IWHS students speak for teacher; wrestling revisited

A large group of students attended the Illini West High School board meeting Wednesday, April 8, speaking on behalf of a teacher who was not rehired for the 2009-2010 year.

Jenny Castlebury has taught science for two years since the start of Illini West High School. Before that she taught at Nauvoo-Colusa and Dallas City high schools.

“I heard she was tough and wouldn't be easy. She made us work hard for what we learned. You could tell biology was her passion,” said Mallory Brooks, a freshman biology student. “But don't listen to me. Don't make the decision to let the best teacher you have go without sitting in on her classroom.”

Lindsay Rupert passed out copies of a petition to each board member, bearing 166 signatures of current or previous students and said, “She gets down to the student's level, but we are not spoon-fed so we don't learn. She makes sure you understand what she is teaching. She makes sure you're thinking.”

Students showed a banner of support that had been signed by many students.

Kate Nettles stated: “If we fire all the teachers that kids thought were hard, we wouldn't have many good teachers in the school.”

Cord Bowton said, “Teaching does not end at her classroom door. I come back to talk. When you need someone to listen, she's there. Her greatest joy is all her students.”

Dawn Stevenson, a parent from Dallas City, stated that her daughter, though not in her class, was drawn to Mrs. Castlebury, because of her way with students. “She teaches life lessons. If there is any chance to reconsider, I request that you do so,” Stevenson said.

Carol Brooks, a teacher in the district said, “As Illini West Education Association representative, I respectfully request that you reverse the motion to dismiss Jenny Castlebury. By the number of teachers here, you can see she is supported by her peers.”

Board president Tracey Anders thanked the students for the interest and comments, and accepted the signed banner and petitions. Brooks met with the board, along with a representative from the Illinois Education Association, in closed session at the end of the meeting.

John Wilde, from Carthage Family Fitness, addressed the board revisiting the question of starting a wrestling program at the high school. With him was Chad Gilpin, head wrestling coach of West Hancock Titan program.

Superintendent Mike Mauzy said that he had inquired about the possibility Illini West of cooping with West Hancock and learned they were not interested. Gilpin confirmed that opinion.

Finding a location for practice and meets is a key concern. Mauzy said he had inquired if there were facilities at the LaHarpe or Dallas City elementary districts to house a wrestling program. Neither had a place.

“They each said to find a location in Carthage,” Mauzy said. Several more possibilities were suggested and will be checked.

Gilpin outlined what the program would cost. The highest cost would be a new wresting mat for meets at about $10,000. Other costs are $150 per uniform per student; a digital scale; one paid coach and referees for meets and tournaments.

“We're pumping out good kids in our club. Some of them are ready to be freshmen next year,” Wilde said. The board and Wilde will talk at the May meeting.

Psychologist Joyce Gronewold mentioned the need of a school nurse, either on staff, contracted from a local institution or shared with another district. The expense could be reimbursable if there are special education students in the district who are required to have medications that cannot be given by school staff.

The board said to cease a pilot policy for tardies being tested during the last quarter because it deviated from what was stated in the policy book.

In personnel action, the board hired Betsy Wujek as volleyball coach. They accepted with regret the resignation of Gronewold as school psychologist.

Membership in Illinois High School Association was renewed. There was concern because a banner representing the sportsmanship award earned by students and fans during the state football championship has not been received. Paperwork for the creation of the banner was not filed to IHSA by the president of the West Prairie Trails football conference on time to have the banner printed.

“We deserve this. It says a lot about three communities coming together. I don't want to let this die,” stated board member Robert Clifton. The board will be in contact with Sen. John Sullivan and Rep. Rich Myers about the banner.

A one-day senior trip was approved, with all the expenses including transportation being paid out of class funds.

The board approved hiring summer workers to help with building improvement projects.

An agreement with Midwest Truckers Consortium was approved.

NHS induction and awards night are Wednesday, May 6. Baccalaureate is Sunday, May 10.

Theresa Twaddle gave information on the Turning Point clicker system, which could allow student responses to a Power Point teaching program. She will invite a company representative at the next meeting to answer some questions that arose.

The board discussed how technology issues and repairs were being handled, after the resignation of Josh Clements, IT coordinator. Technicians from ETC technology are doing some of the work on an hourly basis.

Mauzy gave the board information on changes in the football conferences. Illini West will likely return as part of the West Central Conference, with the addition of some new member schools.