August Superintendent Newsletter
Winchester CUSD #1 Monthly Newsletter
August 1, 2017
Two questions seem to be on the minds of many of our citizens right now. The first question is whether the WGS Project will be completed in time for school to start? Many part of the project will come together over the next few weeks and we will open school to students on August 23rd. Much of the primary end (south) is nearing completion with move in the week of August 7th. The upper grades, cafeteria, kitchen, band room, and gym will be ready the week of August 14th. There may be several items left to complete, namely the bleachers, but we will be able to hold classes the first day.
The second question is will the district be able to start the year without state funding? The State of Illinois has funded K-12 education and have increased funding by $300 million. However, the funding formula used to get the monies to the schools still needs to be decided and right now it looks like another stalemate. Thankfully, Scott County has already sent our school district a good portion of the property tax money for this year. This will be enough to get us through several months without state funding.
Registration and the transition to another school year is underway. Turning the calendar to August always is a reminder that summer days are dwindling and school is starting soon.
We had a Blue Cross/Blue Shield Insurance Meeting last week. All three unions were invited to send representatives. We agreed to seek renewal of our current plan which calls for a 6.85% premium increase which is about $15.00 per month more for a single employee on the most popular plan.
The following motions were approved at the July 19th Special School Board Meeting:
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Resignations: Norvin Adams - District Tech Coordinator, Lea Ann Brannan - Librarian, Cheryl Day - 3rd Grade Teacher, Susan Manker - 5th Grade Teacher, Michael Mercier - JH Baseball Coach, Stephanie Warren - 3rd Grade Teacher
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Employment Recommendations: 3rd Grade - Amber Sichting, 5th Grade - Amy Sutton, JH/HS Special Needs - Trish Bryant, HS English/Social Studies - Karl Wicklander, HS Physical Education - Erin Allen
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Authorized the administration to fill the 3rd grade teaching vacancy with the board confirming at the August meeting
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Coaching Recommendations: Assistant Football - Grant DeWitt, Mark Clayton, Brady Shelts; Assistant Volleyball - Rachel Kilver; HS Head Baseball - Grant DeWitt; JH Head Baseball - Keith Evans; JH Head Softball - Candy Wagner with Debbie Dunlap & Adele Cook as volunteer assistance; JH Assistant Girls Basketball - Curt Lawson
