When it comes to identifying a high school, giving it an identity its students and the community immediately identify with, the same thing holds true. And the general public needs to be aware that that school’s identifying symbol must be unique to that school. Normal Community has its one-of-a-kind Ironmen logo. Bloomington High School has been home to The Purple Raiders for years. Normal Community West High’s Wildcats identity has seen a change in how it looks on football helmets and the gear sold by boosters.

University High changed its identity at the beginning this school year. For at least six or seven years if not a little longer, the helmet logo and most of the gear sold at games had a two-color “U”, with each side of the letter not quite connecting to the other. One problem: Except for the colors of green and yellow, the logo was similar to what is used by The University of Miami (Fla.), known to its athletes and alums as “The U.”

“The University of Miami does not look favorably on schools, whether or not they are high schools, borrowing their logo unless you pay a pretty hefty fee,” explained Dr. Jeff Hill, U-High Principal. “Once we were aware of all that, we decided to launch into a logo development project.”

Hill said U-High had contacted University of Miami concerning the logo situation. “High schools were being scrutinized as to where they got their logos and, we just felt like it was time for us to make sure that if the University of Miami knew we were using the logo, and find out under what terms we could continue to use it.”

“The U” did not respond to U-High’s (or at this point in the story in this column, should I call them “The Little U”?…) request, Hill said. At that point, the home of the Pioneers turned to the marketing arm of U-High’s parent, Illinois State University, and an in-house committee at the school to come up with a new logo.

University High set out last summer to look into an identity change. They sought something original. “We spent about six weeks asking for designs, and then set up a logo committee,” explained U-High Athletic Director Wendy Smith. “That committee looked at the original designs and started going though them, narrowing it down.”

Neither U-High nor ISU were notified by the University of Miami about an objection to the yellow and green “U” logo which U-High had used for so long, explained Jerry Abner, assistant director of marketing and communications at ISU. Abner’s department worked with a company based around Columbus, Ohio, Rickabaugh Graphics, to find an original design that would be to the liking of the committee seeking the new logo.

Abner added that, at the time U-High was using their version of the “U,” such things that have become what is known as intellectual property to universities were not on universities’ radar back then. But you can bet any university’s bottom dollar it is now.

ISU, home of the Redbirds, has had to deal with this issue, too, but now ISU has what Abner called “an understanding” with some schools that use the Redbird name or likeness. There are two in central Illinois that I could think of right off the bat: Chenoa and Metamora.

But I checked on the internet and found Redbirds-named high school teams in Allentown, Pa. and Darlington, Wis. Allentown’s logo looks suspiciously like ISU’s. Darlington’s does not, but that does not mean such things don’t matter to ISU for the same reason use of the “U” by U-High would not matter to the University of Miami.

Finding unauthorized Redbirds logos in other locations “certainly woke ISU up to the problem,” Abner said.

Smith said what the logo committee found was, after looking at the designs submitted, they liked a part of one design, found something unique about another design, and merged the parts they liked into one logo. What they came up with was a “U” that has green and gold swirls that pass at the bottom of the letter itself.

Rickabaugh Graphics, put some designs together and gave U-High’s logo committee some ideas to consider, Smith said. The first time fans got a look at U-High’s new look was at the Intercity Football Doubleheader in September. The new logo was affixed to Pioneers helmets in time for that game, Smith said. Also, she said, there is some merchandise available for sale that has the new design. In the months since, I have noticed students, staff, and fans donning apparel with the new logo.

“The people that have seen the new logo and the parents that purchased the new merchandise at registration seem to be pretty excited about it,” Smith said. “I think it’s a fairly popular logo. It’s something new, it’s something that gives us our own identity. Hopefully, that is something that will carry over to everything else having to do with the school.”

“We’re really pleased with the new logo,” Hill said. “It kind of gives us a fresh new look and its nice that it’s our own. The process we used for getting this has put us in a better place as far as our branding goes.”

Of the 200 in attendance, 22 people addressed the Board, hoping to get Board members to reconsider approving entering into negotiations with an outside firm.

“I really don’t see the advantage to putting another layer of management between children and the drivers,” said Warren Welch, a grandfather of five, two of whom are currently in Unit 5 schools. “I think rather than there being an adversarial relationship between the district and drivers, they need to work together.”

Resident Barb Dixon pointed out that the outsourcing company would be using district buses. In that case, she asked Board members, “Who handles maintenance? Who owns the buses?” Dixon also wondered about how rising fuel costs will affect the situation.

Jeanne Calhoun, a veteran of 22 years as a Unit 5 driver, told Board members at the hearing, “Unit 5 is no longer a cohesive work environment, but a battleground between the classes.”

Another driver, Roger Lancaster, told Board members at the hearing that, “With AFSCME, drivers are becoming a smooth-running unit. Outsourcing is unnecessary.”

Resident Dr. David Gill pointedly told Board members, “You can’t turn your back on 200 people whose jobs would be jeopardized if this is approved.” Dr. Gill is currently running for office, hoping to win in Illinois’ 13th Congressional District.

Kent Beauchamp, regional director for the union that represents the drivers, the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), told Board members, “Our duty is to protect the rights and interests of drivers of Unit 5.”

At both the public hearing and during the public comments section of the Board’s regular meeting, Beauchamp threatened a legal challenge if the measure to begin negotiations for outsourcing was approved by the Board.”

When Beauchamp repeated his intent at mounting a legal challenge during the regular Board session, and added he did not think the district’s transportation committee bargained in good faith, Board member Mark Pritchett took exception.

Pritchett responded to the accusation, saying, in part, “I’m a taxpayer, too, so to say that I am not concerned and to say that we are not bargaining in good faith is absolutely incorrect.” He added he found Beauchamp’s accusation offensive.

District Business Manager Erik Bush informed Board members the district received two bids for potential outsourcing services: One from First Student, who bid $18,535,951, and one from Warrenville, Ill.-based Durham School Services, who bid $21,498,877.

Curt Richardson, attorney for Unit 5, informed Board members that while entering into negotiations with First Student, the district would continue “negotiating in good faith with AFSCME.”

Northpoint’s New Principal, Normal West’s New Associate Principal: Matt Harr has been named the Principal of Northpoint Elementary School. He is currently the Associate Principal at Kingsley Junior High School, where he has worked since 2007. Harr replaces Bruce Weldy, who was named the Director of Elementary Education.

Harr is a graduate of Illinois State University with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education and Political Science. He also earned his Master’s Degree in Educational Administration at ISU, where he also received his superintendent’s endorsement.

“I am very excited about the opportunity to join the Northpoint family,” Harr said. “I look forward to building on the excellence that Northpoint is all about.” Harr and his wife, Danel, a principal in Bloomington District 87, have three children.

