Student safety led Wethersfield's board to revamp the school's weight room
Wethersfield’s weight room can’t wait much longer.
That was the message weight room supervisor Cameron Yeater brought to the Wethersfield Board of Education’s May meeting, where he presented a proposed plan to upgrade equipment and install new lighting and flooring.
He said the plan was prepared with the help of Direct Fitness Solutions, a Mundelein firm which distributes commercial fitness equipment and provides project management services, according to its website.
Yeater, who teaches P.E. and driver’s education, said an assessment of the current facility revealed that some of the equipment had been in use for 10 to 15 years or more and safety was becoming an issue.
“Ninety percent of the barbells are bent, which is a safety concern,” Yeater told board members. Direct Fitness made 3-D drawings of the weight room showing a new layout that would provide more space, a safer environment and add some new pieces, such as a weight room bike and cardio equipment.
Yeater also said he hoped the new plan would increase access to the room and better serve the school's male and female athletes.
The total estimated cost for new equipment, lighting and rubberized floor covering was $54,400, but the board and Superintendent Shane Kazubowski debated the necessity of replacing the floor at the estimated cost of $20,000. Kazubowski said that was about twice what they had anticipated and that the current floor covering was installed about 10 years ago and is still “robust.” He said “a good cleaning” would extend its effective life.
Board member Steve Newman asked if it would make more sense to replace the floor while the equipment was being replaced instead of having to move it out in a few years to replace the covering. Kazubowski said he thought the current flooring would last a number of years and replacement now didn’t justify the expense.
Board member Angela Ryan asked “Is this (the new flooring) something you need or something you want”? Kazubowski conceded it was more of a want than a need. The board approved moving ahead with the project, minus the flooring, which set the final cost at $35,000. Pledges by athletic booster groups and a $10,000 contribution from the school district, brought the amount of funds available for the project to $42,000.
In other Dist. 230 news:
Technology coordinator Jason Phelps said he is still waiting for word on approval of an $86,000 technology grant that will be used to purchase 250 Chromebook personal computers. The upgrade would put the devises in the hands of every student putting everyone on the same system. Phelps said having access to uniform technology will increase security, improve classroom management and better filtration of content. He said he was confident that their application would be approved in time to have the computers ready by the beginning of school.
Kazubowski announced that Ronelle Spiegel has donated $200 to the Wethersfield Commons Tree Project for a tree to be planted in memory of her late husband, Bill, a 1957 graduate of Wethersfield High School.
A plan was approved to build a 15-by-12-foot office in the northeast corner of the Elementary Learning Center for an additional guidance counselor. Last month the board hired Tawny DeKezel to augment the school’s counseling staff beginning this fall. The office will be built over the summer by district staff and volunteers.
In employment actions the board:
Accepted a letter of resignation from Junior/Senior High School Principal Carrie Griffith effective June 30. Ms. Griffith, who has held the position here for the past four years, has accepted a job as principal at a high school near Springfield.
Employed Tim Pence as District Maintenance Director replacing Dan Duckworth, who is retiring, Pence has served as the district’s first School Resource Officer for the past several years. Supt. Kazubowski said Kewanee Police Chief Nick Welgat will make a presentation to the board at its July meeting. A replacement is being sought for the SRO position for the coming year.
Approved renewal of a one-year contract for District Technology Coordinator Jason Phelps.
Employed Tyler Nichols as a summer technology intern.
Accepted a letter of retirement from Verna Townsend, junior high social studies teacher, effective at the end of the 2024-25 school year.
Accepted the resignation of Kyle Dennison as frosh-sops boy’s basketball coach.
At the end of his last school board meeting as District 230 school superintendent,
Kazubowski, who is retiring after 16 years in the position and 33 years in education, said “This could not have been a better career with better parents, students and staff. It makes me proud to see kids go on to be successful in life after graduating from Wethersfield.”
Wethersfield’s new superintendent, Dr. Andrew Brooks, takes over July 1.
This article originally appeared on Star Courier: Student safety led Wethersfield's board to revamp school's weight room
