Briefs: Local teacher wins award

A teacher at St. Joseph School in Round Lake was named Friday by the Archdiocese of Chicago's Office of Catholic Schools as a "Heart of the School" winner. Jerry Burger, of Round Lake, has taught seventh and eighth grades for eight years at the school. His award was given in the "Leadership" category. The winners were chosen from a potential pool of more than 5,200 educators from 256 schools in Cook and Lake counties. In all, 14 people were chosen for the awards in a variety of categories. Winners will receive a pin, a plaque and a monetary award Friday in Chicago.

Open houses in Dist. 75

Open houses are scheduled at three Mundelein schools to show residents repairs that are needed in the buildings. Voters on Feb. 5 are being asked to approve requests to issue $6.6 million in building bonds for school repairs and life safety improvements; and $3.3 million in bonds to air condition the four school buildings and replace the broken heating and air-conditioning system at the district office. Open houses will be from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday at Lincoln School, 200 W. Maple Ave.; on Thursday at Mechanics Grove School, 1200 N. Midlothian Road; and on Jan. 30 at Carl Sandburg School, 855 W. Hawley.

New hire in Grayslake

Grayslake village board members this week gave a thumbs-up to Mayor Timothy Perry's recommendation for a new public works director/village engineer. William Heinz was tabbed for the post. He has about 30 years of engineering and public works experience in local government and in the private sector. His experience includes posts in the villages of Libertyville and Gurnee, as well as the Baxter and Woodman engineering firm. "Bill brings an experience set that is often difficult to find and he will be an extremely valuable addition to our management team," Perry said. The village previously had separate public works director and engineering posts. Heinz begins his Grayslake career Jan. 28.