Community News
School board concentrates on final Elementary touches and High School repairs
Tieman reports teacher absences amount to $125,000 loss
School board members Mark Hayes, Dave Griffel, Billy Carter, and Weye Schmidt write down some figures.
During the regular June school board meeting, district architect Tom Hyde explained work was continuing at the new BenGil Elementary School site with paving work set to be completed this week. After that is complete, Larry Pfeiffer will come down and sign off on the school. “We are nearly the end as well,” Hyde said.
The board requested Hyde to gather prices on bleachers for the softball field and drainage for the baseball field. Mark Hayes said the horseshoe turnaround area in front of the middle school is in very bad shape and is in dire need of repair as far as drainage is concerned.
Hyde said the insurance company would like bids to replace the concession stand and has had engineers at the high school analyzing the gymnasium. “They have determined the main gym is fine,” Hyde said. “So, they said to go ahead and reconstruct the gym.” In addition, the district got approval to go ahead and rebuild the concession stand as well. The television studio also has to be rebuilt, but the structure will stay. The insulation and equipment all needs replaced inside the studio.
He explained he is working on getting the drawings together for the concession stand and high school gym repairs and will submit the drawings for bids as soon as they are complete. He couldn’t promise everything will be ready by the July meeting, but he would keep the board notified. Weye Schmidt asked when Hyde thought all the work would be complete and Hyde responded with the end of the basketball season.
Hyde thought the concession stand might be rebuilt by the time football season is over. “That will be priced out separately than the high school gym and I doubt it will be ready by the first football game, but probably midseason or halfway through,” Hyde explained.
Assistant Superintendent Joe Tieman got back to the school board on their request: how many attendance days teachers missed last school year. Tieman reported teachers missed a total of 1,289 missed by teachers. Of the 1,289 missed school days: 755 were sick days, 400 were professional development days, and the remaining 134 days were personal days. “This costs us approximately $125,000,” Tieman explained.
Personnel Matters
The board recommended posting for a secondary school assistant administrator or middle school principal and a high school boy’s freshman basketball coach after they hired Matt Brawner as high school boys’ assistant basketball coach.
The board went on to approve a maternity leave for Holly Nejmanowski and to employ Steve Compton as district assistant technology coordinator. The board also hired Robin Niemeyer as high school head girls’ soccer coach and appointed spring coaches for the 2013-2014 season as follows:
Softball:
- Michelle Smith – Head Coach
- Joe Kelly – Assistant Coach
- Jim Matesa – Volunteer
- Kelcie Matesa – Volunteer
Baseball:
- Jeremy Smith – Head Coach
- Darrin Peterson – Assistant Coach
- Dan Smith – Volunteer
- Adam Tallman – Volunteer
Girls’ Soccer:
- Robin Niemeyer – Head Coach
- Mark Hayes – Assistant Coach
Girls’ Track:
- Jack Burns – Head Coach
Boys’ Track:
- Mike Bertagnolli – Head Coach
Boys’/Girls’ Track:
- Jeff Nehls – Assistant
- Rusty Billburck – Volunteer
- Marissa Giuffre – Volunteer
- Jerry Rosentreter – Volunteer
Middle School:
- Christina Blevins – Girls’ Middle School Track
- Casey Niehaus – Boys’ Middle School Track
Mine Subsidence Insurance
The school board requested information to possibly insure the CUSD #7 campus with mine subsidence insurance. Rick Sedlak explained mine subsidence is an issue in the forefront considering what district 7 has gone through. “A state fund only gives you $750,000, but other companies can give you excess but it isn’t cheap,” Sedlak started.
Sedlak explained the extra coverage is considered “earth movement coverage” and mine subsidence falls under that coverage category. Covered under the earth movement plan is earthquake, sink hole, and mine subsidence. He explained the board should try to coordinate both insurance policies together.
He went on to suggest keeping all the content insurance under the Indiana Insurance policy as well as all the smaller structure items such as the dugouts, concession stands, and the bus garage since they are under the $750,000 limit that the state fund provides.
The total limit for the district 7 campus is 18 to 19 million dollars. “You are looking at $60,000-65,000 to get earthquake and mine subsidence insurance on all the buildings except the building that is grouted. It can get very expensive, very quickly,” Sedlak said. “Very few districts have this kind of protection. Many don’t know it is available.” The board said they would like to hear more accurate figures, so Sedlak said he would report back to Mr. Tieman after he gets more information from the insurance companies.
Administrator Updates
Principal Lori Emmons reported to the board that the middle school gathered for a data forward meeting on June 13 and 14 and said the high school will do the same at the end of June. She also went on to add the middle school will hold an open house on Wednesday, August 14 from 6-7:30pm citing it would be helpful for students and parents since the first day of school isn’t an early dismissal day. Emmons also announced middle school baseball practice will begin on August 5th and information will be coming to them in the mail.
Ms. Angela Turcol reported the data forward team met for two days at the elementary level as well and has a goal set to have the new information ready for teachers on the first day of school. Turcol also said custodians have started moving classrooms into the new school building and she expects everything to be moved over by the end of next week.
