The West Prairie Board of Education met in a light session Aug. 26, a week into the 2026-27 school year. A tour of the junior/ senior facility, discussion of the inaugural football game on the new field and public hearing dates framed the majority of the public portion of the meeting.
To begin the meeting, junior Brylee Elliott addressed the board about her opportunity to represent West Prairie at the HOBY Leadership Conference held at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, June 18-21.
'I learned so much about myself through HOBY,' said Elliott. 'I learned how to lead through my emotional personality and how to lead in groups. As nerve-wracking as HOBY can be, there was one comforting thing we all had in common—someone saw something in all of us.'
The four-day event brought together sophomores from the central and southern Illinois area and is designed to give them confidence in building leadership skills. The forum was created by actor Hugh O'Brien as a way to develop youth leadership opportunities.
As part of the consent calendar, the Board accepted the following reports: Elementary Schools North Elementary Principal Sara Ryner reported on the success of backto- school night with 75 percent of students having family members present. Ryner also reported on support programs from the Blandinsville Christian and Good Hope United Methodist churches and thanked the Regional Office of Education, McDonough County Health Department and McDonough County Hospital for hosting the county-wide Back-to-School Fair where many free items (backpacks, clothes, haircuts, vaccinations, etc.) were made available. Ryner also provided data of reading and math improvements in Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR).
South Elementary Principal Caitlyn Watson thanked the Colchester Methodist, Good Hope United Methodist, and Blandinsville Christian churches for hosting a potato bar and desserts for West Prairie educators and staff. Watson especially thanked McDonough Telephone Cooperative's McDonough Employee Goodwill Fund (MEG) for enabling the school to purchase supplies for students and teachers.
Both North and South Elementary math teachers met to work on the transition to the Eureka Math2 program.
Junior/Senior High School
Principal Megan Pittman reported that the school year began with a team of Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) interventionists to assist students at all levels in key areas—academic, attendance, social-emotional learning, and executive functioning. A Cyclone Camp was held August 11 for incoming 7th graders. Pittman also reviewed the first day of school schedule and the August 17-18 Teachers Institute, which focused on 'Teacher Clarity.' In keeping with the latter theme, educators will be creating 'weekly course snapshots' to document learning strategies, activities, and checks for success. In addition, staff are engaging in 'Thursday Thoughts,' a reflection response to ongoing educational issues.
Activities and Athletics According to Director Megan Pittman, participation trends in sports tend to show increases in numbers in all sports except for junior high girls cross country and high school girls volleyball.
The focus of this year's Student Council will be on 'developing our students as service leaders' and in 'building community within the school.' In addition, plans call for a Student Council representative to give a brief report at the monthly Board of Education meetings.
Regarding athletic uniforms, except for football, every program is due for replacements. Instead of absorbing the costs all at once, a rotation system will be used. High school boys basketball uniforms (two sets for home and away) are expected to cost $9,000.
West Prairie Athletic Boosters are continuing to offer up to $500 per season per team to help meet team needs as well as individual support. The Boosters have also agreed to cover the cost of senior banners.
Superintendent's Report
Superintendent Curt Rheingans reviewed budgetary issues. A significant portion of the budget is usually committed at the beginning of the school year.
He also addressed issues that arose from the first football game of the year on the newly-created field to the west of the school building. Scoreboard problems and other electrical mishaps were of concern. Board chair Scott Vogler said that there's plenty of power at the main electrical station but that more circuits need to be added. Rheingans especially regretted that the American flag was not present at the field.
Board members also discussed use of scaffolding for crows' nests and public address. In addition to stability, some type of skirting will be necessary to prevent the public from unauthorized access; however, care must be taken not to obscure sight lines. Another issue was more separation of home and visitor spectators. Ordinarily, bleachers on opposite sides of the field would suffice, but the district is still in the process of repairing bleachers and moving some of them from the Sciota campus. Also of concern was spectator vaping during the game, which is not allowed, and of the presence of a couple of dogs.
Given that this is the first game at the new field, the construction of which began only three months ago, future amenities (press box, plumbing, concession stand/ restrooms) will have to come over a period of years. Since last year's referendum to build a complete football and track complex didn't pass, Board member Honey Patterson said 'We're doing this on a nickel and dime budget.'
Upon return from a tour of the facilities, the Board set schedules for upcoming Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) meetings and a local ISBE goal setting session. The board also set Sept. 23 at 7 p.m for public hearings on e-learning days and on the FY27 budget.
The Board then retired into executive session. Upon return, they addressed the following:
• Shifted class sponsorships between the junior and freshman class sponsors;
• Granted paternity leave for three weeks to Technology Director Aaron Cowley
• Appointed Aaron Cowley as Robotics Sponsor and Larissa Berg as Yearbook Sponsor;
• Approved various educational volunteers.
The next meeting is Wednesday, Sept. 9, at West Prairie South Elementary at 7:00 p.m.
