Centralia High School’s English department will see several new classes on the curriculum next year, according to principal Reid Shipley at Thursday night’s board meeting. Regular English IV will be turned into a transitional English class designed for students to meet the requirements for introductory English at the college level regardless of SAT/ACT scores. English Communications will be replaced with Workplace English to maintain dual credit with Kaskaskia College. English labs at the freshman and sophomore level will be substituted with English for Everyday Life, a course focused on teaching study and work habits. Lastly, Sports Literature will be added as an elective for seniors.
Through the Stronger Connections Grant, the high school is having a magazine produced, titled “Spirit of CHS.” The first issue of the magazine will be released and sent to Centralia residents between November 9 and 14, and will feature CHS students and organizations. The grant will fund the production of this magazine for two years, with four issues per year.
Superintendent Chuck Lane reports that current projects are proceeding on schedule, with the planned solar array on track to be finished in spring of 2025 and the 2,000 square foot pole barn addition set to be completed in February or March.
Upcoming events for CHS include the Distinguished Alumni assembly honoring Dick Carpenter and Herb Williams on November 1. On November 2, the “Centralia Slam” professional wrestling event will be held in the annex, sponsored by the Central City Lions Club. A blood drive will be held during the school day on November 7.
An FY25 matching school maintenance grant was approved. This year, the grant will cover half the cost of painting in the annex building over the summer.
The board meetings for November and December were rescheduled. November’s meeting will take place November 25 at 5 PM, and December’s will be December 19 at 5 PM.
In personnel, the board accepted letters of resignation from Ernes Lingo as part-time cafeteria worker and Dave Durbin as part-time custodian. The board approved the employment of Sam Andrews as part-time cafeteria worker and Myles Pryor as volunteer assistant girls’ basketball coach.
