Schools

D210 Board Says Goodbye to Supt. Lawrence Wyllie

The Lincoln-Way High School Board of Education applauded retiring Supt. Lawrence Wyllie at his final meeting before retiring. Wyllie served at the helm for 24 years.

Board Member Jim Gast served as president pro tem at the June 27 Lincoln-Way High School Board of Education meeting. It was a fitting moment, since Gast had been on the board that brought Supt. Lawrence Wyllie to the Lincoln-Way communities. 

Gast took just a few minutes to recall Wyllie's early days in the district, which has grown from 2,800 students in the 1989 to 7,500 in 2013 and from one  high school served at two buildings to four separate high schools in the 105-square-mile district. The district serves students in portions of New Lenox, Mokena, Frankfort, Manhattan and portions of Tinley Park. 

While board members stood to applaud the man who still holds dear to the title "teacher," and presented him with a bronze plaque that will be placed in a position of honor at Lincoln-Way Central High School, which is the seat of the district's administration, he still conducted business as usual. He presented a summary of the district's finances at the close of the 2013. The district is still owed $1 million from the state, but tax disbursements and some categorical payments are coming in. 

He highlighted the accomplishments of students from each high school for sports, music and more. Wyllie reported that "safety" was the July asset of the month was safety. 

Finally, he stood to accept accolades and posed for photos with his family and Gast.  

In a ceremony in the Knights of the Round Table room at Lincoln-Way Central High School, he presented recognition awards to members of the community that voluntarily served the district.

READ: Supt. Lawrence Wyllie Looks Back on Career, Retires from D210

"This is the 21st year for the community recognition program, The a
wards are given to citizens who have shown exemplary '''school spirit' and have gone above and beyond the active parent or community member,"' he told 11 selected men and women, both parents and business professionals. 

The Extra Effort Award winners are: 

Jeff Mecher, Frankfort Square Park District
Audrey Marcquenski, Frankfort Square Park District
Patty Sherman, LWN Music Boosters
Frank Gatto, owner of Gatto's Restaurant, New Lenox
Rob Lash, LWW Athletic Booster president
Leo Sfikas, general manager at Currie Ford-Frankfort
Michael Kadubek, business owner, New Lenox
Mark and karen Smetana, LWE Music boosters
Lou and Tammy Cantu, LWE Music Boosters

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