The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
County Overwhelmingly Votes To Consolidate Schools
by Dessa Rodeffer, Quill Publisher/Owner
The hard work is over for the Committee of Ten and the celebrating was going on last evening after Tuesday evening's vote showed an overwhelming response in all of Henderson County's precincts to consolidate Southern and Union's school districts.
Committee of Ten co-chair Karen Jack said, "It was really wonderful. I am very thrilled and overjoyed, :and really proud of our community."
Jack credited a lot of people behind the committee of ten and volunteers.
"We couldn't have done it by ourselves. I am very excited for our kids and feel this a wonderful opportunity for them."
The consolidation vote was 2618 to 744 (1770 yes in Union to 422 no) (848 yes in Southern to 322 no)
Jack says she is now going back to being a mom. They have to meet to dissolve the committee of ten and then her journey is finished.
Her co-chair Lonnie Brent, however, will only get a breather. Brent was the top-vote getter over all for the new consolidation school board of seven with 2186 votes.
In a phone interview Tuesday night, Brent said preparing for consolidation next fall is going be a big job. "Tonight, I just want to take time to celebrate. It is one of the biggest nights! This option is going to be so much better than it would be if we had not passed consolidation. It is encouraging that both school districts passed it by an overwhelming majority."
About the new consolidation board, Brent said "There is a lot of very important decisions to be made. I just want to do what's best for all the children and do what's best from a financial standpoint."
Brent said that Regional Superintendent Bruce Hall will open up their first meeting July 1st and lead them through their legal requirements. They will select officers and draw straws for length of seats.
July 1st is the first official date they can meet due to the legal requirements of a certification of the consolidation count. This only leaves about two months before school.
Brent said there are many things to learn and be worked out, and as a first time school board member, he will be seeking answers. With Illinois state law, there are some things you can and can't do.
"I will do whatever is in the legal limit of law to be aggressive and pro-active," Brent said. "Every single precinct voted yes, approximately 3 yes votes for every no. Seventy-five percent is overwhelming. It is good to know your community is supporting this. I am always open for questions and I appreciate the community's support in putting our kids education first, even knowing taxes are involved. The consolidation is the best way to maximize our dollars, and I believe this is going to be a great thing for our county as well as our kids."
Second highest vote-getter was Bill Allaman of Rozetta with 2082 votes. In a phone call Tuesday night, Allaman said about the vote, "I am very pleased. There is a lot of work ahead of us, but I'm pleased that it passed and by an overwhelming majority. The Committee Of Ten did a wonderful job."
Allaman said he was also glad the board is evenly divided, four from Southern and three from Union.
Allaman said it was pretty exciting at the courthouse. "Every precinct passed it, and by an overwhelming majority.
I was very pleased with the turn out. Most importantly, it passed, and I think that is the most important thing for our kids.
It is going to provide a solid curriculum and education for our kids for years to come."
As a board, Allaman agreed with Brent that they had their work cut out for them in the upcoming months.
Close behind Allaman was Kathy Bavery, third highest vote getter with 2016 votes. Brent, Allaman and Bavery were the top three in all 7 precincts.
"I'm thrilled that it passed," Kathy said. She heard that she had been voted on the board but wasn't sure it was official.
"I hope we can be successful and do what's best for all the students in the county."
The consolidation board vote is as follows:
2186 LONNIE BRENT (S-836; U-1350)
2082 BILL ALLAMAN (S-540; U-1542)
2016 KATHRYN BAVERY (S-925; U-1091)
1916 MARK TORRANCE (S-545; U-1371)
1882 PAUL ANDERSON (S-796; U-1086)
1659 BRAD ARNOLD (S-796; U-863)
1602 RICHARD CLIFTON (S-757; U-845)
1455 WENDELL PARSONS (S-234; U-1221)
1431 CANDY ALBIN KAGE (S-286; U-1145)
1261 JON CORZATT (S-587; U-674)
1249 ROBERT GRAY (S-309; U-940)
1182 DOUG SAMS (S-293; U-889)