District 47 School Board Welcomes New Member

Curt Wadlington was sworn in as a new board member while Ryan Farrell and Rob Fetzner, both attorneys and board members who have served for the past four years, were re-elected for another term.

Newcomer Wadlington is an Advanced Placement psychology and anthropology teacher at Prairie Ridge High School and a lifelong community member of Crystal Lake. “I am truly excited to serve as a District 47 board member,” he said. “My intention is to bring my educational experience as a high school social science educator of the past 13 years to this new position.” Wadlington explained that, as educators, both he and his wife strongly believe in the importance of personal growth and lifelong learning. As such, he said, “I want to ensure my own three small children receive the same high level of education that I did in this great community.”

Wadlington replaces former board member Nancy Gonsiorek, who has served District 47 since 2007. According to board president Jeff Mason, there are many areas where there will be a lasting impact of Gonsiorek’s involvement. First, Mason said Gonsiorek was a strong supporter and promoter of encore electives in the middle schools to ensure that the district provided challenging and varying options for students. She also was frequently seen in school cafeterias, talking with students and staff about the lunch program and food selections to make sure the district was providing a variety of healthy options. At Hannah Beardsley, Gonsiorek helped spearhead an outdoor classroom project along with science teacher Carol Sevrey, engaging students in the practice of gardening while educating them about prairie plants and conservation.

“Through the years as a D47 school board member, parent and mentor, Nancy always strived to keep the district’s curriculum rigorous, hands-on and flexible to changing standards,” said Sevrey. “D47’s curriculum is highly regarded by others in the area due to Nancy’s influence, perseverance, and hard work as an active school board member.”

Mason said that, above all, Gonsiorek brought financial expertise to the district during a time of great challenges due to economic turmoil and state funding cutbacks. “She was a champion for stringent controls and financial integrity, both of which are critical for any organization,” he said. “Beyond that, she was an advocate for the taxpayers and community members, always mindful that the district must be good stewards with the funds provided to us. We will miss Nancy’s involvement and are grateful for her willingness to dutifully serve these past eight years.”

After being seated, the D47 board of education nominated, voted on and approved the re-appointment of Jeff Mason as president, Rob Fetzner as vice president and Clare Bourne as board secretary.