Today's Opinions

It has been a lengthy relationship.

We met when I was in my innocent teens. She had long been accorded stature and respect. I found her exciting, I found her challenging and I always found her, even though I strayed from home.

She is unique in our small town. She cares about all who make up the community, leaving the larger arena to be protected and guided by others. She is here. And you can count on her to be here.

In the first semester in its new building in Vandalia, Kaskaskia Colleges enrollment already has surpassed anticipated levels and the facility is fully utilized.

It has exceeded our expectations, said KC Board Chairman Jim Beasley. Were already to the point that we wish we would have built a bigger building.

Beasley, along with Kaskaskia College President Dr. James Underwood, addressed participants at a breakfast meeting in Vandalia last Wednesday. Both expressed excitement with the growth at the Vandalia campus.

At last weeks monthly meeting of the Vandalia Board of Education, Superintendent Rich Well told the board that hes hearing through the state education hierarchy that there may be a plan afoot to cut state expenses by not fulfilling the last two state aid payments at the end of the current fiscal year.

Though there is no proof at this point that the state does indeed plan to eliminate those payments (which amount to $300,000 each for Vandalia), the prospects of such reductions have the states school districts very concerned.

And with good reason.