The Wethersfield Board of Education recognized the historic achievements of the 2025-26 Flying Geese girls basketball team in the past season at its May meeting.
Four members of the 24-10 Elite 8 team were on hand — Emilia Escarano, Katelyn Carman, Maci Hauser and Lana Scott — along with varsity head coach Todd Hanson and assistant varsity coach Jessica Shipley. The remaining members were competing in a sectional track meet and unable to attend.
The team had a deep run in post-season play winning the Fulton Regional after defeating Fulton and Pecatonica, the Lanark-Eastland Sectional where they defeated Eastland and Newman Central Catholic, then lost to the eventual state champion Deer Creek-Mackinaw in the Bureau Valley Super-Sectional. Scott was named to the IBCA second team All-State and was an AP Honorable Mention All-State selection.
Coach Hanson capped the season by being named IBCA District 11 Class 1A Girls Basketball Coach of the Year for the third straight year.
Athletic Director Tom McGunnigal said both the girls and boys varsity basketball teams qualified for the IHSA All-Academic Team Award and the IBCA All-State Academic Team Award.
McGunnigal also announced that the 2025 Annawan-Wethersfield Titans football team had been selected to receive the National Football Award for the second time in three years.
Junior/Senior High School Principal Tyler Nichols announced that 32 members of the WJHS track team had recently qualified for state in 19 events.
During the business portion of the meeting, the board approved changes in the employee health insurance plan that will result in substantial savings for the district’s 53 employees.
For the past four years the board and Superintendent Dr. Andrew Brooks have been working to keep premiums low in spite of the rising cost of health insurance premiums.
Dr. Brooks informed the board that the district has successfully gained acceptance into the Central Illinois Educators Insurance Cooperative and will officially join 33 other qualified school districts beginning July 1.
In a letter to staff members Dr. Brooks said “Although District 230 has experienced a strong plan year, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois proposed a 15.9% premium increase for renewal. After careful review, the district pursued alternative options to better manage long-term costs for employees and taxpayers.”
Dr. Brooks explained that coverage will still be through Blue Cross Blue Shield, but acceptance as a member of the co-op will lower premiums across all levels while providing the same coverage as before. The district will contribute the same amount per employee regardless of whether a high or low deductible plan is selected. If the district had remained with Blue Cross alone, premiums would have gone up resulting in a $329 per month increase in the premium for an employee with family coverage.
Dr. Brooks said joining the co-op could result in an estimated $100,000 in savings.
A meeting for all employees to explain the change is set for Thursday, May 21.
In other action, the board approved quotes from Crabtree Painting and Gutschlag Electric to repaint the cafeteria and replace the lighting.
Quotes were also approved from Ed’s Heating & Air Conditioning and Tri-City Electric to install air conditioning units in rooms on the north side of the west wing of the elementary school.
Newly-appointed Kewanee City Manager Kasey Mitchell introduced herself to the school board and offered the city’s assistance in any matters large or small. Board president Steve Newman said they are looking forward to working with her on any matters involving the city.
In other items, the board approved a new five-year contract for Junior/Senior High School Principal Tyler Nichols after expiration of his current three-year contract.
They also set a public hearing for the amended FY27 budget, now on display in the unit office in the Blish Building, for 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 30 in the board room in the high school.
