Greenfield honors Illinois State Scholars

By Editor | February 2, 2022 |

By Carmen Ensinger

Greenfield School Board started off its Jan. 24 school board meeting by honoring its 2021-22 Illinois State Scholars.

“This year we had four students named as Illinois State Scholars,” Superintendent Kevin Bowman said. “I think that is pretty impressive for our little school and we are pretty excited about that.”

Those students were: Sam Walker, Drew Hallock, Joelle Ford and Kellen Bowman.

Also honored was Jacob McEvers, who was named the 2021 IHSBCA 1A At Large Coach of the Year and Region 6 Coach of the Year. He will be honored at a banquet on Feb. 11.

Dr. Bowman and the Board congratulated Board Secretary Becky McClelland on her upcoming retirement on Jan. 31. She received a plaque for her 16 years of service to the district.

The board opened several bids from different companies on their window project, but ultimately accepted a bid from Jun Construction for the high school window replacement on the west side at a cost of $231,500.

This will complete the window replacement at the high school which began three years ago.

“The first year we did the windows in the auditorium, which were in the worst shape,” Bowman said. “Then we did the south and north and some on the east side and now these on the west will complete the project.”

When they take the windows out to be replaced, there is asbestos which has to be removed, so the board had to approve an asbestos company to do the removal. That bid for the window asbestos abatement went to Schemel Companies for $38,900.

The board approved Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief 3 grant money to do some HVAC work in the elementary school gym and cafeteria as well as the high school gym and band room. The bid for that project went Loellke Plumbing at $351,500.

The board approved the purchase of a new 71-passenger bus from Midwest Transit at a cost of $108,028.

“We do a bus trade or bus purchase every year,” Bowman said. “This year we didn’t trade so we purchased one and then we have been tentatively approved for a grant to help with the payment.”

Bowman said the buses have increase in price tremendously over the last year.

“Last year, the price of a new bus was in the $90’s,” he said. “But apparently, in talking to some of the salesmen, there has been some different steel tariffs and other changes that have impacted the price of the buses, so I don’t know what that means for the future, but we have managed to keep our rotations going, which is good.”

The board also approved the purchase of a 2018 Chevy/Collins 14-passenger activity bus from Midwest Transit at a cost of $44,952.

Board member Elliott Turpin reported on the Greenfield Foundation for Educational Excellence, noting that the balance in the treasury is $27,425.75. Two classroom mini-grants were approved. It is undecided if there will be a GFEE chili cookout this year. GFEE scholarships are due April 14. The annual spring pork chop dinner will be held on March 20.

In the Opportunity for Citizens to Speak portion of the meeting, Amber Range spoke about her concerns with grant funding and read from several sources regarding the current situation in Illinois requiring schools being mandated to wear masks.

Dan Bowman wanted to thank the district and Board of Education. He indicated that the community should work together in these difficult times.

In other business:
■ The annual review of the Hunt Scholarship loan funds at United Community Bank was completed.
■ The board accepted the resignation of cook Lori McAdams.
■ The board accepted the three-year Notice of Retirement of Julie George.
■ Approved the Certified and Non-Certified Seniority Lists.