Written by Assistant Editor Jerry Lindsey.
Concerned parents of students currently enrolled in the West Carroll School District visited the River Bend Board of Education meeting on Wednesday, October 18, 2023. These parents, representing families living in the Thomson, IL, area, owned signed petitions. They displayed proven interest of over 81% of the concerned voters desiring to remove their children from the West Carrol School District and enroll them in the Fulton, IL, River Bend School District, effective in the 2023-2024 school year. A letter of interest from the River Bend Board of Education would enhance their presentation when offered to the Regional Board of Education in the near future.
Approximately 150 students throughout 12 grades would make the initial transfer, creating personnel, facility, and transportation changes within the River Bend system. Following a lengthy discussion/question and answer session, the River Bend School Board unanimously voted to extend a Letter of Interest, pending a feasibility study, that would include specific clarifications of exemption details, to the annexation group with their petition to their Regional Office of Education.
In additional Action, the Board approved the Fiscal Year 2023 Financial Audit Report offered by the Benning Group. The Benning group presentation proceeding with the vote was summarized as an “incredibly clean” audit. The audit was followed by comments from Board President Dan Portz, stating the Board’s disappointment in the increased billing amount of the audit. The future of the Benning Group as the River Bend auditor was jeopardized by the action.
Other Action Items included:
- approval of Preschool High Scope Curriculum
- approve bus lease options on two five-yard leases
- approve amendment to purchase and install window enhancements totaling $60,000
- declare surplus items and offer disposal of 19 sewing machines, 1 electric skillet, 3 small irons, 2 ironing boards, 12 cutting mats, and 4 boxes of miscellaneous sewing materials
- accepted gifts to the District : *$561 from Kiwanis to Key Club; *$950 from Martha Cruz Memorial for Bass Fishing; *$500 from Central Bank for Robotics; *$500 from Connie Decker for B.L.I.N.D.; *$500 from Local Community Grants Team and Facility for B.L.I.N.D.
Prior to the opening of the Agenda, two students, Owen Brubaker and Nicole Griffith, were presented to the Board of Education as the past month’s “Steamer of the Month” award recipients. Focusing on their accomplishments as leaders within Fulton High School, Board members congratulated them on their achievements and contributions to the River Bend School District.