PAXTON — The Paxton-Buckley-Loda school board is being asked to allow the high school’s wrestling program to be relaunched.
Matt Greenburg, head coach of the Panther Paw Wrestling Club, pitched the idea to the board during its monthly meeting on Wednesday, April 16, noting that his youth wrestling club has built a “strong foundation” that should only continue as its wrestlers move up in grade level.
“Our community has shown incredible support for wrestling at the youth level, and we are confident that support will continue to grow as we establish a high school program,” Greenburg said in a letter addressed to the board and Athletic Director Brock Niebuhr. “We believe that bringing wrestling back to PBL will create a positive and lasting impact on our school and community.”
Matt Greenburg
PBL High School has been without a wrestling program since 2018, Greenburg said.
“Wrestling at PBL has faced challenges in the past, as previous attempts to establish a successful program have not endured,” Greenburg said. “However, the difference now is the strong foundation built through the Panther Paw Wrestling Club. Currently, we have a thriving feeder program with 60 passionate youth wrestlers, but we remain open to all students. Like you, we believe in giving every student positive opportunities.
“Our vision is longterm. This opportunity goes beyond our current students, and we are prepared for that. We want to create something truly special at PBL — a positive environment that builds mental toughness, grit and character. Our goal is to cultivate a wrestling culture that goes beyond competition, instilling values that will last a lifetime.
“Providing wrestling at the high school level would not only give these students a chance to continue their athletic journey but would also positively impact their personal development by fostering discipline, teamwork and resilience. Wrestling teaches valuable life skills and instills a mindset of perseverance and hard work that will benefit these athletes both on and off the mat. … We are more than willing to work together to develop a sustainable and successful program that reflects the values and pride of PBL. We hope to have the opportunity to meet and discuss how we can make this vision a reality.”
Greenburg noted that the Panther Paw Wrestling Club recently purchased new mats, including one that is regulation size for high school wrestling. Greenburg said fundraising toward the purchase of more of the supplies needed for a high school wrestling program continues.
“We’re going to be doing a big fundraiser for the Fourth of July,” Greenburg said, “because possibly a new wrestling program might need a few things.”
Other business
Also during the school board’s April 16 meeting in the board room at the unit office in Paxton:
— Following a public hearing, the board approved an amended budget for the fiscal year that ends June 30.
— The board approved spring activities at the junior high — including Teacher Appreciation Week events on May 5-9, a fifth-grade tour on May 8, the eighth-grade dance on May 10 and the eighth-grade recognition ceremony on May 22 — and at the high school, including the spring musical “Newsies” on April 25-27, prom on May 3, fine arts festival on May 7, National Honor Society induction on May 14, senior awards night on May 20, senior tea/graduation practice and baccalaureate on May 21 and graduation at 7 p.m. May 23.
— The board approved the appointment of board members Joshua Mullins and Brittney Maulding to present high school diplomas to seniors during graduation ceremonies at 7 p.m. Friday, May 23, at the high school.
— The board approved a new one-year intergovernmental agreement between the school district and Paxton Park District, allowing the use of school district facilities for park district programs.
— The board approved an updated list of maintenance projects planned for this summer. Superintendent Travis Duley said estimated pricing was added to the list for projects such as the replacement of the mats in the high school and junior high gym, refurbishment of all three gyms, parking lot resealing and some concrete work.
— The board discussed but took no immediate action on the approval of a proposed student handbook, faculty handbook, acceptable-use policy, extracurricular handbook, junior high and high school athletic codes of conduct and 1-to-1 handbook for the 2025-26 school year. Duley noted that language related to the appropriate use of artificial intelligence is expected to be added to both the student and faculty handbooks. Duley said new policy language could also be added as a result of the Champaign-Ford Regional Office of Education’s “compliance audit” of the school district this spring. Also, at the junior high and high school, some changes are expected to be made to the “bell schedule,” Duley said. Also expected is for specific high school enrichment classes to start having a “pass/fail” grade structure, Duley said. Also, at Clara Peterson Elementary School, the student handbooks will require that students’ cell phones be “turned off and out of sight” between arrival and dismissal times, Principal Barry Wright said.
— The board discussed but took no immediate action on the approval of proposed student fees for the 2025-26 school year. Duley said he is recommending no increase in fees.
— The board discussed a consolidated district plan for the 2025-26 school year that will be submitted to the Illinois State Board of Education in order to allow the district to receive state and federal grants. Approval is expected in May, followed by submittal to the ISBE.
— The board tabled approval of fees for optional student insurance for the 2025-26 school year.
— The board approved the renewal of the district’s cyber-liability insurance for a cost of $19,896, which is unchanged from last year, Duley said.
— The board approved offering a dual-credit aquaculture course at PBL High School for the 2025-26 school year.
— The board reviewed an updated spreadsheet of Freedom of Information Act requests submitted to the district.
— The board approved membership in the Illinois High School Association for the 2025-26 school year.
— The board voted to accept a $5,000 anonymous donation for the purchase of an automated external defibrillator and a $100 donation from Richard Meyer for the PBL homeless program.
— The board approved the resignation of Joshua Allen as junior high school custodian.
— The board approved the hiring of Taylor Walwer as seventh-grade volleyball coach, Richard Cox as a high school math teacher and Madelyn Garrison as a first-grade teacher.