The West Prairie District 103 school board met Wednesday, February 25, in regular session. Among the action items approved were initial steps in creating an athletic field (for the 8-man football program) at the Colchester campus, using available grant funds for inclusive playground equipment at the South Elementary, and the formation of a Superintendent Athletic Co-op Committee.
Considerable time was devoted to discussion about creating an athletic football field. Board member Steve Kitch expressed concern with the number of students in the football program both at present and in the future. West Prairie co-ops the 8-man football program with Southeastern School District. How feasible would the project be in light of possible declining student participation? Compounding the issue is that a suitable field at Colchester would not be ready by fall even if work began immediately. At present, West Prairie has five home games scheduled, but circumstances could necessitate switching to all away games if deconstruction of the present field begins soon.
Board president Scott Vogler noted that even if the football program declines in participation, the athletic field would still be available for PE classes, for a possible soccer program, and even for a flag-football program, which would be available for girls as well since IHSA has added girls flag football as a sanctioned sport.
In separate votes, the board approved allocating a total of $114,000 for the following projects in creating an athletic field for football purposes: leveling, back filling, and seeding of the proposed area; a relocation of the scoreboard from the Sciota campus; purchase of wooden poles and LED field lights, along with installation; trenching for electrical service; purchase and installation of goals posts and padding. A 250-amp service had already been approved for the area. The plan is to continue using portable restroom units and to utilize a mobile food service for concessions. The proposed field would be approximately in the same location as previously planned behind the school building.
Discussion also turned to what to do with the Sciota campus, whether all are part of it could be sold. Presently, the 103 District still allocates funds for maintaining parts of the building, which is essentially empty, for the present football field, and for mowing of the 20+ acre campus.
In other action, the board approved using current available federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) grant funds to updated and install playground equipment at the South Elementary. This includes devices that would be accessible by students with physical challenges. Installation will be performed by the vendor.
The board has been approached by Solar on Earth to participate in a 'solar credit' program, which could result in reduced electrical costs over a period of 20 years. Other school districts are participating with favorable reactions. However, the board wanted further information from the company and from Ameren before acting.
The board also reviewed the District Project List of Operations and Maintenance as well as Health and Life Safety past expenditures and proposed projects in. They approved updating and consolidating the Board Policy Manual Sections 1-8 and placing it on the district's website as well as the Illinois State Board of Education site.
After adjourning from a closed session, the board accepted the resignation of Jacey Royer as head cross country coach; the hiring of Amber Richbark as secretary at North Elementary after the retirement of Nancy Calvert; hiring Natalie Nicolson as assistant softball coach, Austin Moon as assistant baseball coach, and Logan Lommel as assistant track coach.
In good news, Director of Student Services Heather Overstreet introduced the board to WPHS freshman Brynlee Finch. She has been accepted into the 'Girls Lead' program from the Illinois Lieutenant-Governor's office. The program is designed to connect girls with government job shadowing opportunities and experiences. Brynlee's mentor would be Susan Shew, Assistant Director of Human Services with CMS as the mentor agency.
