HR0256 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0256 LRB099 11323 MST 32218 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate Mark Denman on the occasion of his retirement after 40 years of service with Danville School District 118; and

WHEREAS, Mark Denman began working with District 118 as a 7th grade teacher at East Park Middle School from 1975 to 1983; he served as principal of Daniel School from 1983 to 1987, as principal of East Park Elementary School from 1987 to 1994, as principal of North Ridge Middle School from 1994 to 2001, and as principal of Danville High School from 2001 to 2004; he served as Associate Superintendent of District 118 from 2004 to 2009, and, from 2009 to 2015, he served as Superintendent of Schools; and

WHEREAS, Mark Denman's accomplishments during his time with District 118, include $38 million of construction and renovations at South View, North Ridge, and East Park Schools; the improved maintenance and updating of all facilities; the overhaul of district technology from the back door to the end user; standardized technology in all classrooms; the development and accountability for the district's strategic plan; the finished work at the Danville High School athletic complex; the reception of a School Improvement Grant at Danville High School to raise student achievement, reduce drop-out rate, and strengthen instruction; the restructuring of academic programs, assessments, and delivery of instruction; and serving as the unofficial tour guide of Danville High School for reunions; he led efforts to increase the size, as well as beautifying, the Danville High School campus, which included the razing of abandoned structures, and he helped preserve District 118's history through authoring "The History of the Danville Schools" in 2012 for the Districts 150th anniversary; and

WHEREAS, Mark Denman has received numerous awards, including the 2014 Community Partnership Award from Danville Caucus, Inc., the 2008 Administrator of the Year from the Illinois Association of Educational Office Professionals, the 2007 Outstanding Achievement in Historic Preservation award from the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the 2005 Preservation Award from the Old Town Association, the 2005 Achievement Award from the Danville High School Senior Class of 2005, the 2003 Educator/Administrator of the Decade award from the Progressive Chapter of Blacks in Government, the 1994 Vermilion County Golden Ruler Award from the Vermilion County Regional Office of Education, the 1983 Outstanding Young Educator of the Year award from the Danville Jaycees, and the 1983 Outstanding Teacher Award from East Park Middle School; and

WHEREAS, Mark Denman grew up in Danville; he was a member of the 100th graduating class of Danville High School in 1971 and graduated from Illinois State University; he was accepted into the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Law School; and

WHEREAS, Mark Denman is a product of District 118 and he continually strives to do nothing but the best for the students of the district; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Mark Denman on his retirement after 40 years of service with Danville School District 118 and wish him the best in all his future endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Mark Denman as an expression of our esteem and respect.