Du Quoin school board hires Hickam as new superintendent
DU QUOIN - The Du Quoin School Board made it official last week, approving a three-year contract with Matt Hickam as the district's new superintendent, replacing the retiring Gary Kelly at the end of this fiscal year (June 30). The first year of the contract will pay Hickam $122,500 with the salary for the second and third years to be determined.
"I'm blessed to have the opportunity to be a superintendent, and more specifically, to be the one to lead this school district," Hickam said.
In other personnel moves, the board accepted the resignation of Kathleen Malinski as a K-8 school cook effective at the end of the 2018-2019 school year, and transferred Christa McIntire to an Elementary School Instructional Aide position for the 2019-2020 school year.
The board also approved the following:
A resolution that would refinance a series of bonds issued for the construction of the new high school. A savings in excess of $200,000 in interest costs would be realized by the refinancing of the bonds due to lower interest costs.
A one-year contract extension with Durham School Services to provide transportation services for the District. The increase for the one year extension would be 5 percent and would include the replacement of three buses.
Information from the DEA calendar committee as part of the development of next year's school calendar.
The development of next year's district budget. After the discussion, the board authorized the administration to begin budget preparation for next year's budget, to advertise for bids of cafeteria/custodial items, and approved the posting of the required budget hearing notice for September 2019.
The suspensions imposed by each school's administration
The minutes of the January 17, 2019 regular Board of Education meeting (including executive session minutes)
A clinical experience affiliation agreement with Eastern Illinois University
The payment of bills for January 2019.
The January 2019 financial report.
A Special Board meeting to take place on Saturday, March 2, 2019 at 10 a.m.
The board also heard DEA representative Pam Pursell speak regarding the development of next year's school calendar. She shared a recommendation from the DEA Calendar Committee would be presented at the next regular Board meeting.