New lighting in place, state funding a concern
The Carrier Mills-Stonefort school board discussed the installation of new outdoor lighting at the grade school and concerns about state school funding during Monday's meeting.
Superintendent Richard Morgan informed the board that, pursuant to discussion at last month's board meeting, the district had installed more directional lights at the grade school to improve illumination in the parking lot and near the multi-purpose room.
Morgan then briefed the board on the continuing problems with state funding. Relating that the new governor has promised to increase funding for K-12 grades, Morgan cautioned the board that information on any increase funding would not be available until Rauner released his final budget.
Morgan said after the meeting he had learned that the state was proposing to cut two of the "mandated categorical" funding sources. Mandated categorical funding are funding of categories such as transportation, special education and early childhood education. Morgan added that at this point, it is unknown what categories would be cut or how the possible loss of state funding would be made up by the school system. This information will not be available until Rauner releases his budget in the final form in late May.
In further discussion on finance, the board learned the Illinois Senate Bill 1, the new form of Senate Bill 16, was slowly moving forward. It appears that the sponsoring legislator is attempting to "water down" the legislation. Morgan added that he felt it would still result in more equitable distribution of funding for the districts outside of northern part of the state if passed.
The board heard about plans for the senior trip. The seniors will travel to Daytona, Fla., driving to Nashville, Tenn., and flying the rest of the way. The seniors will spend six days in Daytona during the week of April 20.
In other action the board:
Approved the application of the renewal of the schools legal liability insurance.
Accepted the resignation of Tami Stone from the position of Grade School Cheerleading Co-Sponsor.