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August Board of Education Meeting Briefs

WEEK OF AUG. 4

 

August Board of Education Meeting Briefs

 

  • The Board approved the formal standards aligned curriculum that includes revisions and new courses. Jennifer Kenney, the district’s director of curriculum and instruction, shared there are six new courses at the high school—Senior PE Leadership, Motion and Graphic Design, Sports History, Women’s History, US History through Film and Abnormal Psychology.  Kenney expressed her appreciation to the high school social studies department for the new course offerings. “The new courses have been well received by students, and we look forward to the future of these courses.”
  • Luke Krippel, director of Student Services, reported Illinois State Board of Education grants have been submitted. The Preschool for All, Title 1 and Title IV grants have been approved at a total of $620,460. The IDEA Preschool and IDEA Part B grants totaling $457,072 are pending ISBE approval. 
  • Following a final reading and discussion, the Board approved a series of revised district policies.
  • The District’s contract with King Music was renewed for the 2025-2026 school year. 
  • Approval was given to the revised certified staff evaluation plan.
  • An agreement with Bilingual Therapies to provide American Sign Language interpreting services for the 2025-2026 school year was approved. 
  • The Board approved job descriptions for EL Coordinator and Interventionist and Residency Verification.
  • Accepted the resignations of custodian Madalyn Barajas and special education aides Rachel Fearday and Kelly Schmitt.
  • Approved the employment of Gabe Barla, permanent sub at the early childhood center; Allen Davis, high school custodian; Jamie Hughes, early childhood center custodian; Jennifer Macak, district custodian; Emily Perry, one-on-one special education aide at the middle school; Deanna Price, one-on-one special education aide at the intermediate school, and Stephanie Sarff, high school classroom aide.
  • Approved the reinstatement of permanent substitutes Peggy Feeney at the elementary and intermediate schools andMichael Scott at the middle and high schools.
  •  Approved the reinstatement of paraprofessionals Felicia Bohac, Kristina Lardi, Kathryn Long, Megan Blanton, Lauren Pratl, Tasha Nash, Calin Wolcott, Kloey Lind, Abigail Granger, Kara Olson, Lori Johnson, Jamie Bianchetta, Alicia Foote and Lorena Solecki at the early childhood center. Michelle Powers and Raquel Drinkwine at the elementary school. Beth Babcock, Jody Jackson, Keegan Clampitt, Tammy Shepherd and Gina Pens at the middle school, and Sara Helland and Sarah Rowader at the high school. 
  • Leave requests were granted to Becky Bajt from approximately Jan. 5 to April 9, 2026  and Kelly Steichen from Aug. 11 to Sept 19. 
  • Board members approved the extra-curricular resignation of high school assistant track coach Mark Masters.
  • At the recommendation of high school athletic director Brad Boresi the Board approved Payton Hutchings as assistant varsity girls basketball coach and Jackie Mark as assistant varsity volleyball coach. Additionally, volunteer positions in football for Adam Rodriguez, Matt Long, Jack Dibble and Bob McMonagle; Colin Hart, soccer; Justin Hayse, girls tennis, and Tim Gabehart, golf.
  • The extra-curricular transfer of Michelle Painter from assistant varsity volleyball coach to freshman volleyball coach was accepted. 
  • On the recommendation of Jennifer Kenney, director of curriculum and instruction, the following teachers were approved as mentors for the 2025-2026 school year: Betsy Cowherd, Mark Fiske, Aimee Wren, Sarah Veronda, Amy Siefken, Tricia Hall, Riane O’Donnell, Brad Schmitt, Jackie Mark, Mike Pfeifer, Sara Bohac, Andy Leve and Britt Harseim. 
  • Spencer reported the following individuals will complete their student teaching/intern assignments in the district—Natalie Pharo, a master’s degree student at Aurora University will intern with social worker Cealy DePersia at the middle school; Alexis Smith, a student at Lewis University, will complete her master’s degree internship in social work with Kassie Marsala at the high school; Moree Harney, a student at University of Phoenix, will student teach with Nikki Boresi in fifth grade, and Ashley Reszel, a student at the American College of Education, will student teach with Abby Wilkinson in first grade. 

The next monthly meeting of the Board of Education is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 3 with a study session meeting slated for Wednesday, Aug. 27. Both meetings will be held in the Board Room of the Administration Center starting at 6 p.m.