Reading is the watchword this year at Wethersfield Elementary School. Principal Kyle Dennison reported at Thursday night’s Board of Education meeting that the recently completed Book Blast Fundraiser generated $15,000 which purchased 1,045 new books for the elementary library. The event was held between Feb. 5 and 18 with 977 pounds of books delivered to the school March 6 to be distributed to students.
The board also heard from Dawn Newman, a junior high language arts teacher whose duties now include the newly created position of instructional coach. Mrs. Newman told the board about the successes and highlights of the first semester and next steps she hopes to take. As instructional coach, Mrs. Newman is the link between teachers, students and administrators.
“Teachers can learn from one another, reach out, brainstorm and build relationships,” Mrs. Newman said. Looking ahead, she hopes to grow professionally and increase the amount of time devoted to coaching efforts.
The board also approved awarding non-tenured contracts to 12 teachers for the 2024-25 school year including Sarah Gomez, Kimberly Hampton, Elizabeth Kegebein, Leticia Martinez, Steven Stoner and Tara Woller (2nd year); Adriana Garcia, Tom McGunnigal, Lori Vancil and Tawny DeKezel (3rd year); and Amanda DeValkenaere and Cameron Yeater (4th year).
In other personnel action, the board accepted the resignation of Tom McGunnigal as high school boys’ basketball coach and Becca Herridge as cheerleading coach. Both jobs will be posted. The board accepted a retirement request from sixth grade teacher Cindy Addis effective at the end of the 2026-27 school year and approved Nikki Tye as assistant track coach for 2023-24.
Laurie Underwood was hired as elementary secretary replacing Leanne Crabtree who is retiring at the end of the school year. Mrs. Crabtree has served the district for 28 years, first as a library aide, and the last 13 as elementary secretary.
After approving the superintendent evaluation for 2023-24, the board approved a two-year contract extension for Supt. Dr. Andrew Brooks. Brooks was hired July 1, 2022 and is in the second year of a three-year contract. The move extends the contract through June 30, 2027.
Last month the board approved extending the contract with certified staff through 2028. Economic conditions and inflation were given as reasons for extending both contracts before they expired.
The board also approved the purchase of a low-mileage, pre-owned 72-passenger school bus from Midwest Transit Equipment of Kankakee. The 2021 gas-powered International bus has between 14,000 and 20,000 miles and will replace a 12-year-old bus with over 100,000 miles which is “not worth repairing.” Midwest’s offer of $89,868 was the lowest of the three received. School officials said Wethersfield buses put on an average of 10,000 miles a year.
