Galena City School District honors retiring staff and student competitors

The Galena City School District Board of Education opened its regular meeting by honoring long-serving employees and student accomplishments. The board presented awards to Martha Beetle, who is retiring after 34 years in education, and to David Phillips, the district custodian credited with decades of facilities work and institutional knowledge.

Board members praised Beetle’s dedication to teaching local and Illinois history and noted her daily presence and rapport with students. In accepting the recognition, Beetle thanked colleagues and the community. The board highlighted Phillips’s trades skills — carpentry, plumbing and concrete work — and recounted projects he led, including classroom and office builds, bookcases across schools and infrastructure work that district speakers said saved thousands of dollars over time.

Trustees also recognized educators and students for competitive accomplishments. Susan Bookless was named a recipient of the Illinois State Board of Education’s “Those Who Excel” award in the classroom-teacher category. Student journalism and speech competitors were highlighted: presenters said the district entered 11 journalism events this year, with eight students qualifying for state-level competition. Students named in remarks included Michaela (newspaper design), Luna (editorial cartooning and advertising) and sophomore Avery Stroen (yearbook copywriting). Officials said students competed well against larger schools.

The board invited the public to remain for the meeting and thanked those who organized the awards and competitions. No formal board action was required for the recognitions.