1 Front Volume 140 No. 2
Friday, March 8, 2013
The Tonica News
Single Copy Cost 50¢
5Essentials: Help or hindrance? By Ken Schroeder news@tonicanews.com
LOSTANT/TONICA – A new educational survey has been rolled out to test the ability of schools to meet standards that will help students succeed.
The “5Essentials” surveys have been given to teachers, students and parents throughout the country to seek opinions on whether their local schools are meeting three or more of the five criteria, which are purported to increase a child’s effec-
tive learning 10 times more than schools that meet two of the standards or less. According to the uchicagoimpact.org website, 5Essentials is an evidence-based system designed to drive improvement in schools
nationwide. The 5E system measures changes in a school organization through its survey and provides individualized actionable reports to schools, districts, parents, and community partners, and professional development to school
leadership and teachers. But does the system actually do what it’s purported to do? While Lostant Grade School Superintendent Sandra Malahy applauds the effort, she’s not confident of the follow-through. “I think it’s important
to give everyone – teachers, parents, students – a chance to give us feedback on how we’re doing and what kind of job we’re doing teaching our students,” Malahy said. “But this survey is based
See 5Essentials Page 4
Lostant School Board splits on tuition cap By Barb Kromphardt news@tonicanews.com
LOSTANT — The Lostant School Board took action on the following items at its meeting Feb. 20: • Heard from secondgrade teacher Cindy Boldt about the book “FOCUSED on a Safe Drive,” written by Fieldcrest students. The students visited her classroom and donated a book to the classroom and every second-grade student. The board recognized the students for a job well done and thanked them for the book donations. • Heard from board member Paul Janusick about Fund 80 with particular attention to the workers compensation and unemployment payments and missing expenditure item for workers compensation insurance. • Heard from board president Mike Phillips about the new pension reform bill submitted by Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie.) • Heard the staff received crisis prevention intervention during the February in-service. • Discussed a staff request to change the grading policy to weighted grades. The board members received a spreadsheet reflecting area schools’ policies for weighted grades from teacher Joe Buchanan, who asked the board to give the staff approval to create a weighted grading policy to be submitted for approval at the March board meeting. Board members asked
questions and voiced concerns for consideration. Several audience members supported the staff request to consider weighted grades. • Approved changes to the high school tuition cap on a split vote. On a 4-2-1 vote, the board approved changes to the high school tuition cap based on the second lowest tuition charge by removing the high school family contribution cap, which is currently $600, and waived the 201314 school jump. Board members Phillips, Dianna Ioerger, Cindy Burcar and Andy Urbanowski voted in favor of the change. Board members John Wever and Janusick voted no while board member Lisa Lindstrom passed. • Heard from Superintendent Sandra Malahy the Illinois State Board of Education Financial Profile number for the FY13 school year. Lostant’s rating is 3.65 out of 4.00. • Approved a request from the RtE students to hold a fundraiser at the last two volleyball games. • Approved a request from Mrs. Maggio for use of the school building for the alumni open house, to be held from 10 a.m. to noon April 20. • Heard the next scheduled destruction of records will be July 2013. • Received a request made by the Tonica School District to terminate the existing Baseball I.G.A. for the summer 2013 season.
See Lostant Page 4
Tonica News photo/Elin Arnold
Lostant Fire Chief Andy Forrest pulls out the new Engine Pumper recently purchased by the department.
New fire trucks in Lostant By Elin Arnold news@tonicanews.com
LOSTANT — The Lostant Volunteer Fire Department has purchased new vehicles that will bring better and more services to the residents of the district. “We’re proud of our department and equipment just like all the volunteer fire departments in our area,” said Andy Forrest, Lostant chief. “These two vehicles are definitely an upgrade for us.” The department purchased a 2012 International 4-door cab pumper that replaced a 1985 Chevy pumper and added a brush truck to the list of tools they have available to them. The pumper has the ability to pump 1,250 gallons per minute and has a 30-gallon class A foam system. The cost was $230,000. “The brush truck responds to field fires and brush fires,” Forrest said. “It’s a 2012 Ford F350 with
Photo contribute/Lostant Volunteer Fire Department
Pictured above is the new Brush Truck and the 2012 International Engine Pumper purchased by the Lostant Volunteer Fire Department. four-wheel drive and an extended cab pickup truck. It holds 225 gallons of water and 10 gallons of foam.” Forrest said it will also pull the ATV Polaris the department already owns for any off-road situation. It was made by U.S. Tanker in Wisconsin and cost $85,000, turnkey ready. The Lostant Volunteer Department is a tax supported department. Tax dollars, donations and
Inside
Vol. 140 No. 2 One Section - 8 Pages
Keeping bluegrass alive See Page 2 © The Tonica News
Award winner See Page 4
fundraisers paid for 90 percent of the new equipment. The department has 28 firemen, 15 EMTs, and two first responders. The EMTs operate under EMS Chief Joe Frietag but Chief Forrest oversees the total operation of the department. “We’re available to respond 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” Forrest said. “Our department provides great coverage for our area and we are very proud of what we do.”