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July Superintendent Newsletter

Winchester CUSD #1 Monthly Newsletter

June 30, 2015

Asbestos tile has been removed from the old library rooms at WGS (2 classrooms south of the boiler room).  We are going to replace the carpet & tile with epoxy paint as we have done with several classrooms in recent years.  This is all covered with Title I funds.

The WHS Band Room is being converted to a commons area for lunch and other activities.  HS band will be 1st period at the WGS Band Room.

We were informed in late May that our district qualifies for the federal REAP Program.  This stands for Rural Education Achievement Program.  Because our ADA (average daily attendance) has fallen below 600 we automatically qualify.  This means we may get around $28,000 to be used for greater spending latitude on other federal programs, which includes teacher salaries.

PARCC announced in May that there will be only one testing window in the spring of 2016.  This spring there were two testing windows which caused much negative feedback and loss of instructional time.  

FFA is looking into purchasing an activity bus to transport members to all of their after-school activities.

The governor signed the FY16 education budget last week.  We will see a proration of 92% instead of 89%.  Plus there is $85 million more funding for the “neediest” school districts.  We don’t know if this includes us at this time.

Regional Office of Education (ROE) 46 which represents Scott, Morgan, Cass, and Brown Counties will consolidate with ROE 1 on July 1st.  ROE 1 will be made up of Adams & Pike Counties, as well as, the four counties in ROE 46.  Jill Reis will be the new Regional Superintendent of Schools for ROE 1 beginning July 1st.  The main office for ROE 1 will be in Quincy.  Jeff Stephens is anticipated to remain as an Assistant Regional Superintendent of ROE 1 with a satellite office in Jacksonville.

ISBE has determined that our district has received a designation of ‘meets requirements’ in implementing requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).  ISBE has also approved our request ‘for exception to the 1.0% cap’ on testing of students with the most significant cognitive disabilities.  These students are allowed to take alternative assessment instead of PARCC.

Our new bus fleet arrived on June 16th & 17th.  We have entered a new lease agreement that will save the district about $10,000.00 per year. 

The meter base and transformer had to be replaced on the baseball field after it became inoperable during a summer youth ballgame.  The meter base, mast, and weather head cost over $3,800 to replace.  Ameren replaced the transformer at no cost to us.     

The Cougar Booster Golf Tournament has been rescheduled for August 8th due to the wet grounds on June 27th.         

The following motions were approved at the June 3rd Special School Board Meeting:

  1. Summer Social Work Program

  2. Clint Cole as WHS Science Teacher

  3. Employ the following as summer help – Carolyn Schofield (bus monitor), Cameron Kemper (maintenance), and Mike McHugh (custodian)

 The following motions were approved at the June 16th Regular School Board Meeting:

  1. FY2015 Amended Budget

  2. FY2016 Start Up – Designation of Banks, Board Counsel, & Board Treasurer; establish FY16 Regular Meeting Schedule; Re-affirm District Policy Manual and Student/Parent Handbooks; Adopt Prevailing Wage Resolution

  3. Fees and Fee Changes:Dual Credit Classes - students responsible textbook purchase/rental; Fee for Band/Chorus - $15.00, FFA - $20.00, JH Science Lab - $10.00; Scholastic Bowl included in Athletic Fees, WHS – 1 activity = $100, 2 = $125, 3+ = $150; WGS – 1 activity = $50, 2 = $65, 3+ = $80

  4. New three-year collective bargaining agreement with the Educational Support Personnel (formerly the Non-Certs)

  5. Following RIF’d employees hired back:M. Little, L. Radliff, K. Maul, R. Jefferson, B. Wade, M. McHugh, D. Buhlig, K. Gordley, D. Walker (half-time Pre K), D. Fanning, C. Hurrelbrink, S. Anslyn, S. Killebrew, C. Schofield, S. Wingler, K. Day, K. Winters, M. Evans, and T. Galloway

  6. Resignation letter from Mark Dyer as WCC Baseball Coach

  7. Volunteer Assistant Football Coaches Zach Morrisey and Quinn Jefferson