Stew-Stras School Board Hears About Open House

Stewardson-Strasburg school board members heard this week about plans for an Open House.

The event is set for August 21. Superintendent Michelle Lindenmeyer said it's designed to let students and parents get a look at the school building, but also is an opportunity for those who don't have students in school to take a look at recent improvements.

One improvement is restroom work, which Lindenmeyer said should be completed in time for the start of the new school year. She said asbestos abatement work should be finished tonight and tiling is soon to begin.

Stew-Stras registration for the school year will be held on July 31 and August 1 from 1 to 7pm each day.

Lindenmeyer said work will be done to comply with insurance guidelines to install straps and supports on the side basketball goals as well as new high school goals on the baselines. The work will cost about $24,000. 

Lindenmeyer reported that the district has surpluses in all operating funds other than transportation, which did not receive all of its promised state funding. The district's financial footing is allowing the payoff of a loan obtained through Shelby County State Bank in recent years to purchase HVAC units. The existing balance is $292,000.

Information was also shared that work continues to secure additional Dual Credit courses with Lake Land College and Eastern Illinois University.

Several personnel items were addressed. It was decided to honorably dismiss Michelle Hall as an aide, and to accept the resignation of Carol Baumgarten as a cook. Tracy Warren was hired as a substitute bus driver, and it was agreed to post openings for a cook and a part-time custodian.

The Board also agreed to post an open stipend position as Head Teacher, who would serve as an aide to the administrators, and to post an opening for a fulltime Art teacher. Board members approved the hiring of Randy Swartz as Windsor/Stew-Stras assistant boy's basketball coach, approved Craig Moffitt as assistant junior high baseball coach and Justin Hunt as Windsor/Stew-Stras assistant baseball coach, and approved Danny Baker as a volunteer high school volleyball coach.