PCHS Board votes to reduce staff by two- English and Business teaching positions eliminated
The Pinckneyville Community High School Board of Education voted five to two to authorize a reduction in force due to economic reasons. Positions for an English Language Arts Instructor and a Vocational Education teacher from the Business Department will be eliminated.
Voting in favor of the motions were Greg Bigham, Brian Kellerman, Dawn Kellerman Smith, Lisa Stanton, Paul Kuberski. Those opposed were Nathan Kellerman and Greg Thompson.
The Board unanimously approved a motion to renew all full-time, non-tenured, certificated personnel for the 2015 - 2016 school year.
In other business, the board:
• employed Natasha Plumlee as Cheerleading Coach for the 2015 - 2016 school year.
•approved trips for the Luke Thuston's Choices students to the St. Louis Science Center and Catherine Kohnen's Physics class to Math and Science Day at Six Flags Mid-America.
•heard from Caitlyn Williams-Cushman that the Title I Reading intervention strategies that she provides to struggling readers of the district are working. Her report included a data reflecting the students' significant improvement in achievement in the college readiness standards in reading.
•heard a report from Superintendent Keith Hagene on winter sports. Athletic Director Bob Waggoner provided a written report. The varsity wrestling team finished the season 6-21. Jordan Koester, Garrett Williams, Tyler Eggemeyer, Grant Murphy, Gabe Stroehlein, Richard Jones, Quinin Baker and Jeremy Opp were All-Conference. Jones was first team All South and Eggemeyer was at large All South. Girls varsity basketball was 10-20 and junior varsity was 8-8. Keelyn Stein and Sophie Keith were All-Conference. Boys varsity basketball was 25-7, went to the Sectional finals and won the Benton Invitational Tournament. Junior varsity was 12-3, sophomores 10-3 and freshmen 17-3. Brian Taylor, Tristan Fisher and Nolan Luke were All-Conference. Fisher was Illinois Basketball Coaches Association All State special mention and Luke was IBCA All State third team and will play in the IBCA All STar Game June 13 in Pontiac, representing the Southern 1/2A teams. He was one of 12 players selected. Ashley Franklin and Emily McDonnough were 11th out of 22 in the archery tournament. The report noted that the Panthers have been invited to play in the Carlyle Post Thanksgiving Tournament next year. It will take the place of the Capital Classic Tournament in Lawrence County. Also, for spring sports schedules and daily changes, visit www.pchspanthers.com and click on the Athletics tab.