There are seven people on the school board that went through a series of requirements to become a member. Some of those requirements were being, 18 years of age, living in the district for at least 1 year, and a registered voter. To become a school board  candidate you must File a Statement of Economic Interests with the county clerk and obtain a receipt. Then file the following with the secretary of the board of education: A nominating petition signed by at least 50 registered voters or 10% of the voters. Secondly, a statement of Candidacy. Last, a county clerk’s receipt for the Statement of Economic Interests.  

The school board sets policies, acts as the governing body and hires the administrators who are given the responsibility to manage the school and see that the policies are carried out. The administrators must make recommendations to the school board and receive their approval for certain actions including expenditures over a set dollar amount, budget, and expulsions. The budget for the 98-99 school year is $1,748,360. The  salaries for support personal is $910,000. The supplies and equipment is $600,000.

Where does the money come from? Well the money comes from multiple places, such as, property taxes, State aid and grants, fees and local money (lunch money, fund raising, etc..) and Federal money.   The lowest pay for a part-time support person is $6.30. The highest is $90,000 for the Superintendent. The pay is decided by job responsibilities, education, training and experience union contract.

How many students do we have and how many people are on the staff? We have approximately 300 students in the building. 282 of these students are South Pekin students. There are 28 full and part-time certified staff. There are also 23 full and part-time support staff.  

Do you think having Spring Lake students brought to South Pekin has worked well and will it continue in the future? Yes it has with expected adjustments. Yes the Spring Lake students will be in our 7th and 8th grades at least for the 98-99 school year, then it will be evaluated by both school districts.   For starters, we believe the decision begins with the student and the decisions and actions they take. Then we listen to the recommendation made by the administration. The seriousness of the offenses and prior discipline procedures are taken into account. The school administrators may suspend students but only the school board may expel a student.

      Rules are dictated by decisions made by students, recommendations by staff, administration and the Citizens' Advisory Committee. Rules are primarily made to avoid distracting and negative behavior so that all students can learn in a positive atmosphere. Wearing of shorts- once again, the rule is made because some students do not make good decisions on when it appropriate to wear shorts.

      The age of the building and the wiring would be a great cost. Also we would not be here enough days in a year to use that money. The cost to change the old plumbing would also be enormous. Hot water would be the first thing that would be added into the future for the plumbing problems.

The lunch schedule is very tight. The cost to pay the personal for preparing the multiple meals is also to much for the schools budget. There is also the probability of wasting food. Also the fat guidelines are strict for serving several meals.