Superintendent search advances

By Editor | June 23, 2026 |

The Arthur CUSD #305 Board of Education moved forward with the search for the district’s next superintendent and approved its fiscal year 2026 amended budget during their June meeting.

Vic Zimmerman and Tim Buss, representatives from the Illinois Association of School Boards, attended the meeting to review survey results and finalize the superintendent vacancy announcement. The stakeholder survey was accessed 265 times and completed by about 210 respondents. Survey results showed strong interest in candidates with budget and finance expertise, communication skills, the ability to work with the Board, family and community engagement, and experience developing district goals and a strategic plan.

The Board agreed that residency within the district will be required for the next superintendent. The salary range for the position was set at $110,000 to $150,000. Applications are expected to be accepted until Sept. 28, with interviews planned for October and a possible hiring decision in November or December.

The Board voted unanimously to approve the superintendent vacancy announcement.

The amended budget had been on display for the required review period, with only minor changes made related to grant revenue and expenses. Following the budget hearing, the Board approved the amended budget.

As part of the consent agenda, the Board accepted donations totaling $2,265. Those included $25 from Tish Farris for library books, $500 from the Booster Club to help with hotel costs for junior high track state, and $1,740 from Josh and Becky Ponder to Arthur Lovington Atwood Hammond Grade School for dedicated benches and basketball prizes for the Mrs. Ponder 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament.

IN OTHER BUSINESS, the Board approved fiscal year 2027 meeting dates and times to be held at the Atwood-Hammond Grade School every month except for the March meeting to be held in Lovington.

Members voted to increase substitute pay for the upcoming school year. Certified substitutes will be paid $145 per day, while paraprofessional substitutes will be paid $125 per day.

The Board also approved a commercial insurance renewal with Key Risk, which is expected to save the district a small amount of money this next school year.

An intergovernmental agreement with the Village of Lovington was also approved for a new welcome sign at no cost to the district. Superintendent Cheek said the proposed sign would be an upgrade and that the agreement outlines maintenance responsibilities.

The Board also approved a $2,500 donation to the Atwood Park Development fund, noting the district’s use of the softball facilities and previous support for similar projects.

Cheek also provided updates on district facilities and the new high school project. He said the district’s website is up and running and will continue to be updated with photos and information. He also reported minor storm damage to fencing in Lovington and on park district property near the football field. Repair quotes are being collected, and Cheek has been in contact with the Arthur Park District.

Cheek said the final bid package for the high school project had been accepted and was being reviewed and vetted. He told the Board they would probably have to have a special meeting because of the size of the bid package. Cheek reported 15 of the 17 bids came back competitive and the two that will most likely have to be excluded were centered around the roofing. He told the Board he still feels great about it because the roof that is going to be put on is a 20-year roof with a 20-year warranty. All the bids that appear likely to be included will keep the project under budget.

Superintendents Report

Cheek talked briefly about making the bricks available to the public and had a conversation with CORE and Ezell, the demo companies. They will be putting out information once there’s a direction on what that process will look like.

A groundbreaking ceremony for the new high school was scheduled for June 18 with representatives from BLDD Architects and CORE along with the Board, administrators, staff and community members. “This is going to be a pretty historic moment for our community, students, staff and district,” Cheek said.

Cheek thanked administrators, maintenance staff, summer help, the Board and the community for their work during the transition and preparation process. He told the Board, “I know I’ve said it before, to be frank, I’m not going to apologize for continuing to thank them because I think it’s warranted. I don’t think anybody has any concept of what our administration team, our maintenance crew, and our summer help have gone through to literally get one building, two buildings, three buildings ready to move and coordinate that move along with getting the staff coordinated. There was a lot of rowing the boat the same way that had to take place.”

He continued, “I’m also proud of our Board and I’m going to speak to this tomorrow because we’ve been through a lot together and it was a little awkward for me to sit here tonight and to listen to Vic talk about it,” Cheek commented, “I mean, obviously I’m excited about my next chapter, but I’m a little bittersweet. There’s some great people and this Board’s done a lot of good work and I am proud to sit here and say the decision that you all made is going to go beyond impacting the now. The decision you made is going to be impacting our communities, our students, and our staff for years to come and I’m proud of you for taking the courage to do that. And then our communities, I’m just proud of our communities for what they continue to do. We have a district that spans 252 square miles and has multiple communities.”

The Board then entered closed session to discuss personnel matters.

Personnel Report

NEW HIRES

• hired Kayla Davis for a paraprofessional at AHGS

• hired Daneille Davis as the Head Cheer Coach

• hired Jayce Parsons as a volunteer Football Coach

• hired Drew Cotton as a Volunteer Football Coach

• hired Conner Richardsen as a Volunteer Football Coach

• hired Nathan Clapp as a Volunteer Football Coach

RESIGNATIONS/

RETIREMENTS

• accepted Sabrina Bettinger resignation for Color/Guard Flags