2008 Year in Review

Pool Construction Project on Hold

by Ben Wolf - The Morrison Post

No permit, no construction. Due to oversights in the specifications by the district’s engineering firm for the project, Metro Design, the Illinois Department of Public Health has not issued a permit for the pool project. Superintendent Dr. Jody Ware stated that Metro understands that any additional costs incurred by changes needed at this point are not the High School’s responsibility. Unfortunately, this will delay the project about 14 days. Demolition is finished at this point, and the project is waiting for construction to begin.

There was clarification by Ware regarding the Booster Club’s commitment to the scoreboard purchase. It was misunderstood that the club would pay 3/4 of the cost of the message board. Actually they are committing to possibly a yearly $500 Friends of Morrison message each year. The school has sent out letters seeking sponsorship, and has to date commitments of roughly $2,500.

Board President Sally Gray presented Ware with a going away present from the board. Ware said “I believe I can walk away knowing that the Morrison School District is in a better place than when I came six years ago. I expect results, and I am proud of what we have done. I suggest that the board consider carefully class size, an additional administrator in the lower levels, and an emotional counselor in the lower grade levels as they go forward.”

Ware also commented on the County Sales tax proposal. “I am disappointed that the County has not further pursued the county sales tax issue. It’s a wonderful opportunity that is being missed.”

Ware will be assuming her duties with Mundelein School District later in the summer. Dr. Suellen Girard is replacing her.

Coordinator of Elementary Programs and Services, Anji Garza was on hand to share her end of the year report. Some of the programs Garza talked about were Key Club Tutoring, Big Brothers and Big Sisters which has been very successful, Updating and improving Northside and Southside websites and newsletters, student recognition programs and the Student spotlight program. She also talked about Monthly Character and Team Building and educational assemblies, of which she has written a $5,000 grant proposal for and is hoping to get. Those assemblies address bullying, community presentations, body safety, dental health, bicycling and school safety. She also coordinated preschool screenings and counseling through Sinnissippi Centers.

The district’s volunteer coordinator, Brenda White presented her report to the board also. White reported that the hours logged in by volunteers this school year total 3,468. She said that the district is doing a much better job at logging the volunteer hours than it used to.

by  Editor, theCity1.com
June 27, 2008