HHS vying for student aid grant

The Harrisburg School Board will present their proposal to the iRISE committee today, in an attempt to become one of the six schools chosen to receive grant money.

During Tuesday night's board meeting, Superintendent Michael Gauch said that the he hopes this grant will improve graduation rates and college enrollment for students at Harrisburg High School, as well as identify dual credit courses and enable teachers to receive further schooling to make them eligible to teach dual credit level classes.

"The emphasis for this grant, was that we should target kids that would not normally be college-bound students," Gauch said.

Gauch also mentioned improving the district's relationship with nearby Southeastern Illinois College as an aid for students looking to go to college.

Harrisburg High School has been chosen as one of the nine finalists for an iRISE grant, which is funded through the U.S. Department of Education and private funds to help improve outcomes for students and support teachers across four participating states, one being Illinois.

Gauch also informed the board during Tuesday's meeting that he had submitted the state cash flow analysis for the first quarter.

Harrisburg School District has been on the state's financial watch list for the past four years, after funds were pro-rated by the state. The district must submit a quarterly recording of each month's spendings and earnings to the state for analysis.

Noting an increase in revenue, Gauch expressed hope that the district would be able to petition the state at the end of the year to be removed from the list.

The board also heard from Kerkhover Architects, the firm responsible for the construction of the new high school. Edward Kerkhover reported that bids have been received, and a bid for dirt removal and land reclamation sent out.

Within the next few weeks, a bid for concrete will be sent out. Kerkhover noted that he is hopeful that all bids will be finished in March, with construction starting around June.