IWHS wrestling program has a home

The first year of the Illini West High School wrestling program will have its home at the Carthage Family Fitness Center.

The board approved a contract with center to use its back room for practices for the new team during a special meeting of the board Wednesday, Aug. 26. The new team is coached by Jim Unruh, a sixth grade teacher at Carthage Middle School and the head Illini West football coach.

The board approved an addendum and an amendment to the lease agreement it holds with Carthage Elementary School district, which owns the building for Illini West High School. The agreement changes allow for improvements and additions at the school, including putting up a greenhouse which will be used by the agriculture classes and the FFA program. The addendum specifies that the new metal bleachers set up at the football field belong to Illini West, and can be removed if that is ever needed.

Superintendent Mike Mauzy said that the school architect was to come this week to inspect the final work on the bleachers and sign off before the first home football game.

“We plan to have a re-dedication at that first game, Friday, Sept. 4,” Mauzy said. The bleachers were given to the LaHarpe High School by the family of Dannen Latherow in his memory.

“R.D. (Trout) and Tom (Holtsclaw) have done a phenomenal job on the bleacher project,” Mauzy said of the two board members who headed the project.

The board finalized the bid contract with J & J Construction for concrete work for the bleachers and additional walkways at the track and football field.

In another building issue, Mauzy said that Bob Jefferson had completed work installing drains that should solve the problem of storm water building up in the area of the north mobile classroom units.

The board approved allowing the football program to use a shed built last year by the industrial arts construction class. Another one will be built during the coming school year which will be used at the baseball complex used for games at Joe and Helen Grate Park.

Ag teacher and FFA advisor, Mel Roth, gave a report of FFA activities. He said that the green house has been ordered, and the ag students will assemble the green house as part of their instructional program.

The board approved an over night trip to the National FFA Convention in late October. They also approved fundraising activities for FBLA of selling donuts and a dodgeball tournament in March.

Transportation was approved for extracurricular activities that contain an educational component, such as FFA students attending Farm Progress Show, FBLA meeting with management of the St. Louis Cardinals before attending a game, and drama students attending Theater Fest.

“Even with budget problems and uncertainties, we still are trying to go on and provide as many opportunities for our students as we can,” Mauzy said.

In personnel action, the board accepted the resignation of Deb Wilson as SADD sponsor, and approved Kara Pettit as a special education aide. The contract of guidance counselor, Ann Logan, was extended six-weeks. Ashton Gronewold, Tom Unruh and John Unruh were approved as volunteer football coaches.

An agreement with Great River Medical Center was approved. A trainer will come to the school one day a week to give free service and assessment to student athletes. Joey Dion, athletic director, is in contact with a graduate student at Western Illinois University to provide services at games and meets of all sports whenever possible during the school year.

The board approved the application for recognition of schools for 2009-10, indicating that the district is in compliance with all Illinois State Board of Education regulations.

A three-year photography contract with George Hartmann of Macomb was approved.