Ohio High School 11-26

• Approved applying for a bus program through the EPA offering about $25,000 for schools to scrap a bus and purchase a newer bus. The board also discussed the need for a bus barn. The current barn will only house the mini busses and is in great disrepair. The district needs a concrete slab, appropriate outlets and a barn that is structurally sound.

• Heard a presentation from Principal Jason Wilt on Homework Hall. The grade school students are mandated to attend Homework Hall if they are getting a D or an F, and the program has been successful. They have to go until they get their grade up. The high school does not have a program like this implemented at this time, and Wilt said it would benefit those students as well. Board member Carol Debruhl did not see how this would work with high school students in sports and having to travel to LaMoille, sometimes leaving right after school. The board then discussed a morning or lunchtime Homework Hall. President Harold Albrecht asked the administration to come up with a proposal to bring back to next month’s meeting.

• Approved the resolution of estimated amounts for tentative levy as presented.

• Heard high school enrollment is at 34.

• Heard a presentation from Superintendent Sharon Sweger on the Illinois School Report Card. The district didn't make AYP again this year, just like 65.7 percent of all school districts. Sweger said the district is trying to make AYP with its School Improvement Plan, Reading Buddies, Title I reading and math at the grade school level, Homework Hall, teacher tutoring and the My Skills Tutor Program.

• Heard from Sweger there was a recent sewer issue last week. Sauk Valley Plumbing came in and unclogged the pipe.

• Heard Sweger and board member Brenda Reuter attended the recent school board convention in Chicago two weekends ago. Sweger said they attended several very good sessions. Sweger had several ideas, mainly around the concept of what other schools have done to increase state test scores — such as increasing the amount of reading time — vendor product evaluation and state legislative issues. Sweger talked to many vendors about their products, and last week she received a call from a concrete vendor telling her she had won the door prize. The prize is four concrete blocks with the school logo carved into the concrete. Sweger is not sure until she looks at it where the district would want to put them.