Story Courtesy of Scott Mareing for TOC News
The Carmi-White County Unit #5 School Board met last night in its regular monthly session at the CWC High School Cafeteria.
Superintendent Brad Lee noted that as of the end of the first semester, approximately 17% of the students in grades six through 12% were failing at least one academic subject. Even though it’s a larger number than in past years, it’s still lower than in many surrounding districts. With additional funding from the Emergency Relief Fund, they are working to lower the percentage of students failing by the end of the school year.
There are 1,358 students district-wide, which is 39 fewer than last year at this time.
The district will receive $1,255,536 in COVID-19 Relief funding. Even though they’ve not received a lot of guidance on how to use the funds, the Illinois State Department of Education has recommended channeling the funds to mitigate learning loss, closing the digital divide and addressing the mental health needs of the students.
The Family First Coronavirus Response Act, which provided Unit 5 employees with ten COVID absence days and expired on December 31st has been extended to March 31st 2021.
The boiler at the Brownsville School had a section of pipe leaking, which caused school to be closed Monday. It was temporarily fixed that day and they are now getting quotes on whether to replace parts or all of the boiler, or replace the entire boiler, which is 23 years old. Also the Jefferson School boiler, which is 40 years old, had repairs done on it yesterday Tuesday). Lee said there is a lot of old equipment at our schools.
Also, with things changing practically every day, IHSA sports remains in a holding pattern until the IDPH lets them know otherwise.
88% of students in Unit 5 are receiving face-to-face learning, compared to 12 getting remote learning during the second semester as of January 19th.
Total revenue for the month of December was $772,878, which includes $49,878 from the one percent sales tax.
In other business, board scholars were named for the first semester and included seven freshmen, 15 sophomores, eight juniors and 11 seniors.
Final approval was given to adopt eleven board policies, as amended.
The board also approved the retirements of Diane Healy, Robert Lamp, Jr. and Kurt Simon, all at the end of the 2024-25 school year; a leave of absence for Shannon Webb beginning March 1st through the remainder of this school year, returning to work on the first day of the 2021-22 school year; accepted the resignations of Elizabeth Sims as a special education individual aide at Lincoln School effective December 14th 2020, Robin Winters as a PM crossing guard at Lincoln School effective immediately and Melinda Newman as a special education individual aide and breakfast supervisor at Lincoln School effective immediately; also approved were $2,200 in donations to the Brownsville School.
The board went into closed session at 7:32 PM to discuss personnel.
During the Closed Session Emily Whetstone was employed as the P.M. Crossing Guard at Lincoln Attendance Center for the 2020-2021 school year to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Robin Winters.
Charles “Mike” Jordan was employed as the Jefferson/Lincoln Attendance Center Full-Time Custodian for the 2020-2021 school year to fill the current vacancy.
Tanya Littleton was reassigned from a crossing guard and noon supervisor to a Special Education Individual Aide at the High School for the 2020-2021 school year to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Cassie Hunsinger.
