Approve $188,350 in gym repairs
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By Ben Crane
The Tuscola School Board approved high school gym repairs in the amount of $188,350 at their meeting Monday night, citing concerns in the four stairwell areas.
The north and south side walls are putting pressure on the foundation of the stairwells, which have caused visible cracks. The District’s goal is to reinforce the walls with Omni, the company that did the school’s large renovation projects in the last couple of years.
“We’ve already done the field work,” said Superintendent Gary Alexander.
In Principal Jason Wallace’s North Ward report, he noted upcoming events for the last quarter of school. Multiple field trips starting in April, Joe’s Pizza Day on April 4, Water Day on May 20, McStudent Day on May 20, the third and fourth grade Spring musical on May 8, PTO Book Fair from May 5-9, Dental Days on April 24 and May 8-9, and finally Poetry Night on April 24.
He also touched on some events that have happened already, such as skating in PE, Family Reading Night, and the use of the Star lab.
In Principal Jared Vanausdoll’s East Prairie report, he thanked the high school for hosting the eighth graders earlier this month. He also congratulated the February Students of the Month including Ellary Hariss in fifth grade, Ethan Nall in sixth, Brayden DeLeva in seventh, and Cohen Jones in eighth.
The school’s Scholastic Bowl team also won the Junior High Okaw Conference Tournament and were undefeated on the year. The seventh grade girls volleyball team also won a Regional Championship before bowing out to Lawrenceville in Sectionals.
He noted that the first track and field meet in Bethany on April 1, their home track meet is on April 15, they’re hosting an invite meet on April 26, and a 2A Sectional meet on May 10.
Finally, he told the Board that the school is IAR (Illinois Assessment of Readiness) testing from April 7-11.
Tuscola High School Principal Justin Bozarth congratulated the cast and crew in the Drama Club for an “excellent” production of Mamma Mia! He told the Board that three out of the four shows that weekend were sold out, with the fourth being close to sold out.
There were also multiple students who competed in the Parkland Regional Science Olympiad contest. Alex Lin and Emily Veach placed second in Microbe Mission, Sawyer Cleland and Nicole Tschopp placed third in Robot Tour, Claire Leonard and Braxton Moody finished fourth in Optics, Thomas Bennett and Seth Stahler finished fourth in Geologic Mapping and fifth in Ecology, the trio of Sawyer Cleland, Christy Kerner, and Moody finished fifth in Codebusters, and Moody and Stahler finished sixth in Dynamic Planet.
Bozarth also congratulated students who received “1st ratings” at the Band and Chorus Solo and Ensemble Contest on March 8. Those include Bella Taylor, Bella Dueker, Erin Knofsky, Ben Engler, Grace Walker, Samantha Walker, and Jaes Mentock in band and Knofsky, Emma Spillman, Harley Baker, Savannah Taylor, Alaina Smith, and Lanie Yantis in chorus.
Finally, Bozarth noted that April 9 is state testing day for freshmen, sophomores, and juniors. Seniors will not be in attendance and encouraged to utilize the day as a college or career planning day.
In Superintendent Gary Alexander’s report, he explained that the school received seven Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests for vendors that they paid over $500 from 1998-2002, 2004, 2008-12, and 2018-22.
Alexander said that every district in the state is receiving the FOIAs and those who try to resist are taken to court.
He also outlined multiple education-related bills that passed through Senate and House committees. Those include SB2427, SB1519, SB1947, SB1672, SB1329, SB2438, SB191, SB2448, SB2016, HB3247, HB2390, HB2827, HB3503, HB2927, HB3252, HB2962, HB3175, HB3175, HB3289, HB2970, HB2966, HB2521, HB3772, HB3440, HB1237, HB2960, and HB3275.
Finally, Alexander noted that the estimated tuition costs for ECCA classes through Parkland will increase by $75 to $2,115.
Douglas County Sheriff Nathan Chaplin and Deputy Adam Brazzel addressed the Board regarding getting D.A.R.E.-like programs within the county schools along with building positive interactions with law enforcement.
“We want to be proactive instead of reactive,” Chaplin said.
The Board also saw $5,747.69 in donations. An anonymous donor gave $2,500 for North Ward skating. The Jeannine Fortney Memorial donated $850 to North Ward reading, which was made up of Tamara Fortney with $100, John Schaefer with $100, Alan Shoemaker with $25, Pat Damler with $50, Patricia Barr with $50, Valerie Morgan with $50, Kristi Townsend with $100, Deborah Follett with $120, Marlynna Schaefer with $100, and an anonymous donor with $155.
Doug and Amanda Foltz donated $100 to FCA, Anthony and Marla Crouch donated $50 for FCA, Tuscola Area Minister Alliance donated $300 for FCA, the Villa Grove Community Theater donated $1537.69 for Drama, Jill’s Design Studio donated $60, an anonymous donor donated $300 to Help A Child, and Blackband Giving Fund donated $50 for T Club.
The Board approved all other agenda items, including the 2025-26 calendar, IHSA membership, the 2025-26 consolidated district plan, and Russ and Leigh & Associates for audit services.
Finally, the Board approved the resignation of Addison Tinkle as the junior high softball assistant coach and Allison Kuhns as a North Ward teacher. The Board also approved the hires of Tim Kohlbecker as junior high assistant girls basketball coach and Madeline Cook as high school ag teacher.