Volume 141 No. 38
Friday, August 28, 2015
Single Copy Cost 50¢
Tonica School Board looks at budget By Zachary J. Pratt news@tonicanews.com
TONICA — During its meeting Wednesday, Aug. 19, the Tonica School Board examined the tentative budget for the 2016 fiscal year. “I don’t normally send this out to board members because it’s a working document, always changing,” Interim Superintendent Lawrence Carlton said. “I just want to show all the new board members this is what goes into a budget.” Carlton reiterated the budget he presented to the board is not final.
“This will change many times,” he said. During the presentation, Carlton commented on a few particular points. “The tuition for Streator was $25,000,” Carlton said. “We were notified after this was typed, that a student moved to Streator.” This change will be incorporated into the final budget. Carlton briefly walked through a breakdown of where funding is coming from, with the comment that the school is getting less from the state than it should be. The school as a whole will have to adopt policies to make the most of state aid. Certain activities, such as
field trips, will need to be recorded in such a way that they can be calculated for state aid. “When a teacher asks for a field trip, we’re going to ask for a lesson plan. We’re going to ask for a roster,” Carlton said. In the principal’s report, Duane Schupp noted that only one parent has inquired into the changes to the handbook. Schupp said the new psychologist is “doing a nice job.” The school is working on getting the bathrooms
Tonica Grade Page 2
Malahy: ‘People are fleeing Illinois’
Lostant Grade School examines enrollment, demographics By Zachary J. Pratt news@tonicanews.com
LOSTANT — The Lostant School Board meeting Wednesday, Aug. 19, provided a look into student enrollment. “I took a kindergartener off today because they have not enrolled yet, and I hear they might have moved,” Superintendent Sandra Malahy told the board. “So we might be down a kindergartener.” Malahy provided a report on the school’s demographics. She noted a clear divide between boys and girls in different age ranges. “We’re heavy on the top half with boys and on the bottom with girls,” Malahy said. “With our first and second grade classes, there’s only one boy in each grade level.” The observations seem to reflect the overall situation within the state. “People are fleeing Illinois,” Malahy said. “Illinois overall is losing demographic populations.” However, despite these demographic issues, Lostant is doing well in the area of fluid groupings.
Lostant Grade Page 2
From day to night Lostant athletic banquet will be moved to night By Zachary J. Pratt news@tonicanews.com
LOSTANT — The Lostant School Board discussed changes for the athletics department for the upcoming school year at its Wednesday, Aug. 19 meeting. The main topic of discussion was athletic awards ceremonies. It was suggested all athletic awards be moved to night, so more parents could attend. Superintendent Sandra Malahy provided a brief account of why the awards were originally moved to the day, but said it might be worth trying a return to night. The move to night awards might also make it easier for coaches to attend, it was also pointed out. Cindy Burcar, school board member, was adamant in her belief the school should make events of the awards. “I think we need to do more things where it’s all structured,” Burcar said. “I just remember the athletic banquet — and I went to school 100 years ago — and it
Lostant athletics Page 2 Vol. 141 No. 38 One Section - 8 Pages
Tonica News photo/Dave Cook
Getting ready for Tonica’s celebration Tonica public works employee Marc Lemrise spent a recent afternoon freshening the parking stripes in preparation for the Tonica Cruise-In on Saturday, Aug. 29. Along with the always popular car show there will also be live music, food, carriage rides, a carnival and a parade as part of Tonica’s two-day festival.
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