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La Grange School District 105

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D105 History

A logo featuring four icons within a blue oval, with the text 'THE D105 DIFFERENCE'.

A History of School District 105

Countryside – Hodgkins – LaGrange Illinois

 

From the Beginning

(A brief history published in 1957)

 

The schools of a community are not merely structures of brick and mortar, or steel and wood. They are a reflection of the will, the faith, the aspirations and the personalities of the people who create them and who contribute in an ever changing scene to their growth and to the fulfillment of their purpose. History in this connection is but a sketchy note, a fading record of successive buildings and of only a few of the many citizens who have given of their time and energy that these schools should be and then should grow to meet the challenge of each succeeding year.

 

From very early School District records we find that this area first was known as District 4, in Township 38, Range 12. In 1844 a Margaret McNaughten (1814–1856) taught in a little log school house located in what now is Lyonsville, at Wolf Road and Route 66. Margaret McNaughten became the wife of Samuel Vial (1819-1911) and later taught her own children and those of her neighbors in her own home on Joliet Road near the present southeast corner of East Avenue and Route 66. Some time between 1854 and 1858 a little white school house was built at this location. It was known for many years as the "School at Skunk Corners," a name applied when some young prankster killed a skunk and nailed its hide to a fence board at the crossroads.

 

Hiram McClintock (1840-1863), "a very scholarly gentleman” served as teacher during the school term in 1861. After only one year at the school he joined the Union Army in 1862 and was this area's first casualty in the Civil War. Despite his brief stay, this schoolmaster had made a decided impression in the community and the Hiram McClintock Post of the Grand Army of the Republic was named after him. It was very difficult to secure teachers during these early years and judging by the faculty spelling in notes and records left behind, they must have been very poorly educated. Salaries paid ranged from $25 to $45 per month, and in 1875 the teacher was paid $55 per month for the eight month school term.

A black and white portrait of Hiram McClintock in a military uniform, posing with a sword.In 1886 Samuel Vial gave an acre for a new school site at the northeast corner of East Avenue and Route 66, and a "permanent school house" was built on this site. Another ten years passed and a one‑room addition to the school was built to meet the needs of a growing population. Still later this two‑room school was raised; a one story brick building was constructed and the two frame classrooms formed the second floor of the enlarged school house. Fire destroyed this building in March of 1918. Charles Conrad, who was then a school director, recalls salvaging some desks and books from one of the rooms while the Hodgkins Fire Department was fighting the blaze. The entire building was destroyed. School directors, facing the problem of finding temporary housing for the children, spent several weeks collecting old lumber and in constructing benches to accommodate the pupils in temporary quarters at Hodgkins and in two classes at the Thatcher farm house to finish the term.

 

Just a few days before Armistice Day in November, 1918, classes were resumed in a new school located about 40‑50 feet back from where the old building had stood. It was known only as "the new school" until the spring of 1919 when County Superintendent of Schools Edward J. Tobin made his annual visitation. Tobin termed it an "ideal" school for the rural community and the name stuck. Now outgrown and out‑moded, this building still stands at East Avenue and Joliet Road.

 

Shortly after 1920, Hodgkins made a strong bid for a school in their own community and a two‑room building that now forms the original part of the present school was erected.

 

During the boom period in the late 1920s a four room school had been built "in the prairie" at Seventh Avenue and 49th Street. The School Board of Directors at this time included Homer L. Furman, President, and Cole G. Lenzi and Fred Petges as members. Opinion of the community on this venture was divided and it was regarded by many as an unwise move. The area continued to develop, especially following erection of the Electro‑Motive plant in 1935 and the population increased by leaps and bounds. In 1945 plans were made for the addition of eight rooms, a kindergarten and an auditorium‑gymnasium to the Seventh Avenue School. This building program was completed in September, 1947, and a bronze plaque placed in the hall bears the familiar names of Kenneth Jensen, President, and Cole Lenzi, Lyman M. Hoadly, Albern Hollands, William E. Kroll, Ralph H. Potts and Elvin H. Skinnes as members of the Board of Education at that time.

