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Single Copy Cost 50¢ Volume 146 No. 39
“PRSRT STD.” US Postage Paid No. 486 SHAW MEDIA POSTAL PATRON LOCAL R.R. BOXHOLDER CARRIER ROUTE PRESORT
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
What if Senate Bill 16 passes? McCracken keeping track of the scenario By Dixie Schroeder
dschroeder@putnamcountyrecord.com
GRANVILLE — Putnam County Community Unit School Superintendent Jay McCracken gave an update to the Putnam County School Board at the meeting on May 19 concerning school finances. Senate Bill 16 or the School Funding Reform Act of 2014 if passed would bring financial problems to the district. The bill as it is currently written wants to take money from financially well-performing school districts and give it to under-funded school districts.
If the bill were to pass, approximately 85 percent of its funding or in dollar terms, $879,000 would be lost in one year. McCracken, who is following the process of this bill before and after a trip to Springfield, thinks that it will not pass, at least this year. If the bill does not pass during this current legislative session, there is still a possibility it may come back in another form to be passed into law, McCracken said. If passed, the district would take a financial penalty over at least four years. In the first year, the budget would be hit with a 15 percent reduction,
followed by a 40 percent reduction in funds the second year. The next two following years there would be other financial penalties. On the flip side of the financial coin, McCracken informed the board the state is almost entirely caught up with overdue payments to the Putnam County School District. McCracken explained to the board the enterprise zone will be coming to an end within three years, and this will be a financial benefit to the district. Due to several projects coming off after 10 years, the amount of money which the district can look forward to is in the neighborhood of $873,000.
Under the principal reports, the PC Board heard the ACT test results have come back, and that the average scores of the 68 seniors was 20 or above. The junior high school is making arrangements to purchase a new junior high language arts curriculum which will contract for the next six years. The district also leased a new 2014 Chevrolet Collins school bus for the next three years. The bus seats 18 plus one wheelchair seat. The cost will be $9,264. The next certificate of deposit that will mature is in November of the current year at First State Bank. It will be put out to bid in early November.
Johannes handled discipline incident At the May meeting of the Putnam County School Board, Superintendent Jay McCracken informed the board of a disciplinary incident on one of the district’s buses. On April 25, Rob Mathews of the Regional Safe Schools program reported a discipline incident to Johannes Bus Service in which he had received a notice from the bus driver. The report stated four boys were involved in smoking an e-cigarette on the bus. The district and Johannes reviewed videotape which demonstrated the violation. They were removed from the bus as a result of this incident. In a follow-up provided to the district, Johannes responded adequately to the situation and had answers that demonstrated additional evidence to clarify all issues, McCracken said. McCracken noted that due to the end of the school year, there is traditionally a few more problems due to the restless nature of the students. He has been happy with Johannes diligence in dealing with these issues.
Hennepin’s Front Street to be resurfaced By Ken Schroeder
kschroeder@putnamcountyrecord.com
HENNEPIN — The Hennepin Village Board approved street and curb repairs for village streets with most of the work taking place on Front Street. Front Street will get a makeover starting at High Street and moving north through the Court Street intersection. Village engineer Bill Shafer explained the plans at the village board meeting May 21. The present street surface will be ground out with new pavement laid afterward. In addition, the curb will be repaired, and the existing handicap ramps will be brought up to current code. A second handicap ramp will be added at Ray’s Place, and a cart ramp will be added in front of Hennepin Food Mart. Work will also be done on the sidewalk outside the senior citizen housing building to eliminate a trip hazard. A ramp will be installed to allow easy walking from the sidewalk to the street. Total cost for the street and curb work will be $56,500. Funding for the project will come from
the motor fuel tax and the village’s continental fund. Work will begin in August. In other action, the board: • Agreed to pay $1,000 for additional police protection for the village’s Fourth of July celebration. The board also voted to donate $1,100 to the Putnam County Education Foundation in honor of the Citizen of the Year. • Accepted a bid of $4,000 for the old village truck that was for sale. • Heard a report from Street Department supervisor Tim Rylko said new “no fishing” signs will soon be installed on the Illinois River dock. Rylko also told the board he had to order a new motor for the village fountain. • Will issue a reminder for residents it is illegal to blow grass clippings into curbed streets. • Set street sweeping for late June in preparation of the Fourth of July celebration. • Approved $100 donations for Operation Prom-ise, the MarshallPutnam Fair Queen Pageant and the Colors for Arie color run. A $50 donation was approved for the Putnam County Historical Society.
PCR photo/Dixie Schroeder
Remembering on Memorial Day The color guard at the Granville Cemetery services included active duty service persons, Jeff Wujek (second from left) and Janean Wujeck (third from left), who were home to visit their family.
Granville to apply for CDAP grant By Ken Schroeder
kschroeder@putnamcountyrecord.com
GRANVILLE — The Granville Village Board voted to apply for a Community Development Assistance Program (CDAP) grant at its May 20 board meeting. The decision was made fol-
lowing a public hearing made before the village meeting and passed during the regular agenda. The grant application will be for $349,956 to be used for some renovation at the wastewater treatment building. Brine storage at the facility has been indoors since the new building was
Vol. 146 No. 39
Central Illinois Council of Governments is assisting the board in applying for the grant. In other action, the board: • Passed three resolutions specifically to enable the village to apply for the grant.
Grant Page 2
515 Bureau Valley Parkway, Princeton, Illinois
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erected, and the corrosive nature of the salt has resulted in damage to the interior and the plant’s equipment. The grant will move the tanks outside the building and cover the cost of piping the materials into the building. The total cost of the project is $466,608. Ben Wilson of the North
HEALTHCARE AND REHABILITATION CENTRE
815-875-3347 • fax: 815-875-2012 Contact Lou Anne Kenwick at lkenwick@managcare.com www.colonialcarecentre.com