McLean County Unit School District 5 Board of Education met Feb. 18.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
A Mclean County Unit District No. 5 Board of Education meeting was held Wednesday, February 18, 2026, beginning at-6:30pm {Sign up for public comments will be open from 5:15pm -6:15pm) at the Normal West High School, 501 N Parkside Rd, Normal, IL 61761.
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Members present: Mark Adams, Stan Gozur, Patrick Mainieri, Kelly Pyle, Amy Roser, Alex Williams. Members absent: Kentrica Coleman.
2. ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION (5:30 p.m.)
At 5:36 p.m. Gozur moved and Mainieri seconded to adjourn to closed session to discuss the following matter according to the exceptions provided in the Open Meetings Act and specified as follows:
•2{c){1) The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee of the public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity and
•2{c){2) 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 and
•2{c){9) Student disciplinary cases.
Roll Call: Ayes: Adams, Gozur, Mainieri, Pyle, Roser, Williams. Nays: None. Motion carried.
3. RECESS
At 6:01 p.m. the board recessed.
4. RETURN TO PUBLIC SESSION
At 6:30 p.m. Gozur moved and Mainieri seconded to return to public session.
Also present: Superintendent Dr. Kristen Weikle, Assistant Superintendent Michelle Lamboley, Chief Financial Officer Martin Hickman, Attorney for the District M. Curt Richardson, Director of Human Resources Heather Rogers, Executive Director of Operations Joe Adelman, Executive Director of Student Supports Dr. Kristal Shelvin, Director of Communications/Community Relations Dayna Brown, Director of Elementary Education Maureen Backe, Director of Safety and Security Shane Hill, Director of Facilities Tom Rockwell, Director of Technology Dan Zobel, Custodial Manager – Prek-5 Robert Bosquez, Principal of Glenn Elementary Dan Gibler, Principal of Sugar Creek Elementary Scott Vogel, Principal of Prairieland Elementary Scott Peters, Principal of Colene Hoose Elementary Gina Tenuta, Principal of PJHS Sarah Crowder, Principal of NCHS Adam Zbrozek, Principal of Parkside Elementary Chris Ellis, Principal of Fox Creek Elementary Leslie Davenport, Principal of Cedar Ridge Elementary Christina Mabels, Administrator at Eugene Field Kimberly Mackinson, Assistant Principal of Cedar Ridge Elementary Latavia Jordan, Assistant Principal of Parkside Elementary Yesica Jones, Junior High Athletic Director Brett Pappocia, and Clerk of the Board Emily Sargent.
5. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
6. FOCUS ON STUDENTS AND GOOD NEWS REPORTS
A Good News- KJHS Student Robinson West-Global Youth Humanitarian Impact Award Sylvester Davis announced that Robinson West was awarded the Global Youth Humanitarion Impact Award in Dubai.
B Good News – Kingsley Junior High School Girls Basketball State Champs
Sylvester Davis honored Kingsley Junior High School Girls Basketball Team. which captured its third consecutive IESA State, with an extraordinary 96-0 record over the past three seasons.
C Good News – Prairieland Elementary – Cynthia Lorsbach
Scott Peters recognized paraprofessional Cynthia Lorsbach. for her outstanding commitment and going above and beyond for the students of Prairieland for the past 20 years ..
D Good News – Cedar Ridge Elementary
Christina Mables highlighted the amazing partnerships. programs, staff and students at Cedar Ridge.
E Good News – Parkside Elementary Math Night
Chris Ellis highlighted the work Parkside Elementary staff is doing to support students, particularly the work around its Family Math Night, which provided the opportunity to showcase math skills through a variety of engaging, hands-on activities.
7. SUPERINTENDENT COMMENTS
Dr. Weikle said Unit 5 has been very busy since our last board meeting. Our elementary students celebrated the 100th day of school, marking a milestone in the school year. The Unit 5 Educational Foundation held its annual “Building a Foundation Luncheon” highlighting the exciting STEM initiatives in our schools. Supporters raised more than $50,000, which will help create a makerspace in each of our high schools, giving students more opportunities for hands-on learning, strengthening critical thinking and real world skills. I think everyone in attendance left feeling inspired by opportunities provided to Unit 5 students in STEM.
February is a month of several recognitions and celebrations. The first week in February was National School Counseling Week, a time to recognize the tremendous impact school counselors have on our students. Last week, we celebrated our School Resource Officers (SROs) who help keep our schools safe while fostering positive relationships within our school community. Throughout the month, we’ve been observing Black History Month, recognizing the invaluable contributions of African Americans.
Last week, we learned that 15 Unit 5 staff members are being honored by the Illinois State Board of Education for this year’s Those Who Excel awards. She is proud to share that one of those educators, NCHS teacher Don Whitman, is the East Central Regional Teacher of the Year making him a finalist for the IL Teacher of the Year award, which will be announced this spring.
Over the past two years, Unit 5 has conducted an extensive evaluation of our building capacity, identifying both short-term and long-term facility needs. Following this study, the Board directed District Administration to begin the enrollment planning process and develop recommendations to address current overcrowding while planning for the future. This work has included an examination of enrollment trends, future projections, and the physical space needed for both general education and specialized programs.
In order to address overcrowding in some of our schools, we’ve had to look at adjusting boundaries. This is an essential part of balancing our school populations and ensuring every building is used effectively. We want to maximize our resources across the district which has led us to examine our facilities as they currently exist, and how they might be used, while recognizing buildings that will need considerable work to remain viable in the coming years.
