New high school name is Illini West

Illini West is the name of the new high school for Carthage, LaHarpe and Dallas City students selected by the District 307 board at their meeting Jan. 10.

Interim superintendent, Dr. Harold Ford, said the name fit what the board wanted in a name for the school.

“They kept their thinking to what people had recommended. This name was suggested by several people. It is short and simple, it's descriptive, and not a name that a lot of other schools already had. It was somewhat neutral,” he said.

Ford noted that school names using “Hancock” were ruled out because a good portion of the Dallas City district is in Henderson County, and LaHarpe district includes Henderson and McDonough counties.

“They talked about several ideas, reworked several, and this seemed to fit the best,” Ford said.

The next step is for present students in fourth grade through the junior class in all three districts to select the mascot name and school colors. Students will vote this week from a choice of three mascots and six color combinations.

“We want this to be done and tabulated so the board can act on that by their next meeting Jan. 24,” Ford said. “Students will vote for one of each, their favorite for mascot name and their favorite colors.” Mascot choices are Patriots, Trailblazers and Chargers. Students will choose from the following six color groupings:

red, white and blue;

red, blue and gold;

orange, navy and white;

hunter green and silver;

navy, Carolina blue and white; or blue, silver and black.

Another priority item addressed by the board was to adopt the curriculum for the 2007-2008 school year.

“With a few minor revisions, the board accepted the curriculum presented by the transition curriculum committee,” Ford said. “This curriculum is much broader than the students have had in any of the originating districts. This was promised and it is being delivered.”

Walt Swearingen, chairman of that curriculum committee, presented course offerings, course descriptions and graduation requirements. The committee had included guidance counselors Joe Dion of Carthage and Ann Logan of LaHarpe, principals Ray Driskell of Carthage and Lila McKeown of LaHarpe, and Mona Stevens as a representative of Dallas City.

“The committee was complemented for their fine job,” Ford said. “Making this decision allows the district to move ahead in many other areas. The principals are now busy putting together registration information. Registration of students for next fall will begin in a very short period of time.”

Ford noted that after registration is complete and they know how many sections of courses are needed, the board can move forward with several other priorities: making assignments for the teaching staff; setting how many rooms are needed in the lease agreement or with modular classrooms; buying textbooks and other supplies; and making other plans and changes needed at the Carthage facility.

Ford reported to the board that the superintendent and principal positions are being advertised on websites, and several applications have been received.

The board is working with the Illinois Association of School Boards service to finalize a board policy. After talking with the #307 board about what it wants, the IASB will draft a policy, which can be reviewed, revised and finalized.

“This should allow the policy to be complete when school takes effect in July,” Ford said.

Ford reported to the board on a meeting he had attended earlier in the day explaining Carthage's plans for a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district and how it would impact the district.

“I was fairly pleased with the attitude of the city with their pledge that they were not going to hurt the school district,” he said.