Wendy Davis has been named the Associate Principal at Normal Community West High School. An educator for 18 years, Davis currently is the Assistant Principal at Heyworth High School, a position she has held for the past two years. Prior to that, she spent 14 years as a business teacher at Normal Community High School and Normal West. Davis replaces David Johnson, who has been named the Principal at Normal West.

Circle Your Calendars: As part of their omnibus agenda, Board members unanimously approved Wednesday, May 23 as the last day of school of the current school year.

Laptops For District 6th Graders Discussed: In a report to the Board, Dr. Sandy Wilson, associate superintendent for curriculum and instruction, and Loren Baele, director of technology for district, brought forth a plan for the district to purchase about 1,000 ASUS Netbook computers as part of the district’s digital conversion program. That would mean one computer for each student in all of the district’s sixth grade classes.

Wilson said that students and parents alike would receive information about how to use the computers, and that students would be allowed to take the computers home with them. She added both students and parents would need to attend an orientation before the children would be allowed to have the computers.

District Superintendent Gary Niehaus said school officials would maintain control of the laptops as a means of preventing students from gaining access to inappropriate websites. Access to such sites, he said, would be blocked.

In essence, Baele told Board members, the computers would still be considered district equipment, overseen by the district, and with the students and their parents having use of the computers but having to abide by district rules as to their use.

Niehaus explained that, at a Board Finance Committee meeting later this month, he plans to discuss specific funding for the computers. Each of the computers costs approximately between $400-$500, he said.

Niehaus added funding sources for paying for the laptops is being looked into. On that point, Board member Jay Reece said he wants digital conversion to take place within the district, but he wants to see and hear about the financial sources that the district will use for getting the conversion paid for.

CyberBullying Hotline Pilot Program Starts: As of April 12, Unit 5 became a part of a pilot program launched by SchoolReach, the company that sells and services an electronic notification system currently used by the district.

For the next six weeks, Unit 5 will have a hotline for students who are being bullied to call in seeking assistance. The system can be done with students either making a phone call or texting in to report an issue.

The hotline works this way: A student would call in or text a message to the hotline; A school official receives a message on their mobile device or by e-mail; The student receives an acknowledgement that their message was received; and an anonymous two-way dialogue starts between the student and school official.

The program is in place to assist junior high school and high school students, explained Dayna Brown, assistant to the superintendent, who addressed the Board. She said this program is aimed for use by “students who are not willing to share their problem with others.” She said the program will run throughout the summer.

The hotline will be another tool the district can use in its current anti-bullying efforts, as well as what is available through the district’s schools, explained Nancy Braun, a teacher at Brigham Elementary School, to Board members. District schools currently use the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) system which is designed to encourage an “expect respect” philosophy. The hotline would be an additional tool to that, the two women explained.

Braun said whether the bullying is cyber, verbal, or physical, students can get advice and know they are being heard and that their concerns are receiving attention.

SchoolReach gives schools exclusive telephone numbers which can accept both texts and voice calls, and do it anonymously.

The program also provides schools with anti-bullying posters featuring the hotline number. Students attending Normal Community High School and Normal Community West High School can call 309-285-8912. Students attending any of the district’s junior high schools — Evans, Chiddix, Parkside and Kingsley – can call 309-285-8913.

The pilot program is free to the district.

Unit 5 has had a contract with SchoolReach since the two parties first signed an agreement in November 2007, when the board approved the purchase of an electronic notification system from the Fenton, Mo.-based company.

Kingsley Junior High’s “Good News”: Board members recognized the 7th grade girls’ volleyball team from Kingsley Junior High School for winning the Illinois Elementary School Association 7th Grade 4A State Championship on March 13, 2012, at defeating Minooka in two games in the championship match by scores of 25-6 and 25-13. The championship took place at Central Junior High School in East Peoria. Winning the championship contests provided KJHS’ team with an undefeated season, finishing with a 24-0 mark. An all-school assembly was held in their honor on March 16.

This was the first state appearance for the 7th grade girls’ volleyball team in the nine years the school has been open. Members of the 7th Grade team are: Kali Maier, Heidi Zimmerman, Rachel Zimmerman, Emily Hamm, Amber Nanni, Ali Reece, Morgan Knuckey, Hannah Bach, Carly Goben, Leah Sebade, Emily Cash, Stephanie Sturm, Nicole Megles, and Dany Myers. The team’s Student Managers were Kelsey Bouwman and Kylie Hess. The 7th grade head coach is Tony Rio. His assistants are Keith Rice and high school student assistant, Bailey Kotowski.

Parkside Junior High School’s “Good News”: Parkside Junior High School staff and students were recognized for organizing a campaign to rid one word from their students’ vocabularies. Mrs. Kath O’Connell, the Parkside Junior High School Advocates Club, the school’s Physical Educ Department, and PJHS’ Special Services

Staff organized the 1st Annual Spread The Word To End The Word (R-Word) Campaign at PJHS during the week of February 27. The word staff were trying to remove is retard because students tend to use the term, sometimes in general term, sometimes specifically. The Campaign kicked off on February 22 with a special video and presentations by O’Connell, the PJHS Advocates, and students in the Special Services program.

The R-Word Campaign activities continued into the next week with students purchasing “Spread the Word to End the Word” Bracelets with all proceeds benefiting Special Olympics Illinois. Additionally, announcements were made each morning by members of the Advocate Club members from February 24 through March 2, providing students with facts on Special Olympics, Project UNIFY, the R-Word Campaign, and disability awareness. On February 28 and

March 1, Parkside students made on-line pledges during PE classes to drop the use of the R-Word from their vocabulary and sixth, seventh, and eighth graders signed banners that were put up in their respective hallways. Teacher Karen Rennels received recognition for her assistance in organizing the Advocates Club with their presentations made on February 22 and the morning announcements.

NCHS’ “Good News”: Normal Community High School seniors Spencer Smith and Jensen Roll were honored for having played lead roles for a project at NCHS to encourage students and teachers to ride their bicycles to our high school and support efforts to aid developing countries.

The project was initiated from a discussion in AP Human Geography class with teacher Kevin Suess. The unit centered on world economic development and the importance of bicycles in developing countries. For extra credit, students were encouraged to view a film at the Normal Theater titled “With My Two Wheels.” This film told a part of the story of efforts by an international organization called the World Bicycle Relief to get bicycles to individuals in developing countries. While attending the film, viewers could donate money or bicycles to assist this organization in helping people in Third World countries.

After viewing the film, Smith and Roll, along with a number of other students and staff at NCHS, used social media and direct conversation to encourage students and staff members to begin biking to school, explored ways to help support the World Bicycle Relief project, and began some discussions with the Town of Normal about their efforts and the potential to improve the infrastructure around the school.

