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Serving Bureau County Since 1847
Saturday, May 21, 2016
North end ... south end
Princeton City Council discusses expansion on Darius Miller Park project By Eric Engel eengel@bcrnews.com
PRINCETON — Scott Mehaffey, a landscape architect who is a native of Princeton, recently introduced some bold ideas to stretch the Darius Miller Park renovations project to encompass the entire campus from Interstate 80 to Soldiers and Sailors Park. The Princeton City Council delved into the idea during its meeting Monday, May 16, of whether they wanted to employ
Mehaffey and follow his lead or stay with the original plan. Commissioner Jerry Neumann said the strategic goal of a retainer agreement with Mehaffey is to enhance the overall image and perception of the community, as Mehaffey would help the city develop and implement a Main Street revitalization and open space improvement program. The financial impact to the city to retain Mehaffey would not exceed $4,080, and Neumann felt the city has a good opportunity to use the services of a well-
known and talented landscape architect. Commissioner Bob Warren voiced his concern with expanding the scope of the project past Darius Miller Park (DMP), as the city has been flirtatious with lofty goals and ideas in the past, only to run out of funds before the project is even close to completion. Mayor Joel Quiram said Darius Miller Park (DMP) was the original idea, but after Mehaffey spoke about utilizing private sector dollars and making true and
‘If I live to be 100 ...’ Together, BV North third-graders author a book of dreams
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sound efforts to involve as much of the community as possible in the renovation of Main Street, it became apparent vast improvements could be accomplished with hard work and a little bit of sensible risk. Warren argued they shouldn’t reinvent the wheel, but refresh the original streetscape plan created years back and use it when the streets need work, but Quiram countered Mehaffey’s scope is to take everything the city has discussed in recent years and meld it into a single plan of
BCR photo/Eric Engel
fam ily ies abo ut livin g to be 100 to You ng auth ors sho wed thei r stor Vall ey eau y’s thir d-g rad e clas s at Bur mem ber s and frie nds in Nor a Kell Nor th Elem enta ry Sch ool.
By Eric Engel eengel@bcrnews.com
WALNUT — Nora Kelly, a third grade teacher at Bureau Valley North Elementary School, always encourages her students to be hands-on learners because she wants each one of them to accomplish a great deal in their lifetime. So many accomplishments, in fact, it might take 100 years to squeeze all the wonderful experiences in. Kelly did some research and found a company
called Studentreasures Publishing. They take a collection of written words, drawings or different ideas by a classroom of students and compile them into a single book — serving as a great memory for a student or a wonderful gift for a grandparent. “The book is called, ‘If I Live to be 100,’ so they had to look back on their life and reflect back on everything they would have done if they were 100
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action that involves all quality ideas and is constantly growing and developing. Ann Crosby, who has volunteered for many committees in town, told Warren she was surprised by his response because what started out as DMP renovations was quickly viewed as a small, short-sighted project — even by some of those who had engineered the initial plans and designs. She said Princeton needs more than a spot fix with a
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Cuts, cuts and more cuts Hall still trimming the budget By Becky Kramer news@bcrnews.com
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SPRING VALLEY — Hall High School Superintendent Mike Struna updated the board on projected fund balances for next school year at the board’s meeting, Wednesday, May 18. Struna presented the worst case scenario which takes into account no state budget and no state funds being received. Struna explained they have cut money from the budget, so there is enough money with property tax revenue to keep the doors open until December or January. He said if there is not a budget passed this summer, most likely one would be passed in December after the election. The board passed a resolution to allow Struna to borrow up to $2 million to keep the school open if funds are depleted and no state money is received. This action will keep the doors of the school open and classes in session even without a state budget. Struna presented the board with the two school funding plans that are currently being discussed in Springfield. The Rauner Plan fully funds General State Aid (GSA) at $6,119 per student but does not change the GSA formula. This plan adds $120 million to K-12 education for 2016-17. It’s projected Hall would gain $179,000. Struna said, “It’s a step in the right direction.” Struna explained $6,119 is the amount Hall received in 2010. The Manar Plan (Senate Bill 231) is called the “Robin Hood Plan.” This bill passed the Senate on May 20 by a vote of 31 to 21 and adds $400 million for hold harmless for schools that lose funding. Chicago Public Schools gain $750 million. Struna said
this plan will not be a good plan for Hall. Hall would lose approximately $100,000 in the second year and after. Struna reviewed all of the cuts that have been made from 2013 to 2016. English faculty have been reduced from 4 to 3. The speech curriculum was eliminated. Guidance counselors have been reduced from 2 to 1.5. Foreign language teachers were reduced from 2 to 1.5. The school librarian position was eliminated. The principal position was eliminated during the 2013-14 and 2014-15 school years. In 2016-17, social studies faculty will be reduced from 3 to 2. Special education faculty is being reduced from 5 to 4. At the regular April board meeting, the board approved $300,000 in cuts. The board reduced certified staff by 1.5 positions due to retirement for a savings of $245,000. The board agreed to share bus routes with Spring Valley Elementary for a savings of $20,000. An additional $17,300 was saved by reducing administration and board of education travel, technology supplies and office/classroom supplies. Wednesday night the board approved reducing one assistant track coach due to retirement for a cost savings of $4,500. The board also approved reducing athletic entry fees by $1,100 by opting not to participate in certain athletic tournaments. The random drug testing program was reduced by one third for a savings of $1,000. Other reductions include reducing rental costs, reducing the number of students who
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