The Salem Community High School board has approved the issuing of ten million dollars’ worth of bonds to be paid off over 20 year to fund major building improvement projects. The work will include replacement of the high school’s existing heating and air conditioning systems, as well as install new windows, lights, and ceilings throughout the building.
The measures were passed at the September 20th meeting, in which the board handled several financial matters, including an audit report for the 2021 fiscal year and approval of the budget for the 2022 fiscal year.
Following the meeting, Superintendent Brad Detering spoke to the reasons for issuing the bonds now and moving up the renovation projects as opposed to waiting, noting the low interest rates attached to these bonds.
“We knew that we had quite a few projects coming up, especially needing to replace the HVAC systems,” Detering said. “When the interest rates dropped to below 2%, it seemed advantageous in order to save on interest and keep the tax rate as low as possible if we would go ahead and move those projects up. It really was a situation of being able to be more responsive… to try to get the most ‘bang for your buck.’”
With the approval of the board, the district will finalize plans to issue the bonds, which will bring an influx of money into the district’s working cash fund to be distributed among other funds as needed for the different planned renovations.
The board also discussed the school’s current situation in regard to the COVID-19 pandemic. As of the time of the meeting, twenty-four total individuals at Salem Community High School are under quarantine, with 4 students and 1 staff member having tested positive for the virus and the rest quarantined as a result of close contact with positive cases outside the school. It was mentioned that the use of masks in school was a contributing factor to keeping the quarantine numbers low.
The school will also begin weekly COVID testing for staff members who have not yet been vaccinated, in compliance with state mandates. 18 staff members are expected to receive regular tests, which the state of Illinois requires for all school staff who have not received a COVID vaccine.
This year’s Homecoming dance is set to take place outdoors, due to concerns about a potential outbreak should the event be held indoors as normal. A Fair Barn, an outdoor event venue, has been reserved as the location for the event which is scheduled to take place on October 9.
Lastly, the school board voted to make a $2,165 donation to Shriners Hospital and approved an overnight trip for the drama club later in the year.
In personnel action the board received a letter of intent to retire from Bill Fulton of the building and maintenance staff effective January 2022. The board also accepted the resignation of Dance Coach Carissa Coffee effective immediately.
