Chrisman school district receives partnership award
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The Chrisman School Board held their monthly meeting on April 18th, 2022. The meeting began with a hearing for E-Learning. Prior to the meeting, the district did not have an ISBE approved plan in place. This caused issues when winter storms came to the area and the district had to use snow days that had to be made up at the end of the year.
“This would give us the flexibility of getting a day of attendance on a poor weather day or on a day when we can’t be in attendance due to a problem in one or both buildings,” Superintendent James Acklin stated. The proposed plan was approved.
The special meeting was adjourned and the regular meeting proceeded. The meeting began with approval of the previous meeting minutes, along with financial matters that included imprest fund reimbursement in the amount of $4,240.76.
Recent events at the Chrisman Elementary School included a Fire Safety Presentation to each of the classes by Chrisman Fire Chief Mike Marvin on April 5th. Hat Day was on April 6th and Spring Break ran from April 11th-15th. The fifth grade had their Illinois Science Assessment from April 18th to 21st.
Fourth Quarter Midterms will be April 27th and Good Behavior Parties will also begin on the 27th and go to April 29th. Teacher Appreciation Week will be May 2nd to May 5th. The Elementary School Spring Concert will be May 18th.
With the lack of sub drivers and vehicles, this has caused problems with the district.
“This spring has been particularly tough to cover events,” said Principal Kelly Schluter. “Some days, I’m short drivers. Other days, I’m short vehicles for trips.”
IAR Testing for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade was completed March 28th to April 4th. MAP spring benchmark testing will take place May 16th to 20th.
Upcoming events at the Chrisman High School/Junior High include PSAT for Freshmen on April 26th and PSAT for Sophomores on April 27th. Freshman Orientation will also take place on the 27th at 6:00 p.m.
The Senior Class will take their trip on April 29th to May 2nd. There will be an early dismissal on May 6th at 11:50 a.m. Junior High Skate Night will be on May 10th and Spring MAP Testing will be May 10th to 13th. The FFA will have their annual banquet on May 11th. The Envirothon Team will attend the State Competition on May 11th and 12th.
Summer School will be administered again this year. “As of right now, I anticipate approximately twelve high school students and three junior high students to participate in the program again,” said HS/JH Principal Cole Huber.
Huber also had been in discussion with the Building Leadership Team. They have decided it would be in the building’s best interest to continue with the partnership next year.
“We will be in our last year of funding from the School Improvement Grant we received in the last few years,” Huber said. “The teachers have enjoyed working with their representative, Todd and the structures he has created, such as PCL’s and some of the professional development. This will also help the new principal transition with a structure already being in place.”
The April sales tax revenue for school facilities for the district was $14,393.70. The district has a continued average of over $10,000 per month. Mrs. Katie Watters recently applied for a statewide grant designed to support the mental health of students and educators. Grantees are to create partnerships to address trauma and support recovery from the pandemic.
“The amount requested was $10,400, but the state did not have enough applicants and decided to level fund this grant,” Acklin said. “As a result, our district has been awarded $635,000 to be spent over the next two years.”
The QNS proposal that the board had to consider came to a total of $33,972.40. “Our plan is to use the REAP grant to pay for the first $20,000 or so with CARES money picking up the rest,” Acklin said. “Approximately $25,000 of the total is to replace Chromebooks that are going out of service.”
Ben Jenness has provided a quote to add air conditioning to the High School gym for a total of $48,866. This expenditure has been budgeted for in the federal CARES grant. The quote is only good for thirty days.
Mr. Huber and Mrs. Schluter have gathered their budget requests for the 2022-2023 school year from their respective staff. With the total request being similar to this year’s, the board approved the budget.
The final draft of the calendar for the 2022-2023 school year was also approved.
The calendar will be similar to the 2021-2022 calendar with the exception of fewer days off at Easter. Approval was also granted for IESA and IHSA membership for the next school year.
