JCMS media center to receive furniture updates
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By Carissa Sitki
The Jersey Community Unit School District 100 held their monthly Board of Education meeting on Thursday evening, May 18, where the purchase of new furniture for the middle school media center in the amount of $65,000 was approved.
Jersey Community Middle School (JCMS) Principal Thomas Leslie said he would like to bring the successes of the high school’s media center to the middle school. According to Leslie, there are some good things about the middle school’s current media center, including the paint, tables, and walkways, but he noted the main cons being the dated seating and circulation desk.
“We would like an open layout with new furniture because the current seating is breaking down,” said Leslie.
Leslie also mentioned that the circulation desk is too high for many of the young fifth graders to see over.
The furniture JCMS is looking to acquire is through the same company that Jersey Community High School (JCHS) used to purchase their furniture. Leslie said that the seating is soft and comfortable and moves around easily, but is also durable and long-lasting because it “is meant to be used in schools.”
Jersey 100’s Director of Transportation and Facilities Cory Breden said that the furniture is well-made.
“If I didn’t think it was quality I wouldn’t bring it to you,” said Breden. “Ultimately it’s your decision, but this furniture is quality.”
Superintendent Brad Tuttle said that the media center and library “should be the heart and soul of the school.”
“Other districts are looking at us and our Makers Space and our libraries,” said Tuttle. “We’re trying to train kindergarteners for jobs that don’t exist yet.”
The board approved the purchase, however, new board members, Brad Hagen and Judy Rowling voted no.
Following the vote, Rowling stated that she understands the importance of reading, but did not feel comfortable with the price.
“Reading is very important to me too, but I really wasn’t prepared for the price tag on that,” said Rowling. “That’s just a lot of money for me to feel comfortable saying yes.”
Board Secretary David Bryden also commented following the vote.
“We [the board] not only set policy and direction for the district, but we have to trust our people at the same time,” said Bryden.
The $65,000 will come out of the County School Facilities Sales Tax and will be in next year’s budget.
Also at the meeting, JCHS Athletic Director Rob Steinkuehler gave the Activities Report on student participation and awards which included an esports (electronic sports) update.
“These are some really talented kids and to have that in year one is so impressive,” said Steinkuehler.
Only about a quarter of esports students are involved in other sports or extracurricular activities, according to Steinkuehler.
“There are a lot of students that we are engaging now that we weren’t before,” he said.
JCHS is talking about getting esports jerseys next year as well as having both a competitive and non-competitive league.
“The students are very excited and we have a lot of hope for the program,” Steinkuehler concluded.
Other items noted by Steinkuehler included, Jacob Elliot winning bowler of the year at the Southern IL High School Bowling Conference; 30 senior student athletes making the all academic team (had to be a varsity student with a 4.5 gpa on a 5 scale); boys basketball played in the regional championship for the first time in a decade; girls basketball player Tessa Crawford joined the 1,000 point club; wrestling had a state qualifier, Jaydon Busch, who finished in eighth place; girls bowling advanced to sectionals; dance won an IDTA State Championship in Production; softball finished second in MVC standings and number two in the Regional hosted by JCHS; baseball played at Busch Stadium with 45 students on the field and they won 1-0.
“Students are doing well in class and on the field,” Steinkuehler concluded. “Jersey 100 has great kids and great staff.”
Under action items, the board approved:
• Board Policy– First Reading;
• Designation of Hazardous Roadways— (Cory Breden)— approved “We are required to transport students who are within a mile and half if they’re route crosses a hazardous road,” said Breden. “Most kids have a hazardous road to cross. This is a formality;”
• Physical therapist and occupational therapist contracted through Therakids in Godfrey at $65 per hour when they provide their service;
• Fundraisers.
School administrators then gave their reports, each giving positive accounts of the year and successes of their students, staff, and district as a whole.
JCHS Principal Jason Brunaugh shared his pride with the 196 JCHS graduates of the Class of 2023. He also noted that over $1 million in scholarships were distributed this year to graduating seniors.
“It’s unbelievable the amount of support the community gives our kids every year,” Brunaugh said.
Tuttle said he is impressed with everything he heard at the meeting. Tuttle, as well as Board President Greg Brown, welcomed the new board members, Hagen and Rowling.
“We want to get all of the good news out,” said Brown. “The facilities are in the best shape they’ve ever been and our curriculum is headed that way as well.”
The Jersey 100 School Board meets on the third Thursday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at the District Board Room.
