AGENDA
KEWANEE COMMUNITY UNIT SCHOOL DISTRICT #229
MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2025
KEWANEE SCHOOL DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION OFFICE
1001 NORTH MAIN STREET
KEWANEE, IL 61443
6:00 PM
I. CALL TO ORDER BY THE PRESIDENT
A. Roll call by the Secretary
II. CLOSED SESSION: * (C) (1) to consider the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees of the District; (C) (2) to consider collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives, or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees; (C) (5) The purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public body; (C) (8) Security Procedures; (C) (9) Student Disciplinary Cases and (11) Litigation * 5ILCS 120/2 Open Meetings The School Code of Illinois/2024
III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
IV. INVITED GUESTS ADDRESS THE BOARD
A. Mrs. Kindra Callahan – KHS FFA Advisor
B. Kalleigh Gale – KHS FFA – State FFA Proficiency Winner in Food Service Entrepreneurship
C. Kashen Ellerbrock – KHS FFA – Top 5 FFA Proficiency in Sheep Production
V. CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES
A. District #229 Open Meeting – March 17, 2025
B. District #229 Closed Meeting – March 17, 2025
VI. CONSIDERATION OF FINANCIAL AND TREASURER’S REPORTS
VII. CONSIDERATION OF BILLS AND PAYROLL
VIII. COMMENTS FROM AUDIENCE
IX. REPORT OF ADMINISTRATION
A. Superintendent
1. District Construction Update
2. Congratulations to Ms. Krohn, Mr. Binek and Mrs. Bartok and the KHS Band & Choir Students on their Class A State Sweepstakes Championship for the second year in a row!
3. FOIA Requests
B. Mrs. Tidwell – KHS Principal
1. National Honor Society Banquet
2. Update on College and Career Pathway Endorsements
C. Mr. Atwell – KHS Athletic Director
1. Sports Update
D. Mrs. Hodge-Bates – Neponset Principal
1. Title I Annual Review Report
2. Central and Neponset Jr. High Track Numbers
X. SUPERINTENDENT COMMITTEE REPORTS
A. Academic Committee
B. Social Emotional Wellness Committee
XI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
XII. NEW BUSINESS
(Consent Items A – E)
A. Consideration and Approval of Districtwide Parental Involvement Policy
B. Consideration and Approval of Belle Alexander Parental Involvement Policy
C. Consideration and Approval of Irving Parental Involvement Policy
D. Consideration and Approval of Central Parental Involvement Policy
E. Consideration and Approval of Neponset Parental Involvement Policy (Consent Items F – J)
F. Consideration and Approval of Consolidated Districtwide Title I Plan
G. Consideration and Approval of Belle Alexander Title I Plan
H. Consideration and Approval of Irving Title I Plan
I. Consideration and Approval of Central Title I Plan
J. Consideration and Approval of Neponset Title I Plan
K. Consideration and Approval of Co-op Purchasing Agreement through Omnia for KHS Boilers
L. Consideration and Approval of Resolution Providing for an Inter-Fund Loan from The Working Cash Fund to The Education Fund
M. Consideration and Approval of Resolution Providing for an Inter-Fund Loan from The Working Cash Fund to The IMRF/Social Security Fund
N. Consideration and Approval to Authorize the Superintendent to Prepare the 2025/2026 Budget
O. Consideration and Approval to Authorize the Superintendent to Spend Funds Prior to the Final Approval of the 2025-2026 Budget
P. Consideration and Approval of Bus Financing Bid
Q. Consideration and Approval of Construction Agreement for Kewanee High School with Clean Energy Design Group, Inc.
R. Consideration and Approval of Construction Agreement for Central Jr. High School with Clean Energy Design Group, Inc.
XIII. ACTION FROM CLOSED SESSION
A. Resignations
1. Maria Grajeda – Districtwide Technology Support – Effective at the End of her 2024-2025 Contract
2. Julia Murphy – Belle Aide – Effective 4/9/25
3. Pam Cox – Summer School Cafeteria Worker – Effective Immediately
4. Hector Cantu – KHS Assistant Wrestling Coach – Effective 3/28/25
5. Jared Hahn – KHS Assistant Football Coach – Effective 4/3/25
6. Brynn Patty – KHS Assistant Volleyball Coach – Effective 4/10/25
B. Retirements
C. Hires
1. Central 6 th Grade Teacher for 2025-2026 School Year
2. Central Elementary Resource Teacher for 2025-2026 School Year
3. Central Jr. High School Ag Teacher for 2025-2026 School Year
4. Central Alternative Teacher for 2025-2026 School Year
5. KHS Paraprofessional
6. Central Aide
7. Belle Paraprofessional for 2025-2026 School Year
8. KHS Assistant Golf Coach for 2025-2026 School Year
9. KHS Assistant Tennis Coach for 2025-2026 School Year
10. Central Jr. High Softball Coach for 2025-2026 School Year
11. Central 8 th Grade Volleyball Coach for 2025-2026 School Year
12. KHS Student Council Advisor for 2025-2026 School Year
13. Summer School Teachers
14. Summer School Aides
15. Summer Bus Drivers
16. Summer Bus Aides
17. Summer Maintenance/Custodial Workers
D. Leaves
1. Allison Rose – Maternity Leave – Beginning of 2025-2026 School Year – Approximate return date 9/11/25
2. Melissa Newman – Leave of Absence – 3/31/25 to 4/22/25
E. Student Teachers
1. Rebecca Cone – Central Elementary with Allison Rose – August – December 2025
2. Kylie Robbins – Central Elementary with Peggy Costenson – August – December 2025
3. Jennifer Putnam – Central Special Education – August – October 2025 then with Allie Philhower – October – December 2025
F. Transfers
1. From Elementary Teacher to Central Jr. High Math Teacher – Effective 2025-2026 School Year
2. From Elementary PE Teacher to Elementary PE/Driver’s Ed Teacher – Effective 2025-2026 School Year
3. From KHS English Teacher to Central Jr. High English Teacher – Effective 2025- 2026 School Year
4. From Irving Special Education Resource Teacher to Central Special Education Resource Teacher – Effective 2025-2026 School Year
5. From Irving 2 nd Grade Teacher to Irving Special Education Resource Teacher – Effective 2025-2026 School Year
G. Volunteers
1. KHS Tennis Coach
H. Renewal/Non-Renewal of Stipend Positions
I. Other Action Arising From Closed Session
1. 1 st Year Probationary Teacher to 2 nd Year Probationary Teacher – Effective 2025- 2026 School Year
2. Other Items
XIV. COMMENTS FROM VISITORS AND BOARD MEMBERS
A. Moment of Silence for Barbara Clark – Mother of Matt Clark (KHS Teacher) and Mother-in-Law of Kari Clark (Aide/Events Coordinator at Central)
B. Moment of Silence for John Blachinsky – Father of Kara Yepsen (Irving Teacher) and Former Lawyer for Kewanee School District
C. Moment of Silence for Helen Bennett – Grandmother of Kylie Murphy (Irving Teacher)
D. Moment of Silence for Richard Walsh – Father-in-Law of Leanne Walsh (Adm Office Payroll Assistant)
E. Moment of Silence for Charles “Charlie” Jacobs – Grandfather of Haley Verscha (Belle Teacher)
F. Other
XV. ADJOURNMENT
* All hires are contingent upon hirees obtaining appropriate certification and qualifications prior to beginning job.