South Central Superintendent Hopeful About State Funding for High School Project

South Central School Superintendent Kerry Herdes said he is "cautiously optimistic" that funding will be coming from the State to finance additions and renovations to South Central High School in Farina.

The district is currently awaiting $6.2 million owed them by the State. A bill that has passed out of the Illinois House would allocate $8.2 million to South Central schools. That funding would allow the high school project to continue. The bill still needs State Senate approval and the Governor's signature. 

State Representatives David Reis, John Cavaletto and Brandon Phelps sponsored the measure in the House. 

On matters of general finance, Herdes told the South Central School Board Wednesday that the the district has lost more than $583,000 in General State Aid and Transportation over the last five years. If the district had been funded 100%, rather than having allocations pro-rated, the amount owed the district more than doubles. 

Herdes indicated the district has cut $1 million over the past six years to try and offset revenue shortages.

Also Wednesday, the South Central board:

--hired Glass and Shuffett to perform the annual audit

--approved the athletic director's job description

--approved graduation ceremony requirements

--accepted irrevocable letters of retirement from Mary Brimberry and Curt Jones as of the end of the 2019-2020 school year

--accepted a letter of resignation from Claire Schaal as of the end of the current school year

--approved a leave of absence for Christie Welch for the remainder of the current school year