St. Elmo Board of Education Holds June Meeting

BY MARK HOSKINS
The St. Elmo Unit School District #202 Board of Education held their monthly meeting on Monday, June 24 with a budget hearing preceding the meeting.
Superintendent Travis Portz discussed the district’s fiscal year 2024 amended budget. He reported that the district

’s finances were in a good place and most of the district’s funds saw an increase. The board voted to approve the amended budget.
At the beginning of the meeting, Portz recognized St Elmo Elementary principal Sean Hannigan who was attending his final board meeting prior to retirement. “Mr. Hannigan gave me my first shot in education and he was always someone I could lean on. He helped me tremendously in my career and has excellently served our district and community for many years,” said Portz.
“I do want to thank the St. Elmo district and the board. They [The Board of Education] always held me accountable but always worked with me too. I am very grateful to this district,” said Hannigan. “Being a product of this district made it extra special.”
The board also voted to approve the advertisement for milk, bread, and fuel bids, which is an annual formality. The district should vote to approve those bids during their July meeting.
The board approved to advertise for bids to clear the lot the district recently purchased at 518 West Second Street. Multiple dwellings on the property need to be removed and district plans to turn the lot into additional parking for the elementary school.
The district’s commercial insurance was renewed for fiscal year 2025. Portz reported that the district received five bids. The total cost of the district’s insurance will be $91,299 which is down roughly 10% from 2024. This will be paid out of the district’s tort fund and will cover everything including the district’s buildings and accident liability.
A vote from the board approved the first reading of the June 2024 edition of PRESS policies. Portz reported there were very few changes, most of which involved school security procedures.
The board also voted to approved the fiscal year 2025 school board meeting dates and times. The monthly meetings will remain the third Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m. with a few exceptions, such as July 2025 being moved because of Independence Day.
In personnel moves, the district approved the employment of Ashlyn Roley as a paraprofessional for the upcoming school year, pending background check and employment history review.
The board accepted the resignation of Jiletta Patton as a high school assistant volleyball coach. They also approved the retirement letter for Sandy Ehrat, with an effective retirement date of June 30, 2025.
During the consent agenda, Portz reported that online registration for the upcoming school year begins July 15 with the in-person date scheduled for August 1.
The next St. Elmo Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 15 at 7:30 p.m.