With spring semester activities underway for students, parents and teachers, the Paris School District 95 Board of Education ramped up its agenda, discussing a wide variety of topics, including new vehicles, updates on a collaboration with Horizon Health and various staff changes during their meeting on Monday, March 13.

Headlining the meeting was the addition of two new SUVs to Paris 95’s transportation fleet. Paris 95 Superintendent of Schools Jeremy Larson outlined the purpose of the acquisition.

“It is imperative that we have SUVs to support student extracurricular activities and the needs of disabled students attending schools outside the community,” said Larson.

The two vehicles have been on standby for the last two weeks, but following the board’s approval of the purchase they are now available for use across Paris 95.

In other news, Paris 95’s highly anticipated Tiger Health Center has received dual certification from the Illinois Department of Public Health and Vaccines for Kids. Healthcare professionals can diagnose, treat and administer vaccines to students on-site once the clinic opens.

Larson noted the Tiger Health Center will not administer COVID-19 vaccines, only those required for school attendance. The new facility, a collaboration between Paris High School and Horizon Health, will have a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday, March 21.

The board processed the release of speech pathologist Cindy Barbee.

Barbee, previously retired, returned to the classroom earlier in the school year to alleviate pressure following the departure of Paris 95’s previous speech pathologist during the 2021-22 school year. Barbee filled the role as the district continued its search for a replacement, which ultimately took two years.

Barbee will return to retirement effective May 24, since Paris 95 has found a replacement.

“Ms. Barbee was fully aware of her temporary position,” said Larson. “We express our deepest gratitude for her valuable contribution to our students and district during this prolonged search process.”

Barbee will be succeeded by Mykala Wolf.

Larson also took a few moments to thank Eastern Illinois University for supplementing the position with students in their speech pathology program during the search.

“We sincerely thank Eastern for filling in for us,” said Larson.

Two notable resignations accepted at the meeting came from Mayo principal Kyle Shay and special education teacher Allyson Blystone.

Shay was present at the meeting, and Larson thanked him for his service to the district.

Shay responded with gratitude, thanking Larson, Megan Marrs, other co-workers and the students at Mayo.

“I just want to thank everybody,” said Shay. “These five years in Paris have set me up for my career.”

Shay accepted a position closer to home in Arcola.

No comment was made about progress in finding a new principal for Mayo, however, applicants for six other positions throughout the district were accepted during the meeting.

Wolf will slide into the previously mentioned speech pathologist position. Jennifer Yalden, whose prior experience includes teaching in Germany for the Department of Defense, will return to the states to teach seventh-grade math at Mayo.

Madyson Collier was approved for work as a secretary, and both Kaitlyn Haraway and Lisa Tabor are slated to join the district as social work interns in the fiscal year 2024. Lastly, Matt Landsaw was approved to begin work as a volunteer track coach.

Larson rounded out the meeting with an update regarding district budgets.

The district plans to adopt an amended budget on June 30. Tentative budgets for the next school year are also in the works, and Larson hopes to have those ready during the summer.