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October Superintendent Newsletter

Winchester CUSD #1 Monthly Newsletter

September 30, 2015

The City of Winchester Sewer Project is now at the bus garage/WHS parking lot.  Elm St. at Cross St. will be closed for at least a couple of weeks while this project is finished.  Elm St. at Walker St. (behind the fball scoreboard) is now open.  Thanks for your patience!

I was informed Sept. 3rd that our BC/BS Group Health Insurance has issued a final rate that is a 19% increase from the stage 2 quotes made in June.    As explained to me, the health of our group changed from June to September when the underwriter was setting our costs and our group demographics shrunk from a projected group size of 68 down to 55.  I really had no other choice but to accept these new rates as I can't leave the district without coverage.       

We recently received some good news from ISBE.  We were notified that our portion of the $85 million set aside for districts in financial distress is $56,147.62.

Liberty Mutual Insurance is paying over $23,500.00 in claims due to the July 13th storm damage.  The forensic engineer hired by Liberty to evaluate our gym floor issues has determined “improper drainage around the building causing saturation of the soil under the gymnasium concrete slab and permeating up to the gymnasium floor” has caused the floor damage which is not covered by insurance.

While trying to determine whether a residence was in our district or in the Triopia School District, Becky Lashmett discovered that property tax money has been sent to Triopia in error.  The matter has been brought to the attention of the Scott County Commissioners.  We have not heard as to what steps need to be taken to recoup this tax money.

We had our annual Health, Life, Safety visit from the ROE and State Fire Marshall on Sept. 3rd.  They will report any violations needing to be corrected later this fall.

It is costing the district over $6,000.00 to repair over WGS elevator and WHS lifts and get them compliant/certified.

The three district administrators and three teacher representatives have just about completed training on Teacher Evaluation Growth Modules.  The Performance Evaluation Reform Act (PERA) Joint Committee, which these individuals are members, must reach consensus on the framework/plan for the student growth portion of the teacher evaluation.  This must be in place by Sept. 1, 2016.

We have received notice from the U.S. Dept. of Education that our district is receiving a $29,600.00 Rural Education Achievement Program (REAP) Grant.  This is the first time our district has qualified.  Most area schools use their REAP funds to pay for district technology improvements. 

The Winchester FFA has purchased a 12 passenger van to use for all their contest and trips this year.  The purchase was made with the Million Trust donation.

The following motions were approved at the September 15th Special School Board Meeting:

  1. FY16 District Budget

  2. Early graduation for 5 seniors

  3. Application for Recognition of Schools

  4. Use of Facilities – IDPH class, IREC Annual Meeting, 4th Grade Girls Bball

  5. Resolution for Sales Tax Distribution

  6. First Reading on Revised Use of Facilities Policy

  7. Employed the following:Ross Parcel – WHS PE Teacher, Cathy Post – School Nurse, Dylan Guthrie – JH Boys Bball Asst. Coach, Nolan Roberts – JH Girls Bball Asst. Coach, Taylor Lashmett – Play Asst., Ryan Jefferson – WC Boys Track Coach, Robin Varner – JH Track Asst.

  8. Approved Volunteers:  Tyler Devlin – WC Track, Jeff Spencer – JH Boys Bball Asst.