Board
Meeting Highlights
Tuesday, April 15th, 2008
7:30 pm
Rich East High School – Media Center
- Maceo
Rainey, Principal of Rich Central
High School, applauded the efforts and achievements of Rich
Central student, Jazmine Upshaw who has achieved
a GPA of over 3.0 and is a member of the gospel choir, mathletes, and
touts British Literature as her favorite subject. The bright young senior will
be attending Howard University this fall. “She has mastered the heart of
education,” Rainey said. Upshaw met all areas of the PSAE, and attended a
performance of the Blue Man Group, as part of the recognition for seniors
who accomplished this impressive feat.
Her hobbies include gospel choir, church and going to school.
- Dr. Jeff
Craig, Principal of Rich East High School, congratulated the outstanding achievements of Rich
East freshman Sam Simon who, while still in 7th and 8th
grade, began attending Rich East for courses in math. He is currently in
junior-level math and ranks #1 in the freshman class. He has earned
straight A’s thus far and has achieved a G.PA. of 4.21. He is a part of
the scholastic bowl team, GSA, drama, varsity soccer, mathletes and
snowball. In a recent mathletes competition, he took 1st place
in both probability and oral composition.
- Dr. Roudell
Kirkwood, Principal of Rich South, congratulated the exemplary achievements of Rich South students,
Frank
Baxter and Justin McClinton. Frank Baxter
is an honor roll student who has earned a 3.94 G.P.A. and plans to attend
the University of Illinois where he will major in Accounting and Aerospace
Engineering. Baxter earned a score of 34 on his practice PSAE exam in
reading and a 26 in math. Justin McClinton has earned an overall G.P.A. of
3.1 and a 3.9 GPA this quarter. He has been on the honor roll all three
quarters of this year as well. On the recent practice PSAE exam, McClinton
scored a 35 in reading and a 26 in math. He plans to attend the University
of Illinois where he will major in Business Administration.
- Dr.
Jeffrey Craig congratulated Teacher
of the Month, Rodney Freeman, for his commitment to the interests
of the students he teaches and to the district. Freeman, who began
teaching as a special education instructor at Rich South, began teaching
Applied Arts at Rich East this year and has amassed a faithful following
of dedicated students who follow his expertise and example. He played a “vital role” in preparing
for the SECME mousetrap competition, Dr. Craig said. He is a “one man show” in industrial
arts.
- Maceo
Rainey congratulated Teacher
of the Month, Audrey Smith, for her extraordinary efforts to
inspire students. Smith initiated an extra credit project which involved
the display of student artwork within various parts of the building
allowing students to earn extra credit and building excitement and
interest among the student body and a renewed interest in the arts. “She
took an idea,” Rainey said, “and converted it into action.”
- Dr.
Roudell Kirkwood applauded
the efforts of Teacher of Month, John Benney, who has been devoted to the
interests of students at Rich South for more than 28 years. Benney teaches
Driver’s Education and has a 95% ABC rate and a 99% attendance rate. In
addition to dedicating himself to the pursuit of education throughout his
tenure, Benney also coaches three sports including bowling, baseball and
golf. “You can always count on him to be a part of the learning team,” Dr.
Kirkwood said.
- Board
Vice-President, Yvette Moten, introduced the
members of the Design Team who were instrumental in selecting the Trustee
Board for the Rich Township District 227 High School Educational
Foundation. Moten also introduced the Trustees of the Foundation to
members of the community and the Board of Education. Foundation President, Cheryl
Buckner Grubbs gave a resounding speech on the merits of unity and
the intent of the foundation to provide opportunities, resources and
leadership to the students it proudly serves. “It is a wonderful journey
that has finally come to fruition,” Moten said.
- Superintendent Howard Hunigan announced the cancellation of the Rich South Band
trip to the Olympics held in China due to escalating volatility
and subsequent security concerns. A series of meetings among parents,
administrators, band, staff and Board members culminated in the decision
to cancel the trip to the Olympics in China. “Our first and primary
concern,” Superintendent Hunigan stated, “is for the safety of our
students.”
- Student
representatives Arielle Smith of Rich Central High School, Mickietha
Hampton of Rich East High School, and Dallas Crain of Rich South High
School shared upcoming
events, recent achievements and status updates regarding their
school. All three representatives
are seniors and will graduate in May. Arielle Smith plans to attend
Spelman University or the University of Illinois. Mickietha Hampton plans
to attend St. Xavier, and Dallas Crain is considering a full track
scholarship to Marian College.
- The Board
approved the last day of school for the 2007-2008 school year to
be extended to May 27th, as a result of the snow day taken on
February 1st, 2008.
- The Board
approved the 2007-2008 Tuition Charge for non-resident students in the
amount of $13,921.25.
- The Board
approved the independent auditor’s report for fiscal year 2006-2007.
- The Board
approved new textbooks for 1) HZ General Physical Science, 2) Algebra I
Honors, 3) Advanced Placement Calculus AB and Advanced Placement Calculus
BC, and 4) Piano Lab.
- Concerned citizen, Willard
High, suggested the addition of Music Theory to the course offering for our students. High
stated that many students do poorly at the collegiate level because they
do not have the background and experience in Music Theory.
- Board members Betty
Owens, Yvette Moten, Sonya Norwood,
Melonese Brookins and Tony Brunson shared feedback of
their observations during the recent National School Boards Association
conference.
- The Board
approved the 2008-2009 school calendar.
Upcoming
Meetings:
- The next
Board meeting will be
Tuesday, May 20th at 7:30 pm at Rich East High School in the Media
Center.
