•March 27, 2024•

by E. Scott England

Kate Bushue was selected as the State FFA Proficiency Winner in Food Service Entrepreneurship. She was previously chosen as the Chapter, Section, and District awardee of this area.

Illinois FFA recognizes students in forty-eight different areas based on their work-based learning, also known as Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAEs). FFA members who demonstrate outstanding agricultural skills and competencies through record keeping, leadership, and scholastic achievement may be considered for this award.  Read More

•March 20, 2024•

Sullivan CUSD #300 is finding itself embroiled in yet another attempt to have its team name and mascot changed. Mind you, the district has never been the one to initiate the talks. But if the 103rd General Assembly has its way, the Sullivan Redskins will have to become the Sullivan [insert new name here] by September 1, 2027.

HB 5617 was introduced on February 9, 2024 by Rep. Maurice A. West, II (D-Rockford). The bill says “that a school board shall prohibit a school from using a native name, logo, or mascot that names, refers to, represents, or is associated with Native Americans, including aspects of Native American cultures and specific Native American tribes.” It does go on to say that “a school may continue to use uniforms or other materials bearing a native name, logo, or mascot that were purchased on or before the effective data of the Act until September 1, 2027. Read More

•March 20, 2024•

Fees increasing for the 2024-2025 school year

by Ariana R Cherry

Superintendent Shannon Cheek presented the winning bid to repair the Lovington Grade School parking lot at the most recent school board meeting. The winning bid was from Dunn Construction with an amount of $437,801, which also includes a $35,000 allowance. Cheek informed the board that the bid came in about $5,000 less than what had originally been estimated. The work also includes the entire replacement of the sidewalks and curbs that lead up to the building. “It is really needed and long overdue. We hope that the work is done before school starts for the next school year. It has been a long time coming,” commented Cheek.

It was also announced that fees will be increasing for the 2024-2025 school year. According to Cheek’s research, prices have stayed pretty consistent since the 2014-2015 school year aside from lunch fees. While the prices will increase, they still will be lower than several of the surrounding school districts. Cheek stated that most fees will see about a $5-$10 increase. Read More

•March 13, 2024•

Moultrie County has been issued a final property assessment equalization factor of 1.0000, according to David Harris, director of the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR).

The property assessment equalization factor, often called the “multiplier,” is the method used to achieve uniform property assessments among counties, as required by law. This equalization is particularly important because some of the state’s 6,600 local taxing districts overlap into two or more counties (e.g., school districts, junior college districts, fire protection districts). If there was no equalization among counties, substantial inequities among taxpayers with comparable properties would result. Read More