Cumberland Board Hears Construction Partnership Update

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Published on August 27 2015 11:03 am
Last Updated on August 27 2015 11:03 am
Written by Greg Sapp

Cumberland school district students still have the opportunity to learn construction skills through a partnership between the district and a construction trades union.

Donnie Nelson representing the Mid-Central Illinois Regional Council of Carpenters spoke to school board members at this month's meeting about the partnership the union established with the school district. The program was launched a year or so ago.

Nelson said he has been asked about the program by some school board members. As to how long do students have for direct entry into the program, Nelson said students have two years, but that could change. If students choose to go to the military, there is a program called "Helmets to Hardhats", which allows students direct entry into the program after they return from the military.

Also, the Council of Carpenters has agreed to raise the bid threshold to $25,000, as opposed to the $10,000 bidding for projects with the district like they will have with other districts.

At this point, no students are taking advantage of the program. One was in the program this year, but did not complete it because of another career opportunity. School officials feel entry into the program will grow as the program matures.

The new drive and parking pavement was addressed by Board President Jack Ingram, who said, "We went from potholes and loose gravel that were damaging vehicles to a high quality surface." Ingram felt contractor Ne-Co Asphalt went above and beyond on the project.

High school principal Kevin Maynard reported on a new stair climbing wheelchair that was acquired so that a student could safely get to and from the Band room. Eastern Illinois Area Special Education assisted with fitting the child to a compatible chair.

Superintendent Todd Butler reported a lease is being established for two activity buses and three propane-powered Special Education buses that would be under warranty. The District would return two leased buses and trade in four other older buses, all of which are no longer under warranty. Ron Grant from Midwest Transit said there would be fuel cost savings with propane compared to diesel, plus the district wouldn't have to plug the vehicles in to start them so there would be savings on electricity. 

The Board approved a renewal for commercial insurance through Mihlbachler Insurance of Effingham.

In personnel moves, the Cumberland board accepted the resignation of Jolynn Brown as a bus driver, and employed a number of people including Carrie Althoff and Roberta Fritts as aides, Carol Weiscope as a custodian, Anita McGinnis and Rhonda Brown as bus drivers, Doug Jones as middle school Internal Raider Keys Coach, Sheila Plummer as high school Student Council assistant, Jamie Princko as middle school Head Girls Basketball coach, and Amy Carr as middle school Assistant Girls Basketball Coach.