Friday, July 28, 2017
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Tonica looks at bus service, music teacher By Zachary J. Pratt news@tonicanews.com
TONICA — The Tonica School District is considering contracting with Illinois Central School Bus for its transportation services, but it cannot enter into a contract while its current agreement is ongoing. Tonica Superintendent/Principal Chuck Schneider said, according to Illinois School Code, “You cannot enter into a contract with a third party company if you are currently contracted in your district.” With the current contract ending two days after school begins, Schneider said the district can still utilize the company for those two days under a rental agreement, for which the company has agreed to charge the same as though contracted. Karen Fassig, a representative for Illinois Central School Bus, said the company typically puts the
routes together itself, for approval by the superintendent, but that the district could put the route together instead. The routes could be designed to utilize a bus and driver used by another school, which could allow costs to be split between the two. “If I can take one of the Tonica routes and tie it in, that will save you and them both,” Fassig said. Schneider said in such a situation, the students from different schools would never be on the bus at the same time. The district has yet to officially enter into a contract with Illinois Central School Bus. Also at the July 19 meeting, Tonica has an agreement with Deer Park, in which the two districts share a music teacher in the coming year and split the costs; a teacher for the position has yet to be found. “Right now, we do not have any viable candidates,”
Schneider said. Tonica has interviewed a number of candidates, but all have fallen through, whether because they accepted a position elsewhere or because they decided the move would not be beneficial. Schneider said he has learned of teachers who were close to being hired for other districts but ended second in choice. By the time he was able to contact them, they had already taken positions elsewhere. “They’re filling fast,” Schneider said. However, Tonica is currently kept waiting. In other hiring news, Tonica is hiring Betsy Sobin as a Title 1 teacher. “She is coming to us from Illinois Valley Community College, where a program is being reduced,” Schneider said. The district is also hiring Nick Heiser as athletic director.
Small town girl, worldwide scholar PCHS graduate wins full ride to study abroad By Dave Cook
news@tonicanews.com
Tonica News photo/Goldie Rapp
Workers demolish a Spring Valley landmark last week — The Big House, a popular eating establishment in the Illinois Valley for many years.
The Big House takes the big fall By Goldie R app news@tonicanews.com
SPRING VALLEY — Demolition crews spent last week tearing down the notable white landmark known as The Big House in downtown Spring Valley. The current owner of the property, Spring Valley City Bank, has intentions of using the location for over-flow parking. Back in February, Bank President Matthew Merboth first announced plans to demolish the local historic structure. Vol. 143 No. 34 Two Sections - 16 Pages
Before the bank purchased the property, it had been gifted by the Bonucci family last year to Spring Valley Apostolic Tabernacle, which had plans to tear down the structure and build a new church. However, Spring Valley Council denied the special use permit needed for the project. Council members had concerns about a church being compatible with neighboring residential homes and commercial properties. The Big House operated as a renown Italian restaurant for years up until Nov. 1, 2015. It was known for its Monday night
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specials, which drew people from all over the area and beyond. Ron Thone and his family had ran the business since 1979. The reason for closing was due to Thone’s retirement and the Bonucci family, who owned the property, had no interest in reigniting the restaurant. The Bonuccis had ties to The Big House dating back to the early 1900s. Steve Bonucci of Princeton can tell stories he heard growing up about his great-grandparents
Big House Page 2
GRANVILLE — For many college students it’s traditional to spend time studying abroad in order to widen their intellectual horizons. However, doing so adds the cost of international travel to the already enormous expense of an education. For one local graduate though, those worries are over. Marlee Giacometti, a 2013 Putnam County High School graduate, was recently awarded a full ride scholarship to study in Thailand and Vietnam for the upcoming fall term. The scholarship is being provided through The Education Abroad Network (TEAN) and is one of only two awarded this year. Giacometti’s scholarship was the only one awarded to an American student. She’s working toward a degree in environmental science from the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee and plans on a career in environmental education, so she can help younger generations learn about climate change and conservation. “It’s such an honor for
Giacometti Page 2
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