The Patoka School Board has voted 4-3 to immediately no longer enforce current State of Illinois COVID-19 restrictions and guidelines at the school.
The vote was taken after about 15 residents of the district came before the school board Thursday night asking for masking, distance, and other requirements be dropped.
Superintendent David Rademacher had recommended the district continue to follow CDC guidelines. But the majority of the board agreed with those in the audience to drop the restrictions. Board members voting to do away with the state requirements were Andy Goldsboro, Mark Payne, Tanner Meier, and Cassie Huffman. The votes to continue following the State Board of Education guidelines were Kurt Belcher, Rick Burks, and Russ Adams.
Rademacher is concerned about what actions the State Board of Education could take against the school district for being non-compliant. Those speaking from the audience didn’t feel the state would take any action.
The board rejected any increase in the cost of breakfast and lunch. Rademacher says at this point, it looks like the free lunches for all students will not be extended into the new school year.
Patoka will have one-day registration for next school year on Wednesday, August 4th, from nine am to six pm.
Rademacher reported a meeting has been held with the new Odin Superintendant and an invitation has been extended to Odin to co-op high school basketball.
The board thanked retiring teacher Barbara Harville for 28 years of service.
The board accepted the resignation of Micah Schnautz as Assistant Basketball Coach and DTE Tutor.