 

By 1950, the school population of District 105 had increased from the recorded 279 in 1945 to a total enrollment of 728 children.  Existing facilities at Ideal, Hodgkins and Seventh Avenue Schools had been overwhelmed and most classrooms were badly over‑loaded. It was evident, further, that the entire community was experiencing a period of dynamic residential development and that any limited construction program would be totally inadequate to meet the emergency.

 

Responding to a citizens' recommendation that expert counsel be retained, the Board of Education asked Dr. William C. Reavis (1881-1955), noted University of Chicago consultant, to survey and make recommendations concerning the needs of the District. In consequence of this and other detailed studies, additional property was acquired and construction started on a new Ideal School on 58th Street, one block east of LaGrange Road, and on a second new school on Spring Avenue at 52nd Street in LaGrange. At the same time, two classrooms and a gymnasium were added to the Hodgkins School.  These new schools, planned to accommodate children enrolled in Kindergarten through the eighth grade in their respective attendance areas, were completed in time for use in the fall of 1952.

 

Within less than two years following occupation of these new buildings it became apparent to the community that even this construction program had been inadequate to match the rapid growth of the District and that new steps must be taken. A Citizens Advisory Committee was formed, Dr. Reavis again was retained and exhaustive new surveys were conducted.  These studies resulted in renewal of earlier recommendations that all seventh and eighth grades of the District be consolidated in a new school and plans for the William F. Gurrie Central High School were evolved. The proposal was overwhelmingly approved by the voters in a referendum on March 17, 1956, and the new school, though not completed, was placed in use in September, 1957.

 

Year by Year Chronology

 

Year School Board President Superintendent Student Population Pupil-Student Ratio Significant Events
2025-2026 Bryan White Dr. Brian Ganan    
  • Ms. Martne McCoy named Principal of Spring Avenue Elementary School

Photo of Martne McCoy-Principal of Spring Avenue Elementary School

  • Mr. Bryan White elected as School Baord President

Photo of Bryan White-Elected School Board President

  • Migrated District and School website to Smart Sites and rolled out with integration with school communications systems
2024-2025 Elias Lopez Dr. Brian Ganan 1192 13
  • Ms. Lorena Mendoza named Principal of Gurrie Middle School

Photo of Dr. Lorena Mendoza-Principal of Gurrie Middle School School

  • PowerSchool Parent Portal updated to allow all elementary school parents to view student grades, attendance, lunch balances and other information
2023-2024 Elias Lopez Dr. Brian Ganan 1168 17
  • Ms. Lorena Mendoza named Co-Principal of Gurrie Middle School

Photo of Lorena Mendoza-Co-Principal of Gurrie Middle School

  • Online registration system changed to PowerSchool Enrollment Express with forms accessible in the Parent Portal
  • MAP Student Progress Reports sent electronically to all district parents
2022-2023 Elias Lopez Dr. Brian Ganan 1194 12
  • Ms. Svetlana Popovic named Principal of Hodgkins Elementary School

Photo of Svetlana Popovic-Principal of Hodgkins Elementary School
2021-2022 Elias Lopez Dr. Brian Ganan 1192 11
  • Dr. Amy Read named Principal of Spring Avenue Elementary School

Photo of Dr. Amy Read-Principal of Spring Avenue Elementary School

  • Mr. Elias Lopez elected as School Board President

Photo of Elias Lopez-Elected School Board President

  • ParentSquare communcations software selected and implemented for all district students, parents and staff
  • Electronic Midterm and Trimester Report Cards sent electornically at Gurrie Middle School
2020-2021 David Herndon Dr. Brian Ganan 1258 12
  • Dr. Brian Ganan names Superintendent of Schools

Photo of Dr. Brian Ganan-Superintendent of Schools
2019-2020 David Herndon Steven Bahn/Dr. Dawn Green 1320 13
  • Dr. Dawn Green named Interim Superintendent of Schools

