United Board Approves Roof Bid/Jr. High Principal in Waiting
The United CUSD 304 Board of Education approved a bid from Oldeen roofing, Kewanee, to replace the roof at United Junior High School. The bid was $762,097. The replacement will begin as soon as school is out for the year. The board also approved a 2 year contract with Mr. Chad Robertson to serve as the United Junior High School Principal in Waiting. Mr. Robertson, a teacher in the Mercer County School District, will work in conjunction with current UJH Principal Mr. Chris Schwarz for the 2020-21 school year and then will take over as building principal for the 2021-2022 school year. Schwarz, will replace United High School Principal Amy Schmitz, who will retire at the end of the 20-21 school year.
Special recognition was given to Ms. Sue Caslin, United North paraprofessional for setting up the Marlene Caslin scholarship, in honor of her mother. This scholarship awards tuition to a United student for attendance at the National Youth Leadership Forum.....Pathways to STEM. The forum takes place in Chicago during the summer. The board also heard a presentation on National Park studies from Kindergarten teacher Emily Higbee. Higbee has garnered funding for a field trip to the Gateway Arch National Park and also demonstrated a distance learning lesson with a Grand Canyon Park Ranger.
In other district action, the board approved a 20-21 calendar. School will begin for students on August 19, 2020. Also, Mr. Jeff Neal was hired to serve as United High School Boys Golf Coach for the upcoming 2020 season.