McLean County Times

McLean County Unit School District 5 Board of Education met Sept. 17.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

A McLean County Unit District No. 5 Board of Education meeting was held Wednesday, September 17, 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, Kentrica Coleman, Stan Gozur, Patrick Mainieri, Kelly Pyle, Amy Roser, Alex Williams. Members absent: None.

2. ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION (5:45p.m.)

At 5:45 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.

3. RECESS

At 6:17 p.m. the board recessed to public session.

4. RETURN TO PUBLIC SESSION

At 6:30 p.m. Gozur moved and Mainieri seconded to return to public session.

Roll Call: Ayes: Adams, Coleman, Gozur, Mainieri, Pyle, Roser, Williams. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Also present: Superintendent Dr. Kristen Weikle, Assistant Superintendent Michelle Lamboley, Chief Financial Officer Martin Hickman, Director of Human Resources Heather Rogers, Executive Director of Operations Joe Adelman, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Dr. Kristal Shelvin, Director of Communications/Community Relations Dayna Brown, Clerk of the Board Emily Sargent.

5. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

6. FOCUS ON STUDENTS AND GOOD NEWS REPORTS

A Good News - Vision Point Eye Center

Dayna Brown thanked and recognized the partnership with Vision Point Eye Center who offers up to 100 exams and glasses to students for free a year. This is the fifth year of the partnership.

B Good News - IPA Presidential Ring Presentation Dr. Angie Codron - Normal West Principal Jason Leahy - Executive Director of the Illinois Principals Association recognized Dr. Angie Codron with the IPA Presendential Ring. She serves on the IPA board. He thanked the district for their support of her during her presidency.

C Good News - Fox Creek Outside Classroom

Robyn Taylor, Assistant Principal of Fox Creek. She celebrated its new outdoor classroom in memory of former parent and volunteer Dawn Hall, who passed away in a tragic car accident in January 2024. For more than 12 years, Dawn devoted herself to the Fox Creek community. The outdoor classroom is already enriching students' lives through hands-on learning and support for their social and emotional well-being.

D Good News - Hoose Special Education Team

Gina Tenuta, Principal of Colene Hoose, honored the incredible work of its special education staff. Teachers, paraprofessionals, and support staff arrive each day with a deep commitment to helping every student achieve personal excellence. Their collaboration, creativity, and dedication continue to inspire, while their strong focus on listening and open communication ensures families feel like true partners in their child's education.

7. SUPERINTENDENT COMMENTS

Weikle said it's hard to believe we're already a month into the school year. It has been wonderful to see students back in the classrooms, engaged in learning, and participating in extracurricular activities. She has especially enjoyed watching students and staff dive into the new Illustrative Math program in grades K-8. Illustrative Math helps students not just get the right answer, but also understand the why behind the math and explain their thinking. Right now, all grades are finishing what's called Unit 0-this unit supports building a rich mathematical classroom environment. Dr. Weikle said this is their opportunity to establish classroom norms around math discourse, partner work, independent work, manipulatives, and math games. She is excited to see how this strong start will help students grow as mathematicians throughout the year.

The community's support has also been a major highlight of the new year. The Promise Council has hosted several 100 Caring Adult events, and Dr. Weikle has been amazed at the number of community members who have come out to welcome students. This kind of engagement aligns with the district's strategic plan to focus on building and strengthening the community. It's part of what makes Unit 5 so special.

Last week, this support was seen firsthand during the Normal West homecoming celebration. It was fantastic to see such a great turnout for the parade and other events. Dr. Weikle is looking forward to celebrating Normal Community's homecoming the week of October 19. Seeing the community come together to support students is amazing, and she knows the students appreciate it as well.

Dr. Weikle also gave a special shout-out to the district's incredible IT staff, who were celebrated for National IT Professional Day yesterday. She praised IT professionals for working tirelessly behind the scenes to keep technology running smoothly and to ensure students' and staff's data remains safe and secure. Unit 5 is lucky to have some of the best in the field.

She introduced the following new staff members:

- Alison Kohler, Principal at Brigham Early Learning center.

- Abigail Peterson Green, Assistant Principal at Colene Hoose.

- Sara Porter, Special Education Administrator serving 6 buildings in the district.

8. PUBLIC HEARING

A Public Hearing of the 2025-2026 Budget

Pyle moved and Gozur seconded to close the public hearing of the 2025-2026 Budget.

Roll Call: Ayes: Adams, Coleman, Gozur, Mainieri, Pyle, Roser, Williams. Nays: None. Motion carried.

1 Comments Regarding Public Hearing

- There were no public comment

9. PUBLIC COMMENTS

Michael Coleman. Topic: Support of Boys Volleyball being added for the 2026-2027 school year.

Amy Biles. Topic: Support of Boys Volleyball being added for the 2026-2027 school year.

10. REPORTS

A Dual Language Program Report

Leslie Webb presented the dual language program at Cedar Ridge. Currently the enrollment is at 166 students. This program that supports any student who's home language is english K-5 in the district. About 50% of these students home school is Cedar Ridge.

