The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
The Committee of Ten met at the Nauvoo-Colusa High School on Thursday, August 26.
Treasurer, Kevin Deitrich reported that the Committee now has a balance of $827.00, the committee estimates that it will need about $20,000 for all of their expenses.
The estimate is based on what the previous Committee of Ten for LaHarpe, Northwestern, Roseville, and Colchester spent on their four district consolidation.
A brief review of the August social meeting with the four boards of education was discussed and consensus was that it should be repeated at a future date.
Considerable discussion was held on the April 5, 2005 election, specifically on whether the new boards should be elected at the same time or delayed until the November 2005 election. The major concern was the complexity of the voting.
The petition, which must be sent to the Regional Superintendent by October 13, shall contain language describing the new high school district, the tax rates for education, operations and maintenance, pupil transportation and safety purposes, and set forth the manner in which any state deficit difference payment is made for the four new elementary districts and the new high school district.
The ballot also shall provide for the division of assets and liabilities to be allocated to the proposed new school districts.
The petition may provide for a separate ballot authorizing the issuance of bonds for the new school building.
The above is a considerable amount to vote upon, but for the new districts to take place on July 1, 2005 the voters must on a separate ballot also elect the new board members for each of the new elementary districts and the new high school district, and in addition vote to determine who the new board members for the existing K-12 Unit districts are in case the new districts are voted down A decision will be made at a future meeting.
The committee is also looking ahead to meetings with the public and trying to anticipate questions that may be asked. With this in mind the committee acted to ask the Superintendents to let them know what the four districts plans are for the use of existing buildings after the new district goes into effect.
Nancy Butler from the Building committees reported that land to the South of the Adrian corner is also being studied for a possible building site. The architects will be in the districts on September 2 and 3.
Rex Johnson's Marketing Committee has conducted another 50/50 raffle and Rod Campbell was the winner, but the Committee was the real winner as he donated the money back to them. Another 50/50 raffle will be held at the Nauvoo grape festival. A big event auction is being planned tentatively for October 23 in which donated items and products will be auctioned. Several auctioneers have volunteered to donate their time. Another 50/50 raffle will be conducted at the same time as the auction.
Kevin Deitrich reported that the Finance Committee had met with the Superintendents and Brent Appel from ISBE. They have the projected state aid figures and are comparing costs of several similar sized high school districts, while waiting for cost figures from the other committees.
Donna Tracy from the Transportation Committee stated they have about completed mapping out the present district transportation routes. They continue to study the possibility of having the new high school district responsible for all of the transportation.
The question of legality was brought up and has been sent to the committee's lawyer.
The Curriculum Committee led by Dan Moffitt and Monica Crim had handouts for the group showing projected salary cost figures for the anticipated staff needs based on the curriculum that may be taught in the new high school.
They also have a survey, which was discussed and approved by the Committee of Ten to survey the teachers and staff at the four high schools.
Janet Vasss Transition Committee is waiting for the classes to send in their suggestions for school name, mascot, and color.
They are also working on a list of items from current districts that the new high school district may be able to use.
The next meeting of the Committee of Ten will be at the Carthage Board of Education Office located at 210 South Adams, at 7:00 p.m. on September 9.