Dist. 204 school named after former principal

When Greg Fischer started working in Indian Prairie Unit District 204 in 1972, he was teaching physical education part time while working another job on the side.

By the time he retired from the district 32 years later, he was an award-winning principal and guiding force of the district's middle school program.

Monday, the school board cemented Fischer's place in the district's history, naming its seventh middle school after the longtime educator.

"Some of us that have children that have been in your school are just awe-struck by what you've done and the leaders that have followed you and you've mentored many of those people in our district," board member Bruce Glawe said. "We saw the passion and love of you that all those people have."

The school board considered 48 possible names for the school, which will open in August 2009 in what is currently Waubonsie Valley High School's freshman center. Of the 137 people who submitted suggestions, 39 nominated Fischer.

"I can't believe the honor. I'm still awe-struck," said Fischer, who was joined Monday by his wife, children and grandchildren. "I can't quite come to grips with what all this means. I've been very fortunate to even have the opportunity to work in this district."

During his 32 years in the district, Fischer served as a teacher, assistant principal and principal. He opened both Hill and Gregory middle schools and served as principal of the latter for 17 years. During that time Gregory was one of only four schools in the state to be named an Illinois Horizon School. In 2003, the Association of Illinois Middle-Level Schools presented Fischer with the Robert Knight Award for Distinguished Service to Middle-Level Education.

By the time he retired in 2004, Fischer had earned a reputation statewide for leading the district's transition from junior high schools to middle schools.

"I wouldn't be standing here and I wouldn't be appreciating and enjoying this honor if it wasn't for the fact that (the middle school) structure allowed real heroes -- assistant principals ... team coordinators and teachers to all share in the decision-making process to emerge as leaders and create an environment that is truly in the best interest of kids," Fischer said.

Board member Jeannette Clark said she has long admired Fischer's work.

"(I've) always been so impressed and taken aback by your continued and complete focus on the best interests of kids and that's always been evident in everything you've done," she said."

The school board had a preliminary discussion about school names two weeks ago. Other top contenders were former Superintendent Gail McKinzie and founding board members Neval Yeates and Brian Conley.

Yeates' daughters attended Monday's meeting and thanked the board for the honor of considering their father.

"My dad is really a people person at heart," Holly Yeates said. "The relationships and the friendships he cultivated across the spectrum of school District 204 employees and within the 13 school buildings he helped to materially establish are among his most cherished memories."