Photo of Dr. Dawn Green-Interim Superintendent of Schools

  • Hodgkins Elementary school recognized as National Blue Ribbon school
  • Schoolmint implemented for complete online school registration
2018-2019 David Herndon Steven Bahn 1349 13
  • Mr. Steven Bahn named Superintendent of Schools

Photo of Steve Bahn-Superintendent of Schools

  • Ms. Eilidh Hall anmed Principal of Ideal Elementary School

Photo of Eilidh Hall-Principal of Ideal Elementary School

  • Dr. Emily Crement, Ed.D named Principal of Hodgkins Elementary School

Photo of Dr. Emily Crement-Principal of Hodgkins Elementary School
2017-2018 David Herndon Glenn Schlichting, Ph.D. 1363 14
  • Glenn Schlichting, Ph.D. Retires from District 105

Photo of Glenn Schlichting-Retiring Superintendent of Schools

  • Migrated District and School website to Blackboard
  • All Pre-K programs move to Hodgkins Elementary School
2016-2017 David Herndon Glenn Schlichting, Ph.D. 1400 13
  • Mr. Timothy Sheldon named Principal of Ideal Elementary School

Photo of Tim Sheldon-Principal of Ideal Elementary School

  • Mr. Brian Lawson anmed Principal of Spring Avenue Elementary School

Photo of Brian Lawson-Principal of Spring Avenue Elementary School
2015-2016 David Herndon Glenn Schlichting, Ph.D. 1467 12
  • Full day kindergarten instituted
  • Full day bi-lingual kindergarten instituted
2014-2015 David Herndon Glenn Schlichting, Ph.D. 1459 12.7
  • Seventh Avenue School and Spring Avenue School are recognized as National Blue Ribbon schools
2013-2014 David Herndon Glenn Schlichting, Ph.D. 1465 13
  • Me. erin ahll named Principal of Seventh Avenue Elementary school

Photo of Erin Hall-Principal of Seventh Avenue Elementary School

  • Mr. Dave Herndon elected as School Board President

Photo of Dave Herndon-Elected School Board President
2012-2013 Mark Smith Glenn Schlichting, Ph.D. 1430 14
  • School District 105 Foundation is formed
  • Common Core is initiated
2011-2012 Mark Smith Glenn Schlichting, Ph.D. 1392 13.6
  • Major renovations of Gurrie, Hodgkins, and Spring Avenue schools completed. Second gym added to Gurrie Middle School. New classrooms and secure entrances added to all three scholls. Heating, electrical and plumbing upgraded at all three schools. All classrooms renovated.
  • Standards based report card now issued for all K-2 students. Letter grade report cards are still given to grade 3-8 students.
  • New CORE reading program implemented for grades K-2.
2010-2011 Mark Smith Glenn Schlichting, Ph.D. 1367 14
  • Major renovations of Ideal and Seventh Avenue schools completed. New classrooms and secure entrancesadded to both schools. Heating, electrical and plumbing upgraded at both schools. All classrooms renovated.
  • Electronic lunch payment system (PowerLunch) implemented at all K-6 schools
  • Standards based teaching (PowerStandards) initiated at all schools.
  • All Pre-K programs moved to Ideal Elementary School
  • The State of Illinois recognizes Spring Avenue School as a 2010 “Academic Excellence School”
2009-2010 Mark Smith Glenn Schlichting, Ph.D. 1312 14.7
  • Mr. Mark Smith elected as School Board President
  • Mr. John Signatur named Principal of Hodgkins Elementary School

