Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – After Monday night’s District 186 school board meeting, Terrence Jordan, the incoming superintendent, was on the WTAX Morning Newswatch to discuss everything that happened and also honoring the late Michael Zimmers.

It was announced that when the Douglas Alternative Program will be renamed the “J. Michael Zimmers Academy at Lawrence.”

Zimmers, who passed away in October, 2022, was a longtime teacher and administrator, and was president of the District 186 School Board after he retired. To say Zimmers was loved by all, might be an understatement.

“He was one of a kind,” said Jordan. “I talked (Monday night) about my first introduction to him when he was a principal and I was a face liaison and we were serving on a committee for around family and community engagement. And he and I built a really lasting relationship. And so his time at Jefferson, his time on the school board, he was all about doing what was right about kids. And I know that this is a great way to honor his legacy.”

The Zimmers family weren’t the only ones recognized Monday night, as the initiative also included rehabbing Lawrence.

“We want to also thank our taxpayers, because the one percent sales tax (increase for school infrastructure needs) was able to allow us to do the renovations that were needed at Lawrence to make this the best place for our students,” said Jordan. “And it’s an honor to just be able to name it after Mr. Zimmers.”

EDITOR’S NOTE: Technology was used to transcribe the quotes used above, which came from a WTAX Morning Newswatch interview.