On Monday, Dec. 11, Kaneland Community Unit School District 302 hosted its regularly scheduled board meeting at 7 p.m. in the sixth-grade team room at Kaneland Harter Middle School. All board members were present, with Ryan Kleisner attending over a conference call.
Following roll call and the Pledge of Allegiance, Superintendent Dr. Todd Leden recognized the Kaneland Foundation for all of its great work this year. He introduced Becky Greenlee from the foundation and allowed her to show the audience and board all the foundation had contributed to the schools. The Kaneland Foundation awarded 14 grants: two to Kaneland High School, five to Harter Middle School (KHMS), one to John Shields Elementary School, one to Blackberry Creek Elementary School (KBK), one to John Stewart Elementary School, one to McDole Elementary School (KME), one to the Fox Valley Career Center (FVCC), one to Kaneland Meredith Academic Center (KMAC) and one to the Kaneland Arts Initiative (KAI).
“We help the teachers find money to help their schools with money they may not get from their normal allowance,” Greenlee said.
The foundation was able to provide a variety of resources that will benefit both teachers and students: two LED signs that students can customize at the KMAC, new Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and social justice books at KME, more funding for the Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) department at the high school, podcasting equipment and personalized Spanish resources at the middle school, a new high-tech CPR medical manikin for FVCC and several other items.
“We created an environment where the students are thinking more of math than just answering questions,” eighth-grade math teacher Alyssa Galvan said. “With the grant, we got enough money to buy three white board easels and Expo markers that are situated around my room. Research shows that kids are more likely to try and take the risk of math problems if they can erase their errors quickly.”
All of these grants come out of support from the community. Without the Kaneland Foundation, some teachers wouldn’t be able to provide these resources to students. Not only did some teachers attend the meeting in support of the foundation, but they also came to show the board how all that they receive through grants impacts their classrooms and their students.
“We found Calm Classroom, which is a great program,” fourth and fifth grade STEM teacher at KBK Mary Doranski said. “Kids learn about themselves and how they learn best. This is giving them tools to improve their learning and wellbeing throughout the day.”
Dr. Leden then introduced Athletics Director and teacher at KHMS, Pattie Pattermann, to talk about the fall athletics and activity accomplishments.
Seventh-grade head volleyball coach Kevin Hagan couldn’t be in attendance, so Patterman spoke on his behalf.
“I want to express how proud I am for such an awesome season,” Patterman said. “It is important to note that this team started before the school year began and had practice and games five days a week, oftentimes traveling an hour on weeknights. But your hard work did not go unnoticed.”
The KHMS seventh-grade girls volleyball team finished their season with a record of 13-1. Some of the players attended the meeting and were recognized for their hard work and commitment.
Rachael Rebsom, cross country coach at KHMS, talked about her three state qualifiers and how everyone on the team grew and worked together to have a great season. The three students recognized were Macey Jug, Caden Kaiser and Carson Kaiser. Jug was in attendance.
Kendall Lawson, middle school golf coach, talked about the golf team at the middle school and how it might not be a sanctioned sport, but the team worked incredibly hard at all of their meets. Dylan Pjesky, in particular, had a great season, placing ninth at sectionals. He was in attendance with his family and was recognized for his drive and passion for the sport.
Dr. Leden finished the salutes, congratulating all of the student-athletes and dismissing them if they needed to leave.
The only public comment was from Elburn resident Jenine Mehr, who came to voice concerns about the curriculum and abilities of Kaneland students because of how they are taught. She also talked about a lack of resources in classrooms from teachers she’s talked to, specifically promoting the use of textbooks.
“In the 1990s and early 2000s, textbooks were used in all of the classes as resources to help develop lessons and give teachers a foundation for their classrooms every day,” Mehr said.
The first item of New Business was an update on the search for a new superintendent. The update included that the board had narrowed the choices and clarified that they would take their time with this process. They will continue to update the public at each meeting.
The second item of New Business was the public hearing on the tax levy led by Dr. Julie-Ann Fuchs. The money from this year’s tax levy is going to the operating funds for the district, and it cannot be used to make bonds. The levy is built on estimates, and the actual numbers will be found in February or March. This is the greatest source of revenue that the district depends on. No public comments were made about the tax levy. This year, the tax levy is estimated to be 69 million dollars. The board entertained a motion to approve the 2023 levy, and it passed 7-0.
The third item was the Financial Projects Presentation, led by Dr. Fuchs. This presentation provided a five-year projection that allows the board to prepare for when the new year begins.
“We have to budget conservatively, and projections are conservative,” Fuchs said.
The fourth item was the approval of the 2024-25 and 2025-26 school calendars. Dr. Leden explained the calendars and the reasons behind the choices made within them. He also had student representative and senior Katie Pfotenhauer explain to the board how the student body feels about the calendar.
“While the finals being after Winter Break never really affected me, I can’t imagine spending time over Winter Break working on finals stuff,” Pfotenhauer said. “I like where it is now with the finals being before Winter Break because then I feel like it’s less stressful for students.”
Dr. Leden noted that the only difference between the calendars is the date of Nov. 5, 2025. In the 2024-25 calendar, it is a mandatory no-school day due to the presidential election. In the 2025-26 school year calendar, the date is a normal school day. The calendars were approved 7-0 by the board and will be posted shortly on the Kaneland district website.
The final item of New Business was the KBK Parent-Teacher Organization’s (PTO) donation of $25,000 for new playground equipment.
“They would like to get rid of the damaged equipment and replace it with more comparable equipment to our other elementary schools for safety and aesthetic reasons,” Fuchs said.
The board approved the donation of up to $25,000 with a vote of 7-0.
Dr. Leden then led the Board Report by announcing that the Kaneland Foundation meeting on Dec. 12 will be moved to another date due to members being unable to attend. Additionally, the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) meeting will be on Thursday, Dec. 14 from 7-8:30 p.m. in the Kaneland High School library. They will talk about standard-based grading and security updates. There is also a virtual parent safety meeting on Monday, Jan. 22, from 6:30-8 p.m. More information will be posted on the Kaneland High School website.
Pfotenhauer informed the board of some high school updates, including wins by the boys and girls varsity basketball teams, the girls bowling team and the wrestling program’s big meet win.
“Over the weekend, the Madrigal Dinner took place. Families and friends got to join the Madrigal performers in the high school cafeteria for dinner and a performance,” Pfotenhauer said.
Kaneland High School’s student council is also hosting a blood drive on Friday, Dec. 15. Students getting their blood drawn need to double check the criteria to donate.
The next board meeting will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 17, with a longer break between meetings than usual because of the holidays.
