Peotone School Board Meeting Briefs

Grant Funding Secured: The district received approval for a $2,250 Illinois Literacy Plan Grant to support professional development for the new K-5 ELA curriculum implementation. Combined with $6,200 from an amended existing grant, the majority of implementation costs will be covered by external funding rather than local funds.

Compliance Review Completed: The Will County Regional Office of Education conducted its four-year compliance review in April, examining student and personnel files, governance, health/life safety, and instructional programs. The district received positive results with no concerns identified.

Construction Update: The HVAC project at Peotone Elementary School continues on schedule with all engineering drawings complete and approved. Preliminary construction work occurred during spring break, with scheduled completion by December 31.

Cyber Safety Event Planned: The district will host a parent education night on Thursday, May 15, featuring Detective Rich Wistocki from Be Sure Consulting Cyber Safe Schools. The event will focus on proactive cyber safety strategies for children and is funded through grant money.

FOIA Requests Increase: The district has processed 20 Freedom of Information Act requests since the last board meeting, with three additional requests currently being completed. The volume represents a significant increase in administrative workload.

Summer Employment Approved: The board approved hiring 13 temporary summer crew members and four maintenance crew members for the 2025 summer construction and maintenance period, beginning June 2.

Personnel Changes: The board approved the resignation of kindergarten teacher Mary Farhat effective June 2, and granted unpaid leave to first-grade teacher Laura Hess from April 10 through June 2. Several coaching position changes were also approved.

Activity Fund Addition: A new choir activity fund account was established at Peotone Intermediate Center with Josh Stefans serving as treasurer.

Upcoming Events: The district will host various end-of-year activities including field trips to Joliet Slammers, Brookfield Zoo, and Napier Settlement. The eighth-grade graduation is scheduled for May 22.

Testing Completed: All students completed the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) testing in April, with fifth-graders finishing the Illinois Science Assessment (ISA) by the end of the month. Spring NWEA MAP testing is scheduled for early May.