Subsequently, a number of media stories have aired detailing the student’s efforts. There have been conversations with Mayor

Chris Koos and the Town of Normal which have produced discussion about potential improvements to roads, sidewalks, and the Constitution Trail.

And then there was a demographicgroup who got their first taste of voting in a mock election. This group wouldbe students at Normal Community West High School. With the help of KathyMichael, McLean County Clerk, West’s student body participated in a mockprimary election on Primary Day, March 20.

Two West Social Studies teachers,Tony Bierardi and John Bierbaum, headed up the group from West’s Social StudiesClub as the young people in the club put the event together.

There were roughly 30 kids in theclub, 20 of them able to come consistently, and 10 others, who were able tolend a hand when other activities they were in involved in allowed. But as agroup, they organized the election day event to have a genuine feel of anactual voting precinct, set up just outside of the school’s cafeteria.

In an e-mail to me disclosing theresults of the mock election, Berardi and Bierbaum wrote, “we’d like to thankMcLean County Clerk Kathy Michael for her support in providing to us with mockballots, two voting machines and some props for our Mock Polling site.”

Some of the members of the club areseniors who were registered to vote for real in the primary.

Katie Appel is a senior who servesas the Whip for the Social Studies Club, making her the Club’s third mostsenior member, just as a Whip in that capacity in the U. S. House and U. S.Senate. She said she found putting the mock election together “really usefulbecause everyone can learn about what it’s like to vote. Not many know what it’slike to vote because they aren’t yet 18, but they need to know about thepolitical process before then.”

The Social Studies Club, withBerardi and Bierbaum’s guidance, and information provided by Michael’s office, setup a polling place just outside of West’s cafeteria. As they will when theirturn to vote comes, students checked in and had their names checked off byother students who served as monitors, before stepping behind a partition andcasting, then handing in a paper ballot.

Michael’s office even provided adisplay electronic voting station, like the one we veteran voters are gettingused to, so that the students could get an idea of what is in their future.

“Mr. Bierbaum, Mr. Bierardi, and a coupleof Social Studies Club officers thought it would be a good idea to do this tohelp students learn about the political process and show kids a way to getinvolved even before they are 18,” explained Tyler Ross, a junior at NormalWest who is president of the Social Studies Club.

“We all thought doing the mockelection was a great idea, especially with the County Clerk’s Office helping,”Ross said. “It would give people a true feeling for what the process would be.”

The students learned that it isn’tjust a matter of knowing about candidates and their positions on issues, but alsoabout some local issues that might be on the ballot, too.

“This election, hopefully, willraise awareness to a lot of issues going on and being brought up by the candidates,”said Anna Detloff, another West senior, who serves as the club’s Speaker. She saidshe has observed that, as far as political views are concerned, there arestudents who are either “extreme Republican or extreme Democrat, but there arealso a lot of students in the middle who just aren’t sure yet.”

“Candidates have flip-flopped, andthere’s so much controversy regarding the selection…There’s just a lot ofissues and kids don’t know what to think,” Detloff added.

Kind of makes you think the kidshave the same problem we older folks are having these days, doesn’t it?

The kids’ possible preferencestoward one candidate or another, like anyone else’s, are shaped by what theymight run across about the candidates on their favorite source for information,the internet, and specific websites they visit there.

“The election will show that yourvoice can be heard,” Detloff said. “When we get older, we will have to vote forcongressmen and presidents. It’s important to start early and understand theprocess and understand what’s going on.”

Appel, Ross, and Detloff got a firsttaste of the actual election process as well because they served as technicalelection judges for the county at precincts on Election Day.

“These are kids in our club who havea bit of a passion for Social Studies and government issues, and that sort ofstuff,” Berardi explained. “It’s not like a run-of-the-mill class in which youmight have 15 percent or 20 percent of the kids that are really in to it.

“It’salso a bit of ownership on their part,” Berardi added. “This is their club. Mr.Bierbaum and I aren’t telling them what to do. We’re just steering them in thecorrect direction. I think they’re taking a real feeling of ownership and pridein creating this endeavor.”

Asfor the results of the election, there were 311 total ballots drawn. Of those, on the Republican side,students cast 161 ballots declaring a desire to vote GOP. Mitt Romney came awaywith 41 percent of the vote; Rick Santorum came in second, having garnered 24percent of the vote; Texas Congressman Ron Paul placed third with 22 percent; FormerColorado Governor Buddy Roemer, running a small campaign, earned six percent,placing fourth; Texas Gov. Rick Perry came in fifth with 3 percent; and formerHouse Speaker Newt Gingrich placed sixth, earning 2 percent of the vote. Also on the Republican ballot was the race for Congressional District 18, whereincumbent Aaron Shock ran unopposed, earning 91 percent of the vote.

Among Democrat Results, 150 studentsrequested Democrat Ballots with all of them voting for President Barack Obama.On the Democratic ballot, students voted for a candidate to run in 18thCongressional District in fall, and selected Steve Waterworth over MattWoodmancy by a 54 percent to 40 percent tally.

The students even had to weigh in on a localissue: A Ballot Proposition for the Town of Normal to arrange the supplier ofelectricity for residential and small commercial retailers that have not optedout of the program. A total of 194 students said yes to the measure, while 86voted no.

Onanother subject, congratulations to Dr. Jeff Hill, currently Principal ofUniversity High School, one of two laboratory schools operated by IllinoisState University. The other lab school is Thomas Metcalf Elementary School.This week, Hill was named to succeed Dr. Robert Dean as Superintendent of theLab Schools. Dean is scheduled to retire June 30.

Priorto coming to U-High nearly seven years ago, Hill served as principal at Olympia High School in Stanford.

The program will begin on July 9. City Manager Mark Peterson told Council members the Town will use the lead time before the program’s start date to order carts and prepare educational materials.

As the program is to be set up, the curbside recycling program will have the following key components:

• Participation in the program is voluntary.

• Weekly curbside collection will take place on neighborhood’s regular garbage day.

• All recyclables will go into one container, also known as single stream.

• Automated trucks will be used for collection.

• Additional cost for program involves hiring of one additional employee, an additional truck, and some miscellaneous expenses.

As a result of the program beginning, citizens will see an increase of $2 in their monthly waste fee, to $12 from the current $10.

Council members Jeff Fritzen and Sonja Reece cast votes opposing beginning the program, but not before each Council member weighed in on the subject. As a result of the Council approving a curbside recycling program, a number of Town ordinances will need to be made to the Town Code in the next 45 days.

Over the course of a pair of Council meetings in January and February, members of the community had their say before the Council, both for and against starting such a program. At Monday’s Council session at Normal City Hall, before taking the vote, Council members expressed their thoughts.

“We talk about being a progressive city, but by not having curbside recycling, I don’t see how we can say we’re progressive,” said Council Member Cheryl Gaines.

