In-house day care for school district dies
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[A proposal by some of the Harrisburg School District staff for an on-site child care program apparently died at last night's meeting.
Faculty member Gabe Angelly has spoken to the board at prior meetings about the proposal, which would include a self-funding child-care building for staff members and perhaps some members of the public. But the proposal by staff was trumped by a plea from local day-care providers not to cut into their livelihoods.
Amber Allen, representing the 21 centers and homes in the Saline County Family Day Care Association, told board members there are quite a few open spots in the county day cares starting this fall. Like many sectors of the economy, some day-care centers are struggling right now, Allen said.
A school-run day care that takes numerous children out of private centers could make bad times worse.
"Another day care center would have a devastating impact on our businesses," Allen said.
Board members took Allen seriously.
"I think that's a very valid point," Board President Todd Fort said.
Judy Cape, who had already expressed reservations about the proposal, agreed.
When the topic of further research into child care came up later in the meeting, the board's dampened enthusiasm was apparent and the matter was dropped.
Board members heard a proposal from Toni Mangels, a school nurse, for a dance team at Harrisburg Middle School.
She wanted the board to sign off on the concept and allow the team to dance at halftime during ball games and perhaps attend some dance competitions.
The team probably would need $2,000 to $3,000 to get started, but a couple of local businesses already have offered Mangels financial help, she said.
Mangels does not have in mind a dance team that does the same thing as cheerleaders.
"I am not whatsoever interested in having another cheer or pom squad. We already have an excellent one of those," Mangels said.
Board members appeared to shy away from a competitive team that is enrolled in the Southern Illinois Junior High School Athletic Association, but the idea of a club that might go to meets seemed more appealing.
Board members asked Superintendent Dennis Smith to look into the matter.
Employment matters
The board agreed to a formal job description for Karen Crank, who will become assistant to the superintendent and high school principal after an administrative shake-up in late spring. Smith is going to the high school to assume the duties of principal; Crank, former HMS principal, is joining Smith; and former HHS Principal Jim Butler is assigned to HMS.
Scott Berry and Tom DeNeal voted against Crank's job description. They also voted against the shake-up.
The board may revisit hiring another early childhood teacher for special education at a special meeting that is tentatively set for Aug. 7. Special Education coordinator Kim Williams recommended hiring one more early childhood teacher because she expects the roster of early childhood students to rise above 20, which would require a third class session.
Only 10 kids are allowed in each session - 19 are enrolled now and more are expected, Williams said in her report to the board. Cape suggested the board hold off until the next meeting to get a better handle on how many pupils will be enrolled.
The district shouldn't hire a full-time teacher when only a part-timer is needed, Cape said.
The board created a position for a part-time math teacher at HHS. Clifton McReynolds, who recently resigned, was in the unusual position of teaching band and math - something unlikely in his replacement. So the district needs to cover those math classes.
After a closed session, the board hired Ivannia Daniels as HHS Spanish teacher; and Rachel Harrison, Carolyn Harrison and Becky McQueen as part-time lunchroom aides at East Side. The board approved the bids of Mike Dudley for a third-grade teaching position; Linda Smith as a drama coach; Mike Hearn as HMS cross-country coach; and Tina McIlrath Mondino as head speech coach.
Craig Questelle resigned as HMS cross-country coach and Mondino resigned an assistant coaching position to take the head coaching job.
During the meeting:
- Smith told the board the fascia and flashing work on Building B at the high school has been slowed by the discovery of some asbestos. Smith is not yet sure what it will take to get the asbestos removed or contained where it can't contaminate the air, he said. Ed Kerkhover, the district's architect, is working on the problem, Smith said.
- The board formally enrolled the district in Illinois Virtual High School, which will allow high school students to take classes online for credit in certain circumstances, such as a class not offered at HHS, expulsion or for homebound students.
- Negotiations between the Harrisburg Education Association and the board will begin next week, Smith said. the current union contract expires the day before school starts in August.
- The board passed a resolution estimating the 2008 levy at $3.75 million. Last year's levy was $3.57 million. The levy is passed early in case the district needs to use the levy as collateral to secure Tax Anticipation Warrants, or loans against future taxes.
- Fodor is a staff writer for The Daily Register and The Daily Journal. He may be contacted at 253-7146 ext. 233 or by e-mail at efodor@yourclearwave.com.