Vandalia Board of Education Talks FFA, New Courthouse

DEBORAH SIMCOX 

Correspondent

      At the Vandalia Community Unit District #203 meeting, Superintendent Jennifer Garrison recognized  Coach Jason Clay, who was selected for the Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Hall of Fame. A foremost factor that is recognized in the selection process is moral character. Since 1972, 673 men and women have been chosen for this honor.

      A presentation was given by Chair of the Building Committee Mack Payne of the Fayette County Board regarding the Federal Government Center (proposed new Courthouse and Jail) with County Board Member Merrell Collins also fielding questions.

      Vandalia Community High School Assistant Principal Michael Mabry reported the following activities:

• FFA events: On March 6th three students, Ross Miller, Bryce Hartlieb, and Lilly Cable are advancing to the Sectional Competition in their SAE/record book competitions; FFA week was February 18 – 21; and Milkhouse Candle Fundraiser was a success,

• Sports: Boys’ Basketball is at Home in quarter final action in the IHSA Regional is scheduled for Monday February 24 @ 6 p.m.; Wrestling Dual Team Sectionals are Tuesday, February 25 @ 6 p.m. with Dual Team State is scheduled for Friday, February 28 & Saturday, March 1; Vandalia will host the IHSA Class 2A Girls’ Basketball Super Sectional @ 6 p.m. All tickets will be sold online through “go fan.com”,

• High School Students have signed up for next year’s classes,

• Preparation has begun for ACT Testing, scheduled for Wednesday, March 26, and

• Junior/Senior Prom is March 22.

Vandalia Junior High Principal Brian Kern reported these activities:

• Wrestling –  will begin IESA Post season February 22 @ Jerseyville Regional;

• Girls’ Volleyball – Regional & Sectional post season will begin March 1; Seventh Grade is @ Staunton, Eighth Grade is @North Mac Regional, VJHS will host 8th Grade Sectional on March 17 @ 6:30 p.m., VJHS will host the Sectional on March 1st at the High School gym,

• Miles of Smiles will be at VJHS on Tuesday, February 25. Miles for Smiles is an Illinois program offering dental services at no charge to the students.

Vandalia Elementary School Principal Greta Krueger reported:

• Pre-K (Early Childhood Program) has been honored with the ExceleRate Illinois Gold Circle of Quality designation. The Pre-K Teachers Jade Black, Dianna Laurent, and Danielle Wells, as well as their Aides Kim Warner, Courtney Knight, and Ember Lipsey “affirm our school’s dedication to providing high quality learning experiences,”

• VES celebrated FFA week by having FFA greeters that week and attending FFA’s petting zoo at the High School,

• The week of March 3rd VES will be celebrating D. Suess and having dress up days of different themes,

• March 11th will be Family Reading Night at a 1 ½ hour “come & go” session. Start time has yet to be determined. Each student and parent(s) will choose a book from a large group of titles,

• Mrs. Braun’s MTSS (Multi Tier System of Support) read “Secret Soldier” to learn about the Revolutionary War. They made “horn books” (See photos) and wrote with quill pens,

• Students in 3rd Grade finished studying about U.S. presidents and each student researched a president, on whom they gave a presentation and created a poster, and

• VES held their first PBIS (Positive Behavioral Intervention Supports) meeting. This program will indicate what needs to be taught and “following expectation rewards.”

OKAW Area Vocational Center reported that:

• 2025 enrollment has begun and has 296 applications up to now,

• Lincoln Tech and Trade Unions recently spoke to OKAW Students, and

• John A Logan Community College and Rankin Technical College have been visited by Building Trades, Auto Mechanics, Auto Body, and Power Sports students.

Special Education reported that:

• Professional development opportunities included paraprofessionals discussing “Independence of Students” and that the Special Education meeting was held for the 3rd quarter,

• New Google Classroom launched offering links to “Visual Calming Classrooms,” and a video “Communication with Parents.”

The Board then moved to Executive Session. Following the Executive session of the meeting, these Action Items were approved:

• Bargain Sale Agreement at 1500 Veterans’ Avenue (This is the former Purina Building and will used for OKAW classes and transportation facilities),

• Increased hours for VCHS Cooks: Dana Smith – 6.75 hours/day, Michelle Helton – 5.75 hours/day, and Lisa Smith – 6.25 hours/day,

• District Resignation: Anna Miller – VCHS Head Volleyball Coach,

• District Employment: Brooke Benhoff – Ag Teacher and Jenny Schilling – 2nd shift Custodian,

• District Transfer: Ricky Lockhart – 2nd shift Custodian to Custodial Coordinator,

• District Maternity Leave: Michelle Helton – March 2025 through end of 2024/2025 school year,

• District Retirement: Cyndi Zobrist – intent to retire at the end of 2029/2030 school year, Jeannie Schmitt – intent to retire at the end of 2029/2030 school year, Terry Sutherland – intent to retire at the end of 2025/2026 school year, and Michelle McNary – intent to retire at the end of 2029/2030 school year, and

• District Coaches/Volunteer Coaches: Jamie Keck – HS Girls’ Track Coach, Dustin Jackson – HS boys’ Track Coach, and Michelle McNary – HS Assistant Softball Coach.

• Bid Packet #1 – VJHS North parking lot replacement – Shores Builders @ $1,110,410,

• Bid Packet #2 – VES Replace chillers – Baer Heating & Cooling @ $256,950,

• Bid Packet #3 – VJHS Install New lockers – Locker & Storage Systems @ $82,900,

• Bid Packet #4 – VJHS Replace interior lights – Kohrmann Electric @ $65,647,

• Bid Packet #7 – Replace football field lighting – Clinton Electric @ $308,974,

• Bid Packets for Athletic Facility:

1. Floor installation project – Laack Flooring @ $24,000,

2. Ceiling installation project – Hoelscher Interiors @ $52,700,

3. Electrical & lighting installation project – ADS Electric @ $91,740.31, and

4. Fire alarm – Security Alarm @ $15,500.

      The next regular meeting of Vandalia Community Unit District #203 Board is Thursday, March 20, 2025 at 6 p.m. in the Administrative Board Room of Vandalia Community High School. Public is welcome to attend.