IW Approves Parking Lot Fix; Legal Battle Clouds Timeline

By Joy Swearingen, The Quill Correspondent

A contractor for reconstruction of the Illini West High School parking lot was approved by the district’s board at their regular meeting April 15. However, when the work can begin is uncertain.

Repairs were initially made to the parking lot last summer.

“Due to numerous issues raised with the work that was completed on the project, the board rejected the project,” said Superintendent Jay Harnack. 

The reconstruction was rebid, with Laverdiere Construction, Inc. approved as the low bidder at  $328,144.25. The contract was awarded with the stipulation that “work on this project shall not proceed until the school district has provided the contractor with notice to proceed, commensurate with legal proceedings involving the parking lot.” 

Harnack said the pending litigation could delay the district’s ability to address the project this summer.

Shaun Lohmeyer was approved as the new vice president of the Illini West board, replacing Wyatt Green who has resigned.

According to Harnack, the district has 60 days from the resignation to fill the board vacancy, or by May 18. If they are unable to fill the post by that time, a member will be appointed by the Regional Office of Education. The position has been advertised. Anyone interested should send a letter to Harnack.

One new multipurpose passenger vehicle for student transportation use was approved on the low bid of $66,395 from Carson Motors of Carthage. The board issued an RFP (Request for Proposal) for the vehicle last month.

The RFP process provides that proposals can be evaluated, based on compliance with specifications, total cost, vehicle features, warranty, vendor experience, and delivery timeline. It allows the district to consider different features and costs in the bid, waive minor irregularities, and accept the proposal that is best for the district.

A one-year lease on two sets of three portable classroom buildings was approved. Although the buildings are slightly different in size, the district will pay $48,000 per year for each set, paying  $16,000 per building, per year, or a total of $96,000.  This continues the lease for classrooms that are currently to the north and west of the main building.

In the past the board has leased the portable buildings for three years at a time. As more classes are moved into the main building, the one-year contract gives more flexibility for possible changing needs.

Board members Shaun Lohmeyer and Beth Newton were appointed to a committee for discussions with Carthage Elementary School District 317 for long-term facility solutions. The committee will include two board members from each district and the two superintendents.

Following a closed session, Abbie Johnson was approved as assistant girls basketball coach for the 2026-27 season.

Overnight trips were approved for FFA students to attend National FFA Convention in Indianapolis in October; the volleyball team to attend a camp at Jefferson City, Mo., in July; and the varsity boys basketball team to compete in tournaments in at Branson, Mo., and Vandalia, IL, in June.

Revisions to the 2025-26 school calendar were approved, designating four e-learning days and one emergency day. The last student attendance day is a half day on Thursday, May 21.