General District Information

Summary of District's Purpose

Bluford Unit School District #318 is located in eastern Jefferson County and includes all or part of the towns of Bluford, Marlow, as well as the surrounding rural areas. There are approximately 400 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 3 administrators, 31 teachers, and about 32 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 Bluford Unit School District #318. The District participates in the Franklin-Jefferson Special Education District No. 801 Special Education Cooperative and the Rend Lake Area Vocational Center.

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

Bluford Grade School (Grades PreK-8)
Webber High School (Grades 9-12)

Each of the schools (subdivisions) listed above operate within the same physical building located at 901 6th Street, Bluford, IL, 62814. The District’s main administrative office (superintendent’s office) is located behind the school. Two other administrative offices (building principals’ offices) are located within Bluford Grade School and Webber High School.

Operating Budget

The total operating budget for the School District for Fiscal Year 2025 is around $5.3 million.

Board of Education

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

Jenny Sneed, Board President
Katelyn Lewis, Board Vice-President
Angela Schrum, Board Secretary
Jessica Case
Crystal Marlow
Monica Marlow
Doug Shafer

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 Bluford Unit School District #318
901 6th Street, Bluford, IL, 62814

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.

Title IX

Making a Report A person who wishes to make a report under this Title IX Sexual Harassment grievance procedure may make a report to the Title IX Coordinator, Nondiscrimination Coordinator, Building Principal, a Complaint Manager, or any employee with whom the person is comfortable speaking. A person who wishes to make a report may choose to report to a person of the same gender. School employees shall respond to incidents of sexual harassment by promptly making or forwarding the report to the Title IX Coordinator. An employee who fails to promptly make or forward a report may be disciplined, up to and including discharge.

Title IX Coordinator:

901 E. 6th St., Bluford, IL 62814

618-732-8242

Suicide Prevention Hotline

https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We're committed to improving crisis services and advancing suicide prevention by empowering individuals, advancing professional best practices, and building awareness.

1-800-273-8255

Anti-Bias Education

Pursuant to 105 ILCS 5/27-23.6, Bluford USD #318 does not have a specific Board Policy titled “Anti-Bias Education.” However, the following policies may address intergroup conflict and are available by contacting the Superintendent at district office (618-732-8242 or across@bluforschools.org):

Policy Title