Council member Chuck Scott said he would like to see a curbside recycle drop box be placed on the Illinois State University campus. Scott serves as executive director of ISU’s Work Management Department.

This program “is voluntary in use, but not in cost,” countered Council Member Jeff Fritzen, referring to the fact the fee will be paid by people who don’t use the curbside program, as well as by the people who do. “The fee should be assessed to those who use it. Two dollars is not a negligible expense for everybody.”

Mayor Chris Koos countered the concerns about the additional fee being paid by citizens who would not be participating in the curbside recycle program by saying that local residents “subsidize Ironwood Golf Course or the library, but may not use them.”

Residents participating in the recycling program will be required to have two carts • one for garbage and one for recycling. Residents who currently have two carts will be able to get a decal from the Town for one of the carts. Anyone needing to purchase a second cart can do so for half price, or $30, during a 45-day window before the start of the program. After that 45-day period, carts will cost $60.

Two sizes will be available — 65- and 95-gallon.

One change citizens will notice about the containers to be used for recycling is that large vinyl decals with the recycling logo will be used to instead of a change in the color of the lids used for garbage and recycling.

Electricity Purchase Approved: Council members unanimously approved the Town entering into a 36-month contract to purchase electricity from Collinsville-based Ameren Energy Marketing. Four companies, including Ameren Energy Marketing, submitted bids to supply the Town at a cost of .04077 dollars. The Town currently has a contract with Ameren Energy Marketing to receive electricity at a cost of .04585 dollars. That contract expires in May.

Purchase Of Refuse Trucks Approved: Council members unanimously approved the purchase of five refuse collection trucks from Arlington Heights-based Cumberland Servicenter for the net amount of $1,167,840.

Lunkers Fined By Liquor Commission: Prior to the Council session, Council members, serving as the Normal Liquor Commission, unanimously approved to impose a $250 fine on a Normal bar and eatery. Lunker’s, 104 S. Linden St., was cited for a first appearance before the Commission and fined $250. Town Attorney Wayne Karplus pointed out to Commission members this was the first time Lunker’s had ever been brought before the Commission for selling liquor to an underage patron since it opened 13 years ago.

Items included in the Omnibus agenda that were approved by the Council were:

• Approval of the minutes of the Regular Meeting of March 19, 2012.

• Approval of the minutes of the Work Session of March 19, 2012.

• Approval of Town expenditures for payment as of March 28, 2012.

• A motion to waive the formal bidding process and purchase Turf Maintenance Equipment through the National Joint Powers Alliance for a total cost of $45,590.80.

• A motion to waive the formal bidding process and purchase turf maintenance equipment through the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Purchasing Program for a total cost of $29,615.

• A motion to waive the formal bidding process and award a two-year contract to Illinois Portable Toilets for the low quote.

• A motion to accept a bid from George Gildner, Inc. and award a contract in the amount of $839,395 for the Grove Street and Oak Street Watermain Replacement Project.

• A motion to authorize the renewal of the Town’s Participation in the MICA Insurance Program for Plan Year 2012-13 beginning on May 1, 2012.

• A resolution authorizing the execution of an Intergovernmental Agreement with McLean County for Animal Warden Services.

• A resolution authorizing the execution of an Intergovernmental Agreement with McLean County for Animal Shelter Services.

• A resolution to appropriate $280,740 of the Town’s allotment of Motor Fuel Tax Funds for the Raab Road / Millennium Drive Traffic Signal Project.

• A resolution authorizing the execution of an agreement with the Uptown Normal Business Association, doing business as Uptown Partners, to provide matching funds and services to promote and market Uptown Normal.

• A resolution correcting the legal description on an easement grant to Illinois State University.

• A resolution authorizing execution of an Easement Agreement – Commerce Bank.

The Town issued a four paragraph statement to the media that afternoon, indicating that a search for a new museum manager would begin immediately, and that Carol Struck would serve as the museum’s interim manager, effective March 12. The press release did not state a specific reason for Buckellew’s firing.

In the days since Buckellew’s dismissal and the memo issued by the Town, local citizens have written to and spoken to the media about not only how Buckellew’s dismissal was handled, but also were asking for an audience with Council members to vent their opinions further.

Following the regular Council session at Normal City Hall on March 19, employees, volunteers, and supporters of Buckellew – numbering around 60 — attended a Council executive session meeting where they voiced their support for Buckellew and their objections to her dismissal. Because it was an executive session dealing with a matter that had already been decided by the Town, Council members did not comment on Buckellew’s firing.

But 17 people in attendance did not mince words with Council members over it.

Among them was Jane Smolen, who told Council members that, as she saw it, the process to remove Buckellew from her post “not only seemed to demean Buckellew but also seemed to disregard stated Town policies as detailed in the Town Municipal Code.

“I am concerned about not only how the Town looks to others, but how our town actually treats its employees,” Smolen said. “The City Manager’s actions may well affect how our town is perceived by prospective employees as well as prospective investors.” Smollen said prospective replacements for Buckellew’s post would only have to use Google to look up the Town, Buckellew, or the Children’s Discovery Museum to get a snapshot of the situation.

Smolen suggested Council members “investigate and review the circumstances surrounding Ms. Buckellew’s dismissal, including the use of proper procedures.” Smollen also added Council look into her associations with the Museum board, donors, and the Town Council.

Holly Schurter, a Normal resident who had exchanged emails with Peterson on the issue, told Council members, “I understand Mr. Peterson felt he had reason to act as he did. He wants a change in leadership at the Children’s Discovery Museum. It appears he felt anything was justified to get that change in leadership, even to the point of humiliating a city employee when, in his own words, there were no allegations of misconduct.”

“I would ask you, Mayor Koos and Council members, to reflect on how your city management dismissal process of Shari Buckellew has affected the museum staff, donors, citizens, and Shari Buckellew – beloved founder and first manager of the Children’s Discovery Museum — herself,” added Laura Berk, a donor to the museum. “I urge you to set right the manner in which personnel changes are made in the Town of Normal.”

Normal resident Karen Stephens queried Council members as to whether any sort of probation, or mediation with the Town to save her job, was offered to Buckellew. “Until I hear otherwise, I have to assume every one of you fired Shari Buckellew,” Stephens said.

Some in the audience wondered why Peterson was not present for the session. Koos told the gathering he suggested the Council hear the citizens’ comments without Peterson present.

Council Approves Agreement With Chicago Developer For Uptown One: Council members unanimously approved a resolution authorizing selecting and executing an agreement for the Uptown One site in Uptown Normal with Tartan Realty Group and Harlem Irving Companies, Chicago-based developers.

During a special session the Council held last month at the Bloomington-Normal Marriott Hotel and Convention Center, four developers, including Tartan Realty Group and Harlem Irving Properties presented their own vision of what sort of facility should go into the plot of land known as Uptown One Development.

