The Salem Grade School Board signed off on final contract approval Thursday night to purchase nearly seven acres of land along their north side property line. Superintendent Dr. Leslie Foppe says the board is buying the land from the Hotze family for $69,700.
“We just feel it’s important to capture this land while we can because it’s one thing you can’t make. So we are hoping that we have this land for the future of the district. So if we need to expand or put up a building it’s just an option we have for the betterment of the district in the future.”
The district will use available money from the one-cent sales tax collected for schools to make the purchase.
Foppe also gave the board an update on the completion of the multi-purpose building at the front of Hawthorn School.
“The floor is in. There was no weight bearing for 2 weeks so we needed to secure it with the keyless fob entry and get the camera system and phone in there. We are also waiting on a gas line for the heat. That should be in any day now. We are also going to install a volleyball court so the girls can practice in there and the PE classes can use it.”
Foppe says underpinning still needs to be installed on the new modular classroom building at Hawthorn. She reports the lines for the basketball court in the Franklin Park gym were measured incorrectly and the playing field is too large. As a result, if the bleachers are opened feet will be within the playing field. Foppe says the lines will be removed and placed correctly during the holiday break.
The board was concerned about the 22-percent jump in the district’s insurance renewal. Foppe feels the increase is the result of the building improvements and the purchase of two small busses. She agreed if there is another large rate increase next year, the insurance package should be placed out for bids.
The board honored members of the Regional Champion Baseball Team as well as the Cross Country teams, where the boys won the state title for the second year in a row.
Two long-time members of the school board have been honored by the Illinois Association of School Boards. John Gaston has now served 38 years and Patti Squibb 20 years.
In personnel action, the board approved the hiring of Mona Waggoner as a paraprofessional. The retirement resignation of cafeteria worker Jeanne Speaks was approved effective December 30th.
Salem Grade School Board members Patty Squibb and John Gaston were honored by the Illinois Association of School Boards at the Thursday night meeting.
