The Community Unit School District #20 Board of Education met in regular session on Jan. 18 where the board approved the hiring of Cory Joergens as the new Lawrenceville High School football coach. Joergens will begin his head coaching career with the 2023-24 school year. Joergens has been a long-time assistant coach to the team.
The board was visited by third grade students from Nikki Wallace’s class who presented to the board an activity called, “Plant the Moon.” Students were charged with experimenting on how plants can grow on the moon. Wallace was able to purchase the kit, which included moon sediment to be grown and fertilized, with a grant awarded to the school in the amount of $450.
The grant was written by Wallace and Parkside Title 1 teacher Rose West.
Students spent eight weeks on the project which included the tasks of checking plants growth progress and PH levels. All plants were grown using a combination of 50% soil and 50% moon dust.
Parkside Elementary School principal Julie Hayes said that the Lunch Buddies program with LHS students has begun and has been successful. Students will celebrate another habit completion on Friday, Feb. 3. Kindness Week will begin on Monday, Feb. 14.
Parkview Jr. High School principal Travis Reider said that practice has begun for scholastic bowl. Tutoring has resumed and is held Monday through Thursday until 4 p.m. Reider said that a new attendance intiative program has been developed which will award students for their improved attendance.
LHS principal Lance Boldt said that the new cell phone policy that was recently implemented at the school was going well. Boldt commented on how more students were reading books instead of playing on their phones and feedback from students has been positive so far. Boldt also said that the LHS scholastic bowl team is currently undefeated. Unit 20 staff appreciation night is set for Tuesday, Feb. 7. 
Unit #20 superintendent Doug Daugherty stressed to the board that the lack of bus drivers is creating a situation within the district which will result in lack of transportation of student athletes to their respective games and activities. Currently, the district does not have enough drivers to cover the needs and there will be dates that no buses run for athletes which will result in teams relying on parent transportation.
The board also approved the LHS curriculum for the 2023-24 school year which included adding more CTE classes such as welding, construction, electrical wiring, fire fighting and foundation of teaching courses. Jason Mendenhall was hired as a new CTE teacher for welding.
In other business:
• The board approved a fuel bid from Wabash Valley. 
• The board accepted the resignation of long-time cross country coaches John Christy and Bill Bandy.
• Ashley Tewell was hired as the new LHS girls track coach.
• Tim Gallion was hired as LHS physical education aide to work with students in the weight room.
• The board approved a fee waiver for Kids Shopping Day Southern Illinois Spring Classic to use the Parkside building and grounds on March 24 and March 25.
• Approval was given for overnight trips for Parkview Beta Club, the LHS choir and the LHS student council.
The next meeting of the Unit #20 Board of Education is set for Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 7 p.m. in the LHS library.