JH Softball 8/9
Join our Team at AHGS!
JH Softball
Become a Substitute Teacher at Arthur CUSD 305.
Looking for local community members to become a mentor to a student at Arthur CUSD 305 schools. If you are interested in becoming a mentor, contact Amanda Romine at romineam@cusd305.org or at 217-578-2229.
Arthur Community Unit School District No. 305 has been made aware of, and is actively responding to, reports related to the arrest of a District employee. The District had no knowledge of the situation until it was made public by law enforcement on Thursday, August 8, 2024.
We understand that there is a likelihood that many reports will be made regarding the situation. As you understand, the District is extremely limited in the information we can release about personnel matters; however, the District wants to reinforce that we are confident in our ability to maintain a safe educational environment with no one at risk of harm. Our students safety is our number one priority and one that we take very seriously.
At this time, we are not aware of any student in our community that has ever been in danger, and we have taken swift and appropriate action to ensure our school community will be safe during this time. We want to thank the police for their quick response to the situation.
Shannon Cheek
Superintendent CUSD #305
PLAY BALL!!
JH Softball 8/8
SEASON OPENER!!
LETS GO KNIGHTS!!
Come join us for First Night at AHGS next Tuesday, August 13th between 6 and 7!
JH Cross Country Announcement: The Board of Education has approved JH Cross Country as a pilot sport for the 24-25 school year. There will be an informational meeting for all 6th-8th grade students (boys and girls) that are interested in participating on 8/5/24 at 6:30 p.m. in the high school cafeteria. Please contact Nathan Seal if you have questions - sealn@cusd305.org
Just a reminder!
JH Softball Information
JH Baseball/Softball Announcement
Arthur CUSD #305 is seeking an organized and responsible Administrative Assistant/Bookkeeper/Payroll Clerk to join our district office. For more information and to apply, visit https://www.cusd305.org/page/job-vacancies.
Arthur CUSD 305 is providing a survey for you all to consider, to provide us some valuable insight as we progress in the process of updating our facilities. You can either copy the link into your browser or scan the QR code to take the survey. We will also have hard copies available in the district office for those who would prefer to take the survey on paper. We are asking that Arthur CUSD 305 residents complete the survey and we will use that information to help us move forward. The survey will close on Sunday, June 30th.
https://www.research.net/r/ArthurCUSD305survey
We are also providing a survey for you all to consider, to provide us some valuable insight as we progress in the process of updating our facilities. You can either copy the link into your browser or scan the QR code to take the survey. We will also have hard copies available in the district office for those who would prefer to take the survey on paper. We are asking that Arthur CUSD 305 residents complete the survey and we will use that information to help us move forward. The survey will close on Sunday, June 30th.
https://www.research.net/r/ArthurCUSD305survey
Members of the girls track team who broke school records in their events were presented with certificates at last night's school board meeting. Congratulations!
Looking at the Future...Facility Improvement Program & Possible Referendum
We had an outstanding school year and as we look forward to another exciting chapter in our school history, I thought it would be a good time to update the community regarding our facility improvement program.
Following our loss at the polls in June 2022, our focus has been on understanding what went wrong and what options exist for improving our schools. We asked lots of questions. We listened. Community members responded with a great deal of valuable input and noteworthy suggestions.
What did we do?
• I discussed our facility needs with dozens and dozens of parents, teachers, and community members.
• We conducted lots of focus groups in Arthur, Lovington, and Atwood. I’m thankful to those who attended for honestly sharing your opinions.
• An online public opinion survey was conducted. Participation by community members was great.
• We received valuable input from a community group I brought together to discuss our facility needs. Member input was invaluable.
As I mentioned, we learned a lot. Perhaps most importantly, we learned that people, throughout our district, want to maintain elementary schools in Arthur, Lovington and Atwood. Secondly, we learned that virtually everyone agreed that improvements should be made in our high school. Finally, we learned that a high school improvement plan should not include moving junior high students to that campus or that building. While many were divided on what is best for a long-term solution for grades 6-8, they agreed that this discussion should not get in the way of improving our high school.
Based on that, we began the work of looking at options for improving our high school. Included in those options was the construction of a new building. After completing these options, we conducted another round of focus groups asking participants to evaluate each option. Then we invited all community members to open houses so they could review the options, ask questions, tour our high school, and provide feedback. Based on this input, one option rose to the top as the most preferred.
All community members should understand this option. Among its details are:
• The renovation of the historical and oldest portions of our existing high school. Our architects assure us this building has “good bones” and, with renovation, provides quality educational spaces for many more generations of students.
• Improved career training and FFA spaces.
• Air conditioning for all instructional areas.
• Enhanced safety and security.
• Greatly improved fine and performing arts spaces in a flexible-use space that can have many functions for students and staff.
• Improved instructional technologies.
• A new competition gym.
Of course, this does come at a cost but our children’s education is worth the investment. We will need a bond proposal to pay for these improvements. We are still sharpening our pencil and working with our architects and a construction management firm to confirm the final totals, but we are currently estimating the total cost to come in around 32.6 million dollars. We are also considering the utilization of sales tax revenue at an estimated 5 million dollars to bring the total amount of the bond levy to 27.6 million dollars. Listed below are the estimated tax implications of the 27.6 million dollar levy. In the chart below you will notice two columns, years 1-2 and then years 3-20. The reason there are two columns is to take into consideration the levy that residents of Atwood and Hammond are currently paying on their bond. That levy will conclude in two years, so structuring the proposed levy repayment in this manner will consider that for our stakeholders in the Atwood and Hammond communities. As we progress and narrow the scope of work, these numbers will become finalized and communicated.
We are also providing a survey for you all to consider, to provide us some valuable insight as we progress in the process. You can either copy the link into your browser or scan the QR code to take the survey. We will also have hard copies available in the district office for those who would prefer to take the survey on paper. We are asking that Arthur CUSD 305 residents complete the survey and we will use that information to help us move forward. The survey will close on Sunday, June 30th.
Link - https://www.research.net/r/ArthurCUSD305survey
If you have any questions at all — ANY — please contact my office at 217-543-2511.
The loss in June 2022 was not our desired outcome, but I could not be more gratified with how our community responded to that loss. Everyone has been truthful and helpful. The love of community is clear.
Shannon Cheek
Superintendent
6-8 grade girls basketball open gyms Tuesday and Wednesday 5-6:30 at Atwood Hammond Grade School this week. See the attached flyer for shootout information for Friday June 21st in Tuscola!
