February 11, 2004 Special Board Meeting Report

Former Spring Valley mayor Jim Narczewski was appointed to the Illinois Valley Community College board of trustees at a special meeting Wednesday night.

Narczewski, Spring Valley mayor from 1985 to 2001, was a lifelong educator and superintendent of three school districts. He applied for the board vacancy when Harry Debo of Peru resigned last summer. Debo’s vacancy was filled in September by Paula Endress of Earlville.

Narczewski fills the unexpired two year term of Tom Shea of Princeton who resigned in January after six years on the board so that he could pursue retirement goals.

"Our selection committee interviewed Mr. Narczewski last summer and they were impressed with his educational and civic background. He brings to the board 35 years of experience in public education and he was the mayor of Spring Valley for 16 years. And he also represents the same region — Bureau County — as Tom Shea did," said board chair Deb Sweeden.

"I am confident the district will be well served by his leadership," she added.

From 1975 to 1985, Narczewski was a member of the Spring Valley city council, library board and a representative for the North Central Illinois Council of Governments. He was the superintendent for La Moille, Lisbon and Thorton schools, a principal and curriculum director for Spring Valley Schools (1971-1994) and a language arts teacher at Malden (1967-1971).

"IVCC is a valuable community asset," Narczewski said. "For so many district residents, IVCC is a catalyst to an excellent career. I was very satisfied with my son’s experience at IVCC and I will work to keep IVCC the great institution it is."

IVCC President Jean Goodnow praised Shea’s work with the board.

"Tom was a strong voice for IVCC students and for the residents of our district," Goodnow said. "The experience he brought from his management career at LTV Steel and his extensive background in education was a great benefit to the district."

In other business, the board moved to seek a legal opinion on its compliance with the Open Meetings Act. To ensure they are in compliance with the Act, La Salle County State’s Attorney Joe Hettel will be asked to review the board’s meeting practices.

The board’s regular monthly meeting will be at 7:00 PM Wednesday, February 18.