Looking at the Future...Facility Improvement Program & Possible Referendum
We had an outstanding school year and as we look forward to another exciting chapter in our school history, I thought it would be a good time to update the community regarding our facility improvement program.
Following our loss at the polls in June 2022, our focus has been on understanding what went wrong and what options exist for improving our schools. We asked lots of questions. We listened. Community members responded with a great deal of valuable input and noteworthy suggestions.
What did we do?
• I discussed our facility needs with dozens and dozens of parents, teachers, and community members.
• We conducted lots of focus groups in Arthur, Lovington, and Atwood. I’m thankful to those who attended for honestly sharing your opinions.
• An online public opinion survey was conducted. Participation by community members was great.
• We received valuable input from a community group I brought together to discuss our facility needs. Member input was invaluable.
As I mentioned, we learned a lot. Perhaps most importantly, we learned that people, throughout our district, want to maintain elementary schools in Arthur, Lovington and Atwood. Secondly, we learned that virtually everyone agreed that improvements should be made in our high school. Finally, we learned that a high school improvement plan should not include moving junior high students to that campus or that building. While many were divided on what is best for a long-term solution for grades 6-8, they agreed that this discussion should not get in the way of improving our high school.
Based on that, we began the work of looking at options for improving our high school. Included in those options was the construction of a new building. After completing these options, we conducted another round of focus groups asking participants to evaluate each option. Then we invited all community members to open houses so they could review the options, ask questions, tour our high school, and provide feedback. Based on this input, one option rose to the top as the most preferred.
All community members should understand this option. Among its details are:
• The renovation of the historical and oldest portions of our existing high school. Our architects assure us this building has “good bones” and, with renovation, provides quality educational spaces for many more generations of students.
• Improved career training and FFA spaces.
• Air conditioning for all instructional areas.
• Enhanced safety and security.
• Greatly improved fine and performing arts spaces in a flexible-use space that can have many functions for students and staff.
• Improved instructional technologies.
• A new competition gym.
Of course, this does come at a cost but our children’s education is worth the investment. We will need a bond proposal to pay for these improvements. We are still sharpening our pencil and working with our architects and a construction management firm to confirm the final totals, but we are currently estimating the total cost to come in around 32.6 million dollars. We are also considering the utilization of sales tax revenue at an estimated 5 million dollars to bring the total amount of the bond levy to 27.6 million dollars. Listed below are the estimated tax implications of the 27.6 million dollar levy. In the chart below you will notice two columns, years 1-2 and then years 3-20. The reason there are two columns is to take into consideration the levy that residents of Atwood and Hammond are currently paying on their bond. That levy will conclude in two years, so structuring the proposed levy repayment in this manner will consider that for our stakeholders in the Atwood and Hammond communities. As we progress and narrow the scope of work, these numbers will become finalized and communicated.
We are also providing a survey for you all to consider, to provide us some valuable insight as we progress in the process. You can either copy the link into your browser or scan the QR code to take the survey. We will also have hard copies available in the district office for those who would prefer to take the survey on paper. We are asking that Arthur CUSD 305 residents complete the survey and we will use that information to help us move forward. The survey will close on Sunday, June 30th.
Link - https://www.research.net/r/ArthurCUSD305survey
If you have any questions at all — ANY — please contact my office at 217-543-2511.
The loss in June 2022 was not our desired outcome, but I could not be more gratified with how our community responded to that loss. Everyone has been truthful and helpful. The love of community is clear.
Shannon Cheek
Superintendent
Any 7th or 8th grade boy interested in playing basketball is welcome to attend our open gyms. The first open gym will be on Thursday, June 20th and then Tuesdays and Thursdays after that from 3:30-5:30 at LGS. Email Coach Stinebring with any questions or concerns.
Congratulations to our girls’ track and field athletes! https://www.news-gazette.com/sports/2024-all-area-girls-track-and-field-meet-the-complete-team/article_39fed324-7162-5289-a43e-6079112ba313.html
Registering your student for school takes just a few minutes!
REGISTER TODAY: School registration is online in Skyward this week. Please register your child by the end of today, Friday, June 14. If you need assistance, please call your school office.
Join the celebration - register your kids for school!
Join our team at AHGS. We have an opening for PreK Teacher for the 2024-2025 School Year.
REMINDER: This week, June 10-14, is school registration for the 2024-2025 school year. Registration is online in Skyward Family Access. Please register your student(s) by Friday, June 14.
Skyward Link - https://skyward.iscorp.com/ArthurCUSD305ILStuSTS/
ALAH High School transcripts have been posted! You can access and print your transcript in Skyward. Seniors can also request official transcripts through Parchment.
Good morning! High School report cards for 2nd semester have been posted in Skyward. Parents and students can log in to Skyward, click on the Portfolio tile, and access the "2023-2024 Semester 2 Report Card." Class rank and GPA are on report cards and under the Grading tile. We will let you know when transcripts have been posted.
Congratulations to Jacob Tighe on a great season! He finished in 10th place at the IHSA State Finals. #GoKnights
We will be live streaming tonight's commencement program at: https://bit.ly/3R3GMd9
If you have technical difficulties with that link you can access our YouTube Channel here: https://bit.ly/3WRUjbp
We are very excited for the upcoming celebration of our Seniors and have spent significant time collaborating with Mr. Cheek, the maintenance and custodial staff as well as checking every available weather app. As you understand, the setup for graduation is no small feat and we have been pretty lucky over the past few years that the forecast has provided a clear picture of the upcoming weather.
Unfortunately, this year poses some uncertainty in that forecast and in the spirit of trying to allow enough time to properly prepare the area for the ceremony, and communicating early to all of you, we have decided to move the ceremony into the gymnasium. We look forward to providing a wonderful experience for our Seniors and we look forward to celebrating their accomplishment.
Doors will open at 6pm and the ceremony will begin at 7pm in the west gymnasium on Friday, May 24th.
Arthur CUSD 305 recognized several teachers and staff members this morning for their years of service to the district. We are thankful as well for the service to our district and our students for two retirees, Mrs. Angie Hollingsworth and Mr. Lynn Farmer!
Good luck to Jacob Tighe at the IHSA State Track & Field Meet! #GoKnightd
Class of 2024 Senior Spotlights
Olivia Binion takes over the top spot at ALAH for females in the push-up category!!! Congrats!
Class of 2024 Senior Spotlights
Join our team at ALAH HS!
If you have a golf cart we can use for Graduation on Friday (you can drive or we can) please call the high school office at 543-2146.
