Workmen were busy Thursday repairing damage from the July 15 tornado to the roof of the Wethersfield school district’s Blish Building. [Photo by Dave Clarke]

“We’d planned on a busy summer, but hadn’t planned on being this busy,” Supt. Dr. Andrew Brooks told the Wethersfield Board of Education at its August meeting Thursday.

Dr. Brooks assured the board that all planned summer projects are on target to be completed before students return Aug. 16. He also reported that the damage to school property caused by the 110 mph tornado that hit the school on July 15 has been cleaned up and most of the damage repaired.

Dr. Brooks said the total cost of the damage is between $200,000 and $250,000, which was covered by insurance. The board approved quotes for repairs and replacement of damaged property including Illinois Fence to replace chain link fencing along the northeast corner and the east side of the athletic field; Triple D Roofing to repair damage to the roof of the Blish Building; Richey Athletics to replace the high jump and pole vault systems which were destroyed on the athletic field; J & D Tree Service for complete removal of three trees damaged by the storm on the east and north sides of the elementary school, and Larson Company to replace the bleachers on the visitors side of the football field that were damaged by the wind.

Dr. Brooks also said the tornado also shifted the air conditioning unit on the roof of the band room off its base causing a leak. A solar panel on the roof of the cafeteria was also blown loose, tearing a gash that caused another leak. Both have been repaired.

Brooks said the bus barn, press box, home bleachers and concession stand along Garfield Street were spared any damage from the storm.

In other business, the board approved the athletic trainer services of Kewanee Physical Therapy Specialists for 2024 through 2028.

-The resignation of Cameron Heater as head junior high track coach was accepted.

The board approved hiring:

-Bart Frey as high school math and science instructor, head junior high track coach, and assistant junior high football coach,
-Jessica Spears and Sharon DeSmit as paraprofessionals.
-Dale VanDusen as head junior high baseball coach.

Approved as volunteer coaches for 2024-25 were Brandon Troxell and Cody Hagerman for junior high baseball and Olivia Draminski Grosenheider for cross country.

The board also reviewed preliminary figures for the FY25 budget which showed positive balances in all major funds and scheduled a public hearing on the proposed budget for Sept. 12.