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Jack Gaham is preaching calm in the midst of uncertainty.
With President Donald Trump and Department of Government Efficiency leader Elon Musk making massive changes to the Department of Education, educators from all around the nation are concerned about what it means for rules and federal funding for their schools and districts.
Gaham, the superintendent at Beecher School District 200-U, is not in panic mode yet.
“It’s big in the news, but in terms of education at this time, there is not a lot we can do about it until we know where it goes,” Gaham said at the February 12 school board meeting. “There is still not someone assigned to the Department of Education, so before we start jumping on things and worrying about shutting things down, there still is a process that has to go into place – even with an Executive Order.
“We truly won’t know what it is or what the ramifications are until we hear about budgeting.”
He said the major concern for school districts is what will happen with the federal funding and grants they will receive. He said the prevailing feeling is those funds will be shifted to the state and distributed by Illinois officials.
“As long as that funding stays, as a school district you don’t have a lot of concerns,” Gaham told the board.
“Until we formally hear they are cutting funding, or removing, or something along those lines at the federal level, there is nothing for us to do or worry about.”
Safety training
The board approved a $10,025 deal with Strategos International for training staff to deal with emergency situations.
Former Beecher High School Principal Brian Wright represents the Dallas-based Strategos and gave the board a presentation before the vote.
“We hope to provide the best training, and you never have to use it,” Wright said. “But being proactive is the most important part of all of this. It’s one of those things you have to address these days.”
Staff will have a training day the next school year.
Coming and going
The board approved the hiring of Jaida Schroeder as the high school head volleyball coach, Crystal VonAlven as an early childhood teacher, and special education teachers Sophia West and Ryan Rosenbrock.
The board approved the non-renewal of the one-year contract for fifth-grade teacher Melissa Proskurniak.
It approved a one-year contract for Athletic Director Brandon DuBois.
It also acknowledged the resignation of administrative assistant Yesica Hernandez and bus driver Anne Jakob.
Big purchases approved
The school board approved the purchase of a new mid-size bus from Montgomery-based Central States Bus Sales, Inc., for $115,000 to accommodate early childhood growth, as well as a bus for $69,458 to replace an unrepairable activity bus.
Bathroom repairs at the elementary school of $14,500 was granted to Action Plumbing.
Additional lights in the high school drive will be installed by Beecher-based M3 Electric for $17,142.
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