News Progress

•September 23, 2015•

By Susan Sullivan Rauch
Executive Director of the Beacon

“People with developmental disabilities have special needs, but their basic needs are the same as everyone else’s. The need to have a home, learn useful, relevant skills; work; and develop and sustain relationships with people they care about and who care about them.” Author Unknown

The Moultrie County Beacon has done this in Sullivan since 1968, yet many of our citizens have only a vague notion of what we actually do and whom we actually help. This isn’t such a surprise for our first 30 years we really didn’t talk about what we did.

To the families that we served, we were a blessing, but for the majority of the population our work remained a mystery that had little impact on their lives. Most children with special needs were bused out of town to special schools, thereby inhibiting the social relationships that are built during the 12 years attending public school. As a result, many adults with developmental disabilities grew up without being fully integrated into their communities.

Today we are driven to push the boundaries that once hindered people with disabilities from meeting their full potential. Today most of our children attend our local schools and, as a result, form relationships that enrich their lives as well as the lives of their classmates.  Read More

•September 23, 2015•

By Mike Brothers

Sullivan District 300 school board members approved a $10,043,969 total budget at the Monday, Sept. 14 meeting.

The fiscal budget year is July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016 with Superintendent Brad Tuttle explaining the process during a public hearing on the budget.

“With the state still struggling with their budget, we are looking at the third year of some type of cuts.” Tuttle said, noting that contingencies are built into the budget in case things start to go south.

He said the district is starting the year in better shape with account balances but warned that declining enrollment will equalize the increased state reimbursement formula.

Educational fund receipts from local taxes are anticipated at $2,975,199. The state contribution is expected at $3,266,267 with the federal government budgeted for $876,016, bringing anticipated fund total for education to $7,117,482.

Even with a $50,000 contingency, education expenses are anticipated at $7,3034,134, some $185,652 less than the fund is bringing in. An account balance of $2,985,659 covers the shortage in education.

Operations and maintenance and transportation funds also are budgeted in the red.

Superintendent Tuttle explained the budget is a working document and will be revised as more information is available during the year. Read More

Compiled by Bekki Ferguson-Stevens

25 Years Ago This Week

Sullivan’s Redskins racked up the points, played tough defense and provided plenty of excitement Friday night in their 27-8 win over the Villa Grove Blue Devils. The Redskins increased their undefeated streak to 3-0 last Friday by continuing their strong rushing attack from Schascle Yochim, Nate Hutchings and Troy Rogers. Yochim rushed for 115 yards and two touchdowns while Hutchings and Rogers also contributed to the 215-yard total.

Sullivan resident George “Bill” Frazier was honored by the illinois Dept. of Public Health Monday in Springfield as one of 13 recipients of hero certificates signed by Gov. James R. Thompson and acting health department director John Lumpkin. Frazier, 30, received the award for his part in helping save nine year old Sullivan resident Dustin Jenkin’s leg following a boating accident June 16 at Lake Shelbyville near the Bo Wood access area.

Christopher Condill of Arthur was one of 88 Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy seniors who qualified as semifinalists or received letters of commendation in this year’s National Merit Scholarship Corp. competition.

Trent E. Doty of Lovington and Rodney W. Davis of Findlay have received scholarships to Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. Doty, the son of Bob and Rita Doty, has received a $600 Crows Hybrids Scholarship to continue his studies in agriculture. Davis, son of Amos and Gloria Davis, is a junior majoring in forestry. He is one of 13 ag students who have received tuition supplement scholarships rewarding academic excellence. Read More