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GREENE PRAIRIE PRESS JANUARY 29, 2014 – Vol. 145, No. 5 – Carrollton, Illinois 62016

INSIDE NEWS

NGHS discusses weighted grading system by CArmeN eNSiNger Greene Prairie Press

Scenes from Lady Hawk Invite. See page A8

NEWS

course and all courses designated advance level courses,” Clanton said. “Weighted grade points are the numeric equivalent of a student’s grade in a credit bearing course on a slightly different scale.” For example, in a regular class an A would constitute 4 points, but in an honors class it would be 5 points. The same differential applies for B and C grades. However, a D would remain one point on the weighted scale just as it would on a regular scale and an F would be zero points. “The weighted grade point average (WGPA) is a recalculation of the GPA, substituting weighted grade points for regular grade points earned in courses designated as honors or advanced level,” Clanton said. “ Clanton said this type of procedure is used to determine grade point

North Greene High School Principal Keppen Clanton would like to see the district move to a weighted grading system and asked the North Greene School Board to consider this move at its January meeting. The theory behind a weighted grade point average (GPA) is that some high school courses are much more difficult than others, and these harder classes should carry more weight when determining the GPA than the easier classes. For example, an A in calculus would carry more weight than an A in algebra. “Weighted grade points are similar to grade points except that weighted grade points differentiate between regular courses and honors

SERIOUSLY, THE

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averages and for reporting them to current and prospective employers and post secondary institutions which require the information as part of the application and admission process. “We would essentially review our current course offerings and identify those that would be considered advanced level courses which would require a high level of achievement in a sequence of study,” Clanton said. According to Clanton, the benefits of moving to a weighted system give students the opportunity to choose courses that are more rigorous and challenging, as well as preparing them for college courses and acknowledging those students who are willing to go above and beyond the average skills of a basic curriculum.

“It also sends the message that we want our students to challenge themselves daily versus staying status quo while creating an intrinsic motivation to take on the challenge,” she said. This would not be the first time North Greene has tried out a weighted system. “Several years ago NGHS had a weighted curriculum but it became controversial, as it often does, when considering the fine arts and vocational programs that many of our students excel in,” Clanton said. “If we do move forward with this weighted system, we would include the fourth year of these programs as honors courses, insuring these courses contain the necessary rigor and challenge as your standard weighted courses such as physics, calculus, etc.”

EASTER BUNNY

The board was supportive of Clanton completing research on the possibility of instituting a weighted system at NGHS. “Their main concern seemed to revolve around the fine arts and vocational curriculum and how we would handle that,” Clanton said. In other action, the board: n Approved Addie Schutz filling the vacancy as guidance secretary at the junior high-high school effective Jan. 16. n Approved Jeremy Sharrow as volunteer assistant with sixth grade boys basketball. n Approved the seniority list and honorable dismissal list for sharing with union members to identify any anomalies or changes. n Approved facility use requests for fundraising activities.

Roodhouse moving ahead with cleanup efforts

YOU EXPECT ME TO BELIEVE ISN'T REAL?

by CArmeN eNSiNger Greene Prairie Press The city of Roodhouse is not wasting any time cleaning up the delinquent properties in town purchased recently. The buildings committee of the Roodhouse City

Greenfield High School’s Illinois State Scholars. See page A6

“There were quite a few properties on the list, but these properties were dilapidated and no one was going to want them .”

NEWS

Tom Martin Roodhouse Mayor

News from the pews. See page A3 Carmen Ensinger/Greene Prairie Press

Fifteen-month-old Luna Adams of Carrollton gives a rather incredulous look to her dad while the family were on a recent outing . Luna is the daughter of Dr . August and Clare Adams of Carrollton .

SPORTS

ONLINE greeneprairiepress .com

Greene Prairie Press Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A3 Court . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . b8 Local . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A8 Obituaries . . . . . . . . . . A4 Our Town . . . . . . . . . . . A10 Public Notice . . . . . . . . . b8 News . . . . . . . . . . . . . A5-7 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . b10

Obituaries in this issue: barbOur, ChurChman, JaCksOn

© 2014 Greene Praire Press All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Council met last week and gave Mayor Tom Martin the go ahead to seek bids for demolition on two properties. In October, the city purchased nine delinquent parcels within the city, which were auctioned off by the county for delinquent taxes. “There were quite a few properties on the list, but these properties were dilapidated and no one was going to want them,” Martin said. “We purchased them because we want to see the properties cleaned up and get them back on the tax rolls.”

The first property to be cleaned up was the building next to Karma Klub on the square which was destroyed by fire last year. The city spent $6,100 to have the building torn down, hauled off and the property filled in. “That building pretty much had to come down at the same time as the Karma Klub because they were holding each other up,” Martin said. “When one came down the other one was going to follow, so when the owner’s insurance took down the bar we had them take down ours at the same time and we saved quite a bit by doing it that way.” Martin said the committee also discussed the demolition of the building next to Joe’s Pizza. The recent death of the owner of Joe’s Pizza has put the city’s plans for demolition of that building on hold. “They decided we really should wait and see what they are going to do with that property before we make any plans,” Martin said. “There is a shared wall between the two buildings, so we will have to work out a deal on the wall with whoever takes over the building.” The committee authorized Martin to get bids for demolition on the buildings located on the property at 221 W. Bates and 809 W. Day. “Once we have the bids for both properties, they will decide which one they want to start on first,” Martin said.

