Regions Bank to Buy $7 Million in Du Quoin School Bonds
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[The Du Quoin Board of Education Tuesday accepted an offer from Regions Bank to purchase over $7 million in bonds to refinance existing construction and demolition debt in the school district and to finance current renovations on the west end of the existing Du Quoin High School.
There will be two bond issues. The first general obligation bond will be in the amount of $3.970 million to refinance existing capital debt in the district. Regions will also buy $3.240 million in life-health-safety bonds to finance the renovations to the west end of the existing high school and demolition of the old high school after the new building is completed.
Collectively, these two issues will refinance the debt of demolition of the Ward and Wheatley schools years ago, parking lot improvements, replacement of the roof on the west end of the high school two years ago and lighting and general stadium improvements to VanMetre Field as well as initial improvements to the high school gym.
The half-cent city sales tax being channeled to the district will retire a portion of these bonds. Over $13 million in state capital construction funds will fund the remainder of the new high school construction.
Du Quoin Community Unit District 300 architect Paul Lunsford Tuesday told the board of education that bids are due March 16 for construction of the main two-story academic Du Quoin High School building. He said that nearly 150 contractors have shown interest and 25 have requested complete bid packages. Given the economy, all hope the bids on the building are competitive.
The new Industrial Education facility is nearing a substantial completion date in March. The renovation of the west end of the facility (gym, band room and R.P. Hibbs Auditorium is progressing with specialty work still in progress. It is anticipated the district will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Industrial Education facility in conjunction with a ground breaking ceremony for the new larger facility in early April.
Superintendent Dr. Gary Kelly gave an update on the status of state capital construction program revenue lawsuit before the Illinois Supreme Court. At the present time a stay has been issued regarding the lawsuit and the Attorney General's office will be representing the state with this lawsuit.
The superintendent shared information with the board regarding the governor's proposed state budget for FY 2012 and it's impact on education funding. The Governor has proposed a $149 increase for the general state aid foundation level, is proposing a reduction in regular transportation reimbursement that would be a continued reduction in funding for this program over the past two years, and is proposing a school consolidation program that would take over 500 school districts and turn them into 300 districts. The General Assembly is continuing to conduct committee hearings on bills that have been introduced and is meeting intermittently during this time as it considers all legislation.
The Superintendent shared with the Board the results of the DEA calendar committee survey pertaining to the development of the 2011-2012 school calendar. Teachers favor a calendar that would begin the year on Friday, August 12 with a teacher institute day and classes the next Monday with Thanksgiving break November 23,24 and 25, Christmas break from December 22-31, spring Easter break April 4-9, last day of school May 22 and teacher institute May 23. The board will adopt the 2011-2012 calendar at its regular March meeting.
The board entered into executive session at 5:10 p.m. to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees. The Board returned to regular session at 6:00 p.m.
The Board accepted the resignation/retirement of Carolyn Boyett as an Elementary School Aide effective at the end of the present school year.
The board employed Candace Manning as an elementary/middle school art teacher for the 2011-2012 school year. She will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Jean Ellen Bullock.
The board employed Emily Plumlee as a Middle School band/music teacher for the 2011-2012 school year. She will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Jon Montgomery.
The Board employed Darrin Hicks as a 5th Grade Teacher for the 2011-2012 school year. (More about these individuals in a coming edition.)
The board employed Jacob Emling as High School Assistant Softball Coach for the present year.
The board approved the spring extra-curricular volunteer list as submitted by the District Athletic Directors.