Aside from the winter weather that has canceled weeks worth of school, Superintendent Steve Wilder says there have been some new things that have happened this year at District 202
Because of this year’s increased winter weather activity, schools in the area have seen a big uptick in cancellations.
Wilder tells WGIL that the district has considered adding a larger pool of emergency days in the event that the district has a large number of snow days again – similar to this year.
“I’ve kicked around some ideas with the board. Of course, I want to get their take on some things,” Wilder says. “Our Calendar Committee hasn’t had a chance to meet yet just to start talking about the calendar for next year, but that’s something that I’ve discussed with the board as a possibility.”
He says that the multiple cancellations have led to students and teachers not being able to get into a rhythm.
Wilder also says that the district has seen some technology upgrades that began last summer and will continue going into the next school year.
As far as athletics and activities, he highlighted that the Knoxville school district hosted it’s first wrestling regional.
“A lot of work went into that. Heather Smith, our Athletic Director, worked with our head coach, Mike Lieb, on that. We brought in a gentleman from the Bloomington-Normal area who is passionate about wrestling and run a lot of those kinds of tournaments. So, he helped us out but it was great to see the mats out in the gym at the High School and a great crowd. [It was] really exciting too cause we had several of our wrestlers advance to sectionals so that’s the cherry on top.”
Going into the budget talks, Wilder says that Knoxville is in a good position. He says he thinks the Evidence-Based model will provide more equitable funding for schools.
The Board of Education for District 202 will hold their February meeting Monday, where board members could take action about joining the Lincoln Trail Conference for Interscholastic Activities starting in the 2021-22 school year.
