2:39 PM
On Wednesday, June 18 at 7: 00 PM was the required Aledo-Westmer School Districts consolidation hearing. It was held at Aledo High School. The issue will be on the ballot for November 4th. Aledo in is Mercer and Henderson Counties and Westmer is in those counties plus Rock Island County. The petition was filed with the Regional Superintendent of Schools so the issue will be on the ballot. The petition required 50 signatures each from each respective school district.
The hearing was chaired by Jodi Scott, the Regional Superintendent for Warren, Henderson and Mercer Counties. The Committee of Ten, a state requirement for consolidation matters, gave their testimony. That committee also made their recommendations to each school board.
Their reco was to have the high school at Aledo and make the Joy facility a student center. The superintendent's office will be in Joy since Aledo is renting their facility now. Other items were the school locations: PK - 4 at the current grade schools, 5-6 at the Aledo Jr. High, 7-8 at the Westmer Jr. & Sr. High, 9-12 at Aledo High School. No new building or additions would be considered.
The new school district would be 379 square miles. The reco was for Aledo to discontinue the bus contract with Johannes. Westmer owns their buses. There would be a total of 18 bus routes (nine each). Aledo would lease to buy 9 new buses. The State of Illinois can reimburse the district for these buses. I instantly thought if the State has the money!!
I am glad I attended, to get a better handle on this important issue. There were about 50 in attendance.
The hearing was chaired by Jodi Scott, the Regional Superintendent for Warren, Henderson and Mercer Counties. The Committee of Ten, a state requirement for consolidation matters, gave their testimony. That committee also made their recommendations to each school board.
Their reco was to have the high school at Aledo and make the Joy facility a student center. The superintendent's office will be in Joy since Aledo is renting their facility now. Other items were the school locations: PK - 4 at the current grade schools, 5-6 at the Aledo Jr. High, 7-8 at the Westmer Jr. & Sr. High, 9-12 at Aledo High School. No new building or additions would be considered.
The new school district would be 379 square miles. The reco was for Aledo to discontinue the bus contract with Johannes. Westmer owns their buses. There would be a total of 18 bus routes (nine each). Aledo would lease to buy 9 new buses. The State of Illinois can reimburse the district for these buses. I instantly thought if the State has the money!!
I am glad I attended, to get a better handle on this important issue. There were about 50 in attendance.