The Centralia City School Board reorganized with no changes in membership or leadership at the regular meeting on Tuesday. Sue Williams, Ron Johnson, Derek Harlan, and Blake Griffin took their oaths of office and were re-seated. Johnson, Harlan, and Williams were all re-elected to their respective positions of president, vice president and secretary. The board approved the second Tuesday of each month as board meeting days, with the exception of November which will have its meeting on the first Tuesday to accommodate Veteran’s Day. Board meetings will now enter open session immediately after closed session at the start of meeting instead of open session having a fixed start at 7:00 p.m.
The working cash fund was abolished, and its remaining balance was moved to the education fund. The superintendent was authorized to prepare a tentative school district budget for the 2025-26 school year, with a hearing for the budget set for September 9.
The school board accepted bids for food services for the 2025-26 school year. Kohls was approved as the food provider, S and L as the bread provider and Prairie Farms as the milk provider for the year.
The curriculum report notes that students are finishing assessment testing as the end of the school year approaches. According to Assistant Superintendent Becker, ISBE will be adjusting cut scores to be more in line with neighboring states. ISBE will release the updated cut scores in October, which will allow the school board to analyze this year’s test results according to the new standard.
In building celebrations, CJHS held its first ever 6th grade orientation on April 28. Superintendent Craig Clark said that current fifth graders were able to visit teachers, coaches, and sponsors as they were shown what to expect as they prepare to enter junior high school next year.
In personnel, the board accepted the resignation of Katelynn Knox as Jordan School Special Education Teacher. The board approved the hiring of Nicole Schwartz as Extended School Year Teacher for 2025, Donna Bailey as Jordan School Special Education Teacher, and Sandra Simmons as Speech Language Pathologist, as well as the transfer of Kyle Kohlmeier from Jordan School Instructional Support Teacher to Central Middle School Fifth Grade Teacher. The board granted a 3-year contract extension with Wendy Jourdan as Dean of Student Management and approved Liliana Nocerino, Alexa Severs, and Avery England as volleyball volunteers.
