The Weekly Post
Thursday March 21, 2013 Vol. 1, No. 5 Hot news tip? Want to advertise? Call (309) 741-9790
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Elmwood School Board unveils building plans By BILL KNIGHT
ELMWOOD – A tentative Master Plan for Elmwood schools was presented to the board of education at a special meeting on March 13, when members also heard a presentation for repairing or replacing the roof and insulation and controls on the heating and cooling system in the elementary school, and showers in the high school. Architect Mark Misselhorn of Apace Design from Peoria said the unit ventilator (univent) system in the grade school is broken. “The control system simply doesn’t work,” he said. “You’re not only wasting energy, it’s uncomfortable.” Bids for the work will For The Weekly Post
go out soon so the work can be completed this summer before next school year begins. The roof project will probably cost more than $50,000; the showers less than $50,000. The Master Plan, drafted after a site survey, shows a concept that would create four new junior high classrooms and a computer room, two new high school classrooms that could be used for music and art, a state-of-the-art chemistry lab and new industrial arts/ag space, a new and larger gymnasium, a small greenhouse, a speech room, and a renovated kitchen and cafeteria/commons area. There’s no dollar amount affixed to the project since the plan is
not final until public input has been received, said Superintendent Roger Alvey. He said he expects public hearings to be in late April and early May. The master plan also provides for creating parking at 310 N. Althea St., where a house the district bought would be demolished. “The plan is a starting point,” Alvey said. “This is something where we need community feedback.” Meanwhile, a contract with Apace Design for engineering, architectural and design work for the school buildings not to exceed $15,000 was unanimously approved. The board also unanimously supported a resolution directing the Continued on Page 2
Yates City Mason building will come down, somehow By BILL KNIGHT
YATES CITY – Members of the Yates City Masonic Lodge told the Yates City Village Board that the organization may be able to cover half the expenses for tearing down their building at 102 E. Main St. The village is preparing bid specifications this week. However, since Yates City doesn’t have funds available for such a project, it’s not yet committed to proceed, according to Village President Brian Miars. For The Weekly Post
Yates City Village President Brian Miars stands by the Masons Lodge 448 building, which the village board considers a danger that must come down – if funding is secured.
“There are going to be costs for engineers and advertising to see who’s interested in demolishing the building, too,” Miars
said. “The building’s going to come down – right now it’s unsafe, a threat to the public – but Continued on Page 2
Architect Mark Misselhorn of Apace Design of Peoria discusses a tentative construction plan for Elmwood schools that would create new classrooms, a new computer room, a chemistry lab, a larger gymnasium, a greenhouse, a renovated kitchen/cafeteria and more.
Proposed transportation cuts would be very bad for Billtown By BILL KNIGHT
WILLIAMSFIELD – Gov. Pat Quinn’s recent state budget address proposed cutting school transportation funding to 19 percent, which would profoundly affect Williamsfield Schools, said District Stories? Ads? 210 SuperVisit with a staffer from The Weekly Post intendent Mondays from noon Mary Bush. to 1 p.m. in the BrimBut Bush field Public Library’s remains cauconference room. tiously optimistic that lawmakers won’t actually inflict such damage. “That 19 percent – not 19 percent off, just 19 percent of the base amount that’s needed – will hurt all schools, suburbia or rural, downstate or collar counties,” Bush said. “We’re still calculating the impact, but clearly it would be devastating. “We were funded 80 percent of what was needed this year, and that doesn’t keep up with trying to replenish the fleet in a prudent manner,” she continFor The Weekly Post
ued. “I’m hopeful this will change by May.” Bush is retiring in mid-July, when she’ll be replaced by Tim Farquer, currently a content specialist at Two Rivers Professional Development Center in Edwards. The board also unanimously approved a one-year contract with MidCentury DSL for online services at a monthly fee of $299.95. The district has applied for E-rate funds, which could help defray the cost. In other business, the board: • Approved the junior class’ proposal for a post-prom lock-in at the school on May 4; • Permitted fifth grade students to compete in middle-school track; • OK’d Brian Anderson as a volunteer high school softball coach, and; • Renewed assistant principal and student services director Patrick Hise for the 2013-2014 school year.