At the June 24 board meeting, board members discussed numerous topics, including a budget amendment, the construction management authorization and other updates for this upcoming school year. All board members were in attendance, except for Board Secretary Julie Orphal. Orphal will be absent for the next two meetings. Assistant Superintendent for Business Dr. Jackie Bogan will be the Board Secretary during Orphal’s absence.
The meeting began with Director of Educational Services EC-5th grade Dr. Sarah Mumm explaining a program called “One School, One Book.” Mumm stated that the nationwide program has included Kaneland for the past six years. In this program, the district selects one book, and students at each elementary school read it at the same time. Additionally, they create activities, trivia questions and escape rooms relating to the chosen book.
Afterwards, Mumm introduced an excelling elementary student, Lyla Bagnasco. Mumm recalled that a year ago, Jay Miletsky (Mr. Jay), the author of the “Patrick Picklebottom and the Penny” book series, was so impressed with the projects he saw at Kaneland that he reached out to create a writing contest. He wanted to include one of Kaneland’s students in a chapter in his next book. The submission from Bagnasco, titled “The Mystery Of The Gum Chewer,” was by far the best mystery he had ever read.
Bagnasco’s story will be featured in Mr. Jay’s next book. John Stewart Elementary School Principal Samantha Aversa and Bagnasco’s teacher, Rob Williams, shared some kind words about Bagnasco. They praised her hard work and her commitment to excellence inside and outside of school.
Next, Bogan spoke about the district’s operations and maintenance funds. Kaneland is looking to add approximately $496,000 to the expenditure side of things. Mainly, that money will be used for covering electricity costs. Bogan stated that the estimate is very conservative, and she believes it will cost less than stated.
Bogan also explained that they will be adding $200,000 for site improvements at John Shields Elementary, with this addition falling outside of the referendum. The budget amendment was approved 7-0.
Next, members of the board discussed the approval of policies and exhibits for review and monitoring. The service Kaneland belongs to provides recommendations and updates relating to board policies. They would like to continue working with this service so they can receive more recommendations regarding board policies. The Board of Education approved the recommended policies, reviews and updates 7-0.
Then Bogan, along with board members Jennifer Simmons and Scott Stalcup, introduced the idea of using Nicholas & Associates as Kaneland’s construction management partner for the upcoming capital improvement plan supported by the 2025 referendum. They provided many reasons for using Nicholas & Associates for construction. For example, Nicholas & Associates were the builders of Kaneland Harter Middle School. The Board of Education approved this selection 7-0.
Superintendent, Dr. Kurt Rohlwing then announced that 70 students are earning credit for graduation over the next few weeks. He also announced that 10 of Kaneland’s classroom teachers who were released through a reduction in force process have either been recalled or have found a different position in the district. Lastly, Rohlwing stated that this year, as the district office continues to develop their administrative team, they will be doing a book study on “The Culture Code” by Daniel Coil.
At the end of the meeting, Board President Bob Mankivsky brought up a future topic to touch base on. He mentioned that Kaneland leases out district property for agricultural uses. Mankivsky would like to reach out to the Future Farmers of America (FFA) program to see if they would like to participate in the management of the leasing of district property. He would like to use this as a lab and workplace experience for the FFA students. There will be more discussion regarding this topic at a later date.
The next Kaneland school board meeting will be held on Monday, June 30.
