School Board Vacancy Announced at Morrison School Board Meeting

Ron Kallemeyn For The Prairie Advocate News

At the regular meeting of the Board of Education of Morrison Community Unit District #6 held on March 9th, 2010 an announcement was made that there was a new vacancy on the school board. Erik Carlson has moved from Ustick Township into Mt. Pleasant Township, giving the board four members from Mt. Pleasant Township when it can only have three. Carlson tendered a resignation and it was accepted. The board is asking interested individuals from outside of Mt. Pleasant Township to send letters of interest to Dr. Girard by April 8th, 2010. Interviews will be planned for the April 13th board meeting.

Dr. Girard, school superintendent, reported that student enrollment in the Morrison school district continues to increase with a gain of ten students since the end of September. Kindergarten screening was happening at that time and the numbers were lower than last year but higher than previous years. She also announced that the district is on Facebook and Twitter.

The following certified personnel changes were made for the 2010-2011 school year. Amy Payne is being reduced because of reduction or elimination of the PreK grant. Charles Guthrie is reduced because Cory Bielema will be returning to that position. Jake Dalton is being reduced but may be called back if and when the PRIDE program is fine tuned and improved. Cheryl Neumann is being reduced because of lower student numbers in the areas she was teaching. Anji Garza is reduced because the elementary coordinator position is being eliminated due to budget cuts. Amy Huesinkveld will be contracted for 180 days instead of 216 days as she will be returning to a regular teacher’s contract. There were also reductions of hours for some non-certified personnel.

The board also approved the increase of student enrollment fees. A list of these new fees can be found in the minutes of the school board meeting on March 9th on the district website. Student parking fees were implemented for the next year. The student parking permit will be $25.00 and a replacement tag will be five dollars. Athletic Event Entrance fees were also increased and a list can be found in the minutes as well. The board also increased the admission price for the swimming pool for the next school year to $4.00 for adults and students and $3.00 for seniors. School lunch prices will also go up.

Morrison Schools Foundation Meeting

During the school board meeting held on March 23, 2010, Heather Bush of the Morrison Schools Foundation announced that things continue to progress for the formation of the foundation. They will be having a community meeting on Wednesday, April 7, 2010 at 7:00 P.M at the Superwash Training Center at 657 W. Lincolnway, Morrison (behind the Red Apple Restaurant). The meeting is for anybody who wishes to express their vision for the foundation or want to help out in any way.

Dr. Girard reported that the Morrison High School was given a Bronze Award by the U.S. News and World Report which listed the school as one of the best in the nation. More information can be found on the school district website. She also reported that she received a good report from the River Bend school district on how the recent junior high band contest hosted by Morrison went. In addition, she said that the Morrison school district continues to grow in student enrollment every month.

Cory Bielema, high school principal, and Jake Dalton, teacher of the PRIDE classroom, gave a detailed report on what the PRIDE program has accomplished and methods of improvement. The PRIDE program is one of the programs that may be cut for the next school year. The PRIDE program is an alternative school for juniors and seniors that have academic or behavioral problems. The students, currently numbering six, work at their own pace on computers to complete the courses so that they can graduate. Mr. Bielema gave several statistics showing how the PRIDE program has improved the graduation and dropout statistics since its inception. Mr. Dalton gave several suggestions for improvement of the program.

In the action items on the agenda Scott Vance was selected to replace Cory Bielema as high school principal. Mr. Vance has resigned as varsity baseball coach and athletic director. Mr. Vance was interviewed by a committee and recommended without reservation to the position. The board also renewed the membership with IHSA. The April early release date was moved from April 28 to April 21, 2010.

The meeting adjourned at 8:23 P.M.. The next board meeting will be held April 13, 2010 at the high school library at 6:30 P.M.