Steeleville school board agrees to no parade escorts
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Police Chief Lyn Thies and Trustee Imogene Fiene were on hand at last Monday's meeting to notify the board of the decision the Village Hall is leaning towards on not allowing parade escorts of sports teams.
Chief Thies told the board about the recent decisions at past meetings about allowing students and sports teams to be escorted by police as a recognition of a job well done. Thies and Fiene discussed the chances of liability that the Village faces if someone was to get injured while on the road.
"Nobody wants to do away with it because it is a nice gesture to the teams," said Thies. "But we don't want to wait until something does happen before we have to change the rule."
Thies asked if the board had any recommendations, but no recommendation was given. The board agreed with the possibility of no more police escorts.
The board also heard a presentation of Vocational teacher Mr. Birchler. Birchler notified the board of his circular agenda and where he is at with teaching students' Vocational class.
"Students are more likely to graduate high school, not drop out, and increase their grade point average," states Birchler.
This year, he plans on having guest speakers to his class and participate in courses that he can bring back to the classroom.
The board approved the rise of new food prices. The cost of food prices has risen and in order to match the raise, the board had to raise its prices as well.
Notification was made about the new security measure Steeleville High School has taken to protect their students. Security cameras and new locks have been installed. In order to gain access you must use the south entrance. There you will be identified and if permitted, buzzed in.
The board was also notified by Cindy Ramsey of the new laws taking place with teacher's 403B retirement benefits. Currently teachers are allowed to pick and choose whatever plan to invest in. The State of Illinois has ordered throughout the state that all school board administrators devise an investment plan for their teachers and staff.
ÒNow they are asking us to tell teachers who they can invest their money with,Ó stated Ramsey. "I think it is unfair to the employee." A plan must be made by January 1, 2009 or the School Board will be held reliable.
A recommendation was made by Superintendent Stephanie Mulholland to invest $3,800 on a fall zone around the new playground just recently installed on the grade school grounds.