high bus suspension.
• Upheld one elementary out of school suspension.
• Accepted the resignation of Tammi Heller as Pom Pon sponsor
• Hired Cindy Smith as Pom Pon sponsor.
• Approved Jennifer Arnold for 7/8 of a day teaching, to be reviewed in six months.
• Accepted the resignation of Dana Renken from coaching.
• Accepted the resignation of Cheryl Fye as high school Health Occupation teacher

A special board meeting will be held on Monday, June 21st at 6:00 p.m.

Present were: Board members-Melissa Livermore, Doug Brooks, Brendan Schaley, Brad Arnold, Dan Bowman, Rod Fox and Jon Corzatt; Superintendent Charles Barber; Secretary Sharri Richard; Principals, Dale Buss and Jeff Nichols; guest, Sam Sudhaker, Ed Brokaw and David Grimes.