Shawn Bennett is likely to feel a little funny when the third Wednesday of the month rolls around. For the first time since 1988, he won’t have a Westville Board of Education meeting to attend. In a way, he’s the Cal Ripken Jr. of the school board, having served for 36 years, 7 months and 16 days as of last month. It’s the longest-ever tenure on the board — a record that should stand for a while. Bennett said last fall he wasn’t sure if he would be stepping down but changed his mind because he “did not have a great peace” about it. “I’m a man of faith and prayed, and since then God has answered my prayer and given me the peace, clarity and direction I’ve sought,” and Bennett decided to withdraw his candidacy. So dedicated was Bennett as a board member that he would drive back from Florida to attend a meeting during the months he and his wife were spending their winters in the sunshine state. Bennett had never sat on a public board prior to his appointment, although he did sit on his church’s board. He decided to join the Westville school board when a couple of teachers urged him to step forward to fill a vacancy. Bennett said one of the things of which the district can be most proud is the discipline instilled in students. That wasn’t always the case. Discipline was bad in the mid-1990s, resulting in numerous expulsions, he said. However, under guidance of a young administrator/coach (Guy Goodlove), the district’s discipline issues began to change for the better. “There was a time when our schools needed order, discipline and structure, and I feel our schools have this now,” Bennett said, noting that the professionals involved with Danville Area Community College’s College Express and Dual Enrollment programs generally don’t have to worry about discipline issues when they are dealing with Westville students. The district has also made a number of facility upgrades over the past few decades, including a sports complex with baseball, softball and football fields and a new track, all with artificial surfaces. “The sports complex now has a designated practice room for softball and baseball and wrestling. There’s a new concession area,” Bennett said. “The building we put adjacent to the fields has a weight room, wrestling room, indoor batting cages.” Bennett said the board saved for the projects: “We were being fiscally responsible with our money.” “We were blessed to be able to do it when we did,” said Bennett, who served as board president during part of his tenure. Westville schools Superintendent Seth Miller said Bennett “has been a great board member for a long, long time.” “Whether he was in a leadership position or just as an at-large member, I think his experience on the board was a voice that carried (a great deal of weight) amongst his board peers, in the community and amidst the administrative team.” Miller said the district experienced a number of major renovations and expansions on all three campuses while Bennett was on the board, “whether it was replacing roofs, replacing heating and cooling systems, adding major enhancements to the sports system. We doubled the size of the elementary school in 2000.” Miller estimated the previous record-holder for longest-serving board member was Joe Ottino, who served about 32 years. Larry Huber and Jim Cox were credited with putting the district in a strong financial position to avoid having to consolidate with another district. Bennett and his wife, Jona, whom he said is “awesome,” have three children. He retired after 30 years with the U.S. Postal Service, having served as acting postmaster at different post offices the final 20 years. He was acting postmaster in Danville when he retired. Bennett was selected to serve one year as Labor Day parade grand marshal in Westville. A native of Danville, Bennett, now 70, moved to Westville with his family when he was young. His father was a career Navy man and was a Navy recruiter during the Vietnam era. Both Bennett and his wife are Westville High graduates and were high school sweethearts. “I started chasing her in junior high,” Bennett said. The Bennetts enjoy traveling and spend several months in Florida each winter. Shawn enjoys his 1946 Ford Truck and 1927 Ford Model T. Not all of his hobbies, however, are ground-based. “I’m a flyer,” Bennett said. “That’s one of the thrills of my life. I started taking lessons when I was 55,” and co-owns a sport plane, flying out of the Danville airport. “Other than the Lord and my family, that’s the greatest thing I’ve ever done. My partner in my airplane is a former superintendent in Westville (Jim Cox).” Bennett said he plans to stay active despite his retirement from work and the school board. He and his wife are members of Grape Creek Baptist Church in Danville. Shawn is known for his long ZZ Top-worthy beard, which he started growing when he retired from the post office. Shawn and Jona have been known for years as Mr. and Mrs. Claus in Westville. “We’re still going to Santa things in the community. I have an opportunity from time to time to (officiate) a wedding or a funeral.” Area junior high students who were honored by the Rantoul Exchange Club on Wednesday.
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