McLean County Times

McLean County Unit School District 5 Board of Education met Aug. 20.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

A McLean County Unit District No. 5 Board of Education meeting was held Wednesday, August 20, 2025, 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 (5:30p.m.)

At 5:30 pm Gozur moved and Roser 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)(11) Litigation, when an action against, affecting or on behalf of the particular public body has been filed and is pending before a court or administrative tribunal, or when the public body finds that an action is probable or imminent, in which case the basis for the finding shall be recorded and entered into the minutes of the closed meeting.

Roll Call: Ayes: Adams, Gozur, Mainieri, Pyle, Roser, Williams.

Nays: None.

Motion carried.

3. RECESS

At 6:26 pm the board recessed to public session.

4. RETURN TO PUBLIC SESSION

At 6:30 pm Pyle moved and Mainieri seconded to return to public session.

Roll Call: Ayes: Adams, Gozur, Mainieri, Pyle, Roser, Williams.

Nays: None.

Motion carried.

Also present: Superintendent Dr. Kristen Weikle, Assistant Superintendent Michelle Lamboley, Chief Financial Officer Martin Hickman, Attorney for the District M. Curt Richardson, Executive Director of Operations Joe Adelman, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Dr. Kristal Shelvin, Director of Communications/Community Relations Dayna Brown, Director of Safety and Security Shane Hill, Director of Facilities Tom Rockwell, Director of Financial Services Tommy Hoerr, Director of Technology Dan Zobel, HR Generalist Megan Peterson, Accounting Administrator Devon Donaldson, Director of Payroll and Benefits Candid Omachel, Principal of NCWHS Dr. Angie Codron, NCWHS Athletic Director Wes Temples, NCHS Athletic Director Nic Kearfott, Principal of PJHS Sarah Crowder, Clerk of the Board Emily Sargent.

5. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

6. FOCUS ON STUDENTS AND GOOD NEWS REPORTS

A Good News - Normal West Safety Supports Recognition

Angie Codron and Wes Temples recognized three individuals that help support safety in the school and at extracurricular events: Shane Hill - Director of Safety and Security, Officer Charles Cowley - School Resource Officer, and Zach Pacha - Maintenance & Grounds.

7. SUPERINTENDENT COMMENTS

Weikle shared that we are excited to see our students fill the hallways again. Our staff has been hard at work for the past three days, collaborating and preparing for a fantastic year of learning and growth. We can't wait for students to meet their new teachers and reconnect with friends!

She asked families to help reinforce a few important practices with their students this year. First, if your student rides a bus they need to scan their student ID when they get on and off. This applies to the ride to and from school, field trips, and extracurricular activities. Scanning helps us know who is on the bus in the event of an emergency or if a parent calls and is concerned that their child didn't arrive home.

We also need families' help with our student electronic device policy, which we shared in a message earlier this week. For students in elementary and junior high, cell phones and other devices should be silent and put away during the school day. Please help ensure your child's device doesn't have alarms set during the day and that is set to silent. High school students can have their phones and use them before/after school, during passing periods, at lunch, and in the classroom with teacher permission for educational purposes. These measures are designed to help students learn responsible technology use and remain focused on learning.

The start of a new school year is the perfect time to build on the strong partnership between our district, families, and the community. We know that working together helps every student achieve their full potential. I encourage you to get involved this year, whether at your child's schools or with district-wide initiatives. If you want to get more involved this year but aren't sure where to begin, she said to please reach out to your child's school or the unit office. She went on to introduce new administrators for the 25-26 school year:

Robert Battey - Principal at Pepper Ridge

Latavia Jordan – Assistant Principal at Cedar Ridge

Ryan Geist - Assistant Principal at Fairview

Kari Wuthrich – Assistant Principal at Oakdale

Jason Salrin - Assistant Principal at NCHS

8. PUBLIC COMMENTS

There are no public comments.

9. REPORTS

A 1st Reading of Board Policies, Administrative Procedures and Exhibits

1 Section 4: Operational Services

a. Policy 4.55 Use of Credit and Procurement Cards

b. Administrative Procedure 4.55-AP1 Controls for the Use of District Credit and Procurement Cards

c. Exhibit 4.55-E1 Missing Receipt Affidavit

2 Section 7: Students

a. Exhibit 7.220-E1 Student Short Term Bus Suspension

b. Exhibit 7.220-E2 Student Long Term Bus Suspension

3 Section 8: Community Relations

a. Policy 8.20 Community Use of School Facilities

b. Administrative Procedure 8.20-AP1 Community Use of School Facilities

c. Exhibit 8.20-E1 Application for Use of School Facilities

d. Exhibit 8.20-E2 Non-School Related Group Acknowledgment, Assumption of Risk, Release, and Indemnification

e. Exhibit 8.20-E3 Facility Rental Fees

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 08.20.25

C Summer Projects

Dayna Brown discussed the new food pantry at KJHS.

Joe Adelman and Tom Rockwell highlighted the 145 projects the Operations and Maintenance department completed in 45 working days. These projects came out of three funds - HLS, O and M, and grants.

Dan Zobel highlighted some of the bigger projects comepleted by the technology department such as replacing and installing 800 interative display panel.

D Girls Flag Football & Boys Volleyball

Nic Kearfott and Wes Temples presented on the proposal of adding Girls Flag Football and Boys Volleyball for the 26-27 school year.

E FY26 Proposed Budget

Marty Hickman and Tommy Hoerr presented the proposed budget for FY26. The fiscal year started July 1, 2025. There will be a public hearing on the budget in september. In November, there will be a meeting to discuss the 2025 Tax Levy. The proposed budet is made up of the education, operations and maintenance, transportation and tort funds. Tax revenue is pojected to increase 19%. The School Facility Sales Tax is estimated to generate $9M. Transportation remains a significant problem due to underfunding from the state.

10. ACTION

A Approve Superintendent Employment Contract 2025-2030

Gozur moved and Adams seconded to Approve Superintendent Employment Contract 2025- 2030.

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 07.16.25 Regular Minutes

2 07.16.25 Closed Minutes

B Personnel Matters

C Payment of Bills and Payrolls

1 Bills & Payroll Reports

D Approve Finance Department Reports

1 June 2025 Financial Statements

E Approve Dr. Kelly Pyle as Delegate to the IASB Delegate Assembly

F Approve Student Activity Establishments

Gozur moved Adams and seconded to accept 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

Williams read a prepared statement from Kentrica Coleman who was out of town to move her son to college. She extended a warm welcome to students and stafffor this upcoming school year.

Pyle welcomed all the new administrators as well as all of the students and staff back for this new school year. She said she is looking forward to the 100 Caring Adult events and encouraged everyone to attend.

Gozur gave a shout out to the safety teams and thanked them for everything they do. He also congratulated the new administrators.

Mainieri said he is excited for the goals Dr. Weikle has set for herself and the district. He wished all staff students and families a great school year. He encouraged the community to be aware of school buses to keep students safe.

Roser wished everyone a great school year.

Adams welcomed back students and staff. He thanked Joe and Tom for all their hard work this summer.

Williams congratulated and welcomed the new administrators in their new roles. He addressed students to encourage them for the upcoming school year. He thanked Dr. Weikle for her years of service.

13. ADJOURNMENT

The Board adjourned at 8:36 pm.

https://meetings.boardbook.org/Documents/CustomMinutesForMeeting/1482?meeting=702240