Amy Achs, AP Erie Correspondent
At Monday’s board meeting three new members and one veteran member took the oath of office ready to serve the Erie School District.
Former members Ron Huisman (4 years), Chad Miner (8 years), and Jeff Wunderlich (8 months) were recognized for their service as they are stepping down as board members – (Chad Miner and Jeff Wunderlich were not present for the meeting.) Most of the meeting was spent setting up the new board members, appointing officers, and determining committee appointments along with describing various duties, board trainings, and policies. There are a lot of responsibilities when you become a board member including a code of conduct, keeping employee and student matters confidential, and required board trainings. This is above and beyond the committee work and monthly board meetings that go with the territory. The board consists of Jason Norman – President, Mark Wiseley – Vice President, Tammy Tegeler – Secretary, Shannon James, and new members Keith Morgan, Shelly Punke, and Lance Coers.
Superintendent’s Report:
Chuck Milem reported on the ESSER Funds which are part of the Education Stabilization Fund in the CARES Act. Part 1 of the ESSER funds resulted in $70,353 which went to masks, sanitizer, water bottles, thermometers for each building temperature checks, hot spots for families in the district, more tables and many other supplies to meet COVID requirements. All money has been spent and more with $37,929.42 to be rolled over to round 2 of ESSER fund allocations.
The second allotment of $251,489 will be earmarked toward summer school, summer enrichments, and water bottle filling stations among other needs.
When the third allotment is made available it could mean up to $564,536 for the district, can be used up to 2024, and has fewer restrictions. One possibility is to earmark a portion to make air quality improvements for the middle school and replacing windows and flooring abatement.
Mr. Milem has been tracking the progress of Illinois House Bill 1472 as it potentially impacts our district by protecting nuclear power plants. The bill has passed the House and amends the Public Utilities Act. It is now working its way through the Senate.
ERIE HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION: Will be May 16th. There are no solidified plans as of yet due to the uncertainty of COVID restrictions being dependent on the number of cases in our area and the weather. If graduation needs to be indoors, there will be four family members per graduate allowed in the gym. The district will stay tuned to IDPH guidelines and the Governor’s phase movement. If Northwestern IL is put into the Bridge Phase, moving into Phase 5, this could mean we can place more people into the gymnasium for graduation and may not need to have an outdoor plan. Milem stated, “Right now, we are planning for the worst and will plan on an outside graduation to allow more people to attend but that will be dependent upon weather and the guidelines. We will make the decision 2 weeks from today — May 12.”
Dates to remember:
May 3rd – Senior Awards Night
May 7th – Career Day at EHS – a combination of local businesses, community colleges, unions, a military recruiter, and various other career fields represented.
May 16th – High School Graduation
May 20th – 4th grade transition to 5th grade with a visit to the middle school
May 21st – Senior SAT rewards trip
May 26th – 8th grade trip – last day of school for the 8th graders – Michael’s Fun World
May 27th – Last day of school for students
May 28th – Teacher Inservice
Employment:
Kyle Foster has been hired as the high school chemistry teacher with a salary of $57,021.00 effective August 11, 2021.
Summer Employment: High school workers are Erin Ashdown, Lynnette Foree, Emily Herzmann, Michael Miner, Shea Winters, Malory Eggers, and Keegan Magness with a tentative start date of June 1st.
Summer Paint Crew: Lori Huizenga and Amy Ryan with a tentative start date of June 1st.
Track Coaches: effective April 5th with an annual salary of $3,377.00 Tiffany Garcea and LeAnn Holland.
Resignations:
Laykin Scanlan – elementary nurse – effective at the end of the 2020-2021 school year.
Bob Sanders – bus driver. – effective immediately.
No retirements or leave requests.
There were no public comments.
