JCUSD holds monthly meeting

By Editor | November 22, 2022 |

By Austin Andre

Last Thursday, Nov. 17, the Jersey Community Unit 100 School Board came together for its second to last meeting of the year.

After the opening pledges were made, the session began with the recognition of guests and visitors. Public comments were then called to be made and visitors could voice whatever concerns, statements, or announcements they may have.

Local resident, Terra Mueller, made the only public comment of the meeting, voicing concern over Erin’s Law, which is an Illinois law that would require public schools to provide child sexual abuse prevention education for children in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grades. Mueller also spoke on other state imposed education mandates that plan to be introduced following the April 2023 elections.

“It might not be something we want in our schools,” said Mueller. “I think there’s a lot of parents who have become aware of the propaganda that’s being pushed down by the state in our schools and it’s very concerning.”

Mueller said that she feels it is important, for those who are concerned with upcoming mandates, to run for school board in the elections next spring.

“We have a lot of things in place to protect our kids,” said Mueller. “And I think that’s ultimately the goal.”

Following public comment, the Jersey Community High School (JCHS) students report came next, presented by members of the JCHS student council. Items of note announced by the council included a basket challenge, where classes and clubs put together baskets that will be donated to local food pantries and other organizations. Baskets will mainly include Thanksgiving-centric items for the upcoming holiday.

The council also announced that the JCHS construction club will be building a pavilion for the West Elementary School. The project is helping the club members not only in construction and carpentry, but also in patience and teamwork. Several smaller updates to winter sports clubs, plays, and school-wide events were also provided during the council’s report.

The Fiscal Year 2022 audit report, presented by associates from Scheffel Boyle CPAS, followed soon after. During the presentation, the associates showcased very positive audit results to board members. The presentation highlighted several areas where financial and monetary improvements were made to the school district. The total profile score at the end of the audit was a highly graded 3.8 out of 4.0, outdoing many other districts in the area.

JCHS activities director, Rob Steinkuehler, gave his summary on the state of athletics and extracurricular activities at JCHS and the Jersey Community Middle School (JCMS). Statistics showcased, during the presentation, included a total of 202 students involved in some sort of sport or other activity. Top activity contenders were football and E-sports. E-Sports had the highest level of participation, only out performing football slightly. A notable part of the report were the increasing numbers of students enrolling into the Future Farmers of America program (FFA), along with expanded participation in school music programs. Notable school athletes and their achievements were showcased to the board as well.

“The support from the administration and board of education is evident,” said Steinkuehler. “It’s crucial to our success and continued growth.”

Reports and communications presentations by school officials followed Steinkuehler’s summary. Highlights of these reports included Grafton elementary principal Michelle Brown, voicing great success with the schools halloween carnival, which had been canceled since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We had a fantastic turnout,” Brown said. “It’s been a Grafton tradition for many years and we’re glad to have it back.”

West Elementary School principal Kristie Hurley came next and spoke about the positive results the school’s Advanced Reading Curriculum (ARC) has seen. This curriculum gives teachers flexibility to reach more advanced students in terms of reading and comprehension. The ARC also has the ability to work with students who are on the lower end of the reading spectrum that may struggle with reading skills.

“It’s meeting so many different kids’ needs,” Hurley said. “Everyday we’re seeing good things with it.”

Final updates given during the reports included information regarding the football field turf project, and the E-sports program at the middle school. Items of note approved by the board included the FY2022 audit report, the establishment of the FY 2022 tax levy and the absenteeism and truancy policy.

The Jersey CUSD 100 Board of Education meets on the third Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. They are scheduled to meet again on Dec. 15.