Tartan Realty Group and Harlem Irving Properties is proposing a mixed-use project including 5,900 sq. ft. for a American Bistro Steakhouse, 6,280 sq. ft. for a health spa, and first floor space for a five-story boutique hotel. The five floors above the restaurant would have a mix of 85 one-, two-, and three-bedroom “condo quality” apartments. Tartan Realty Group and Harlem Irving Properties is putting the total estimated cost of the project at $20.5 million, estimating between $3 million-$5 million worth of public investment. The developer would build the project. There would be limited parking in the underground portion of the building, with the rest to be at Uptown Station.

Council Approves Transit Board Appointment: Council members unanimously approved the appointment of Mike McCurdy to the Bloomington-Normal Public Transit System Board of Trustees. He will serve out the remainder of a term currently being served by Peterson. Peterson is vacating the post, and by Town ordinance, becoming an ex-officio non-voting member of the Board.

McCurdy’s interest in local sustainable transportation has been paralleled by his bicycling to work for over the past four years. McCurdy, who is program director at WGLT FM, Illinois State University’s National Public Radio affiliate, was instrumental in beginning a community sustainable transportation project called, “Good To Go,” which is a year-round campaign to promote events and services related to sustainable transportation.

A Twin Cities resident for nearly 20 years, McCurdy began his employment at WGLT in 1991, serving as news director. He was promoted to Program Director five years later. He and his wife, Lisa Wills, have been married for 12 years.

Liquor Commission Renews 67 Licenses: Prior to the Council session, Council members, acting as the Normal Local Liquor Commission, unanimously voted to renew the liquor licenses of 67 businesses that serve liquor in one form or another. Among the licenses renewed, three were catering licenses; eight were for outdoor garden and sidewalk cafes; 11 were for wine tasting; one pari-mutuel betting parlor license; seven entertainment permits; two hotels; one brewpub; and one stadium.

Omnibus Agenda Items Approved: Omnibus agenda items approved by the Council included:

• Approval of minutes of the Public Hearing of March 5, 2012.

• Approval of minutes of the Regular Meeting of March 5, 2012.

• Approval of Town of Normal expenditures for payment as of March 14, 2012.

• A motion to award the bid for meter vault installations to Bloomington-based Stark Excavating, Inc. in the amount of $97,740 and approve the associated budget adjustment.

• A motion to approve the purchase of two 2012 Mitsubishi Galants from Normal-based O’Brien Mitsubishi – fleet purchasing program in the amount of $27,862.26.

• A motion to authorize Town Staff to work with Oakland, Calif.-based The Stone River Group to seek bids for bulk purchase of electricity for Town facilities.

• A motion to initiate zoning text amendments – Division 13 (Signs).

• A resolution authorizing an agreement for construction materials testing services for the 2012 construction season with Carol Stream, Ill.-based Testing Service Corporation (TSC).

• A resolution authorizing approval of change orders associated with the Gateway Plaza Cistern Project in the amount of $26,884.64 to furnish and install a cistern control vault and to remove and replace electrical lines in conflict with the water storage cistern.

• A resolution authorizing execution of an agreement with Indianapolis-based Tank Industry Consultants for evaluation, engineering, contract administration, testing, and construction services for the elevated Tank #3 rehabilitation project.

• A resolution waiving formal bidding process and accepting a proposal from Stark Excavating, Inc. in the amount of $184,600 for the construction of concrete foundations for a pedestrian walkway over the railroad on the north side of the tracks adjacent to the Gateway Plaza and approval of an associated budget adjustment.

• A resolution ratifying the execution of an agreement with the National Railroad Passengers Corporation (Amtrak) regarding relocation activities and the move of Amtrak to the Uptown Station.

• A resolution authorizing an agreement with the National Railroad Passengers Corporation (Amtrak) for a passenger platform sublease and agreement for construction, operation, and maintenance of the new Normal, Illinois Passenger Platform.

• A resolution conditionally and partially approving a final plat of the resubdivision of Lot 7 of BroMenn Healthcare Subdivision 2nd addition by expedited process.

• An ordinance vacating a portion of Franklin Ave.

• An ordinance authorizing the publication of a zoning map.

• An ordinance amending Division 9 of Chapter 10 of the Town of Normal Municipal Code – Board of Fire and Police Commission.

• An ordinance amending the operating structure of the Bloomington-Normal Public Transit System.

David Johnson was introduced to Board members as the new principal at Normal Community West High School, effective July 1. He will replace Tom Eder, who was named director of secondary education for the district last month. Johnson has been Associate Principal at Normal West since 2004, and has been at the school since 1995. A graduate of University of Illinois, Johnson has a degree in Bachelor’s degree in Teaching of Chemistry. He earned a Master’s degree from Illinois State University. He also has a superintendent’s endorsement from ISU, as well. Johnson and his wife, Kelly, have four children.

Nicole Maurer was named associate principal at Normal Community High School. Currently serving as the chair of the English department for the school, Maurer has been a teacher at NCHS for 11 years, and at NCHS for the past seven of them. Previous to arriving at NCHS, Maurer taught school in Chicago and Colfax. She replaces David Bollman, who was named principal at NCHS last month. She and her husband, Jon, have two children.

Bruce Weldy, currently principal at Northpoint Elementary School, has been named director of elementary education for the district. Weldy has been in the current post since 2004, and prior to arriving at Northpoint, was principal at Brigham Elementary for five years, and four years as principal at Sugar Creek Elementary. Prior to becoming an administrator, Weldy taught at Northpoint Elementary, and also taught in Lexington and Odell.

Weldy graduated from ISU with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. He also received a Master’s degree and superintendent endorsement from ISU. He will replace Kurt Swearingen, who is retiring in June. Weldy and his wife, Theresa, have one daughter.

April 11 Public Hearing, Board Meeting To Be At NCHS: A public hearing on the matter of the Board’s decision to seek bids for a contractor for it’s the district’s busing operations will take place on Wednesday, April 11 at Normal Community High School, beginning at 5p.m. This hearing will take place prior to the regularly scheduled Board meeting, which will begin at NCHS at 7p.m. The hearing was scheduled for March, but was postponed. In December Board members voted unanimously to seek bids for a contractor for its busing operations over the objections of drivers currently employed by the district.

During the public comments portion of the meeting, Renee Nestler, staff representative for AFSCME Council 31, the union representing the drivers, told Board members, “Outsourcing this department is a bad idea. It is a waste of time, energy, resources, and will only create additional problems as process and procedures will change, not only for the affected employees, but as well for the parents, students, and community.”

Community Action Committee Reports Accepted: Board members unanimously agreed to accept four reports Unit 5’s Community Action Committee has spent the school year working on. The subjects CAC delved into this school year were: Alternative methods for financing school construction; Wellness initiatives; Incorporating technology into the K-12 curriculum; and the relationship between Social networking and learning.

