General Information
Summary of District's Purpose

Sesser-Valier Community Unit School District No. 196 is located in Franklin and Jefferson Counties and includes all or part of the towns of Sesser, Valier, rural Scheller, rural Mulkeytown, and rural Benton.  There are approximately 725 students enrolled in the district in grades Pre-K through 12, and the School District educates its children in a single school building.  The School District employs approximately 58 teachers and about 29 support personnel.

The School District, in an active partnership with parents and community, promotes excellence in a caring environment in which all students learn and grow.  This partnership empowers all students to develop a strong self-esteem and to become responsible learners and decision-makers.  The School District is committed to developing and using a visionary and innovative curriculum and a knowledgeable and dedicated staff.

Functional Subdivisions

The District is organized and operates as Sesser-Valier Community Unit School District No. 196.  The District participates in the Franklin-Jefferson Special Education District No. 801 Special Education Cooperative.

The District is subdivided into three distinct entities, listed as follows:

  • Sesser-Valier Elementary School (Grades Pre-K-5)
  • Sesser-Valier Junior High School (Grades 6-8)
  • Sesser-Valier High School (Grades 9-12)

Each of the schools (subdivisions) listed above operate within the same physical building located at 4626 State Highway 154, Sesser, IL 62884.

The District’s main administrative office (superintendent’s office) is located in the high school wing of the school building.  Two other administrative offices (building principals’ offices) are located within the building.

Operating Budget

The total operating budget (initial) for the School District for Fiscal Year 2023 was $11,185,956.

Board of Education

The members of the District’s Board of Education are as follows:

            Jason Sample, Board President
            Kirk Packer, Board Vice-President
            John Spence, Board Secretary
            Shane Garner
            Clark Lance
            Jennifer Menser

Requesting Public Information

Full access to the District’s public records is available to any person as provided in the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), board policy, and implementing procedures.

The District Superintendent serves as the District’s Freedom of Information Officer and is assigned all the duties and powers of that office as provided in FOIA and board policy.  The Superintendent may delegate these duties and powers to one or more designees.

The District's public records are defined as records, reports, forms, writings, letters, memoranda, books, papers, maps, photographs, microfilms, cards, tapes, recordings, electronic data processing records, electronic communications, recorded information, and all other documentary materials pertaining to the transaction of public business, regardless of physical form or characteristics, having been prepared by or for, or having been or being used by, received by, in the possession of, or under the control of the school district.

A request for inspection and/or copies of public records must be made in writing and may be submitted by personal delivery, mail, telefax, or e-mail directed to the District’s Freedom of Information Officer.  Individuals making a request are not required to state a reason for the request other than to identify when the request is for a commercial purpose or when requesting a fee waiver.

Requests for public information should be addressed to:

            District Superintendent/Freedom of Information Officer
            Sesser-Valier Community Unit School District No. 196
            4
626 State Highway 154
            Sesser, IL 62884

Persons making a request for copies of public records must pay any applicable copying fee.  Copying fees, except when fixed by statute, are reasonably calculated to reimburse the District’s actual cost for reproducing and certifying public records and for the use, by any person, of its equipment to copy records.  No fees shall be charged for the first 50 pages of black and white, letter or legal sized copies.  No fee shall be charged for electronic copies other than the actual cost of the recording medium.

The inspection and copying of a public record that is the subject of an approved access request is permitted at the District’s administrative office during regular business hours, unless other arrangements are made by the Freedom of Information Officer.  Many public records are immediately available from the District’s website including, but not limited to, a description of the District and the methods for requesting a public record.