Assistant Superintendent Tieman went on to allude to what Ms. Emmons brought up about the full day of school for the first day. Tieman explained the first day was usually a half day and the last day of school, or report card day, was a short 2 hours. Now, both of those school days will be full length days without early dismissals. Ms. Turcol explained BES would have a “Stop and Drop” day for students and parents to stop school and drop their supplies off while visiting their new classroom and walking in their new school.
Playground Equipment Bids
Tom Hyde announced the playground bids to the school board during Monday night’s meeting as well. The lowest bid came from Miracle Company Inc. with a bid of $91,516 with an alternate bid of $12,043 for the fiber mulch. Hyde said a rubber surface is an option for about $100,000 and wood mulch is also an option, but he said no one likes wood mulch. Board members questioned why there weren’t swings included in the playground equipment and Ms. Turcol said she wanted to concentrate on what the kids use most with the limited budget. The playground bid was later accepted 7-0 with a total cost of $103,559.
New Business
Hyde presented the school board with 3 bids for the photo-voltaic system. The lowest bid was from Straightup Solar out of St. Louis, Missouri with a price of $142,490. Hyde recommended going with the lowest bid, but explained they offered increasing the system by 25% for an additional $35,600.
The district is getting a 60% grant from Illinois Clean Energy for the PV system. Hyde explained the larger PV system will generate $800 a year in energy savings and the smaller system will generate 80% of that. Expected life of the systems is 25 years with a 10 year maintenance warranty. The board approved the bid of $142,490 and approves voluntary one addition of $35,600 pending approval from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation.
The board recommended approving the IHSA cooperative with Mt. Olive for boys’ soccer and cross-country along with an approval for student insurance for FSY 2013-2014 and employee insurance rates for FSY 2013-2014.
June Bills
Transportation Fund: $16,406.75
Education Fund: $63,675.62
Building Fund: $41,863.39
Site & Construction Fund: $1,623,635.87
Grand Total: $1,745,581.63
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Mt. Olive, IL — The vibrant community of Mt. Olive is proud to host the 4th Annual International Mother Jones Festival on Sunday, May 4th, celebrating the life and legacy of the legendary labor leader and activist, Mother Jones. The festival runs from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and will feature a variety of live music, engaging programs, and historic tours, culminating in a special tribute at Union Miners’ Cemetery, where Mother Jones is laid to rest.
Highlights of the Festival Include:
- Live Music: Enjoy performances by Casting Runes, Wildflower Conspiracy, and Piasa Canyon.
- Family Activities: Kids and the young at heart can participate in a magic and medicine show by Dr. Longhair, as well as a hands-on shoe-making activity inspired by Mother Jones’ famous footwear used in her miners’ strikes.
- Historical Reenactments: Loretta Williams, the only actress to portray Mother Jones in both her native Ireland (City Cork) and at her final resting place, will perform a special program at the library, bringing Jones’ story to life for audiences of all ages.
Special Events & Tours:
- A shuttle bus will be available to transport visitors between downtown and Union Miners’ Cemetery.
- Guided tours will be offered by docents at the cemetery and the Friends of Mother Jones Museum, providing insight into her life and enduring impact.
Food & Refreshments:
Kazoo Coffee will serve their signature Hell Raiser blend—created in honor of Mother Jones—along with B&K Bakery cookies, as well as a variety of food and beverages to keep festival-goers energized.
In Case of Weather Changes:
All downtown activities will relocate indoors to City Hall and the library, ensuring the celebration continues rain or shine.
Come celebrate the spirit of activism, history, and community at this meaningful event honoring one of America’s most influential labor leaders. Everyone is welcome to join the festivities!
For more information, contact the Mother Jones Museum at 618-659-8759 or email friendsofmotherjonesmuseum@gmail.com.
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The Friends of the Library are excited to invite the community to an exclusive “Snap-On Jewelry” demonstration hosted by jewelry artist Jodi Flack. The event will take place on Monday, May 5th, at 6 p.m. in the Gillespie Public Library.
During this engaging program, Jodi will showcase her beautiful collection of snap-on jewelry, featuring versatile necklaces and bracelets with interchangeable pendants. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore the various styles and options available, making it a perfect occasion to find a special gift or add a unique piece to their jewelry collection.
Jewelry will be available for purchase at the event, making it an ideal opportunity to find a thoughtful Mother’s Day gift or a special treat for yourself.
Don’t miss this chance to discover stylish, customizable jewelry and support the Friends of the Library. All are welcome!
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The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that a 14-mile patching and resurfacing project on Interstate 55 from Litchfield to the Macoupin/Madison County line begins Monday, April 21. Work is expected to be completed by the end of September.
Additionally, ramps for Litchfield (exit 52), Mount Olive (exit 44) and Staunton (exit 41) will be resurfaced. Most of the work is expected to take place between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. Sunday nights through Friday mornings.
Lane closures are expected, and message boards will be used to direct traffic through the work zones. Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. Benefits of this project include a smoother driving surface.
To avoid the work area, when feasible, use of alternate routes should be considered. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to changed conditions and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits, refrain from using mobile devices and be alert for workers and equipment.
