West Prairie District 103 board of education met in regular session Wednesday, July 22, in a short 45-minute open session before adjourning to executive session. The board heard about progress on the creation of a football field on the Colchester campus, student handbook, facilities repairs, and board policies, and acted on several personnel issues.
Prior to the regular meeting, the board held a reception for two retiring staff members. Beth Crabb was honored for her 26 years of service as a paraprofessional and all-around piano accompanist for the music department and for graduations. Dr. Paula Markey, who had just completed her tenure as interim superintendent, was honored for 17+ years of service as a former administrator within the district.
During Public Comments, John Rexroat addressed the board about two issues: use of tax revenue from Cardinal Point wind farm and board policy issues on bullying.
New superintendent Curt Rheingans shared good news about the progress being made to convert open space to the west of the Junior-Senior High School in Colchester into a football field in time for this year's season. He especially thanked the Colchester Fire Protection District for providing water for the new turf. Lighting poles are up, electricity is in, and some of the bleachers from the Sciota campus will soon be moved down to Colchester.
Regarding facilities, Rheingans addressed on-going life safety recommendations and spoke about touring the Sciota campus for relocation of materials. For example, the square basketball backboards will be moved to replace the fan-shaped backboards at the North and South Elementary gyms.
He also spoke about progress on the sale of the Sciota campus, answering inquiries, and arranging appointment times for parties interested in the facilities.
In discussion/action items, the board acted upon the following: — approved and adopted the West Prairie Jr/Sr High School Student Handbook; — approved a contract with Scutum for a fire alarm system at North Elementary at a cost of $28,288 out of Health/Life Safety; — approved metal framing repairs and restoration and lintel installation for gym doors at the North Elementary not to exceed $31,499.
— tabled action on proposed board policy revisions in order to reconcile local descriptions with Illinois State Board of Education Press Plus descriptions; — discussed arranging times for Illinois Association of School Boards training sessions with board members.
The board then entered executive session at 7:45 p.m. Upon return, they acted on the following personnel issues: — accepted the resignations of Jennifer Henry as Jr/ Sr High tech teacher/student council co-sponsor/yearbook advisor/Jr High scholastic bowl coach and of Helen Spencer as South Elementary custodian; — transferred North Elementary math interventionist Larissa Berg to Jr/Sr High business teacher; —hired Morgan Jones as North Elementary Pre-K teacher and Kaila Mason as North Elementary paraprofessional — approved Blake Denney as high school boys and girls golf coach and Jake Kreps as assistant coach; — approved Billy Nicks as Jr High assistant boys basketball coach; — approved David Brown as Jr High assistant girls softball coach.
No action was taken on several other closed session agenda items. Information on 'superintendent's performance evaluation, employment, and compensation' will be released at a later date.