B Transportation Fleet Report

Marty Hickman and Joe Adelman presented on the current fleet of buses and the needs of distric in regards to transportation throughout the district. Some of the transit vans and buses we have in the district are 10 years and older. The age of these transportatiovehicles play a big part in the cost of maintence to the vehicles. A new fleet will help offset these costs long term.

C 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 09.17.25

D Field Trips/Overnight Trips

Dr. Weikle presented the following overnight trip requests:

1. NCHS - Performance and Cultural Experience Trip

2. NCHS - Illinois FBLA Fall Retreat

3. NCHS - Festival of Gold Music Festival

4. NCHS/NCWHS - FFA State Convention

5. NCHS/NCWHS - FFA National Convention

11. ACTION

A Approve Resolution to Adopt the 2025-2026 Budget for Community Unit District No. 5, McLean and Woodford Counties, Illinois

Gozür moved and Pyle seconded to Approve Resolution to Adopt the 2025-2026 Budget for Community Unit District No. 5, McLean and Woodford Counties, Illinois

Roll Call: Ayes: Adams, Coleman, Gozur, Mainieri, Pyle, Roser, Williams. Nays: None. Motion carried.

B Approve Equipment Purchase and Installation of an Inclusive Playground at Parkside Elementary School

Gozur moved and Roser seconded to Approve Equipment Purchase and Installation of an Inclusive Playground at Parkside Elementary School

Roll Call: Ayes: Adams, Coleman, Gozur, Mainieri, Pyle, Roser, Williams. Nays: None. Motion carried.

C Approve Proposal for Enrollment Planning and Demographic Consulting Services for McLean County Unit District No. 5, Illinois

Gozur moved and Pyle seconded to Approve Proposal for Enrollment Planning and Demographic Consulting Services for McLean County Unit District No. 5, Illinois

Roll Call: Ayes: Adams, Coleman, Gozur, Mainieri, Pyle, Roser, Williams. Nays: None. Motion carried.

D Approve Boys Volleyball and Girls Flag Football for 2026-2027 School Year

Gozur moved and Coleman seconded to Approve Boys Volleyball and Girls Flag Football for 2026-2027 School Year

Roll Call: Ayes: Adams, Coleman, Gozur, Mainieri, Pyle, Roser, Williams. Nays: None. Motion carried.

E Approve Central States Bus Sales, Inc Bid for 25 School Buses and 2 Multifunction School Activity Buses

Gozur moved and Coleman seconded to Approve Central States Bus Sales, Inc Bid for 25 School Buses and 2 Multifunction School Activity Buses

Roll Call: Ayes: Adams, Coleman, Gozur, Mainieri, Pyle, Roser, Williams. Nays: None. Motion carried.

12. 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 08.20.25 Regular Minutes

2 08.20.25 Closed Minutes

B Personnel Matters

C Payment of Bills and Payrolls

D Approve Finance Department Reports

1 Financial Statements for July 2025

E Approve 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

F Approve 2024-2025 Salary and Benefits Report for Unit 5 Administrators and Certified Teachers

G Approve 2024-2025 IMRF Compensation and Benefits Report

H Approve Student Activity Fund Dissolution

Mainieri moved and Gozur seconded to remove Section 12-E.3 from the consent agenda.

Roll Call: Ayes: Adams, Coleman, Gozur, Mainieri, Pyle, Roser, Williams. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Gozur moved and Pyle seconded to approve the consent agenda as amended.

Roll Call: Ayes: Adams, Coleman, Gozur, Mainieri, Pyle, Roser, Williams. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Gozur moved and Pyle seconded to approve Section 12-E.3

Roll Call: Ayes: Adams, Coleman, Gozur, Pyle, Roser, Williams. Abstain: Mainieri. Nays: None. Motion carried.

13. BOARD REPRESENTATIVE COMMITTEE MEETING REPORTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS AND COMMENTS

- Coleman thanked Williams for reading her message at last week's meeting. Gave thanks to Dr. Weikle for her partnership in creating her goals and hearing her vision for the district. She mentioned the excitement revolving the West Homecoming parade.

- Pyle mentioned the possible creation of a policy revolving around clear bags required for all district events. There will be a Risk Committee meeting on November 12. She expressed her excitement in participating in the West Homecoming parade and many 100 Caring Adults events.

- Gozur highlighted the first meeting of the school year for the PTA Committee and the work that is going to take place throughout the year.

- Adams mentioned there is a facilities meeting this Friday at the Unit Office. He also encouraged the community to make in-kind donations to home sweet homes ministries for their bridge project.

- Roser gave an update from the Regional Planning Council. She also discussed eagerness to participate in a collaboration lab through the ROE 17.

- Mainieri mentioned facilities meets this Friday and CAC meets on September 30th. He shouted out Dayna and Sean for their hardwork at the board meetings behind the scenes.

- Williams reminded his fellow board members to keep in mind the mission of "Unit 5 will educate each student to achieve personal excellence". He thanked Dr. Weikle and the logevity that the district has had with her as the superintendent. He thanked his fellow board members for their involvement and engagement.

14. ADJOURNMENT

At 8:55 p.m. the Board meeting adjourned.

https://meetings.boardbook.org/Documents/CustomMinutesForMeeting/1482?meeting=707421