Meeting Summary and Briefs: Peotone Board of Education for September 29, 2025

Peotone School Board Special Board Meeting – Monday, September 29, 2025

The Peotone Board of Education held a special meeting on Monday, September 29, 2025, primarily to pass a revised budget and avert a district-wide shutdown. After rejecting the initial budget a week prior due to a projected $4.2 million deficit and a lack of borrowing capacity, the board approved an amended version with over $200,000 in cuts. The decision came after lengthy discussion about the district’s severe financial state and the need for long-term planning. For complete coverage, see the full story.

The only other action item was the approval of a two-year intergovernmental agreement with Manteno Community Unit School District #5 for a cooperative girls’ wrestling team.

Peotone-Manteno Girls’ Wrestling Co-op Approved
The board unanimously approved a two-year agreement with Manteno to form a cooperative girls’ wrestling team for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 seasons. Under the agreement, Peotone High School will serve as the host school, providing the head coach and all necessary equipment and facilities for practices and home meets. Manteno will be responsible for transporting its student-athletes to Peotone for all team activities.

Public Criticizes District’s Financial Management
Resident Jim Bowden used the public comment period to deliver a sharp critique of the district’s financial practices. He questioned the necessity of four employees in the business manager’s office for a district of 1,000 students and accused the board of mishandling a $5.2 million bond for a stalled baseball field project by paying interest on the funds for two years without action. Bowden suggested the board could legally recall the bonds through an “extraordinary call.”