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PCHS mulls state budget outlook

PCHS Superintendent Keith Hagene reported at the board of education's June 26 meeting that if the state continues to proceed without a budget, the school board will be forced to call special meetings in order to develop a plan on how to proceed with the 2017-2018 school year.

Hagene said options range from not opening school at all until a state budget is passed, opening school as normal and spending down what little reserves the district has, or borrowing money in order to operate as long as possible. Hagene said borrowing options include tax anticipation warrants or obtaining a line of credit.

Illinois entered an unprecedented third year without a spending plan after Democratic lawmakers and Gov. Bruce Rauner failed to come to terms by the June 30 deadline. Lawmakers remain in Springfield in an effort to still hammer out a deal.

There was no timeline offered as to when the school board might further narrow its options for the coming year.

Also from the meeting:

After a lengthy discussion with representatives of the Perry County Soccer League, the district agreed to continue addressing the details associated with implementing a two-year junior varsity schedule as a stand-alone program at PCHS.

The details to be worked out include an agreement between the PCSL and the board of education, schedules, IHSA and River to River Conference approval, coaching positions, and stipends included in the collective bargaining agreement between the Pinckneyville Education Association and the board of education. The co-op agreement sent to Du Quoin District 300 was not acted on at a recent board meeting.

The board approved a resolution declaring public property as surplus and no longer needed for educational purposes. The items are four small tables and 16 chairs previously used for pre-K instruction.

Public feeder schools residing within District 101 will be offered purchase opportunities. If the feeder districts decline, the items will be made available to the public in a sealed bid process.

The Board approved a proposal from Mac to School to extend the warranty on the existing fleet of laptop computers for one full year at a cost of $65 per machine and a total cost of $16,900. The expenditure will come from lease/purchase levy funds.

The board approved an engagement letter with Bernardi Securities authorizing the firm to begin the process of restructuring the district's current bond debt associated with the construction of the new school facilities, known as the Series 2011 Bonds. The district hopes to take advantage of lower interest rates and generate significant savings over the remaining term of the bond series. No new money or projects are planned to be attached to the restructuring.

The board voted to hire Beth Shanklin, special needs classroom aide; and Hunter Queen, assistant basketball coach and behind-the-wheel driver education instructor.