The Fieldcrest school board approved a bid by Union Roofing Company of Chenoa to reroof the gymnasium lobby at Fieldcrest Middle East in Wenona for $41,498. The bid includes a 10 year warranty on the roof.

The board approved the award of $13,173.75 to Alfred's Floor Service of Morton to strip and refinish the gymnasiuns at Fieldcrest East and the high school. The work is necessary because of water damage. The cost will be covered by $25,000 in insurance payments.

Fieldcrest Middle East will receive a $50,000 matching grant to install elevators so as to make the school handicap accessable. The other $50,000 will come from the district funds.

Shirley Barth submitted her resignation as an aide at Elementary South where she has been employed for 31 years.

The board accepted the resignation of Michael Breyne who coached girls' softball and basketball at Middle East.

March 10

Fred Rutkowski, Corporal (Tec 5) died March 23, 2001, served with CO. E 130th Infantry, United States Army from April 11, 1941 to November 18, 1945. Total service time: 4 years, 7 months, 8 days. Received WW II Victory Medal, Asiatic pacific Theater Ribbon with 3 Bronze Battle Stars, Phillippine Liberation Ribbon with 1 Bronze Battle Star, 4 overseas Service Stars,a nd 1 Service Stripe. Total overseas service June 19, 1943 to November 11, 1945.

Gilbert F. Janssen, Served in the United States Navy during World War II. Died March 15, 2001. 50 year member of the American Legion Post 142.

Lester H. Kleen, Corporal (Tec 5) United States Army, died June 20, 2001. Served on active duty from April 11, 1951 to April 11, 1953; total of 2 years. Served with Headquarters & Service Co., 51st Armored Engineer Battalion, with the 6th Armored Division at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri.

Carl E. Matter, Sergeant (Tec 4), died August 5, 2001. Served with Service Co., 19th Tank Battalian, 3rd Armored Division. Served in the United States Army a total of 3 years, 5 months, 16 days from May 7, 1942 to October 23, 1945. Served overseas 1 year, 7 months, 11 days. Served at Normandy, Rhineland, Ardennes, Central Europe, Northern France. Awarded European-African-Middle Eastern Theater ribbons with Silver Battle Star and Good Conduct Medals.

Virgil Ray Oltman, dield August 13, 2001. Served 39 months in the Army Air Corps during World War II. Served 24 months in China and 2 months behind enemy lines in Burma.

Harm U. Cremer, Corporal (Tec 5), dield October 7, 2001. Served in the U. S. Army a total of 3 years, 6 months, 16 days from April 3, 1942 to October 19, 1945. Served overseas from June 7, 1944 to September 30, 1945. Served with Headquarters Co., 33rd Armored Engineers, 7th Armored Division. Awarded European-African-Middle Eastern Theater ribbons with 4 bronze battle stars and Good Conduct medals. 50 year member of the American Legion Post 142.

Francis "Ollie" Schneider, Sergeant (Tec 4), died October 31, 2001. Served with the U. S. Army Field Artillery a total of 2 years, 10 months, 29 days. Overseas service 10 months, 24 days. He served in the Service Battery, 590th Field Artillery Battalion. Awarded European-African-Middle Eastern Theater ribbon with 3 bronze battle stars, 1 overseas Service Bar, and Good Conduct Medal. 50 year member of American Leion Post 142.

John Gaspardo, Major in the United States Army. Died November 17, 2001. Served in the U. S. Army a total of 20 years from 1958 until retiring on October 31, 1978. He served in both Vietnam and Germany.

Edmund "Bud" Schneider, First Sergeant United States Army Infantry. Served a total of 3 years, 9 months, 17 days from August 28, 1941 to December 15, 1945. Served overseas 6 months, 1 day. Awarded American Theatre Campaign Medal, American Defense Service Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with 1 Bronze Star, Good Conduct Medal, and Victory Ribbon. Died December 21, 2001. 50 year member American Legion Post 142.

Jeffrey L. Carlson, 56 died, February 9, 2002. Veteran of Vietnam War and served in the 101st Airborne Division.

March 17

Achelpohl has been principal at Fieldcrest since 1998. In addition to his normal duties, he was also co-chair of the Fieldcrest Technology Committee. During his tenure, he has substantially reduced truancy at the school.

The results of the meeting indicated that the proposed pavilion should be a memorial for the September 11 terrorist attacks as well as a World War I memorial. A letter is to be composed asking for donations from private businesses and other potential sources of revenue. It was felt that donations from businesses as well as citizens will be needed to raise the required funds.

The outcome means that Pierceall will be the next Woodford County sheriff since the Democrats did not run any candidate for the office.

Pierceall has been a Woodford County deputy for 21 years in the sheriff's office and will replace his former boss Bill Myers who resigned last fall after being investigated for misuse of department funds. Pierceall is faced with the responsiblity of restoring morale and confidence in the sheriff's department and to ensure that all property and monies are properly accounted for. >

March 24

There will be a reduction in hours for the cooks at Fieldcrest High School and at East.

Many parents showed up for the board meeting expressing their concern over class size and the quality of education that would result from the cuts in staff. Some also asked if the new school addition at Fieldcrest South would result in empty rooms. Dr. Michael Stagliano, Superintendent of the Fieldcrest School District, stated that the new class rooms will not be empty and will be used. He indicated that there is a lack of space at South regardless of class size.

Fieldcrest Education Association president Lila MuCulley indicated that the school board's decision will effect the lives of the teachers as well as the students. The teachers need to have some guidance for the future.

The board advises citizens to contact our state representatives in Springfield in an effort to reduce the amount of proposed cuts in education.