February 5, 2026 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Live at SJO School Board, Feb. 24, 2025

Principal Gary Page saying some kids really like the online Spanish class. Some do not.  Page saying it obviously doesn’t compare to having a teacher in the classroom. “They seem to be settling in moving forward.” 

Discussing IMEC event and a hotel snafu. Superintendent Brian Brooks said they are working with the credit card coming to contest the charges for hotel rooms that were not up to standards.

Informational items and dates: Spring Break- March 17-21.

Facility items:
Justin Franzen is here. Discussing the scoreboard. The sponsors pay $10,000. They have eight. Now they want 12. Franzen saying they have four different renderings. All the renderings show that there will be a 15 foot by 24 foot LED scoreboard. “We can do a lot of great things for kids on there.”


Franzen asking if they want the sponsorship electronic or just stagnant like they are now. They are discussing the in and outs of the new scoreboard.

Discussing a softball concession stand and bathroom.

Brooks thinks they should go out to bid and see what they get. “If we are going to do this, it is probably not going to get cheaper. Maybe we will get a lot of interest.” Brooks saying the district isn’t in a time crunch to get this done.

TIF update: “My vibe is they fully plan to do this,” Brooks said.

Brooks saying they haven’t signed off on an agreement yet. “I think, it’s in our best interest, if we are happy with it to sign it.”

“It doesn’t mean we support it,” Brooks said. “It would just be protecting our district.”

Brooks saying the residential part of the TIF is what concerns him. (Basically, bringing in kids and having no money to educate them.)

Discussing time and length of TIF. Also discussing what it means financially for the district.

“It could go through and it would be fine,” Brooks said. “There are a lot of unknowns.”

New business:
Environmental Club Activity Account- the club wants an activity account. The school board said ok.

School calendar: All three districts have met. Agreed that this is the calendar they want. “It’s basically the calendar we are on this year.”

If they don’t take emergency days they will be out before Memorial Day.
Two weeks at Christmas.

Kitchen: asking board to consider this. Rhonda Lee is retiring at the end of the next year. She goes above and beyond, Brooks said. Brooks discussing hiring someone a year ahead or half a year ahead to learn from her.

Closed session.

Out of closed.

Talking about SJO FFA banquet, wrestling and post season, girls basketball post season and the dance team.

The football was the number one academic team in 3A apparently. #smarties.

Meeting is concluded.
















Banner
Related Posts

Live at SJO School board, Nov. 17, 2025

November 17, 2025

November 17, 2025

OMG you guys. It’s my favorite curriculum review- Social Sciences! It’s Beckett, Schacht and Kieffer. Schacht teaches American History, Sociology,...

Suits a dedicated public servant

September 5, 2025

September 5, 2025

Lowell Suits dedicated 38 years of his life to public service.  Now, he will enjoy his retirement. Suits has retired...

Get to know our little princess candidates: Keeley Mackenzie

August 9, 2024

August 9, 2024

1. What is your favorite part of summer? Swimming! 2. What do you want to be when you grow up?...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board, Sept. 10, 2024

September 10, 2024

September 10, 2024

They are discussing personnel policy updates. They are formalizing the on call public works format. SOLAR!!!! For the 400th time....

Trimble, relays lead way as SJO boys’ track and field heads to Charleston

May 26, 2022

May 26, 2022

Relying on teammates is key to a successful track and field relay. The St. Joseph-Ogden High School boys’ track and...

Painter appointed new trustee

August 27, 2019

August 27, 2019

Max Painter has been selected to fill an open trustee position in St. Joseph. Republican caucus treasure and caucus committee...

“Performing in front of people can be very fun”

August 6, 2024

August 6, 2024

The Weldon Homecoming is going to be rocking n rolling. Owen Knap will be performing from 2 to 4 p.m....

Vendor profile: The Ribcage

August 8, 2024

August 8, 2024

1. Tell me about your business. Locally owned and operated BBQ 2. What has been the most challenging part about...

Get to know our Little Prince and Princess Candidates :Conor Schott

August 10, 2024

August 10, 2024

What is your favorite part of summer?Doing fun things and going to the trampoline park with Mimi. What do you...

Q and A with SJO Hall of Fame inductee Bobbi Busboom

October 3, 2025

October 3, 2025

1. How does it feel to be inducted into the hall of fame? To be honest, I thought it was...

SJO falls to Tolono, will take on BCC at home

April 16, 2021

April 16, 2021

St. Joseph-Ogden dropped a 48-16 contest to their long-time rival Unity Rockets in an Illini Prairie Conference tilt at Hicks...

Vendor profile: Frosty Fresh Freeze Dried Foods

August 9, 2024

August 9, 2024

Tell me about your business. Frosty Fresh Freeze Dried Foods. I sell mostly Freeze Dried candy so far. This winter...

SJO football hosts Vandalia in state quarterfinal showdown

November 15, 2025

November 15, 2025

Getting a home playoff game for the St. Joseph-Ogden football team didn’t see likely when the IHSA announced its playoff...

Hackler to be honored with street sign

January 25, 2022

January 25, 2022

Former Mayor B.J. Hackler used to spend a lot of time on Lincoln and Main Streets in St. Joseph. If...

Get to know SJO volleyball manager Katie Oehmke

October 31, 2022

October 31, 2022

What do you think makes the team so successful? The atmosphere that is on the team What is your favorite...

Comments
Leave a Reply