CLINTON — Two new board members took their places on the Clinton school board Tuesday night after their swearing in by Superintendent Curt Nettles. Stephen Oswald and John Heinlen were appointed to replace the recently vacated seats due to the passing of Ron Conner and the resignation of Cole Ritter.  

Nettles told board members he had been contacted by the Regional Office of Education about the possibility of establishing a distance learning lab so staff from around the area would be able to attend professional development programs in Clinton rather than traveling to Bloomington. The lab would include more than $5,000 in equipment but would be funded by the regional office. Nettles told board members he thought it was a “no brainer” decision to accept the offer. The location of the lab will be determined at a later date. 

In other business, the board: 

 • Approved the filing of the required 10-year health life safety survey and discussed issues that need to be addressed including a new roof and air conditioning at the junior high building and a water heater and water tank at the high school. Nettles estimated the total cost of the needed improvements would be “close to $1 million by the time we’re done.” 

• Held a public hearing to approve a waiver for using two full day school improvement days.  

• Was introduced to new teachers and coaches at each school. 

• Approved board policy updates. 

Approved a tentative budget for fiscal year 2020. 

• Approved the pay rates for athletic officials. 

• Learned the state of Illinois owes the district about $6,600, a steep decline from previous reports.  

• Approved the employment of the following individuals: Jordan Crist and Kybrick Lamb as CHS assistant football coaches; Nate Ennis as CJHS baseball coach; Brian Ennis as CJHS assistant baseball coach; Morgan Hickman as freshman volleyball coach; Justin Winebrenner as CJHS custodian; Tara Coppenbarger as an aide at Douglas; Lisa Lueras as an aide at Lincoln; Ashley Cusey as an aide at CES; Gayle Bowman as FACS teacher at CHS; Andrea Hardwick as a CHS physical education teacher and head volleyball coach; Rachel Thome as CHS guidance counselor; Nichole Binder as long-term substitute for CHS Spanish; Darcy Rutan as CES Special education teacher; and Amber Johnson as a volunteer assistant coach for CHS cross country. 

* See your new teachers on page A8 of the Friday, August 23 print edition of the Clinton Journal.