After a lengthy public comment session and further discussion, members of the Prairie Central Board of Education seemed to agree on the idea of naming the high school basketball court “Legacy Court.”
Several board members suggested not having names associated with Legacy Court directly but rather have something placed in the gymnasium lobby area to remember all Prairie Central student athletes or possibly students in general who have passed away.
“We should find a way to memorialize all kids in some way,” said PC Superintendent Paula Crane. “No one has ever asked us to do anything this big.”
Other possibilities include retiring the jerseys of student athletes Dylan Bazzell and Drew Fehr and displaying them. A memorial archway on the football field for the two is in the works as they made impacts on the field, the hardwood and beyond.
During public comments at the start of last week's regular school board meeting, Darin Bazzell was the first to speak. He said the community lost two of the best student athletes who did so much for their community and school and made a difference in many lives.
“I’m asking that they can be memorialized on that court,” stated Bazzell.
Bazzell said he and the boys’ teammates would be proud to see something like this.
“These people want to see something when they come here. I pray we can come to an agreement here and do something that’s good for everybody.”
Amy Haberkorn noted neighboring Pontiac Township High School has several memorials.
“This community needs a memorial now,” Haberkorn said. “These boys made an impact and I don’t know what more proof you need.”
Haberkorn said her son wants a place to go to remember all of the fun he had with his best friends and acknowledged the loss of the two boys is something they deal with on a daily basis.
Megan Donovan, a relative of Drew Fehr, is hopeful for some kind of positive memorial.
“It would really mean a lot to have that.”
Mark Bazzell, Darin’s brother, explained that Lexington High School does a memorial when a student passes away.
“I knew the impact (Drew and Dylan) had on those students and the legacy they left behind,” Mark commented.
Addressing the crowd in attendance, board president John Wilken said the district’s policy book does not contain anything about memorials and he noted the importance of having consistency in the governance of schools, referring to setting precedent.
“I believe we should make a formal policy as a board,” Wilken explained.
Board member Ben Stoller liked the idea of a general name for the court with something to encompass everyone including all of the team members.
“I feel like Legacy Court is phenomenal,” said Stoller.
He is open to discussion for putting jerseys and numbers on the basketball court but reiterated his wishes to make this a “school for everyone.”
“Where do we stop as far as other families coming to us?” Stoller asked.
Board member Brad Duncan said a majority of the community and school district agree with seeing the boys memorialized.
“I don’t think in any way it would take away from anyone else.”
Vice president of the board, Tim McGreal, reminded the crowd the ball is rolling on the football arch memorial.
“We are still not trying to shut this down. We’ve got to do it right.”
Wilken remains optimistic for the process.
“We’re not going to please everybody,” said board member Brian Plenert.
Board member Ted Bachtold feels this is an opportunity to have thoughtful conversation on policy in case something similar happens again.
“I’m just thankful for the opportunity to have the conversation,” Bachtold observed.
Also at Thursday’s school board meeting, the group approved a leave of absence for head boys basketball coach Darin Bazzell for the upcoming school year. A decision to return is expected to be made by the end of the boys state tournament in 2024. Trevin McCulloh was named the interim high school boys basketball coach for one year in addition to an auxiliary junior high baseball coach.
During her superintendent report, Crane expressed frustration with the high school gym floor process as they are not getting many answers from the company on what the schedule looks like. It is not in the district’s control, according to Crane.
“This is a national company,” she said.
Crane updated the board on the Teacher Vacancy Grant Pilot Program which is a three-year grant that will be tweaked along the way.
“I’m excited about the people we are hiring into these positions.”
There have not been enough teacher candidates and Prairie Central does not tend to get candidates from the east but rather from Illinois State University and that direction. This area does not have recruitment exposure such as Bloomington and Champaign. The district is fully staffed for the first time in a long time.
Under old business, the group discussed the facilities study which is completed with information from each of the district’s six buildings. The study identified around $57.6 million worth of repairs and improvements to be made.
Wilken asked fellow board members if they feel air conditioning is a necessity in the 10-year time frame. Stoller presented details on air units which are a step below central air for a decent price.
“It’s hard for me to tell teachers go teach those students in an environment that’s less than desirable,” noted Stoller.
Stoller fears losing teachers which could go elsewhere because of this.
“I think you have to have a plan,” said Crane.
A memorandum of understanding was approved with the Prairie Central Education Association to proceed with plans in the Teacher Vacancy Pilot Program Grant.
Board goals were discussed, which include those for facilities, academics, finance, communication, personnel, adult education and parent engagement.
After an executive session, the board approved the following:
EMPLOYMENT
Jennifer Jacobs: (Long-Term Sub-HS Special Education)
Ben Maier: (Drumline)
Jordan Hornickel: (Long-Term Sub-JH Math)
Grace Hilton: ( HS parapro)
Sarah Weeks: (PCE parapro)
Jessica Niemann: (PCE parapro)
Emily Bell: (Long-Term Sub-West first grade teacher)
Katie Kinate: (West parapro)
Baylee Ritter: (Long-Term Sub-6th Grade Teacher)
Jill Rieger: (Long-Term Sub-UE Special Education)
Jessica Speirs: (East parapro)
Amber Maxfield: (East parapro)
Justina Jeras: (East parapro)
Brianna Seeman (JH Special Education)
Robin Behrends- (Aux HS cross country)
Danny Wells (auxiliary football coach)
Steven Tooley (PCE custodian)
Dakota Emberton (JH custodian I)
Megan Schaffer (split stipend for high school girls track assistant)
Scott Willi (split stipend for high school girls track assistant)
Brittany Chadwick (auxiliary HS cheer coach)
Gage Rinkenberger (head HS baseball coach)
TRANSFERS
Emery Wenger: From PCE paraprofessional to JH paraprofessional
Hannah Miller: From 5th grade to UE Interventionist
Melanie Teubel: JH parapro to JH special ed teacher through December, 2023
Jacob Nowicki: JH custodian I to head custodian
Ivana Rivera: East parapro to West parapro
RESIGNATIONS
Madyson DiNardi: 6th grade effective 7-25-23
Jody Krugman: PCP West paraprofessional effective 8-3-23
Lee Reinhart: PCE custodian, HS cross country, JH track, effective 8-18-23
Mandy Hogan: PCP West cafe worker effective 8-9-2023
Pam Kilgus: PCE paraprofessional effective 8-2-2023
Deana Wright: PCP West 1st grade teacher effective 7-21-2023
Karen Volk: PCJH special ed teacher effective end of 2022-23 school year
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