Benjamin Elementary’s “Good News”: Board members were introduced to Benjamin Elementary School third grade teacher Jennifer Gibson, by her principal Marlys Bennington. Bennnngton said Gibson consistently works to meet the specific, individual needs of her students. Students in Gibson’s classroom have a variety of needs from learning disabilities to being gifted and talented.

This year, Gibson demonstrated her skill of meeting individual needs and helping her students to learn through an opportunity that she offered to a student with a visual impairment. A student in her class, named Jake, has Nystagmus/low vision. To help his classmates and others understand his condition, Gibson suggested having Jake give a presentation to his class to explain his condition.

Gibson coordinated this presentation with the help of Jake’s parents and Jan Harrell, Unit 5’s vision consultant. The third grade students, totaling 55 in all were divided into two groups, as well as to several adults for his presentation, Jake presented to half of the students, using a power point and props, while the other half of those in attendance had the opportunity to try out special goggles that simulated the effect of Nystagmus, so they could have a better understanding of how Jake sees.

Jake’s parents had purchased a book about Nystagmus and had shared this with Gibson. In turn, Gibson made sure that all staff members who work with Jake had the opportunity to read this book to better understand the condition.

Kingsley Junior High’s “Good News”: Board members received the chance to hear about Kingsley Junior High School’s 8th grade boys’ basketball team’s most recent triumph, having won the Illinois Elementary School Association’s 8th Grade 4A State Championship on February 16, 2012, beating Bolingbrook Jane Addams, 44-38. As it turns out, Bolingbrook Jane Addams is the same team they beat for the 7th grade championship in 2011, as well. Head Coach Clint Carden along with assistant coaches, Scott Vogel, Ben Matthews, Kody Hill, and Alex Lorsbach, and their 8th grade team finished with a 26-0 undefeated season. An all-school assembly was held in their honor on February 22.

Members of the team are: Ethan Pogge, Joe Hughes, Josh Robinson, Peyton Zehr, Alec Bozarth, Dalton Cremeens, Andrew Jennings, Damone Jones, Jim Leone, Emmanuel Ndjoli, Riley Rahuba, Aiden Rich, Griffin Stiles, Hayden Stoewer, and Mitch Turner. The 8th grade managers were Zach Frey, Justin Gorczyca, Drew Klein, Kyle Shoemaker, and Alec Trela.

Each member of the team and the team managers received certificates of achievement, presented to them by KJHS Principal Dr. Lynette Mehall, and State Rep. Dan Brady (R-88th District).

The first quarter ended in a 9-9 tie, the lead having changed hands four times, with Breese guard Jacob Timmermann’s tying basket with 50.4 seconds left in the period being the last shot of the quarter.

A pair of threes by senior guard Kyle Morris would lift U-High (28-5) 15-13 with 4:42 until halftime. But Breese (35-1) would retake the lead, 17-15, with 3:10 remaining, courtesy of jumpers from junior forward Austin Rickhoff and senior center Brandon Book.

Two free throws by Pioneers sophomore forward Keita Bates-Diop would tie the contest at 17-all with 2:58 remaining in the quarter. From there, head coach Bob Fitzgerald’s troops went on a 5-0 run to close out the half, leading 22-17, on a pair of baskets by sophomore forward Kane Wildermuth and a free throw by senior guard Kurtis Ellis.

After of pair of free throws by Book, pulling Breese in by three, 22-19, the Pioneers increased their lead, 24-19, on a deuce by senior center Mitch Styczynski. From there, Breese went on a 7-0 tear, highlighted by Book’s three-pointer at the 3:18 mark, putting the Cougars up, 26-24. Book would add two more baskets, including a trey, and two free throws to give Breese a 34-28 lead going into the fourth quarter.

U-High would be down by as many as 10, 41-31, before mounting a comeback on baskets by Bates-Diop, Ellis, and sophomore forward Malik Wildermuth, coming within four, 41-37 with 2:42 left.

But Pioneers four trouble would send Book and senior guard Nick Grapperhaus to the free throw line, where they would score a combined 4-for-6, pushing Breese ahead, 46-40, with 1:13 left.

The Pioneers would muster another comeback from there, pulling within two, 49-47 on free throws by junior forward Nick Schroeder and Ellis, combined with two baskets by Styczynski. But the Pioneers would have just 11.2 seconds left and need two possessions to catch the Cougars.

But in those closing seconds, Morris would twice foul Grapperhaus, who would go a perfect 4-for-4 from the line for the final score.

Book was the lone Breese player in double digits, scoring 28. Styczynski was the lone Pioneers player in double figures, scoring 10.

Breese head coach Stan Eagleson, in relaying his happiness at the victory, told The Belleville News-Democrat newspaper, “We’ve been here and I wouldn’t trade those times we brought those other teams up here for anything, but this is the icing on the cake. This is for all the Cougars.”

“It’s a sad time for us right now,” U-High’s Bates-Diop told reporters. “It was a successful season, especially after the season we had last season to this year. We finally made it to Peoria.

Although the loss was a tough memory to live with, Fitzgerald said, “I tried to explain to these kids that when you win 28 games in a basketball season, that puts you down as one of the best U-High teams in history. We’ve got three trophies sitting in a case outside the gym. Tonight, they got a fourth.

“We’re going to put their names on that trophy,” Fitzgerald said. “Twenty years from now, they’re going to be able to walk through and tell their kids, ‘there’s Daddy’s name on that trophy.’ They don’t get that now. It’s hard for all of us to get it right now. But they’ll get it. They all will.”

Pioneers Beat Rockford Lutheran In Semi-Final: The Pioneers reached the title game with a 55-52 victory over Rockford Lutheran at Carver Arena on March 9. That same day, Breese Central beat South Holland Seton Academy, 57-47.

In the game against Rockford Lutheran, U-High jumped out to a fast 6-0 lead on baskets by Ellis, senior center Bryn Agnew, and Schroeder. A fast three by Crusaders guard Tarence Roby cut that lead, 6-3, with five minutes left in the opening quarter. But the Pioneers forged ahead on another 6-0 run with baskets by Bates-Diop, Ellis, and Morris pushing their team in front. The Pioneers owned a 16-8 lead going into the second quarter as a result.

U-High held the Crusaders off while pushing their lead to 20-16, when Rockford Lutheran, behind baskets by Roby, guard Alex Oates, and Nate Wieting cut U-High’s lead, 27-20 with 2:18 remaining in the second quarter.

Following a Bates-Diop jumper, which gave the Pioneers a 29-20 lead, Weiting hit back-to-back answered deuces, pulling the Crusaders within five, 29-24, with 35 seconds left. The Pioneers went up 31-24 on two Ellis free throws, but Rockford Lutheran closed out the half on a trey by guard Thomas Kopelman, slicing the Pioneers’ lead at halftime, 31-27.

