HR0285 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0285 LRB094 11866 CSA 44261 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to recognize the achievements of retiring Rantoul Township High School (RTHS) Superintendent Jerry Zachary; and

WHEREAS, Superintendent Zachary has worked in education for 43 years and has lead the school district since 1994; when he retires on June 30, 2005, he will end a long association with Rantoul school districts, beginning with his attendance at Myna Thompson Elementary School and extending to his graduation from RTHS in 1956; and

WHEREAS, He was born in Missouri where his father farmed as a sharecropper; his parents brought the family, two sons and a daughter, to Rantoul on December 7, 1941, and opened a grocery store called Zachary and Sons' Royal Blue; during high school, he was All State in both basketball and football and was captain of a basketball team that qualified in the IHSA Elite 8 in 1956; he also ran the 100-yard dash, the 220-yard dash, ran in a relay team, and threw shot put; in one high school meet, he scored more points than the entire opposing team; in 1987, he was inducted into RTHS's Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, Inspired by his coaches, he pursued a degree in physical education from Colorado College; he later transferred to Eastern Illinois University (EIU) where he participated on the track team and graduated with a bachelor's degree in physical education; at EIU, he worked as an assistant professor, assistant dean of student activities, and as assistant dean of men; at Indiana University, he served as coordinator of the Willkie Residence Life Center; and at the Illinois State Board of Education, he was director of the Career Guidance Center; after deciding to work as an administrator, he took a position as principal of Newman High School and then as principal of Argenta-Oreana High School; upon finishing his superintendency education, he served superintendentships at Sheldon and Palestine school districts; and

WHEREAS, Superintendent Zachary's challenges during his 11-year tenure were reducing staff while providing a comprehensive curriculum, replacing 84 percent of the faculty after the retirements of 26 long-time teachers, and passing a referendum approving a tax increase to strengthen the district's finances; his accomplishments include implementing advanced placement courses and expanding the curriculum and facilitating the construction of a sorely needed all-weather track; he was also a major force behind the funding and the building of RTHS's new west wing; and

WHEREAS, He has been very involved within the school, attending almost every event; he has supported Rantoul and RTHS with a hometown style; his reward has been found in doing something he loved, in a town he loved; he feels the district's future sits on solid ground, that it counts among its strengths its rich ethnic and racial diversity, a supportive board of education, and an excellent staff; and

WHEREAS, In 1978, he and his wife, Monica, were married and they had two children, son Blake and daughter Alainna; they plan to move to Champaign and he is exploring working as an interim administrator as well as increasing his involvement as a volunteer for the Salvation Army, where he serves as a board member, and other community organizations; and

WHEREAS, He will be remembered not only for his impact on the district's facilities and academics, but also for his big heart, enthusiasm, and sense of humor; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate and thank Jerry Zachary for his tenure as Superintendent of Rantoul Township High School; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Superintendent Zachary as an expression of our respect and esteem and with our best wishes for his retirement.