Illini West approves reading aid, hears more on wrestling

Illini West students will have help with reading in a new web-based support program. After considering two programs, Associate Principal Dr. Christine Lewis recommended getting the Reading Plus program.

“This program has flexibility for different abilities and needs of the students,” Lewis said. “Up to 50 students can be on at a time.”

Lewis said the schedule already has English lab time in the computer room built in, for students who needed to use the extra reading help.

“This program works well with the system we have now,” said school psychologist, Joyce Gronewold.

Another program was considered that would be set up for up to 45 specific students with needs.

“We can see how the students are doing and if they are not making the gains we'd like with vocabulary or comprehension, we can consider adding Read 180 in the future,” Lewis said.

John Wilde was present at the meeting urging the board to move forward to create a wrestling program at the high school.

Wilde reminded the board that with the new West Central Conference starting in 2010, Illini West would be the only school in the conference without wrestling.

“Wrestling makes a good transition from football into spring sports for conditioning and agility training,” said Wilde who works with the youth wrestling program at Carthage Family Fitness. There are students nearing high school age in the program.

“We still need some more information, like firming up the possibility of using the Burnside Community Center location,” said board president, Tracey Anders. “We need the athletic director to talk with other program directors and come up with a list of everything we need to get the program started.”

About 30 students have indicated interest in participating in a IWHS wrestling program.

Wilde said that the Augustana College wrestling coach is holding a K to 12 wrestling clinic for one week in the summer.

It was suggested that a program start with only a junior varsity schedule.

The board approved buying the balance of textbooks for $28,797. This includes workbooks, software, informational CDs and other curriculum materials. About $19,000 in free books were acquired earlier in a free loan program.

During a time for teacher comments, LaRae Roth brought up concerns about the meal program, noting that the quantity of food provided to the high school students was not adequate.

“USDA has a specified size for a serving portion for fruits or vegetables, and what they are getting is not that amount,” LaRae said. “What concerns me is that students with free and reduced-price lunches are not getting what they deserve, and that may be the main meal they have for the day.”

She also noted that seconds are not allowed for the first lunch period, and are for the second period. Teachers pay $3 for the same meal that students pay $2.

The food program is part of the negotiated lease agreement with Carthage Elementary School district. That lease committee will bring up concerns presented to the board when they meet.

The board tabled paying the list of bills because Supt. Mike Mauzy was absent due to illness.