Rockford Lutheran pushed to within two, 33-31, as the third quarter began, on baskets by Roby and a free throw from forward Teyvious Montgomery. Pioneers free throws and a basket by Bates-Diop, combined with two baskets from Ellis pushed U-High forward, 41-35 with 1:12 left in the quarter, en route to a 43-38 lead going into the fourth quarter.

Rockford Lutheran opened the game’s final period with a 5-0 run with deuces from guard Derek Seyller and Kopelman, and a free throw by Oates, tying the game at 43-all with 6:21 left in the contest.

An Ellis deuce and a trey by Morris put the Pioneers on a 5-0 run of their own, pushing U-High’s lead to 48-43, with 5:28 left. Two free throws by Roby cut that lead to 48-45 with 5:20 left. Rockford Lutheran’s closest chance to overtake the Pioneers came with help from back-to-back treys by Seyller and Oates, cutting the Pioneers’ lead, 53-52, with 1:04 remaining. Bates-Diop would score a deuce with 40 seconds remaining, giving U-High a 55-52 lead. Rockford Lutheran would use two timeouts to assess the situation, the last one coming with 7.3 seconds remaining.

With the seconds coming off the clock, the Crusaders got the ball to Montgomery, standing just beyond the arc, who fired the potential tying three. But the ball smacked the backboard and bounced away as the buzzer sounded. For the next few moments after that, Montgomery was lying on his stomach, his hands covering his face until one of his coaches walked by to help him to his feet.

Bates-Diop led U-High in scoring with 16 points, followed by 13 from Ellis. Roby was the only player in double-digits for Rockford Lutheran with 13.

“It was a tough game,” Fitzgerald said. “We knew coming in that Rockford Lutheran was a full board team, and that they were going to push the basketball on us. For a while, there, we were just trying to find a way to get baskets.”

For Rockford Lutheran head coach Tom Guse “there were no excuses” for his team’s loss, despite out-rebounding the Pioneers by one, 33-32. “That just shows the character and heart that this group has,” he said. “There are a lot of plays that we left out there that could have gone either way. But that’s what happens when you play good teams.

“You have to give them credit,” Guse said about U-High. “When you get this far, you’re really doing good. You’re one of the top four teams in the state, and we just came up a little short, but very proud.”

The next weekend, University High senior Sarah Telling in Class 3A, and Sara Freed in Class 4A gave it their best shot. Telling made 9 successful treys, while Freed made 7.

Freed called the experience of shooting treys on the larger stage of Redbird Arena, in comparison to doing it at NCHS’ gym, “pretty nerve-racking.”

“It’s a lot different shooting here compared to the high school,” Freed said about shooting threes at the home of the Illinois State University Redbirds. “The brighter lights in Redbird Arena make the whole place seem bigger,” Freed said. “”Those lights make it more intimidating. They make the baskt look like it’s further away.”

Freed’s preparation for this event under the lights was interesting because she rotated where she practiced her shots, changing the venues where she took her 3-point practices on a nightly basis. Those locations included NCHS’ gym, the Four Seasons Club in Bloomington, or in front of her house. She said she did that just to adjust to going through the three-point competition at different gyms.

“You’ve got to change up the basket each and every time you practice, and get your shot down, too,” Freed said. “That way, when you get to State for this event, the situation won’t seem so different.” Her regimen of practice for this event began when competition in girls’ regionals began in February.

Freed had a fan base of roughly 25 friends and relatives in attendance, sitting primarily in one section behind the basket at the north end of Redbird Arena to watch her in action, cheering every basket, rooting for her all the way.

I discovered basketball runs in Freed’s family. Her mother, the former Julie Riddle, now married to David Freed, played basketball and softball, and ran in track & field events as a student at Lexington High School. Julie joked that the experience of watching Sara was nerve-racking for her, too, following it up with a good laugh.

“I could see her determination,” Julie said, talking about the look on her daughter’s face as she went through the competition. “It was in her heart.”

The younger Freed will attend ISU this fall, but is not going to be on any of the Redbirds’ Womens’ sports teams.

For Telling, there wasn’t a real regimen involved with her trying to compete in the 3-Point Competition. “I just practice as much as I can,” she said, adding she tried to get in between 30 to 60 minutes of practice in daily. Telling rotated her practices. She went between U-High and Illinois Wesleyan University’s home court, the Shirk Center, to get used to a longer venue.

Telling is going to attend St. Ambrose University, based in Davenport, Iowa in the fall, where she will study to become a physical therapist. Telling said she “felt happy and blessed to be here” for her chance to compete in the event.

At Redbird Arena, Telling’s biggest adjustment was getting “used to shooting in front of so many people.” There were about 300-plus folks in the stands for the 3-Point Shootout on Thursday, March 1. There were probably just as many present for the event the week before when Maggie Hayes competed.

A week earlier, on Feb. 23, Maggie Hayes, like Telling and Freed, probably couldn’t have pictured herself at the Class 1A/2A Girls 3-Point Shootout. She was competing to be the top 3-point shooter in the State.

Maggie is the daughter of Lexington residents Bill and Michelle Hayes.

As it turns out, Maggie has already established a basketball legacy of sorts. She was part of the Lexington Junior High School basketball squads who made two trips to Illinois Elementary School Association Girls’ State Tournament in both 7th and 8th grade. Both of those years, Lexington Junior High School placed fourth at State. But as 8th graders, Hayes and her teammates helped Lexington Junior High take the IESA State Volleyball title.

Maggie said those early victories taught her what it took to get to and win a State Championship. As a sophomore at BCC, she was on the Saints team head coach Debbie Coffman led to an IHSA State Title in 2010 and to a second place finish last year.

“I feel as though I brought those lessons from Lexington to high school,” Maggie said.

Maggie put their best effort into their 3-Point try that Thursday. Unfortunately, she could not get to the finals, as she saw just six of her 15 tries swish through the hoop.

Still, she has advice for girls wanting to aspire to get to Redbird Arena for the three-point competition in the future. “You need the drive,” Maggie said, adding, “You also need to have a lot fun, otherwise. You can’t go through four years of playing basketball without having fun.”

Maggie is going to attend Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville to study Early Childhood Education, with her life’s goal to become a Kindergarten teacher.

In a memo to City Manager Mark Peterson, Town Corporation Counsel Steve Mahrt explained that the two locations “were not designed or constructed for the purpose of camping and neither space is equipped to handle camping activities. Camping in these spaces will detract from the transitory public use of the spaces by members of the general public and may damage or harm the property or create unsanitary or unsafe conditions.”