Carrollton attains Financial Recognition for fourth year in a row by CArmeN eNSiNger Greene Prairie Press

Lady Hawks get revenge vs. Alton. See page b10

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Carrollton Superintendent Dr. Kerry Cox shared some very good news with the school board at Monday’s meeting. The district is once again being lauded for its financial status. The district received the preliminary 2014 Financial Profile Designation of “financial recognition” for the fourth year in a row. “This recognition is an attest to the great work of all staff members who do outstanding work with our students while maintaining attention on the financial impact of resources and supplies necessary for this work,” Dr. Cox said. “Although our overall scored dropped from 3.80 to 3.55, the impact of the score change is three cents per dollar.” Last year for every dollar collected for revenue, the district spent 98 cents. This year for every dollar of revenue, the district spent $1.01. “This is not a trend that we want to see increase, but we are very pleased with the recognition from the Illinois State Board of Education for our due diligence with financing within the district,” Dr. Cox said. Prior to the board meeting a public hearing

was held to inform the public of the intent to submit a request to the ISBEW to waive the administrative cost limitations for the current school year. According to state statute, a school district’s budgeted administrative expenditures cannot increase more than five percent over the prior year’s actual administrative expenditures. “Our annual financial report shows a 15 percent increase in costs due in part to the payout of unused vacation time to the former superintendent,” Dr. Cox said. “This is a onetime contractually obligated cost which will not occur in the future; therefore, the district is submitting the request to waive this requirement for the school year.” Technology updates were given by Tech Director Andy Thomas, who reported the new wireless system is working well at the high school, providing greater access for students and staff members. “This type of system will also be installed at the grade school this spring using Rural Education Achievement Program funds,” Dr. Cox said. “This enhanced access districtwide will provide greater teaching and learning opportunities for our staff and students.” With the installation of this wireless sys-

tem, the board also approved a new policy addressing students bringing their own technology to the school to utilize. The district’s RevTrak system is up and running for families to use to make online meal payments for their students, and Thomas demonstrated the simple steps of the process from the district’s website. It will provide families with the convenience of online fee payments to the school. “Right now this system is being initiated for meal payments only, with potential expansion to many other types of school fees such as registration costs, fundraising activities, etc. during the following school year,” Dr. Cox said. A convenience fee will be charged for using the system which pays for the cost of the program. This fee was set at $1.50 per transaction for this school year, and information is being mailed to families in the district with additional information. The board approved the request made by students in Pat Dugas’ engineering class during last month’s meeting to develop the Carrollton Space Mission Project along with a request for funding in the amount of $400 to complete the project.

“This type of inquiry-based student-developed project is exactly what we hope all of our students strive to undertake as a 21st century learner,” Dr. Cox said. The board approved veterinary science as a new class offering at CHS next year. The high school agriculture class is an applied animal anatomy and physiology course enhancing the agriculture program, and the plan is to offer this course during alternate school years. The board also approved a summer school proposal from High School Principal Leslee Frazier, which will provide one session of government allowing students more flexibility with their course schedules during the school year by completing the required course over the summer. The board voted to create the class without any cost to the students if a minimum of 12 students enroll. Class sizes have not been set yet and there is a possibility there will be openings for out-of-district students; however, there will be a yet undetermined fee for these students to take the course. In other action, the board approved: n Steve Adcock, Koty Garber and Kayce Kraut as volunteer assistant track coaches for this season.

Boyd marks 20 years providing ambulance service by CArmeN eNSiNger Greene Prairie Press Feb. 4 will mark a milestone for Boyd Hospital. On this day 20 years ago, Boyd Hospital took over management of the county’s ambulance service. There have been many changes over the last 20 years and husband and wife paramedics, Bill and Claudia Reagor, have been there and seen them all. Claudia Reagor has been working with the ambulance for 26 years. “When I first started working with the ambulance service as an EMT we were a volunteer agency,” Claudia Reagor said. “Each town had at least one ambulance and they depended on volunteers to operate them.” Boyd Hospital Administrator Deb Campbell said this proved to be a problem for some towns, which fell short on

volunteers. “The county then decided to try a paid service so they contracted out with Trask in Jerseyville,” Campbell said. “They had it for a little over a year and it didn’t work out so they gave it back to the county.” Campbell, who was then director of nursing, said the county had no desire to take over the operation of the ambulance again. “The county has to have an ambulance service because they receive tax money for it, but they wanted someone else to be in charge of it,” Campbell said. “So, the hospital said we would take it over. It was really a no-brainer because we have the trained staff here, plus it gave us an extra pair of hands, which came in handy in the middle of the night.” So, in February 1994, Boyd Hospital

took over management of the ambulance service, which brought about some changes. All five of the county’s ambulances were housed at the hospital instead of in White Hall, Carrollton, Roodhouse and Greenfield. This proved to be an asset at times. “By having the ambulances and crew here, when a call came in, if there was a bad accident or something, the hospital knew about it and we could call in the doctor and have him here when they arrived,” Campbell said. “It helped us at the hospital be more prepared.” Things have changed in the last 20 years. “When we first started it was what we called ‘load and go,’” she said. “The emergency personnel would get to the scene, basically just load the patient in the ambulance and then take off for the (See, boyd, A2) C

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Carmen Ensinger/Greene Prairie Press

Paramedics Claudia and bill reagor of roodhouse stand next to the newest addition to the county ambulance service just recently put into service . The ambulance service has three ambulances and boyd Hospital is celebrating 20 years of managing the ambulance service this month .


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