The Taylorville School Board honored its retiring employees at a reception before last night's board meeting.

Kathy Vocks (left) is retiring after 28 years with the district, including being in the tech department at the high school.  Jane Mazzotti (not pictured) served some 22 years in the Taylorville district teaching foreign languages.  Steve Steele (center) taught high school English and headed the T-H-S journalism program.  Pam DeWerff(right) taught some 33 years, with 26 years at Taylorville Junior High School.  And Janet Haynes (not pictured) has been with the district since 2006, including her service as a teacher at North School.

Board actions during the meeting included:

--approving overnight trips for bowling, cheerleading, and dance teams
--approving amendments to its agreement with the Capital Area Career Center
--renewing the contract with meal provider Aramarkfor another year, giving them a 10-percent increase for increased meal choices with federal grant money
--approved the list of 157 high school graduates that will be given diplomas this Friday night
--approved a revised Elementary Discipline Code
--and OK'ing several district administrative and teaching personnel to attend a conference in Denver, Colorado this summer.   They'll bring back how to implement what's called the "AVID Program", a program meant to close the opportunity gap, in Taylorville's elementary schools.