Allendale School Board Reorganizes

At the May 2021 Special Board Meeting held in the Library of Allendale School, the board:

Reorganized by seating newly elected members Ryan Andrews, Beth Etzkorn, Richard Gochenour, and Tia Morgan.

Elected Gary Buchanan as President. Elected Beth Etzkorn as Vice-President. Elected Miles Marcotte as Secretary.

Set the third Wednesday of each month at 6:00 pm as the regular meeting date and time for the Allendale Board of Education meetings.

At the May 2021 Allendale School Board meeting held in the Library of Allendale School, the board:

Approved the 2020-2021 tentative amended budget which will be on display in the main office for the next 30 days.

Set the date of June 23, 2021 at 6:10 pm for the budget hearing on the amended 2020-2021 budget.

Approved the dates and time for the 2021-2022 School Board Meetings.

Approved to abate $15,000 from Capital Projects Fund to the Debt Service Fund.

Approved the FY22 Consolidated District Plan for grant funding.

Approved the hiring of Kelsey Margelin as 2nd Grade Teacher for 2021-2022.

Approved reassigning Mackenzie Thread to Junior High Mathematics Teacher and Diana Morgan to Special Education Teacher.

Approved the hiring of Jason Seaton as Head Custodian

IECC Board Of Trustees Meeting Recap

The Illinois Eastern Community College District Board of Trustees met at Frontier Community College on Tuesday, May 18, 2021, for its regular monthly meeting. 

 An agreement for athletic training services for Lincoln Trail College was approved with Crawford Memorial Hospital in Robinson.  

 An expansion of the existing City of Robinson Enterprise Zone was approved.  The goal of this extension is to motivate economic development. 

 Trustees approved several affiliation agreements with area health care institutions dealing with IECC’s Certified Medical Assistant Program and for the Medical Lab Technician Program.

 In an effort to address the challenges of maintaining technology security; trustees approved revisions to the current Appropriate Use of Information Technology Resources Policy.  Trustees also considered a new policy to establish guidelines for partnerships between the Board and the District’s Foundations, the Board’s partnerships with the District’s local communities, and for standards for named gifts. 

 Student fees were approved for the Medical Laboratory Technician Program at Frontier Community College. 

 Trustees approved a resolution of support for the construction of the recreation center being located on District property at Lincoln Trail College in Robinson. 

 The Board approved a bid for remodeling and infilling of the pool area at Wabash Valley College.  The bid of $239,900 was approved with Empire Contractors, Inc., of Evansville, Indiana.  Trustees also approved a bid from John Flach Builders, Teutopolis, Illinois, in the amount of $105,800 for renovations to the Mason Hall Medical Lab, located at Frontier Community College. 

 A contract was approved with the Instructional Design firm Symbiosis.   The company will provide services to redesign, customize, and enhance the overall quality of the District’s online and hybrid course delivery.   A contract extension with Ellucian was approved by the board to provide software for the District’s financial, personnel and student records operations. 

 In personnel matters, the board:

Approved employment of Willard Cotten as Head Basketball Coach at Lincoln Trail College, effective May 19th; for Zach Loll as Head Women’s Basketball Coach at Lincoln Trail College, effective May 19th; and for Kendra Barnard as Student Services Specialist at Frontier Community College, effective May 24th. 

Approved the change in status employment transfers effective May 19th of Jamie Carman from Retention Coordinator at Lincoln Trail College to Director of Advising and Retention at Lincoln Trail College; Cameron Pearcy from Technology Systems Specialist at the District Office to Systems Administrator at the District Office; and for Loren Wingert from Information Systems Technician at the District Office to Systems Administrator.

Approved and ratified the resignations of Marbie Downen as Health Sciences Specialist Title III at Frontier Community College, effective April 22nd; Andrea Pampe as Director of Instructional Systems Technology Specialist, Olney Central College, effective May 15th and for Paul Zeilstra as Information Systems Specialist, Title III, Olney Central College, effective May 15th.

Next regular meeting of the Board of Trustees will be Tuesday, June 15, at 7 p.m. at Lincoln Trail College, Robinson.