Photo of John Signatur-Principal of Hodgkins Elementary School

  • Construction bond approved
  • Three new classrooms added to Spring Avenue School
  • The State of Illinois recognizes Hodgkins Elementary as a 2009 “Spotlight School” and Spring Avenue School as a 2009 “Academic Excellence School”
  • New library system (Destiny) installed at all schools
  • Gurrie students issued bar coded ID badges which they use to check out library books and to electronically pay for lunch
2008-2009 Jan Kinsley Glenn Schlichting, Ph.D. 1292 14.9
  • The State of Illinois recognizes Gurrie Middle School as a 2008 “Academic Improvement School”, Hodgkins Elementary School as a 2008 “Spotlight School” and Spring Avenue School as a 2008”Academic Excellence School”
  • New District and School website rolled out.
2007-2008 Jan Kinsley Glenn Schlichting, Ph.D. 1177 14.5
  • The state of Illinois recognizes Gurrie Middle School as a 2007 “Academic Improvement School” and Spring Avenue School as a 2007 “Academic Excellence School”
  • New PowerSchool Parent Portal allows Gurrie parents to view student grades, attendance, lunch balances and other information
2006-2007 Jan Kinsley Glenn Schlichting, Ph.D. 1187 14.3
  • Glenn Schlichting, Ph.D. named District Superintendent

Photo of Glenn Schlichting-District Superintendent

  • Mr Steve Bahn named Principal of Ideal Elementary School

Photo of Steve Bahn-Principal of Ideal Elementary School

  • The State of Illinois recognizes Ideal Elementary School and Seventh Avenue Elementary Schools as 2006 “Academic Improvement Schools”
2005-2006 Jan Kinsley James Ewing, Ph.D. 1184 14.7
  • Mrs.Elizabeth Webb-Peterman named Principal of Spring Avenue School

Photo of Liz Webb-Principal of Spring Avenue Elementary School

  • Mr. Ed Hood named Principal of Gurrie Middle School

Photo of Ed Hood-Principal of Gurrie Middle School
2004-2005 Jan Kinsley James Ewing, Ph.D. 1159 14.9
  • Ms. Jan Kinsley elected as School Board President
  • District 105 earns Red Apple award for excellence
2003-2004 Ginger Mercer James Ewing, Ph.D. 1146 14.3
  • Ginger Mercer elected as School Board President

Photo of Ginger Mercer-Elected School Board President

  • Mrs. Sherry Krzyanski named Principal of Seventh Avenue Elementary

Photo of Sherry Krzyzanski-Principal of Seventh Avenue Elementary School

  • District earns Red Apple award for excellence
2002-2003 Susan H. Witte James Ewing, Ph.D. 1147 14.4
  • Mr. James Ewing, Ed.D named District Superintendent

Photo of James Ewing-District Superintendent

  • Hodgkins School was expanded with addition of two new classrooms
  • District 105 earns Red Apple award for excellence
  • New phone and voicemail system installed district-wide
2001-2002 Susan H. Witte Edward L. Olds III, Ed.D. 1084 13.4
  • Ms. Mary Savage named Principal of Ideal School
  • Ms. Kathy Keenan named Principal of Hodgkins School

Photo of Kathy Keenan-Principal of Hodgkins Elementary School

  • Dr. Kim Sekulich named Principal of Spring Avenue School
  • Gurrie Middle School adopts new math curriculum
  • District 105 earns Red Apple award for excellence
2000-2001 Susan H. Witte Edward L. Olds III, Ed.D. 1048 13.5
  • District 105 earns Red Apple award for excellence
1999-2000 Susan H. Witte Edward L. Olds III, Ed.D. 1078 14
  • Two new classrooms were constructed at Hodgkins School
  • District 105 earns Red Apple award for excellence
1998-1999 Susan H. Witte Edward L. Olds III, Ed.D. 1068 14.2
  • District is awarded the “Bright Red Apple” by School Search as an outstanding district
  • District 105 introduces the “Accelerated Reader” program
1997-1998 Susan H. Witte Edward L. Olds III, Ed.D. 1090 15.5
  • District 105 earns Red Apple award for excellence
1996-1997 Susan H. Witte Edward L. Olds III, Ed.D. 1057 16.1
  • District is awarded the “Bright Red Apple” by School Search as an outstanding district
1995-1996 Susan H. Witte Edward L. Olds III, Ed.D. No Data No Data No events
1994-1995 Susan H. Witte Edward L. Olds III, Ed.D. No Data No Data
  • Mr. Robert M. Bacon named Principal of Gurrie Middle School

