Cissna Park BOE discusses Deaf Awareness Week

From: Iroquois County Times-Republic, IL - Oct 20, 2004

By RUTH CASPER\For the Times-Republic

CISSNA PARK - The Board of Education met in regular session Monday in the school library.

Guests at the evening's meeting were Theresa Thornton, hearing impaired teacher and Brad Lucht, observing the meeting as a student teacher. Thornton gave a report to the board on activities at the school during Deaf Awareness Week. Everyday throughout the week of Sept. 27 through Oct. 1 students were involved in experiencing the deaf culture. A daily trivia question was given so that all K-12 students could participate. The board got a hands-on demonstration on how to sign the "Happy Birthday" song. Jan Gorman reported for the Iroquois Co. Co-op Special Education's recent meeting Oct. 7. Gorman reported that the co-op board increased homebound teacher pay to $15 per hour and talks continue on the privatization of the Nexus educational program.

John Bruns reported for the Policy Committee. A review of closed and open session meeting minutes was reviewed. Bruns reported on the recent Cornbelt Division meeting that was hosted by Cissna Park School. Bruns was recognized as having maintained "Master School Board Member" status for the past 10 years. The ISAB Conference Delegate Report was given to the board members; the conference will be Nov. 19-21 in Chicago.

The board approved the following: the overnight lock-in of the Jr. High girls' basketball team held at a later date to be determined; the Jr./Sr. Prom to be at the McCullough House in rural Milford from 6 - 11 p.m. on May 7, 2005; and the application for the School Library grant Program for FY2005.

Barb Rust, district office manger, reported to the board that all students in the school district were in compliance with the state for immunizations and health records. The board designated Rust and Dr. Dan Heinold to accept petitions for the April 5, 2005 school board election. The following positions up for election are John Bruns, Jan Gorman, Dan McCray and Mike Yergler.

A full version of this story appears in the October 20 edition of the Times-Republic.

Copyright © 2004 Iroquois County Times-Republic