Unit #20 Board of Education met in regular session Wednesday night, January 18, at 7:00 PM in the LHS cafeteria. Each principal from all three buildings presented their board reports Wednesday night, along with the assistant superintendent and superintendent. In addition to administration, LHS Student Board Member, Nathaniel Blackwell, assisted the LHS principal by reading the student board report to the Board of Education.
The Board of Education approved the LHS Curriculum Guide for the 2023-2024 school year. Unit #20 is excited to announce that more CTE classes will be added to the master schedule for the upcoming year. New courses such as welding, construction, electrical wiring, firefighting and Foundation of Teaching courses are all areas of growth for the CTE department at LHS. Unit #20 is working to invest in vocational training and work to expand our teaching profession with a Grow Your Own program within the district for future teachers. With the addition of welding, Unit #20 was able to employ Jason Mendenhall as our new CTE instructor for Industrial Arts. Unit #20 is looking forward to supporting and growing industries within our community. Unit #20 is also excited to announce we are working to expand our dual-credit offerings for our students in the near future.
Parkside Elementary School was represented by several 3rd grade students Wednesday night and presented to the Board of Education with Mrs. Wallace and Mrs. West, both teachers at Parkside Elementary. Mrs. Wallace, along with the support of Mrs. West, received a $450 grant, “Plant the Moon” that supplied materials for an eight-week lab within the classroom. Parkside Elementary School was the only elementary school in the entire state who received this grant. These students did a wonderful job showcasing what they learned throughout the process. A great job was done by all!
In other news, Unit #20 hired long-time football assistant coach, Cory Joergens, as the new LHS Head Football Coach for the 2023-2024 football season. Coach Joergens has been with the Indians as an assistant coach since 2013. We are excited to see what Coach Joergens and his coaching staff accomplishes in the upcoming season. We wish him the best of luck!
Ashley Tewell, current LHS PE teacher, was also hired Wednesday evening as the new LHS Girls Track Coach. We wish Coach Tewell all the best with the upcoming season.
Tim Gallion, Personal Trainer, was hired as an LHS PE assistant to work on strength, conditioning, and weight training with our students. Mr. Gallion will also be offering his personal training services to all Unit #20 staff as well. The Board of Education and Unit #20 administration are wanting to foster the physical and mental health of students and school employees. We also want to support students’ academic success. Every student and school employee, no matter the role they play, contributes to a school’s mission. Students and school staff can give their best when they feel their best. Unit #20 believes a school wellness program can help with this endeavor.
Last, the Board of Education sadly accepted the resignations of longtime Lawrence County Cross Country coaches, John Christy and Bill Bandy. Coach Christy and Coach Bandy have coached together for the county for several years and will be missed. We wish them both the best.
The next board meeting will be at Lawrenceville High School on February 15th at 7:00 PM.