Junior High lockers a topic at Board of Education Meeting
DEBORAH SIMCOX
Correspondent
The regular Tuesday, June 17 Vandalia Community Unit District #203 meeting was preceded by the Budget Hearing at which Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Garrison presented the Amended FY25 Budget. It was tabled for a special meeting at a later date.
At the regular meeting of the Board which followed, these items were approved on the Consent Agenda:
•Minutes of the Regular BOE meeting,
•Financial Reports & Bills of Vandalia CUSD & OKAW area Vocational Center,
•Destruction of Executive Session Audio Recordings older than 18 months,
•Authorization to pay July, 2025 Bills,
•FY26 Breakfast & Lunch fees, and
•FY26 bids for milk.
Board Member Reid Torbeck reported that the sale of the Kanata property had closed and the keys were passed.
Board Committee Reports:
High School Principal Randy Protz discussed the measures taken to ease the transition of the 8th Grade Students into 9th Grade.
Junior High School Principal Brian Kern reported that the Junior High lockers were finished. He also related the JHS participation of the transition of the 8th Grade Students into 9th Grade.
OKAW Area Vocational Center Director Nick Casey reported the progress made by the Students creating their resumes. He also discussed the addition of a “Technical Math” class which could be counted as an equivalent to the required “Algebra 2” class.
Athletic Director Jason Clay presented his goals of incorporating life skills into athletics and his plans to share those with other Coaches. He said, “Athletics is going places we’ve never been before.”
Elementary Principal Greta Krueger shared her Teacher Survey Summary results and the progress with PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention System).
Special Education Coordinator Keri Buscher shared her Special Education Vision. She named three goals: #1 Why Implement Transition Opportunities?, #2 Curriculum for Students, and #3 Professional Development. She also outlined a Goals Timeline.
After the Executive Session the Board related that these items had been approved:
•FY25 VCUSD Amended Budget,
•FY25 OKAW Amended Budget,
•FY26 Property/Casualty/Liability Insurance Renewals,
•Non-Certified Staff Salary Schedule Tier
•VCUSD Employee Handbook,
•District Resignations: Ashley Grubaugh – VJHS Liaison/Paraprofessional; Brooke Thull – VES Paraprofessional; Stephanie Riedle – VCHS Paraprofessional,
•District Employment: Jaci Reavis – 3rd Grade Teacher; Josie Womack – Paraprofessional, and
•District Coaches/Volunteer Coaches: Michael Diekemper – 6th Grade Boys’ Basketball Coach.
There will be no Vandalia Community Unit District #203 Meeting in July. The next regularly scheduled meeting is Thursday, August 15 at 6 p.m. in the Administration Board Room.
