Mt. Pulaski CUSD #23
December Board of Education Meeting Summary
December 17, 2025
The Mt. Pulaski CUSD #23 Board of Education held its regular meeting on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at the Mt. Pulaski Grade School Library. All seven board members were present, with one member participating by telephone.
Truth in Taxation Hearing
The Board held its required Truth-in-Taxation Hearing before the regular meeting. District administration explained that while the levy reflects an increase of more than 5%, this action allows the district to capture all available revenue under tax-cap laws. The district’s tax rate has continued to decrease for the last several years, and no public comments were received.
Student Recognition
The Board celebrated student achievements during the “Good News” portion of the meeting:
Senior of the Month: Eric Cooper, recognized for his leadership and involvement in athletics, NHS, FFA (President), and student advisory committees.
Student Athlete of the Month: Kya Matson, praised for her work ethic, leadership, and positive influence on teammates.
Financial & Administrative Actions
The Board approved the Consent Agenda, including payment of bills, sales tax revenue totaling $38,765.39, and approval of the November meeting minutes. The Annual Financial Report was discussed but tabled, as the audit is not yet complete; it is expected to be presented in January.
The Board also:
Adopted the 2025 Tax Levy
Approved two bond tax abatement resolutions, helping manage debt service costs
Approved use of a $50,000 School Maintenance Grant for the district’s solar project and authorized local matching funds
Facilities & Infrastructure Improvements
Several facility improvement projects were approved, including:
Air conditioning installation for the MPGS gym is scheduled as a summer project
Replacement of the MPHS cafeteria rooftop HVAC unit is also scheduled for the summer
Approval of Comcast as the district’s internet provider following an e-Rate bidding process
Academic & Program Updates
Approval of MPHS course catalog changes, primarily within Agriculture programs
Approval of course catalogs for the Classes of 2027–2030
District leadership provided updates on curriculum improvements, Preschool for All initiatives, instructional audits, and student assessment data
Reports & Highlights
Principals reported on successful concerts, MAP testing progress, coat drives, and school activities
The Activities Director shared athletic updates, highlighting strong starts for both boys and girls basketball programs, with the girls team ranked 6th in Illinois
Board members shared takeaways from the IASB Joint Annual Conference, including governance, student voice, AI in education, and leadership development
Personnel & Staffing
The Board approved the Personnel Report, including the appointment of Joel Washko as District Activities Director. Board members and administrators expressed appreciation for staff and leadership involved in recent transitions and initiatives.
Discussion Items
The Board held discussions on:
District-wide communication planning
Superintendent evaluation timelines
Logan County Board of Review hearings
Baseball official compensation, with further consideration planned for a future meeting
Executive Session & Adjournment
The Board entered Executive Session for collective bargaining matters with no action taken afterward. The meeting adjourned at 10:02 p.m.