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St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Lee Enterprises

Monday, November 9, 2009 9:17 PM CST
Mattoon school board to vote on off-campus privileges for juniors tonight

By NATHANIEL WEST, For the JG/T-C

MATTOON — The Mattoon school board tonight is scheduled to vote on whether to allow qualifying high school juniors to leave campus for lunch one day per week.

“The board’s had it at their feet for a month. They’ll be asked to act (tonight),” said Superintendent Larry Lilly.

The board, which meets at 7 p.m. at the administrative office building, 1701 Charleston Ave., also will begin looking at next year’s tax levy.

Last month, Mattoon High School Principal Michele Sinclair encouraged the board to consider partially lifting the closed-campus restriction on juniors who maintain a C-average or better and who have no discipline problems.

The ban on leaving during lunch was applied to freshmen, sophomores and juniors about 10 years ago, according to Sinclair.

At least one board member last month said he has already heard strong opposition from his constituents about allowing juniors the once-a-week pass.

Also tonight, Assistant Superintendent of Business Tom Sherman will present the 2009 tax levy, although action on the levy would wait until a later meeting.

“We’re anticipating a levy that would yield a tax rate equal to or less than the current tax rate of $4.53 (per $100 of equalized assessed valuation),” said Lilly. “We don’t anticipate any increase” in the school district’s tax rate.

The new levy is projected to produce a revenue increase of only $11,000. The consumer price index from last December — at the height of the economic meltdown — was only one-tenth of 1 percent, according to Lilly.

“Normally that (CPI) increase is much, much greater than that,” he said.

In September, the board approved a $32.6-million budget that slashed projected expenses by about $1.2 million.

Also tonight, journalism teacher Amanda Bright will present a proposal for a Journalism II class at MHS. The board would vote in December. Lilly said the introduction of this class follows the success of an “outstanding” Journalism I course.

Jessica Hettiger, psychologist intern, is slated to present information tonight about School Psychology Awareness.

Administrators will offer a reminder that the opening of sealed bids for the sale of former Central School property will be 10 a.m. Dec. 9.

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medic57 wrote on Nov 10, 2009 4:13 PM:

" Back in the day, that would have put Smitty's and Mister D's out of business at the High School. At Jefferson Jr. High it would have closed 9th street market and Sandy's. "

Mama says wrote on Nov 11, 2009 8:09 PM:

" Lets watch how many rearend collisions will be happening as they dash through the driveups for fast foods, and fast clipping it down Marshall Avenue and other areas. "