Grundy Reporter

Gardner-South Wilmington High School #73 Board of Education met April 16.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Dave Raffle from the Illinois Principals Association presented Mr. Davis with his award for “High School Principal of the Year” at tonight’s Board of Education Meeting. The Illinois Principals Association (IPA) recognizes outstanding principals in its Three Rivers Region through its IPA/Horace Mann Awards for Excellence.

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT: Mr. Brian Davis, Principal, reported on:

● Students of the Month for April – Ella Mack & Jack Popplewell – both Sophomores

● GAVC Directors Award Winner – Grace Olsen, Senior – Criminal Justice II

● RVC Scholar Athlete Awards Winners – Cole Hampson & Kendall Huston – will attend a luncheon on Wed, April 30th at Kankakee Community College, representing GSW HS.

● Gardner Area Band performed the National Anthem at the Peoria Rivermen Hockey Game on Saturday, April 5th

● Prom was held at the Bolingbrook Golf Club on Saturday, April 12, and the Lock-in was held immediately following prom at Scene 75 in Romeoville.

● Wed, April 16, was an early dismissal for students at 2:00 pm. Test training with the staff was held.

● Easter Break – Friday, April 18 and Monday, April 21

● Academic Awards Night is scheduled for Wednesday, April 23, at 5:30 p.m. in the GSW gym.

● ACT testing will be held on Friday, April 25th

● The Math Team is going to State on Saturday, April 26th,to Illinois State University

● ACS Walk – May 2

● Band Spring Awards Night – May 7

● Mother’s Day Program – May 9

● SENIOR Final Exams – May 12 and 13

● Graduation will be held on Sunday, May 18, at 12 noon in the GSW Gym

● Final Exams – May 22 & 2,3, with Fri, May 23 being the last student attendance day for the year.

DIRECTORS’ REPORTS: Building & Grounds Committee – met last month before the March meeting – Mrs. Sue Avery, Mr. Tim Harvey, Mr. David Simms, and Wally Debelak.

BUILDING AND GROUNDS REPORT: Mrs. Sue Avery discussed the following:

● Restroom issue on both the 1stfloor and the 2ndfloor – pipe issues and plumbing issues.

● The parking lot moat was fixed by Fatlan Trucking – standing water is no longer an issue

● JD Tree Service provided a quote to trim trees along our property

● Regular summer cleaning this summer – we will add two additional staff members

● Painting – two rooms

● Extend the weight room into the bookkeeper’s office for the cardio room – ON HOLD

● New locks on the 2ndfloor, so all will be the same key

● The checklist from the Health Life Safety walk-through will be worked on this summer

● Gym Floors will be done this summer

● Touch up paint in the gym in high traffic areas, especially along the stage

● 4thfloor office space project for Special Education staff to use

● Narvick Bros was out to discuss the heating/cooling system in the gym ceiling

● Wally fixed the netting outside on our baseball dugouts

● Library Carpet – asbestos removal project / abatement – ON HOLD

● Hinges are fixed on the gym doors

● Seal Coating on the parking lot – next summer, 2026

● The marquee is at the end of its life – this will be a future project. We can use our Lease Levy money to pay for a new one for 3 or 5 years.

● Showers in the gym locker rooms – cap off showers and use these rooms as storage areas

● Tennis court – turn into a Pickleball Court – future project

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT: Mrs. Avery presented on the following:

● Football – Mrs. Avery reached out to several area schools to discuss the possibility of GSW students playing football for Coal City, Reed-Custer, Herscher, etc. The board would like to keep the school's identity by keeping Basketball, Baseball, Softball, and Volleyball.

● Job Postings – We have had a lot of recent job postings.

● Certified Votes were received today (Wed, April 16) at 4:09 PM from the County for our School Board Election winners. We will need to hold a separate meeting to seat our new board members. This meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 30, at 7:00 PM.

BOE MEMBERS REPORTS:

Katy Wepprecht asked about graduation. Board members were informed that the ceremony will take place on Sunday, May 18, at 12:00 p.m. in the gymnasium. Mrs. Chris Ruddy is our graduation sponsor and will be running the program again this year. Katy Wepprecht asked if we had determined the valedictorian and salutatorian. This will not be determined until a few days before the ceremony. The board also discussed inviting a Marine recruiter for one student and an Army recruiter for another student.

Mr. Davis stated that GSW will have “Senior Month” in May, and theme days will be announced. Cap decorating will be allowed this year, allowing seniors to personalize their caps for graduation.

Terry Schultz stated that nothing was posted for the community about the Prom Walk-thru. No time, date, or itinerary. The community wants to know this information so they can attend GSW events. She also asked if the Baseball and Softball games could be posted on Social Media more. Also, post schedules and Senior Nights for both teams.

ACTION ITEMS:

● Accept resignation of Varsity Girls’ Basketball Coach – Mr. Adam Leigh

● Accept resignation of Office Manager/Bookkeeper – Mrs. Amber Ryle

● Accept resignation of Class of 2027 Sponsor – Mrs. Rebecca Ridgway

● Approve the recommendation to hire a Varsity Girls’ Basketball Coach – Mr. Kevin Ward

● Accept the resignation of Junior Varsity Girls’ Basketball Coach – Mr. Kevin Ward

● Approve the recommendation for volunteer for softball team – Mr. Brad Male

● Approve the recommendation to hire Part-Time Night Custodian – Mr. Adam Leigh

● Approve the recommendation to hire a Summer Custodian – Ben Fatlan

● Approve the recommendation to hire a Summer Custodian – Marshell Harris

● Approve the recommendation to hire Office Manager / Bookkeeper – Mrs. Beth Fatlan

● Approve the recommendation to hire FY26 Volleyball Supplemental Assistant Coach – Kira Campbell

● Approve the recommendation to pay FY26 IHSA Membership Dues

● Approve the recommendation to hire a Tree Service to trim trees around the property – JD Tree Service

● Approve the FY26 Board Meeting Dates

● Approve the FY26 Non-Certified Staff Raises

● Approve the GAVC Articles of Agreement for FY26

● Approve the Intergovernmental Sports Agreement with Dwight Township High School for FY26 and FY27 cooperative sports teams (Girls’ & Boys’ Track, Girls’ & Boys’ Golf, Girls’ & Boys’ Wrestling, Girls’ & Boys’ Cross Country)

OTHERS:

Tim Harvey and Allison Wright were thanked for their years of service on the GSW HS Board of Education. Tim served for 8 years and Allison served for 12 years.

https://www.gswhs73.org/vimages/shared/vnews/stories/53b4271773d6c/April%2016,%202025%20Board%20Briefs.docx.pdf