Illini West, elementary schools to review bus routes for 2009

Illini West High School is reviewing bus routes along with representatives from Carthage, LaHarpe and Dallas City elementary school districts that feed into the high school.

R.D. Trout of LaHarpe and Robert Clifton of Dallas City will represent Illini West in talks that will look at ways “to make school routes more efficient with a goal of extending the school day,” said board president Tracey Anders, at an Illini West meeting Sept. 24.

“This could include changing some of the routes or Illini West buying or leasing a bus. We hope this can ease the amount of time that younger LaHarpe and Dallas City kids spend waiting for the buses from the high school so they can go home,” Anders said.

Any changes made as a result of these meetings would go into effect in the fall of 2009.

In other transportation action, the board approved a motion stating they would continue to not pay sponsors who drive student buses to events. Those drivers would be paid for any extra time used to drive a shuttle to take students to their home district after an event. The board also clarified that only student athletes or participants would be allowed to ride shuttle buses from an event in one town to their home district.

Volunteer athletic trainer Jason Lemley told the board that staffing at his place of work would not allow him to be at the school every day. He said he would finish out the fall season, being present at all home and away varsity football games and at all home freshman and fresh/soph football games. He will consult with athletes and coaches of volleyball, cross country and golf teams as needed.

He offered his help in selecting a replacement.

“You would want to be certain that you have a certified athletic trainer with proper training for on-field injuries,” Lemley said. He pointed out that if support is provided by a company, every Friday night a different person may be at the game. Lemley, board member Tom Holtsclaw, and one other person to be named will serve on the committee to screen proposals for athletic training service.

The board thanked Lemley for his support and service to Illini West athletes.

Robert Clifton asked that the superintendent create a form that can be signed by a teacher and evaluator to be assured that all teacher evaluations are done. Clifton said he was surprised to learn that the required evaluations had not been completed during 2007-2008, the first year for Illini West District.

Superintendent Mike Mauzy said that Regional Superintendent Gary Eddington had sent Illini West a letter excusing the district from that requirement in its first year because of the other work involved in setting up the district.

Associate principal Dr. Christine Lewis said that wording of the evaluation tool is still being worked out with the teachers' union in the areas of professional growth and mentor teachers.

“The formative evaluations are signed and kept in the personal files. They will be done. If the evaluations are not done, then I would assume the teachers and the union would file a grievance that procedure has not been followed,” Mauzy said.

The board approved a list of surplus property and will give the three elementary districts first chance at anything they might need.

At an earlier Illini West board meeting on Sept. 11, Joyce Gronewold, the new school psychologist, reported on the program of Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) she is implementing.

PBIS is a school wide program that encourages and rewards positive student behavior. The faculty and administration have been brainstorming various ways to reward students for following school rules and showing respect to fellow students and staff.

Incorporating PBIS into a school takes several years in order to have all staff trained and support systems in place, Gronewold said. Illinois schools have had success using this system and have seen positive social/ emotional behavior and increased student achievement.

Principal Ray Driskell reported on the success of the new freshman mentoring program. National Honor Society members are working with small groups of freshmen to help them get used to the daily routine at Illini West.

Guidance counselor, Ann Logan, gave a report of the PSAE test results explaining where assistance is needed to help students score better on state tests and to be prepared for work or college.

Other business included hiring Debra Wilson as a clerical secretary. The board also approved buying a website system for the district.

The next regular board meeting is Oct. 8 at 7 p.m.