Southern Illinois News

Anna Jonesboro Community High School District 81 Board of Education met Nov. 12.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Anna Jonesboro Community High School held its regular meeting on November 12, 2024, it was called to order by Vice-President Johnson.  Upon roll call at 6:00 p.m. the following members were present: Mr. Houseman, Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Plott, Mr. Mix, Mr. Mays, and Mr. Ford.

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

On motion by Mr. Mix and seconded by Mr. Houseman to approve the Consent Agenda which contained the following items:  approval of board minutes on 10/21/2024; 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: Marlin Burd -- ISBE

Items of Interest from Student Council: Good Evening AJ Board members, administration, and guests. My name is Brooklynn Eastman and I am the President of Student Council. I am also here with Zoee Sadler, Vice-President. I attended the monthly LEDSC meeting in Benton where we discussed upcoming events. Student Council officers along with some other members attended the ledsc fall workshop. We competed in different challenges and went out to lunch. We hosted our first blood drive Wednesday, October 29th. We had 93 appointments and were able to donate 73 units of blood. Our next blood drive will be February 11th. Please consider signing up at redcross.org to give blood. We will be putting up the Christmas tree after Thanksgiving in the Union Hall lobby.

Items of Interest from Teachers: Spanish Club enjoyed a social event on Tuesday, November 5, when they met for dinner at Don Sol. Lucas Tehandon organized the event with superb leadership skills. The National Honor Society recently took part in various acts of kindness around the community. Students assisted at grocery stores, wrote thank-you notes for healthcare workers and school staff, picked up litter in parks, and volunteered at the animal shelter. Through these small actions, NHS members aimed to show appreciation and bring a bit of kindness to those around them. The National Honor Society raised $250 for the WIBH New Coat New Hope Campaign through their Halloween Trick-or-Treat event and Halloween dress-up day. Thanks to their efforts, we were able to purchase 12 coats for children in need. WIBH donates the funds raised during the campaign to Operation Warm. Melanie Lasley Senior VP and Chief Credit Officer from A-J National Bank came and spoke to Mrs. Hase’s class about basic banking, taking out loans, building credit and credit scores. Mrs. Maze’s Civics classes have been looking into policies and issues within AJCHS to provide solutions to change. Students will be emailing these letters to Mr. Rice and Ms. Stevens later this week. Students are excited about their opportunity to potentially influence change, as they have seen their peers do in years past. Next week is American Education Week. AJ will celebrate with dress-up days and some clubs and organizations will provide special treats for the faculty and staff. The 2025 Spring Musical production will be “Grease: School Version” March 21-23, 2025. We are looking forward to cast auditions November 19-20 and Mrs. Vancil will be starting Stage Crew next week. The Music Department Christmas Concert will be on Friday, December 13th at 7pm. Concert Choir, Band, and Jazz Band will be performing. The Student Services Department hosted an FSA ID workshop on November 7th to assist seniors and their families in creating the accounts necessary for doing the FAFSA. They were pleased to have about 30 families participate. The ISAC representative will return during the school day on December 12th to work with seniors on completing the actual FAFSA application, with a tentative evening workshop for families set for January. We have also heard back from ISAC on this year’s Illinois State Scholars: Cash Hodges, Chesnee Marks, and Ruby Yates. State scholars are selected by ISAC based on GPAs and test scores at the end of junior year. Finally, we have been working with various community organizations to provide Christmas gifts and winter gear for students in need, and are gearing up for our candygram fundraiser, which will allow us to sponsor gifts for students who may not qualify for other programs.

Curriculum Director Finders presented a slide show.

IT Director Sean Seavers presented a technology report.

Principal Rice spoke about upcoming dates, American education week, attendance, academic intervention breakdowns, building leadership team, and principal’s advisory team.

Superintendent Detering reported on the status of the science room renovations, committee meetings, fire marshal visit, and the AFR.

On motion by Mr. Houseman and seconded by Mrs. Plott for the Board to enter into closed session at 7:05 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. Mays and seconded by Mr. Ford to return to regular session at 8:18. On roll call, all members present voting yes.  Motion carried.

On motion by Mrs. Johnson and seconded by Mr. Houseman to approve Resolution 24-11-12A Regarding Estimated Amounts Necessary to be Levied for the Year 2025. On roll call, all members present voting yes. Motion carried.

On motion by Mr. Mix and seconded by Mr. Mays to approve School Maintenance Grant. On roll call, all members present voting yes. Motion carried.

Illinois School Report Card was discussed.

Annual Report on the Annual Review of the Emergency Operations Plan was discussed.

On motion by Mrs. Johnson and seconded by Mr. Houseman to approve Board Policy Updates including the revision to policy 2:260. On roll call, all members present voting yes. Motion carried.

On motion by Mr. Houseman and seconded by Mr. Ford to approve the contract to employ Mike Chamness as Athletic Director. On roll call, all members present voting yes. Motion carried.

On motion by Mr. Mix and seconded by Mr. Mays to approve Winter/Spring Coaches pending background check and certification: Wrestling: James Sullivan, Cole White (Volunteers)

Baseball: Aaron Roberts (HC), Thomas Corbit (Assistant), Jaryd Clark, Justin Richardson, Dalton Goddard (Volunteers) Softball: Rodney Seip (HC), Erin Suggs (Assistant), Brad Hoehner (Assistant) Track: Matt Denny (HC), Kyle Kueker, Andy Bundren (Assistants), Trenton Turner (Volunteer) Girls Soccer: Chelsea Reinier (HC), Mark Boomer (Assistant), Elle Basler (Volunteer). On roll call, all members present voting yes. Motion carried.

On motion by Mr. Houseman and seconded by Mr. Ford to adjourn the Regular Meeting at 8:56 p.m.  On roll call, all members present voting yes.  Motion carried.

Truth in Taxation Hearing scheduled Meeting is Monday December 16, 2024 at 5:45 p.m. in the High School Library.

December School Board Meeting is scheduled Monday December 16, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. in the High School Library.

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