Photo of Robert Bacon-Principal of Gurrie Middle School

  • District is awarded the “Bright Red Apple” by School Search as an outstanding district
1993-1994 Susan H. Witte Edward L. Olds III, Ed.D. No Data No Data
  • Edward L. Olds III, Ed.D. named District Superintendent

Photo of Edward Olds III-District Superintendent

  • Mr. Jay Howe named Principal of Spring Avenue School

Photo of Jay Howe-Principal of Spring Avenue Elementary School

  • District 105 earns Red Apple award for excellence
1992-1993 Susan H. Witte Lee A. Fabri, Ed.D. (Interim) No Data No Data
  • Ms. Susan Witte elected School Board President

Photo of Susan Witte-Elected School Board President

  • Mr. James Ewing, Ph.D. named Principal of Gurrie Middle School
  • District 105 earns Red Apple award for excellence
1991-1992 Norman H. Wiegel David A. Amsler No Data No Data No events
1990-1991 Norman H. Wiegel David A. Amsler No Data No Data No events
1989-1990 Norman H. Wiegel David A. Amsler No Data No Data
  • William Petullo named Principal of Ideal Elementary School

Photo of William Petullo-Principal of Ideal Elementary School
1988-1989 Norman H. Wiegel David A. Amsler No Data No Data
  • New gymnasium and two new classrooms added to Hodgkins School
1987-1988 Norman H. Wiegel David A. Amsler No Data No Data
  • Mr. Norman Wiegel elected as School Board President

Photo of Norman Wiegel-Elected School Board President
1986-1987 Donna L. Raymond David A. Amsler No Data No Data No events
1985-1986 Donna L. Raymond David A. Amsler No Data No Data
  • Ms. Donna Raymond elected as School Board President

Photo of Donna Raymond-Elected School Board President

  • Mr. David Amsler named District Superintendent

Photo of David Amsler-District Superintendent
1984-1985 Frank Haggerty Arthur H. Franson No Data No Data

No events
1983-1984 Frank Haggerty Arthur H. Franson No Data No Data
  • Mr. Frank Haggerty elected School Board President

Photo of Frank Haggerty-Elected School Board President
1982-1983 Betty L. Guyer Arthur H. Franson No Data No Data
  • Microcomputer curriculum initated in District 105
1981-1982 Betty L. Guyer Arthur H. Franson No Data No Data No events
1980-1981 Betty L. Guyer Arthur H. Franson No Data No Data No events
1979-1980 Betty L. Guyer Arthur H. Franson No Data No Data
  • Ms. Betty Guyer elected as School Board President

