VILLA GROVE -- At least one idea from a community forum on the school district's budget is moving forward.

The Villa Grove school board is following up on some ideas presented at its community forum on the budget, and an offer on house construction classes might move forward the fastest.

"We appreciate the folks that brought these ideas forward and helped us think out of the box a little bit," said Superintendent Steve Poznic.

Local dentist Phil Jones' offer of funding a house building project for the school seems a promising option.

"I think we can work the legalities out," said board member Bill Bozdech.

"I felt the program was important to the community and the school," said Jones.

He has been working with the students and supervising their work on the Masonic Lodge building this year. He feels that their quality of work has been excellent and said he hopes the program will continue to teach practical skills to the students.

High school Principal Sheila Greenwood assured the board that the student enrollment would support the labor requirements of the project.

"We really had a great turnout of kids in support of the building and trades program," she said.

Several other ideas were proposed regarding the school's building and trades program at the recent forum. A proposal to raffle off the school's current house, which has gone unsold since last year, was dismissed due to legal issues. The school attorney told the board that state law says school property can only be sold through an auction or sealed bids.

In other business, three high school teachers and the school librarian were given layoff notices for the end of this school year. The board also ratified the contract with the Villa Grove Education Association for the 2011-12 and 2012-13 school years. Board members expressed their appreciation for the union's cooperation in the bargaining process and the concessions that were made by the district's teachers.