Dr. Gill began his tenure as superintendent when there were three schools, 1,100 students. Twenty-one years later as he retired, District 21 had seventeen schools and 6,600 students. Influenced by his blind mother, Dr. Gill was instrumental in starting a Braille program for blind students in the district.

Under his guidance, the district was also one of the first in the area to offer special education and a before and after school day care program. He was known as always having an open-door policy among teachers and among his colleagues as someone who was willing to stand by his beliefs, whether or not they were popular.

At his retirement, Dr. Gill said the toughest time of his career as superintendent was when the John Birch Society tried to force out the district’s sex education program. Opponents threatened to take the issue to the U.S. Supreme Court, and F. Lee Bailey offered to represent the district for free.

In November 1980, the Board of Education honored Dr. Gill for his 21 years of service by renaming the administration center, The Kenneth F. Gill Administration Building. We offer our sympathy to his wife, Mrs. Margaret Gill; daughter, Diane (Steven) Sawyer; son, Michael (Connie) Gill, his grandchildren and extended family.

Memorials may be made in his memory to Unity Hospice, and HELP of Door County. Cards can be sent to the Gill Family in care of School District 21 (999 West Dundee Road; Wheeling, Illinois 60090) and will be delivered to Dr. Gill’s family.