All of this work has led us to our community meeting tomorrow night, February 19, at 6 p.m. at Parkside Junior High. We will begin by sharing two draft proposals and then allowing attendees to walk around to look at maps and ask questions. A recording will be made available sometime Friday that describes the online proposals. There will be an opportunity for community members to share feedback which will be considered in any proposals brought to the Board of Education in March. The Board is not expected to take any action until April.
Since the county facility sales tax went into effect, I have reported how much revenue this has generated for Unit 5. This month we received $1.3M for eligible sales made in November This brings our five-month total to almost $6.SM. This money is not only supporting our students but it is saving property owners money. As a reminder, we have budgeted to abate $6.5M in property tax relief, apply $1.SM towards mental health and school safety measures, and $1 M towards facility updates. This information can always be found on the Unit 5 website under the Finance Department.
Finally, information has been sent to families regarding the Illinois 5 Essentials Survey. This anonymous survey gathers data related to five indicators that can predict important student outcomes: Effective Leaders, Collaborative Teachers, Involved Families, Supportive Environments, and Ambitious Instruction, which are directly linked to positive student outcomes. I hope and encourage everyone to participate in order to provide this important feedback.
8. PUBLIC COMMENTS
– Christie Allen. Topic: Passion for Carlock Elementary School.
– Lacey Frietsch. Topic: Passion for Carlock Elementary School.
– Kim Harmon. Topic: Passion for Carlock Elementary School.
– Amanda Meredith. Topic: Passion for Carlock Elementary School.
– Heidi Lancaster. Topic: Passion for Carlock Elementary School.
– Andy Uhe. Topic: Passion for Carlock Elementary School.
9. REPORTS
A Mid-Year Budget Update
Hickman gave a brief report on the mid-year budget update. The overall budget is on track. Proration from the State continues to have a large impact on the transportation fund with a $4.1 million structural deficit.
B Requests for Information Pursuant to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act The District has received and processed the following requests for information:
1 FOIA List 02.18.26
C Field Trips/Overnight Trips
1 Overnight Trip List 2.18.26
10. ACTION
A Approve the Resurfacing of the Normal Community West High School Tennis Courts Gozur moved and Mainieri seconded to Approve the Resurfacing of the Normal Community West High School Tennis Courts
Roll Call: Ayes: Adams, Gozur, Mainieri, Pyle, Roser, Williams. Nays: None. Motion carried.
11. CONSENT AGENDA
Weikle reviewed and recommended the following consent agenda items for approval. A Approval of Minutes
Minutes are not released for public viewing until approved by the Board of Education
1 01.28.26 Regular Minutes
2 01.28.26 Closed Minutes
B Personnel Matters
C Payment of Bills and Payrolls
1 Bills & Payroll Reports
D Approve Board Policies, Administrative Procedures, and Exhibits
1 Section 2: Board of Education
a. Exhibit 2.20-E1 Waiver and Modification Resource Guide
2 Section 3: General School Administration
a. Exhibit 3.60-E1 Reporting Requirements for Building Principals Concerning School Safety and Security
3 Section 4: Operational Services
a. Administrative Procedure 4.70-AP1 Resource Conservation
b. Administrative Procedure 4.11 0-AP3 School Bus Safety Rules
c. Administrative Procedure 4.140-AP1 Fines, Fees, and Charges_ Waiver of Student Fees
d. Administrative Procedure 4.175-AP1 Criminal Offender Notification Laws; Screening
e. Exhibit 4.170-AP2, E3 Letter to Parents-Guardians About Disruptive Social Media Apps; Dangers
4 Section 5: Personnel
a. Administrative Procedure 5.120-AP2 Employee Conduct Standards
5 Section 6: Instruction
a. Policy 6.20 School Year Calendar and Day
E Approve Elementary ELA Curriculum Adoption – K-2 UFLI
F Approve Middle School ELA Curriculum Adoption – EB Academics
G Approve Lease of 4 New Activity Buses from Central States Bus Sales
H Approve Purchase of Pool Scoreboard for NCHS from Colorado Time Systems
I Approve Student Activity Fund Establishment
Gozur moved and Mainieri seconded to approve the consent agenda as presented. Roll Call: Ayes: Adams, Gozur, Mainieri, Pyle, Roser, Williams. Nays: None. Motion carried.
12. BOARD REPRESENTATIVE COMMITTEE MEETING REPORTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS AND COMMENTS
Pyle acknowledged the good news reports that were highlighted tonight. She thanked all of the staff and students who work hard
Gozur encouraged the community to attend the event tomorrow at Parkside Junior High regarding the Enrollment Planning Study.
Adams thanked all of the board members who attended as well as those that worked on planning the Unit 5 Foundation Luncheon fundraiser. He encouraged the community and board members to attend the upcoming CAC meeting as well as the Unit 5 5K tht is scheduled for this spring. He also encouraged the community to attend the event tomorrow at Parkside Junior High regarding the Enrollment Planning Study.
Roser highlighted all those that came out to support Unit 5 at the recent Unit 5 Foundation Luncheon. She mentioned she looks forward to the enrollment planning study meeting tomorrow and is hopeful it will answer a lot of questions.
Mainieri shouted out the counselors and social workers that have been celebrated this month. He shouted out everyone that was involved behind the scenes in the planning of the Unit 5 Foundation Luncheon fundraiser. He asked the community to remain open if they attend tomorrow regarding the enrollment planning study and anything that is discussed tomorrow at the community event. He shouted out the administrators for their support of each other specifically Scott Vogel.
Williams mentioned that there is an IASB Cornbelt meeting and encouraged his fellow board members to attend if they are able to attend.
13. ADJOURNMENT
At 8:01 p.m. the Board adjourned.
https://meetings.boardbook.org/Documents/CustomMinutesForMeeting/1482?meeting=731442
