Southern Illinois News

Anna Jonesboro Community High School District 81 Board of Education met May 19,

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Anna-Jonesboro Community High School held its regular meeting on May 19, 2025. Upon roll call at 6:05 p.m. the following members were present: Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Plott, Mr. Mix, Mr. Houseman, Mr. Massey, Mr. Leek, and Mr. Johnson.

On motion by Mr. Mix and seconded by Mr. Johnson to approve the Agenda as presented. All members present voting yes. Motion carried.

On motion by Mr. Houseman and seconded by Mr. Mix to approve the Consent Agenda which contained the following items: approval of board minutes on 4/28/25 and 5/13/2025; approval of closed session minutes; approval of payment for bills, acceptance of financial reports, and accept resignations. On roll call, all members present voting yes. Motion carried.

Recognition of visitors and correspondence, Public Comments: Josh Gooden

Items of Interest from Student Council: Good Evening AJ Board members, administration, and guests. My name is Drue Teske and I am the Homecoming Coordinator of Student Council and newly elected President. I am also here with Lucas Tehandon, Junior Representative and newly elected Vice President. We hosted our last blood drive April 29th receiving 62 units. Please be on the lookout for our upcoming Summer Blood Drive. For teacher appreciation week we had a baked potato and sweet potato bar. We also donated a huge family fun night basket for the Rachel Chamness event this weekend. Elections were held for next year's officers. We will be meeting tomorrow to start our Homecoming planning for next year.

Items of Interest from Teachers: The National Honor Society recently completed a successful community service initiative aimed at promoting early literacy. Throughout the month of April, NHS members organized and led a book drive to collect new and gently used books for local 3rd grade students. With support from students, staff, and community members, over 600 books were donated. NHS members and officers sorted and delivered the books—along with bookmarks, book-themed stickers, pens, blank journals, reading-at-home resources, and reusable tote bags—to 3rd grade classrooms at Anna, Jonesboro, and Lick Creek Elementary Schools. Each student received a set of four books tailored to their interests and reading level, and each teacher received 8–9 books to add to their classroom libraries. After the initial deliveries, an additional 113 lower-level books remained—perfect for younger readers. These were donated to kindergarten classrooms at the same schools, ensuring that every kindergarten student also received a book to take home. In total, the National Honor Society donated approximately 583 books to students and teachers in the community. Additionally, thanks to the success of the book drive and the Penny Wars fundraiser, the National Honor Society was able to donate $250 to the WIBH New Soles, New Hope campaign and $100 to the Rachel Chamness Fundraiser. Congratulations to the 2025 Prom King Jonah Watkins and Queen Zoe Jones. Prom was held at the Southern Illinois Airport in Murphysboro. The theme was The Enchanted Garden. We had 223 kids who bought tickets. Mrs. Massey and Ms. Morrison met with the new Junior class officers last Friday to start planning for next year.

Principal Rice spoke about upcoming dates, attendance, and semester exams.

Superintendent Detering reported on insurance, parking lot resurfacing, risk management plan, soccer complex, and the retired teacher breakfast.

On motion by Mr. Houseman and seconded by Mr. Johnson for the Board to enter into closed session at 6:43 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) Collective negotiating matters or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees. 5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(2) On roll call, all members present voting yes. Motion carried.

On motion by Mr. Houseman and seconded by Mr. Johnson to return to regular session at 7:10p.m. On roll call, all members present voting yes. Motion carried.

On motion by Mr. Johnson and seconded by Mr. Mix to approve the Memorandum of Understanding. On roll call, all members present voting yes. Motion carried.

On motion by Mr. Houseman and seconded by Mrs. Plott to approve the Co-Operative Agreements with boys and girls Soccer with Cobden and Football with Dongola. All members present voting yes. Motion carried.

On motion by Mrs. Johnson and seconded by Mr. Johnson to approve the 2025-2026 Student Handbook. All members present voting yes. Motion carried.

On motion by Mr. Houseman and seconded by Mr. Mix to approve the 2025-2026 Acceptable Use Policy. All members present voting yes. Motion carried.

On motion by Mr. Mix and seconded by Mr. Houseman to approve the 2025-2026 Chromebook Handbook. All members present voting yes. Motion carried.

On motion by Mr. Houseman and seconded by Mr. Johnson to approve the Consolidated District Plan. All members present voting yes. Motion carried.

On motion by Mr. Houseman and seconded by Mr. Johnson to approve the Board Policy Updates. All members present voting yes. Motion carried.

Mr. Detering gave a tentative FY2024-2025 Amended Budget.

https://aj81.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/May-Minutes.pdf