IW Supports Boosters Restroom Facility, Harnack to Retire in 2027

By Joy Swearingen, The Quill Correspondent

The Illini West High School board agreed to help the school’s Sports Boosters build a permanent restroom facility near the football field.

At their regular meeting on May 20, Brianne Skien from the Sports Boosters outlined the plan for project. She said  portable restrooms are currently used for football games. In addition, the track and football field are often used to host community youth football, park district programs, PTO events and regional competitions.

The project is estimated at $200,000 for concrete and building materials, electrical, HVAC and plumbing.

Billy Cramer, an employee of Lavierdere Construction and member of the Sports Boosters, is taking the lead on the project. He has been able to secure pledges of time and materials for 90 percent of the cost from local companies and volunteers. 

Skien’s request to the board was for help to fund the last $20,000.

“What we are proposing to get started is for the Sports Boosters to commit $10,000 of our funds, and the two school boards (Illini West and Carthage Elementary) to give $5,000 each,” Skien said. 

“That $20,000 is our best estimate of what it would take to complete the project. If we need to go above and beyond that, then we would fund raise.” 

The building would be ADA compliant and include a baby changing table. There would be three stalls on the women’s side, and one stall and two urinals for the men.

Superintendent Jay Harnack said the district has the funds to pay the $5,000 requested, and in the long run, savings from portable toilet rental would pay for that cost.

Following the meeting, Harnack received a letter from Carthage Elementary School District superintendent, Dustin Day, stating their board had approved building the restroom building on property owned by CES, and agreed to provide $5,000 toward the cost.

The need for more mental  health counseling for students was voiced to the board by long-term substitute teacher, Brandi Gollihar. In her comments at the meeting, and in a letter sent to the board, Gollihar expressed concern for students who have serious problems outside the classroom that impact their ability to thrive at school.

She expressed concern for struggles she has seen over the past year as a substitute teacher in science.

In her letter, Gollihar stated, “In my opinion, there are opportunities to strengthen this system in ways that would have a measurable impact.”

Gollihar cited several steps that would help students including more paraprofessional help, training for staff in trauma-informed approaches, creating systems that are proactive and inclusive, rather than reactive and exclusionary.

“I share this not as criticism from the outside, but as insight from someone who has been in the classroom every day, working directly with students who need these supports.”

The board thanked Gollihar for her comments and concern for the students.

In a related action, an Intergovernmental Agreement for social worker services with Dallas City Elementary School district was ended. Harnack said the shared social worker for roughly one day per week did not provide enough help for IW students.

“We have been increasing those services ever since COVID,” said Harnack following the meeting. “Last year we had more needs than personnel.” 
Following closed session, the board accepted the retirement of Superintendent Harnack, effective at the end of the 2026-2027 school year. Harnack began as superintendent for Illini West on July 1, 2021.

“I am announcing this decision well in advance to give the Board the time and flexibility to conduct a thoughtful and thorough search for the district’s next leader,” said Harnack in a letter to the board. 

“This is an important transition, and I want to do everything I can to support a smooth and stable process for the district and the community.” 

Jessica Knicl was approved as assistant principal/special education coordinator for 2026-2028.

Other teaching staff hired include Taylor Mullens in English, Jordan Ovanic in CTE-industrial tech, Justin Shelts in math, John Amschler in business and Scott Knicl in computers. Jordan Ovanic was hired as summer maintenance staff.

Sponsor assignments with stipend went to Abigail Gindlesberger, book club sponsor, and Grant Surprenant and Michelle Monroe as freshman class sponsors. 

Volunteer coaching assignments were approved for football coaches, Matt Zaehringer, Nick Manzo, Ethan James and Chase Yelton; and for golf coaches, Alex Rodeffer and Rick Wisehart.

The resignation of Dawn Leroy as bus driver was accepted.

Harnack reported on the process for filling a vacancy on the board. Having received no applications within the allowed time period, the search is now in the hands of the Regional Office of Education. If no applicant is found after 30 days,  the district will continue with only six board members until the election in April of 2027.

The fee schedule for the 2026-2027 school year was approved with no changes from the current year fees.

Harnack reported that the bleacher installation in the gym is scheduled for the week of June 29.

Principal Amanda Congdon reported that she is working with Ryan Bliss and Jessica Knicl on summer school for students who are marginally behind on credits required for graduation. The credit recovery will be done through ROYALS (coordinated by the Regional Office of Education) instead of in-person at Illini West. 

The board approved first reading of the coaching handbook, transportation handbook, employee handbook, student handbook, and several board policy updates.