AGENDA
KEWANEE COMMUNITY UNIT SCHOOL DISTRICT #229
MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2026
PETERSEN AUDITORIUM
1211 EAST THIRD STREET
KEWANEE, IL 61443
5:00 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/2025
6:00 PM
III. FACULTY RECOGNITION RECEPTION IN THE GOLBY STUDENT CENTER
7:30 PM
IV. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
V. INVITED GUESTS
A. Recognition of Faculty Award Winners
1. Kindra Callahan – Illinois Association of Vocational Ag Teachers Teacher of the Year
2. Rebecca Baney – Illinois Leadership Council for Agricultural Education District 1 Illinois Agricultural Education Advocacy Award
3. Amy Miler – ISBE Award of Excellence
4. Alicia Ralston – ISBE Award of Meritorious Service
5. Tim Atwell – Illinois Athletic Directors Association Class 1A/2A Athletic Director of the Year
B. KHS Music Department – State Champions
VI. CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES
A. District #229 Open Meeting – April 20, 2026
B. District #229 Closed Meeting – April 20, 2026
VII. CONSIDERATION OF FINANCIAL AND TREASURER’S REPORTS
A. District #229
VIII. CONSIDERATION OF BILLS AND PAYROLL
A. District #229
IX. COMMENTS FROM AUDIENCE
X. REPORT OF ADMINISTRATION
A. Superintendent
1. Congratulations to our Retirees: Pete Tanzillo, Karen Colwell, Paula Evans, Shannon Webster, Koreen Jurgensen & Tim Atwell
2. Summer Food Program Sites: Central School, KHS, Lyle, Irving, YMCA and Fairview/Housing Authority
3. District Construction Update
4. FOIA Requests
5. Summer School Numbers
B. Mrs. Hodge-Bates – Neponset Principal
1. Neponset Track Update
C. Mr. Atwell – KHS Athletic Director
1. Sports Update
D. Mrs. Tidwell – KHS Principal
1. KHS Prom
2. KHS Graduation
E. Mr. Anderson – Central Principal
1. Central Strawberry Festival and Art Fair
XI. SUPERINTENDENT COMMITTEE REPORTS
XII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. Consideration and Approval of New & Revised Policies: 2:140-E; 2:150-AP; 2:200; 2:200-AP; 2:220; 2:250; 2:250-AP1; 2:250-AP2; 2:250-E2; 2”260; 4:165; 4:170-AP6, E2; 5:30; 5:30-AP1; 5:30-AP2; 5:30-AP2, E1; 5:30-AP2, E2; 5:50; 5:90-AP1; 5:250; 5:330; 6:20-AP; 6:50; 6:65; 6:100; 6:100-AP; 6:100 E1; 6:145; 6:170; 6:170-AP1; 6:170-AP1, E1; 6:170-AP1, E2; 6:170-AP2; 6:180; 6:235-AP1, E1; 6:235-AP1, E2; 6:235-AP2; 6:235-E3; 7:20; 7:50; 7:100; 7:185; 7:190-E2; 7:220; 7:230; 7:240; 7:240-AP2, E1; 7:260; 7:280; 7:285-AP; 7:300; 7:300-E2; 7:305-AP; 7:340-AP1; 7:340-AP1, E1; 7:340-AP1, E3; 7:340-AP1, E4; 8:90
B. Consideration and Approval of Revised Policy 7:40
XIII. NEW BUSINESS
A. Consideration and Approval of Gorenz and Associates, Ltd. to conduct the District’s FY2026 Audit
B. Consideration and Approval of Bank Account Changes
C. Consideration and Approval of Handbook Changes
D. Consideration and Approval of Memorandum of Understanding Between The Kewanee Community Unit School District #229 Board of Education and The Kewanee Education Association
XIV. ACTION FROM CLOSED SESSION
A. Resignations
1. Hall Keene – Elementary Girls Basketball Coach – Effective Immediately
2. Aaliyah Duarte – Neponset Girls Basketball Coach – Effective Immediately
3. Aaliyah Pickering – Belle Paraprofessional – Effective 5/19/26
4. Abram Hicks – Summer Custodial – Effective Immediately
5. Sara Bertelsen – KHS Assistant Principal for the 2026-2027 School Year
6. Jim Cavanaugh – Neponset Janitor – Effective 5/19/26
7. Randy Cernovich – Bus Driver – Effective Immediately
8. Elena Bell – ROE Professional Development Coordinator – Effective 6/30/26
B. Retirements
1. Karen Colwell – Cafeteria Worker – Effective End of 2025-2026 School Year
C. Hires *
1. KHS Math Teacher – Effective 2026-2027 School Year
2. Irving Cross Categorical Special Education Teacher for 2026-2027 School Year
3. Elementary Head Football Coach – Effective 2026-2027 School Year
4. District Custodian
5. Central Summer School Paraprofessional
6. Summer Custodial Worker(s)
7. Summer Intern(s) – Sports Management/Maintenance
8. Summer Band Assistant
9. Summer Music Department Assistant(s)
10. Summer HR Internship
11. Summer School Bus Driver
12. Summer School Bus Aide
D. Leaves
1. Rocio Morales – Leave of Absence
2. Hailey Verscha – Leave of Absence FMLA
E. Long Term Subs
F. Transfers
1. Summer School – From 21 st Century to Kewanee 229 Teacher
2. Summer School – From Kewanee 229 Teacher to 21 st Century Teacher
3. Transfer From Long Term Sub to Neponset Art/Business/MTSS
G. Volunteers
1. Elementary Football Coach(s)
2. KHS Boys Basketball Summer Coach
3. KHS Girls Basketball Summer Coach
H. Renewal/Non-Renewal of Stipend Positions
1. Loyal Brown – KHS Girls Basketball Coach
I. Other Action Arising From Closed Session
1. Corbyn Powers – Observation Hours
2. To Be Determined
XV. COMMENTS FROM VISITORS AND BOARD OF EDUCATION
A. Moment of Silence for Ryan Doran – Step-Brother of Sarah Forney (Cafeteria Worker)
B. Moment of Silence for Ann Eileen Hobbs McKee – Mother of Bob McKee (KHS Security/Secretary)
C. Moment of Silence for Kenneth “Kenny” Kuster – Husband of Jeri Kuster (Cafeteria Worker)
D. Moment of Silence for Paul Palen – Step-Father of Rayanne Busboom (Teacher Aide)
E. Moment of Silence for Carole Nadine Busboom – Aunt of Rayanne Busboom (Teacher Aide)
F. Moment of Silence for Patricia Daniels – Retired Cafeteria Worker
G. Other
XVI. ADJOURNMENT
* All hires are contingent upon hirees obtaining appropriate certification and qualifications prior
to beginning job.