Thursday April 21, 2016 Vol. 4, No. 8
The Weekly Post
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“We Cover The News of West-Central Illinois With A Passion” Serving the fine communities of Brimfield, Dahinda, Duncan, Edwards, Elmwood, Farmington, Kickapoo, Laura, Monica, Oak Hill, Princeville, Williamsfield and Yates City
Princeville schools echo statewide fund alarm By BILL KNIGHT
PRINCEVILLE – The Board of Education on April 12 brainstormed a few options if District 326 doesn't receive General State Aid payments next year, and none is pleasant: • Delay the start of school until a state budget is approved; • Start school according to the scheduled calendar, and rely on District fund balances to pay bills; • Eliminate all non-mandatory programs from extra-curricular programs to consumer-science and industrial-arts or Inside courses; • Cutting transElmwood portation services. School Board “If the Republiconsidering cans and Democnew program. rats do not pass at Page 10. least an educational budget, the impact to the children of our State will be devastating,” said Superintendent Shannon Duling. “Although it is likely not time to panic, it is time for us to begin to plan for the ‘worst case’ scenario. “We have 137 days that the District could operate with no more revenue,” he said. “Without General State Aid, we would have a very difficult time making it through all of next year and would likely utilize all of our financial reserves, which would leave us totally dependent on State revenue in future years.” Dr. Brent Clark, director of the Illinois Association of School Administrators, recently tried to encourage school boards. “Most districts have worked hard For The Weekly Post
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FARMINGTON PARKS
Farmington parks offer diversity By JEFF LAMPE
FARMINGTON – Jacobs Park was alive Monday night. Soccer balls bounced here and there as you pulled into the park on Farmington’s southeast side. A jogger passed on the road, eventually heading east to the Our Parks paved trails by the This is the Farmington Central fourth story in a school complex. series on parks Roller bladers in local were busy enjoying communities. a newly paved area that was once a tennis court. Youngsters laughed and climbed on playground equipment. And on Perelli Field, two parents worked with a budding young softball player. So it goes at the busiest of Farmington’s four parks – even though the real busy season is still to come when baseball and softball seasons start. But there was plenty of activity at JaWeekly Post Staff Writer
Monuments and flags are just part of Reed Park in downtown Farmington, where a bandstand/pavilion, benches and playground equipment also attract visitors. Softball season is just around the corner at Perelli Field in Jacobs Park. Photos by Jeff Lampe
cobs Park and elsewhere. Youngsters were playing at Reed Park downtown that night and at Farmington Township Park on the south end of town. Meanwhile, growing dirt piles at Dimmitt Park have been “a big hit” according to Police Chief Carl Powell. “Each park kind of offers its own uniqueness,” said Leslye Smith, the Ward 2 Alderman in charge of parks. Continued on Page 11
Farmington to maintain TWP park By JEFF LAMPE
FARMINGTON – The city of Farmington will once again handle maintenance at Farmington Township Park. The city council voted 4-2 Monday night to approve an intergovernmental agreement with Farmington township that will pay the city $15,500 for maintenance of the park. “We feel that compensates the city without the (townWeekly Post Staff Writer
The City of Farmington will again handle maintenance at Farmington Township Park.
ship) having to raise taxes to pay the city more,” said Nancy Schell, who is the township attorney. City Administrator Rollen Wright that it would cost the city approximately $13,246.60 to maintain the park, based on hours from last year when a similar agreement was in place. Ward 1 Alderman Matt Ulm questioned that total and, along with Ward 3 Alderman
June Whitmer, voted against the measure. Last year the city was paid $20,000, but some of that helped fund the purchase of new equipment. In other business, the council held a public hearing on the 2016-17 budget that includes $3,020,875 in revenues, $2,927,425 in expenses and a surplus of $93,450. The city also has $983,634.99 in cash on hand. There were no Continued on Page 16