At the Feb. 15 meeting of the Clinton school board, Superintendent Curt Nettles announced that the property that includes the Clinton Academy has been sold.

Nettles said he had not yet met with the new owners to determine the future of the property, but he is hopeful “we can keep things there; status quo.”

The district has been looking for new space for its special needs students, Nettles said, so now it may need to find a new location for the Academy, as well.

Nettles and Assistant Superintendent Drew Goebel have been looking at properties, but Nettles added, “we did have a meeting with the Richland (Community College) folks about the building between the junior high and Jimmy Johns. They don’t own that--by the way--they lease that. So, we’re going to have some further investigation on that property. They (Richland) don’t necessarily have a lot of plans for that property going forward. If we can work something out, that building would be very useful to us.”

Nettles also told the board that the district’s lawsuit against Illinois State Board of Education was filed Feb 10 and a hearing is set for Feb. 22.

The Clinton superintendent has been working with other superintendents on a “Make it Local” coalition to provide for local control on decisions regarding masks and Covid-19 restrictions and regulations.

“My perspective is to continue to roll with our plan the remainder of the school year...mask optional.”

In other business, the board:

Approved the school calendar for 2022-23

Approved the district’s membership in the Illinois Elementary School Association and the Illinois High School Association

Approved the employment of Jade Johnson, custodian, effective immediately, and Mally Hickman, physical education teacher at Clinton Junior High School for the 2022-23 school year.

Approved Jena Thomas as a volunteer assistant track coach for the 2021-22 season.

Approved the girls’ track team overnight trip to Triad High School April 8-9, 2022.