Southern Illinois News

Anna Jonesboro Community High School District 81 Board met September 17. 

Here is the minutes as provided by the board:

The Anna-Jonesboro Community High School held its Budget Meeting on September 17, 2018. Upon roll call at 5:50 p.m. the following members were present: Dr. Reach, Mr. Hughey, Mr. Edwards, and Dr. Blakely. Also present was Superintendent Wright and Scott Finders.

Public Hearing for FY2018-2019 School District Budget

On motion by Mr. Edwards and seconded by Dr. Blakely to adjourn the Budget Meeting at 5:58 p.m. All members voting yes. Motion carried.

                                                         Minutes

The Anna-Jonesboro Community High School held its regular meeting on September 17, 2018. Upon roll call at 6:00 p.m. the following members were present: Dr. Reach, Mr. Hughey, Dr. Blakely, and Mr. Edwards. Also present was Superintendent Wright, Principal Brett Detering and Curriculum Director Finders.

On motion by Dr. Reach and seconded by Dr. Blakely to approve the Agenda as written. All members present voting yes. Motion carried

On motion by Mr. Edwards and seconded by Dr. Blakely to approve the Consent Agenda which contained the following items: approval of board minutes on 8/20/2018 and 8/30/2018, approval of closed session minutes, approval of payment of bills and acceptance of financial reports. On roll call, all members present voting yes. Motion carried.

Jaci Woodward and Jenna Watkins represented Student Council. They discussed Homecoming Week as follows; The theme is “Once Upon a Time”, and the Spirit Week dress-up days are: Monday: pajamas, Tuesday: Tie-dye, Wednesday: Disney, Thursday: Class color, Friday: Blue & White, The student body voted for the 2018 Homecoming Court on Friday, 9/14. They are: Freshmen Reps: Alyvia Lawrence & Beto Vaca Diez, Sophomore Reps: Lexie Lingle & Nate Baggott, Junior Reps: Brylee Oxford & Seth Turner, Senior Court: Brayden Fitzgerald-Deener, Julia Ellis, Abby Williams, Catie Mays, Hannah Baggott, Reid Morrison, Jackson Laster, Conner Jerolds, Carson Reynolds, & Chris Johnson. Homecoming dance decorations have arrived. The final preparations for the parade are being made this week.

The items of interest from the teachers were as follows: The counseling office has been meeting with freshmen in small groups for Freshman Academy. So far, this has helped the counselors to gather data on students’ academic, social, and emotional risk-factors that will inform future interventions. We have also increased our interventions at the sophomore through senior level by identifying students with current Ds & Fs and a history of failing grades. We have interviewed these students and will be brainstorming further ways to support them. On the college & career front, we will be starting our new career planning program with freshmen this week, with plans to use the program with sophomores and juniors in the spring. We are taking a group of students to SIU Day this week, and collecting data and investigating opportunities for future college campus visits (perhaps 1 per year).

The PR committee is currently running a giveaway on the facebook page to up our number of likes. When we hit 1000 likes, the winner will receive a free A-J blanket. The PR committee will also be purchasing a second blanket to give away after the Freshman fair. We’ll set up a table to introduce incoming freshman parents to the facebook page, encourage them to like/follow and enter a drawing for the blanket. When we hit a certain number of likes (depending where we are at the time), we’ll announce a winner. Additionally, we’ll be approaching community business to ask if they’d like to partner with the faculty in supporting a Wildcat Wednesday Student of the Month. Wildcat Wednesday is an initiative created to celebrate the achievements of our students, organizations, and teachers; to reinforce the core values of the school: leadership, achievement, integrity, and responsibility; and to uphold the concept of “one family” within the community.

Grace Darmour-Paul applied for a $625 grant through the Illinois Retired Teachers Association in May and received news in August that she will receive that grant. The grant will provide Spanish 3 with classroom sets of novels to read in Spanish. More information about the grant can be found here https://www.irtaonline.org/GrantWinners.aspx

Ms. Maze’s government classes have been discussing controversial issues like the burning of the American flag as a symbol of free speech and the removal of confederate statues. Students were asked to take a stand on these issues and write a letter to their representative. These letters will be mailed out later this week.

Curriculum Director Finders reported on assessment, social emotional learning, articulation, and professional development.

Principal Detering reported on the enrollment, discipline, safety drills, SEL, freshman academy, Friday grade checks, identification of at-risk students, and the cafeteria.

Superintendent Wright presented on a Facilities Use Agreement with UCSL, a new Five Year Strategic Plan, and the possibility of replacing the lower gym floor. He reminded the board of the IASB Shawnee Division Fall Dinner Meeting is October 10, 2018 at Carbondale High School; the dinner begins at 6:30 and will be followed by the business meeting.

On motion by Dr. Reach and seconded by Dr. Blakely for the Board to enter into closed session at 6:43 p.m. p.m. for the following reasons (1) the purpose of appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employee of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee of the public body or against legal counsel for the public to determine its validity. 5ILCS 120/2(c)(1) On roll call, all members present voting yes. Motion carried.

On motion by Mr. Hughey and seconded by Dr. Reach to return to regular session at 7:08 p.m. On roll call all members present voting yes. Motion carried.

On motion by Dr. Reach and seconded by Dr. Blakely to Adopt of FY 2018-19 School District Budget. On roll call all members present voting yes. Motion carried.

Mr. Wright presented the Administrator and Teacher Salary Benefits Report.

On motion by Mr. Edwards and seconded by Dr. Blakely to approve the contract for Speech Services. On roll call all members present voting yes. Motion carried.

Mr. Wright spoke about a new incentive Ameren has for us to install LED lighting.

The board discussed different ideas on what could possibly be done with the surplus food in the cafeteria.

On motion by Dr. Blakely and seconded by Mr. Hughey to adjourn the Regular Meeting at 7:30 p.m. All members present voting yes. Motion carried.

The next regularly scheduled Meeting is Monday, October 15, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. in the Superintendent's Office

http://www.aj81.net/Board%20of%20Education/Minutes%20-%20PDFs/2018-2019/September%202018%20Minutes.pdf