Assistant Editor Jerry Lindsey wrote this report.
The River Bend School Board of Education held its scheduled Monday, March 21, 2022, meeting with an Agenda of limited Action Items. It opened with student achievement recognitions.
Middle Schoolers Mason Kuebel (right) and Tolan Meyers (left) were congratulated by the Board for their recent IESA State Championship Wrestling achievements. Kuebel brought home the 167# weight class State Championship trophy. Meyers earned a fourth-place finish in the 65# weight class.
High Schooler Drew Dykstra was awarded the honor of “Student of the Month” for February. He noted an interest in seeking a Finance degree following his Fulton High School graduation.
The next hour was marked by Public Comments, from over 25 citizens who filled the Board room. Five concerned parents signed up to address the Board, on topics ranging from gender priorities; curriculum choices; political intervention within the school; avenues to communicate with the Board. Breaking from normal Board procedures, much one-on-one vocalizing was allowed. Argumentative reactions to Board responses greatly altered the evening’s agenda. Feeling a mood of accomplishment, the visitors exited the school and allowed the Board to return to the items scheduled on the Agenda.
Jeff Parsons was introduced as the new Assistant Principal and Athletic Director of Fulton High School, effective at the end of the 2021-2022 school year. He is currently the Athletic Director at Kewanee Wethersfield High School.
Superintendent Daryl Hogue stated that enrollment of River Bend CUSD #2 for February totaled 888. That is the total number of students registered on the opening of the 2021-2022 school year in August 2021. Included within Hogue’s report were plans and schedules for the remodel of the Office and hallway entrances. Fulton High School Construction class students will perform much of the remodel, which could extend into the second semester of the 2022-2023 school year.
Action Items that followed and were unanimously approved: a) Consent Agenda including February Board minutes and March billing invoices; b) the Risk Management Plan for 2022-2023; c) authorization of Superintendent Hogue to advertise for bids to perform lawn maintenance; d) acceptance of gifts from River Bend Athletic Boosters of $5308.20, to be used for Baseball, Softball, and Track supplies.
The evening ended with the Board entering into a Closed Session to discuss personnel matters.