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Illini West Developing Building Plan

Two west-central Illinois school districts will work together on a short-term building plan.

The Carthage Elementary School District leases the former Carthage High School to the Illini West High School District.

Illini West Superintendent Kim Schilson says the two sides will develop a five-year infrastructure plan that spells out what to do about future improvements and how to pay for them.

She says the current lease agreement spells out some of the details, but the two sides want to address other potential areas of interest.

Schilson says overcrowding is an issue with the current building as it was not designed for modern technology or special education needs.

Illini West wants to build a new school for its roughly 400-students, but the necessary state funding requires local support.

Residents have voted down several attempts to borrow money for the project, which could cost millions.

Schilson says the district will send out a survey, next month, to gain public input on how the district should proceed with another bond issue.

ADMINISTRATIVE CONTRACT

Meanwhile, the administrative team for the Illini West High School District will remain in place for the next five years.

The school board has approved new contracts for Superintendent Kim Schilson, Principal Brad Gooding and Assistant Principal Joey Dion.

Schilson says the team has been working together on a school improvement plan, so it is a good thing to keep the members together.

She says the three will not receive pay increases during year one of the deals.

Schilson says the salaries will be renegotiated each of the four remaining years.

Jason Parrott is a former reporter at Tri States Public Radio.