Southern Illinois News

Anna Jonesboro Community High School District 81 Board of Education met Oct. 21.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Anna Jonesboro Community High School held its regular meeting on October 21, 2024, it was called to order by President Vosburgh. Upon roll call at 6:00 p.m. the following members were present: Mr. Vosburgh, Mr. Houseman, Mrs. Johnson, Mr. Mays, and Mr. Ford. Mr. Mix arrived at 6:11 p.m.

On motion by Mr. Houseman and seconded by Mr. Mays to approve the Agenda. All members present voting yes. Motion carried.

On motion by Mrs. Johnson and seconded by Mr. Vosburgh to approve the Consent Agenda which contained the following items: approval of board minutes on 9/23/2024; approval of closed session minutes; approval of payment for bills, accept resignation, and acceptance of financial reports. On roll call, all members present voting yes. Motion carried.

Recognition of Visitors and Correspondence, Public Comments: John Davis-Scholarship Money and Memorabilia.

Items of Interest from Student Council: I’m Grayson Garner, the Parking Coordinator for Student Council. For homecoming each class competed in decorating hallways and windows the week before homecoming. The week of homecoming everyone participated in our various dress up days and we had a trivia quiz every day. On the Friday of homecoming, they competed in a series of games at the pep rally. We had a total of 85 entries in the parade and five bands. During halftime of the homecoming football game, Student Council held the coronation for the Homecoming King and Queen. This year’s king is Noah Chotner and this year’s queen is Zoee Sadler. Student Council’s most significant project of the year is the homecoming dance. We have been planning for this event since this summer. This year's theme was “Fright Night Lights”. We wanted the students to feel like they were at the threshold of a haunted mansion when they entered the dance. Kristin Chamness constructed an incredible picture scene with over 7000 balloons & Mr. Corbit helped us construct a fireplace scene. We opened up the homecoming dance to the community an hour before the dance to take pictures and trick or treat. We also held a dog food drive last week for the Union County animal shelter. We were able to donate over 10 bags of food. We are hosting a blood drive on Wednesday, October 29th. Please consider signing up at redcross.org to give blood.

Items of Interest from Teachers: On October 19th, the National Honor Society successfully hosted a Halloween Trick or Treat event in the Union Hall Lobby. During the event, students distributed candy, facilitated games, and awarded prizes to participants. Donations were collected in support of the WIBH New Coat New Hope Campaign, part of Operation Warm, which aims to provide winter coats for children in need. Additionally, on Halloween, students will have the opportunity to wear their costumes to school by contributing a $1 donation, with all proceeds going to the WIBH New Coat New Hope Campaign. The Beta Club set up a Pumpkin Town display in the city park. The theme this year was: anything Halloween. The Beta display is a skeleton cafe in a cemetery. Special thanks to Lauren Jackson and Kelly Jackson for all their help! The National Honor Society will host an Acts of Kindness Day on October 31st. NHS members will engage in various kindness activities throughout Anna and Jonesboro, IL, including writing uplifting notes, volunteering at local shelters, and spreading positivity within the community. This initiative aims to promote service and empathy among students while making a meaningful impact on those around them. The Student Services Department arranged for both SIU and Shawnee CC to do application drives with our seniors. These events are important opportunities for students to be able to complete their applications at school with assistance from a knowledgeable source, especially for students who are first-generation college students or who may not otherwise complete their applications. We had 26 students complete their SIU applications for free during the SIU drive, and around 50 complete their Shawnee applications. Mrs. Miller and Ms. Webb took 75 juniors and seniors to the SCC Day field trip on October 10th, where students had the opportunity to explore Shawnee Community College programs, including students interested in career and technical education programs such as CDL licensure, CNA, and welding. Mrs. Miller has partnered with the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) to provide workshops for families during Parent/Teacher Conference nights. On October 7th, ISAC presented an introduction to the college application process and scholarship and financial aid process for juniors and seniors and their families. About 6 families attended. On November 7th, ISAC will be assisting senior students and families in creating their FSA IDs, which is the account required to complete the FAFSA. Mrs. Sawyer and Ms. Charicata attended the Illinois School Social Work Association conference in Tinley Park on October 17th and 18th and are excited to implement new strategies and resources for our students. In addition, Mrs. Sawyer’s attendance intervention group for students who are chronically absent, and Ms. Charicata’s behavior intervention group for students with severe or chronic discipline issues began meeting last week. These interventions aim to assist students with underlying problems that may be causing their difficulties in school, and are a valuable supplement to our existing policies and consequences. FBLA membership has gone from 8 members (6 seniors last year) to 28 members with only 1 senior this year. We will be working on a possible FBLA week this year with so many members, with the need of more fundraising. Our goal is to have as many members as possible going to state competition and conference at the end of March. The Art Club painted faces during the Homecoming Prowl and had a truck in the parade. The Art Club has been partnering with the Shawnee Hills Arts Council to construct and perform in a Haunted House. We are open every Friday and Saturday 7-10 and Monday through Thursday the week of Halloween. This is held in the Anna Arts Center building down from Jim and Dot’s. (See flyer) On October 30th the Art Club will hold a bake sale during lunch. Mrs. Vancil’s Portfolio and Drawing classes will compete at the annual Chalk Art Contest in Harrisburg this Friday. Watch your Facebook for pictures of the event.

Curriculum Director Finders presented on professional development for staff.

Principal Rice spoke about upcoming dates, emergency services, academic intervention breakdowns, building leadership team, principal’s advisory team.

Superintendent Detering reported on the status of the Science Room Renovations, HVAC unit cost, kitchen freezer and inspection report, update on possible vehicle replacement cost, Cross Country expenditures, letter from Regional Superintendent, and annual financial report extension.

On motion by Mr. Vosburgh and seconded by Mr. Mix for the Board to enter into closed session at 6:56 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 Mrs. Johnson and seconded by Mr. Ford to return to regular session at 7:30. On roll call, all members present voting yes. Motion carried.

1st reading of Board Policy Updates.

Discussion on School Maintenance Program Grant.

Discussion on Tax Levy.

On motion by Mr. Houseman and seconded by Mrs. Johnson to approve Marcus Schaefer as Assistant Girls Basketball Coach pending background check and certification. On roll call, all members present voting yes. Motion carried.

On motion by Mr. Vosburgh and seconded by Mr. Mays to approve Drew Holshouser, Daniel Dover, and Cole Allen as Volunteer Wrestling coaches pending background check and certification. All members present voting yes. Motion carried.

On motion by Mr. Houseman and seconded by Mr. Ford to adjourn the Regular Meeting at 8:19 p.m. On roll call, all members present voting yes. Motion carried.

https://aj81.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Oct-Minutes.docx