Photo of Betty Guyer-Elected School Board President
1978-1979 Edmund Pellettiere Arthur H. Franson No Data No Data
  • Mr. Edward Pellettiere is elected School Board President
1977-1978 Keith S. Windross Arthur H. Franson No Data No Data
  • Mr. Keith Windross elected School Board President
  • New Library Learning Centers opened at Hodgkins adn Ideal Schools
1976-1977 John Capron Arthur H. Franson 1276 No Data
  • Mr. John Capron elected School Board President
  • Mr. Arthur Fanson named District Superintendent
  • Mr. Ralph Lewis named Principal of Seventh Avenue School
  • Mr. Paul Vorwick named Principal of Hodgkins School
  • The Cole/Lenzi Library Learning Center and new art/music room are added to Hodgkins School
1975-1976 No Data Stanley Veach 1279 No Data
  • Mr. Staley Veach named District Superintendent
  • Summer School initated in District 105
1974-1975 No Data Robert Lynn No Data No Data
  • Mr. Robert Lynn named District Superintendent
  • Mr. Paul Vorwick named Principal of Ideal School
1973-1974 No Data John Prater No Data No Data No events
1972-1973 No Data John Prater No Data No Data
No events
1971-1972 No Data John Prater No Data No Data
No events
1970-1971 No Data John Prater No Data No Data
No events
1969-1970 No Data John Prater No Data No Data
  • Mr. John Prater named District Superintendent
1968-1969 No Data Henry Ford No Data No Data No events
1967-1968 No Data Henry Ford No Data No Data No events
1966-1967 No Data Henry Ford No Data No Data No events
1965-1966 No Data Henry Ford No Data No Data
  • Mr. Henry Ford named District Superintendent
1964-1965 No Data David Aurand No Data No Data No events
1963-1964 No Data David Aurand No Data No Data
  • Five classrooms, kindergarten classroom and an art/music room added to Hodgkins school
1962-1963 No Data David Aurand No Data No Data No events
1961-1962 No Data David Aurand No Data No Data No events
1960-1961 No Data David Aurand No Data No Data No events
1959-1960 No Data David Aurand No Data No Data No events
1958-1959 No Data David Aurand No Data No Data No events
1957-1958 No Data David Aurand No Data No Data
  • Gurrie Middle School opened
1956-1957 No Data David Aurand No Data No Data No events
1955-1956 No Data David Aurand No Data No Data No events
1954-1955 No Data David Aurand No Data No Data No events
1953-1954 No Data David Aurand No Data No Data No events
1952-1953 No Data David Aurand No Data No Data
  • Spring Avenue Elementary School opened
  • Gym and two classroom additions to Hodgkins School
1951-1952 No Data David Aurand No Data No Data No events
1950-1951 No Data David Aurand No Data No Data
  • Ideal Elementary School opened
1949-1950 No Data David Aurand No Data No Data No events
1948-1949 No Data David Aurand No Data No Data No events
1947-1948 No Data David Aurand No Data No Data No events
1946-1947 No Data David Aurand No Data No Data No events
1945-1946 No Data David Aurand No Data No Data
  • Mr. David Arrand named District Superintendent
1944-1945 No Data G. E. Larson No Data No Data No events
1943-1944 No Data G. E. Larson No Data No Data No events
1942-1943 No Data G. E. Larson No Data No Data No events
1941-1942 No Data G. E. Larson No Data No Data No events
1940-1941 No Data G. E. Larson No Data No Data No events
1939-1940 No Data G. E. Larson No Data No Data No events
1938-1939 No Data G. E. Larson No Data No Data No events
1937-1938 No Data G. E. Larson No Data No Data No events
1936-1937 No Data G. E. Larson No Data No Data No events
1935-1936 No Data G. E. Larson No Data No Data No events
1934-1935 No Data G. E. Larson No Data No Data
  • Mr. G. E. Larson named District Superintendent
1933-1934 No Data E. D. Aurand No Data No Data

No events
1932-1933 No Data E. D. Aurand No Data No Data No events
1931-1932 No Data E. D. Aurand No Data No Data No events
1930-1931 No Data E. D. Aurand No Data No Data No events
1929-1930 No Data E. D. Aurand* No Data No Data
  • Mr. E. D. Aurand appointed as District Principal
1928-1929 No Data N.S. Vial* No Data No Data
  • Mr. N. S. Vial appointed as District Principal
  • Seventh Avenue Elementary School opened with 4 classrooms and 75 students. “Head Teacher” was a Ms. Alice Higgins plus two other teachers
1927-1928 No Data No Data No Data No Data No events
1926-1927 No Data No Data No Data No Data No events
1925-1926 No Data No Data No Data No Data No events
1924-1925 No Data No Data No Data No Data No events
1923-1924 No Data No Data No Data No Data No events
1922-1923 No Data No Data No Data No Data

No events
1921-1922 No Data No Data No Data No Data
  • Hodgkins Elementary School opened
1920-1921 No Data No Data No Data No Data No events

 

 

 

* Note: “Superintendent” was not used as the title for Mr. E. D. Aurand and Mr. N. S. Vial.  They were referred to as “Principal.”  There is evidence that Mr. Vial had that role as early as 1926; however, the records are incomplete between the years of 1920 and 1926.