Last December, Southern Illinois Healthcare Foundation announced their plans for two health clinics in Danville; one for District 118 students and one for the public. They’re designed to be Federally Qualified Health Centers; where no one is turned away. The one built for students, in the basement of Danville High School, was supposed to open this semester; but the hired medical provider had to step down due to a family emergency. But now, a new provider has been hired. And District 118 Superintendent Dr. Alicia Geddis says, all will be ready to go for the next semester.
AUDIO: It’s actually, remember, students all over the district. That provider will be able to see them over at Danville High School, and we’re really excited that we found someone. (This is what Southern Illinois Healthcare Foundation had in mind, isn’t it?) It’s exactly what they had in mind, along with some other things for our community, and we’re really looking forward to the services that we can provide.
Meanwhile, District 118 parent Lisa Behrens criticized the school board for how recent bids for food service were handled. She said according to her research the best bid was not selected. But Dr. Geddes stated that the district was not aware that their previous food service director had put them in a co-op, the Northern Illinois Purchasing Corporation. Dr. Geddis says once the district realized this, all was handled accordingly.
AUDIO: We belong to a co-op, and they dictate the price. It helps us get a better price because it’s purchasing power.
Behrens, however, didn’t accept the explanation of not knowing at first about the co-op.
AUDIO: The Illinois State Board of Education and I did discuss that sometimes there are co-ops are involved. But the person I spoke to said that if they put out bids, that they should have gotten all the three. Whether they had a co-op or not, they should have at least provided that information as well to me when the FOIA request happened.
Finally, efforts continue to improve progress with First Student on improving bus service personnel, and technology for the drivers. Assistant Superintendent John Hart says he appreciates the patience of the parents, that buses are currently running at 100 percent on time, and the biggest challenge continues to be finding drivers.