Last fall, members of Occupy Bloomington-Normal staged a rally at the roundabout. Since October, and up until roughly a month ago, they had set up an encampment in the Milner Library Plaza on the Illinois State University campus. They are now relocating in Bloomington.

Mahrt cited a 1984 Supreme Court case, Clark v. Community For Creative Non-Violence, in which the Justices upheld a National Park Service regulation prohibiting camping at Lafayette Park, across the street from The White House, and at The National Mall.

Demonstrators said they had the First Amendment right to camp at those locations, free of governmental prohibition. The Supreme Court disagreed, explaining the no-camping rule did not discriminate on the basis of the message being expressed by the group, but rather, it was a regulation tailored to protect park property from damage while allowing others to use the park.

Council member Adam Nielsen asked Mahrt what prompted the Town to approve this measure. Mahrt said the amendment was prompted by discussions at a retreat Council members had last fall, as well as concerns for the Town being able to maintain the green space in that area.

Mahrt said camping equipment would be prohibited in those areas as a result of the amendment. “People will not be able to stay for days on end in that area,” he told Council members.

“We’re not eliminating anyone’s freedom of assembly or freedom of speech by passing this,” Council member Jason Chambers added.

Town 2012-13 Fiscal Budget Adopted: Following a required public hearing which preceded the meeting, Council members unanimously passed an ordinance adopting the operating and capital investment budget for the Town for the 2912-2013 fiscal year. The Town’s capital investment program totals $14,930,017 for the upcoming fiscal year. Over the next five years, the Town is looking at spending $39,429,821 on community improvement needs.

Omnibus Agenda Items Approved: Omnibus agenda items approved by the Council included:

• Approval of minutes of the Regular Meeting of Feb. 20, 2012

• Approval of minutes of the Special Meeting of Feb. 28, 2012.

• Approval of Town of Normal expenditures for payment as of Feb. 29, 2012.

• A motion to award the bid for water main and service line materials to Bloomington-based Water Products Co.

• A motion to rescind a purchase contract to Peoria-based Altorfer Equipment and award a purchase contract to the lowest responsible bidder, Goodfield-based Martin Equipment for a vibratory compaction roller in the net amount of $25,000.

• A motion to accept a bid in the amount of $381,070.54 from Downers Grove, Ill.-based Sentinel Technologies for the purchase of network infrastructure equipment.

• A motion accepting a proposal and authorizing Town Staff to enter into a contract with Sentinel Technologies for the purchase of a Cisco voice-over internet protocol (VOIP) telecommunication system at a cost not to exceed $350,000.

• A motion accepting a proposal and authorizing Town Staff to enter into an agreement with Bloomington-based STL BTS for information technology project management services.

• A resolution authorizing execution of an agreement with Itasca, Ill.-based Henricksen Co. for the purchase and installation of furniture for Uptown Station in the amount of $559,184.63.

• A resolution authorizing the execution of an Intergovernmental Agreement with McLean County to share network access costs for wireless mobility.

• A resolution authorizing the execution of an Intergovernmental Agreement for use of the police shooting range facility with the City of Bloomington.

• A resolution for the use of Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) Funds to finance General Obligation Bonds to be used for roadway improvements in Uptown Normal.

• A resolution authorizing dedication of property for alley and general utility purposes – Commerce Bank.

As a result, Normal West defeated the Ironmen, 43-41 to take the Illinois High School Association Class 4A Danville Regional title, in a contest played at Illinois Wesleyan University on Friday, March 2. The game was moved to IWU after all schools involved in the game and the regional host school received IHSA approval. The victory advanced Normal West to a showdown for the Class 4A Sectional title at Pekin on Tuesday against the host Dragons.

NCHS (22-8) owned a 38-35 lead on the Wildcats until West senior forward Austin Stewart sank a trey from the top of the key with two minutes remaining in regulation, tying the game at 38-all. A defensive struggle for the ball, including three Ironmen turnovers and tight defense on both sides prevented much shooting in the closing moments until with six seconds left, Stewart took a last shot which missed as the buzzer sounded, leading to overtime.

Having been fouled by NCHS senior guard Chase Robbins, junior guard Adam McGinnis sank one of a pair of free throws, giving West (23-7) a 39-38 lead to start the overtime period. Quick rebounding on the second shot led to Stewart increasing that lead to 41-38. Junior guard Callen Boddie’s trey at 1:42 of overtime tied the game at 41-all.

Stewart answered for West with a deuce at 1:09, putting the Wildcats up, 43-41. Senior forward Tyler Bixby missed a layup with 11.4 seconds left, prompting West to call a timeout. When play resumed, NCHS senior guard Anthony Beane, clearly double-teamed by West defenders, managed to get off a 23-foot three-point shot that would have given NCHS a one-point lead, 44-43. But officials saw Beane’s coach, NCHS’ Dave Witzig, calling a timeout, and granted it. As the officials allowed time out, the roughly 1,800 fans present saw Beane’s would-be game-leading three-pointer swish through the basket.

NCHS had leads of 9-6 after the first quarter, and 19-15 at the half. West began the third quarter with a basket from Beane, increasing the Ironmen’s lead, 21-15. A trey from Stewart to cut NCHS’ lead, 21-18 with 7:32 left in the third quarter. A pair of free throws by NCHS’ junior forward Trevor Seibring gave the Ironmen a 23-20 lead, but back-to-back unanswered baskets by Boddie and Stewart gave West a 24-23 lead with 2:17 left in the quarter.

Another Seibring bucket at 1:11 in the third quarter tied the game at 27-all. A basket by Robbins, with an assist from Beane, gave NCHS a 29-27 lead going into the fourth quarter.

“I knew we needed those shots, and during the game, I felt I had to be the one to take them,” Stewart said afterward. “Thankfully, they dropped in.”

Stewart said he attributed West’s early lack of scoring during the first quarter “to probably just nerves. Early on, we couldn’t get any shots to drop. But once we settled down, we pulled this out.”

“The win feels great for our kids,” Normal West head coach Brian Cupples said afterward. “I’m blessed with a group of kids who never quit, and so is NCHS’ Dave Witzig. Their kids never quit either. Someone said to me this game is probably an instant classic.

“It was two teams who were both 22-7 and two teams that had split their games throughout the year,” Cupples said. “Nobody wanted to lose, and fortunately, we got the last rebound and were able to win the game.”

“We got a little bit of a lead and West comes back…West did a great job,” said Witzig. “West will continue on, and they are deserving regional champions.”

But for the Ironmen, Witzig said, “this really hurts because we had a pretty good season ourselves. Our senior class did some great things for us here.” Witzig said he wished he hadn’t called the timeout with four seconds to go as Beane was in the act of shooting from behind the arc.

“I thought Beane was being double-teamed and just as we get the timeout, he rises up and hits the three-pointer giving us the lead,” Witzig said. “I apologized to our guys for the timing of the time out.”