DKG AWARDS STIPENDS TO 7 WABASH COUNTY #348 TEACHERS

On Saturday, May 1, 2021, The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, Psi Chapter of Southern Illinois, held their annual banquet.  Delta Kappa Gamma is a society of women educators who promote its members' professional and personal growth and excellence in education. It is an invitation-only society promoting women in the field of education.

Delta Kappa Gamma International awards three $200 stipends to female teachers in our chapter’s area. Wabash county had seven teachers present at the banquet.  Ashton Gordon, Yvette Henager, and Julie Merritt each were awarded a $200 stipend while Danielle Ewald, Julie Herman, Kristi Perry, and Ashley Seib were awarded each a $50 stipend.  The stipends are to be used for classroom materials and supplies for students.

Congratulations to these teachers for your winnings and thank you for representing Wabash County CUSD #348!!!  

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ILLINOIS STATE POLICE INVESTIGATE A HOMICIDE IN SALINE COUNTY

Harrisburg, IL – On May 12, 2021, the Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) - Zone 8 was requested by the Saline County Sheriff’s Office to assist with a homicide investigation. A deceased male was located along Illinois Route 13, just west of Harrisburg in Saline County. The deceased male was later identified as Doyle Winston III, a 42-year-old African American male from Harrisburg, IL.

On May 14, 2021, an autopsy was performed and the manner of death was determined to be homicide. The investigation is being led by the ISP DCI Zone 8 and is still open and ongoing.  No further information will be disseminated at this time.  Anyone with information is asked to contact ISP DCI Zone 8 at 618-382-4606 ext. 235.

WCHD Admin Explains Governor's Mask Relaxation Mandate To County Board

On the heels of yesterday’s announcement by Governor J B Pritzker relaxing masks mandates for vaccinated residents, Wabash County Health Department administrator Judy Wissel told county commissioners what that means… 

Currently, Wissel said there is one positive case in Wabash County in isolation and 8 are in quarantine. She said the county’s positivity rate stands at 2.6%. More than 9,000 doses of COVID vaccine have been administered in Wabash County and Edwards County. All three vaccines are still currently available at the health department.  

CDC information distributed at Monday’s county board meeting by WCHD administrator Judy Wissel.

CDC information distributed at Monday’s county board meeting by WCHD administrator Judy Wissel.

Impaired Driver Arrested while Transporting Two Children

Gibson County – Last night at approximately 8:53, Trooper Hurley stopped the driver of a 2002 Buick LeSabre for driving left of center on SR 64 near SR 57. The driver was identified as Megan Skidmore, 33, of Princeton. Skidmore’s nine-year-old daughter and three-year-old son were also in the vehicle. While talking to the driver, Trooper Hurley detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage and observed two empty alcohol containers in the driver’s door. Skidmore displayed signs of impairment and failed field sobriety tests. Further investigation revealed Skidmore had a blood alcohol content of .22%. She was arrested and taken to the Gibson County Jail where she is currently being held on bond. Her two children were released to a family member.

Arrested and Charges:

  • Megan Skidmore, 33, Princeton, IN

  1. Operating a Vehicle while Intoxicated with Passengers less than 18 years of age, Level 6 Felony

  2. Open Alcohol Container Violation

  3. Driving Left of Center

Arresting Officer: Trooper Tanner Hurley, Indiana State Police

Assisting Officer: Trooper Douglas Roberts, Indiana State Police

Assisting Agency: Indiana Conservation Officers

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MCHS Military Hall of Fame Dedication Ceremony Set For May 26th

The MCHS Alumni Foundation is pleased to announce it will be conducting a dedication ceremony for the Military Hall of Fame plaque. The plaque has been created to honor all students who attended MCHS and made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

The ceremony will take place in the Main Lobby of Mt. Carmel High School and will be held on Wednesday, May 26th at 1:00 p.m. 

The dedication is open to the public and anyone who may have a family member, fellow classmate or friend who lost their life in the line of duty is welcome to speak on their behalf.  We will be paying tribute to the brave men who gave their lives beginning with World War I through the Iraq War. 

The Alumni Foundation will also be offering viewing hours beginning Monday, May 24th through Thursday, May 27th from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. each day.

The MCHS Alumni Foundation is still accepting donations for the Military Hall of Fame plaque.  If you have any questions, you may contact Emily Teague at 618.240.1657.