Cumberland School Board Moves Ahead w/Multi-Purpose Building

Cumberland school board members agreed to move ahead with a multi-purpose building to be located near the high school track and football field.

The Board voted to approve job specifications, bid specification, blueprints and advertisement of bid requests provided by district architect The Upchurch Group, for a bathroom, storage and concession stand building. The vote was 6-1 with Howard Markwell voting No.

The Board also voted to set Cumberland High School graduation for May 17 at 2pm. Board members also approved the proposed calendar for the 2020-2021 school year, and approved an asbestos abatement contract with Environmental Consultants.

Board members heard from James Judson, who spoke about a possible co-op with the Jasper County Unit #1 School District for high school wrestling. Cumberland Principal Kevin Maynard said he would look into the possibility of the co-op and report back to the Board.

Cumberland High School senior Katie Warner, the daughter of Troy and Jodie Warner, read her second place in state Voice of Democracy essay to the board and visitors. She was sponsored by local VFW posts and won $1,900 for placing at the local, district and state levels.

Congratulations were also extended to Andrew Cole, who placed first at the Lake Land College WYSE contest and will now participate in the sectional contest at EIU. The Board also congratulated Cumbeland wrestlers who competed at State; Rayce Zike, Michael Carpenter and Iysten Syfert.

Board members heard the annual Preschool Roundup for Cumberland district will take place March 19-20 at Toledo Christian Church.

The Board employed Megan Walk as the district librarian, and William Robbins as custodial and maintenance worker. It was also voted to approve a five-year lease for two 14-passenger activity buses and the purchase of a Kubota L 3560.