McNamara thanks Brimfield school board

By JOHN A. BALLENTINE
For The Weekly Post

BRIMFIELD – The Brimfield School Board held a routine monthly meeting June 17 to approve numerous agenda items. Interim District Superintendent Dennis McNamara additionally thanked the board for serving the school as superintendent for the past year. McNamara will return to retirement status and current Principal Tony Shinall will take over as Brimfield’s new superintendent on July 1 for the new school year in 2020- 21. Shinall, in his report, praised the Class of 2020 again for completing the school year under unusual circumstances of remote learning and for graduating.

He explained that under Phase 3 going into Phase 4 (on Friday, June 26) of the state’s reopening plan, driver’s education and limited sports’ practices will be allowed to resume. “Our fees are lagging behind [other districts], the administration would like to have a gradual increase in fees over the next few years,” Shinall said. He went on to say that fees will increase over the next two years to cover expenses incurred. In addition, Shinall said that Brimfield’s main focus is the return of students to school for the upcoming school year. In Phase 4, schools are allowed to reopen. Gov. JB Pritzker announced Tuesday the state was releasing guidelines for the fall return to school. “We will do so with the guidance from the Illinois State Board of Education, the Illinois Department of Public Health, and the Peoria City and County Health Department,” Shinall said. “Our number one commitment is the safety of the students.” Grade School Principal Julie Albritton reported that kindergarten registration occurred June 9, plus cleanup of landscaping, painting classrooms, etc. has occurred. In regular agenda action, the board:

• Approved the Grade School cafeteria equipment purchase for over $15,000.
• Purchase of a new driver’s education vehicle for $21,531 was approved.
• Approved the board meeting dates for the fiscal year 2020-21 school year.
• Increased lunch prices: adults $3.55, K-4 $2.80, and 5 – 12 $3.05 were approved.
• Approved the school board committee assignments for the 2020-21 school year.
• Approved for $10,274, a granite memorial wall from Wyoming Monument.
• Approved the Chromebooks purchase for $27,000.
• Approved the agreement with the Illinois Association of School Boards for a PRESS maintenance service.
• Approved the Board Policy Manual update after waiving the readings for such.
• Approved the resignations of Susie Colorado as Freshman/Junior Varsity volleyball coach and Becky Kelch as a cafeteria assistant.
• Approved a contract with Jamie Henson as technology coordinator for the 2020-21 school year.
• Finally, approved the adoption of the consent calendar, which approved June’s bill payments, approved a Position Statement and May’s treasurer’s reports, and approved the high and grade schools’ activity fund reports for May.