Wrestling coach repeats request for sport at Illini West

John Wilde spoke to the Illini West School Board, at their meeting March 11, urging them to consider adding wrestling as a new sport in the athletic program.

“When convergence was first discussed, one of the first sports that was suggested might be added was wrestling. We brought in 20 kids last year to show the growing interest in the sport,” Wilde said, who works with the wrestling program at Carthage Family Fitness. “I am here again as a reminder to see how we can get the ball rolling at the high school.

“We have had another successful season with 20 youth participants, over 42 kids were individual champions, and two children won over 20 matches.”

He noted that most schools in Class 3A have a wrestling program, with a season that runs at about the same time as basketball.

“With about 90 kids out for football, and only about 21 playing basketball that leaves about 70 eligible boys for the winter wrestling program. It makes an opportunity for the smaller, 100 lb. kids to compete in a sport,” Wilde said.

Superintendent Mike Mauzy said there had been some discussion of co-oping wrestling with Hamilton, however Hamilton was concerned that the two programs together would bump students into competing in a higher class.

“We made a decision last year not to pursue wrestling,” said board president, Tracey Anders. “There are some options to consider.”

“I'd like to know where we stand. I'd like to explore both options, a co-op or an Illini West Program,” Wilde said.

The board reviewed their completion list of projects and the estimated time when the work would be finished. One project was replacing bleachers at the football field by using some bleachers brought to Carthage from LaHarpe.

“We have a deadline. We are hosting the sectional track meet on May 9,” said R. D. Trout. The new bleachers should be in place for use by that time. The new bleachers have 300 less seating capacity than the old ones. Additional work to expand seating and to adapt a walkway to the press box could be finished in the summer in time for the football season. It is possible life safety funding can be used for the bleachers.

The board will meet with the lease committee of Carthage Elementary District to see what each boards' expectation is with the change.

Ag teacher Melvin Roth told the board that FFA has an additional plot of one and a half acres on land owned by Nicor at the east edge of Carthage. They have some corporate sponsors for inputs into the plot. The FFA banquet is 6 p.m. Friday, March 20, at the LaHarpe School gym.

Psychologist Joyce Gronewold told the board that in a survey of special needs staff, a frequent concern is not having a school nurse. Mauzy will work up a list of pros and cons for having a school staff nurse.

The board received information on student preregistration for the 2009-2010 school year and the number of students signed up for each class.

The board approved $18,511 for textbooks available through the state textbook loan fund in the areas of biology I and II, general science, Spanish I and II and French III.

The board approved the 2009-2010 calendar that was formed in cooperation with Carthage, Dallas City and LaHarpe elementary districts. August 17 and 18 will be teacher institute days. The last student attendance day is May 18, 2010. The year will likely go later than this with snow and emergency days, Mauzy noted.

John T. Huston was approved as a volunteer activity bus driver, and Andy Gronewold was approved as an assistant softball coach.

The board agreed in principle to two policy changes that will be suggested for the policy committee. One allows students to carry bags and backpacks, if used as designated. Another is for students to be able to make photocopies if asked to do so by a teacher.

The allowance for professional development of the football staff was increased to $1,000 per year, because that staff has six coaches. The current allowance is $500 per sport, with most other sports having 2 to 3 coaches.

The board approved a contract with Chaddock for students assigned to that school. Illini West pays one and a half times normal tuition, or about $9,000, with the state picking up the rest.

A student teaching agreement was approved with Eastern Illinois University.

Robert Clifton urged the Illini West band to be part of the Dallas City sesquicentennial celebration planned this year in July.