The Centralia High School Board of Education welcomed a new board member, discussed solar power, and approved a $16 million annual budget at the September meeting Monday night.
The new school member is Lance Marcum of Centralia who was appointed to fill the seat of the late Olen ‘Butch’ Borders, who passed away on August 2nd.
Superintendent Dr. Chuck Lane says they continue to look at a balanced budget.
“We’ve actually dialed back our estimates from last month due to some increased insurance costs we are going to have this year. Plus being more conservative on some of the revenue forecasts. We are projecting right now to have a $125,000-150,000 surplus. I think that’s conservative and that we will do better than that, but we would rather error on the side of conservative than not have enough in there.”
Lane says plans for the proposed solar project continue, along with other potential plans for the 20-acre purchased across Calumet Street.
“We have chosen GRNE Solar of northern Illinois at zero cost to our school district. We are looking at putting the field on the adjacent 20 acres that we purchased a few months ago from the Kent family. We are still deciding where on that property it should go, but we are thinking more than likely would be on the north end, closer to the school, and with less construction cost. In the big picture, we are still considering what else to do with the property. We are throwing around ideas. There’s talk of ball diamonds, parking lot, and all sorts of different things, but there is nothing concrete yet.”
Changes are being made to the open house this year, according to Principal Dr. Reid Shipley, who told the board that a senior parent’s night is set for Oct. 5 in the gym, and will offer materials seniors will need for the upcoming school year. Nights for other classes will be announced at a later date, according to Shipley.
Shipley said Juniors will take the PSAT/NMSQ test on Oct. 12, calling it a “kind of precursor” to the SAT in the spring. Oct. 12 is also the date for the eighth-grade parent’s night. Oct. 13 is the date for the Fall Choir Concert in the Cafeteria.
In personnel action, the board moved to employ Dayton Bauer as a full-time classroom aide effective September 6, 2022.
Six students were recommended for possible placement in the Alternative Learning Academy in lieu of expulsion, including a student who was found to have violated school rules by threatening to shoot up the school. Three others were reportedly found in possession of cannabis and a fourth with a vape.
