On a busy night for the District 186 school board, members tabled a vote on consolidating south side schools into a new building. While the administration recommends combining Hazel Dell, Laketown, and Southern View, board member Micah Miller was steadfast on discussing only the first two. All three buildings, says superintendent Jennifer Gill, suffer from structural woes and low enrollment. But Southern View, a “balanced calendar” school, is a late addition to the mix. Miller was the only board member against tabling. Board member Erica Austin said the public needs more time to weigh in, and the vote is now scheduled for May 2.
The board decided to accept a proposal from Cigna to be the new insurance carrier, ditching Blue Cross Blue Shield. The main reason is the separation between Springfield Clinic and Blue Cross Blue Shield. Premiums will go up eight dollars a month, but Gill said it’s probable that they’d go up with any carrier in a new year.
And the Springfield Education Association presented its Bob Goldman award to longtime teacher, administrator, and board member Mike Zimmers. Presenting the award: Zimmers’ favorite teacher, his daughter, Layne, an educator at Lincoln Magnet School.