Celebrating Hilltopper Success

The Board recognized several individuals for their outstanding accomplishments and contributions to the district.

• Senior of the Month – Juan Andrade: Juan was recognized for his extensive involvement in school activities, including FCCLA, FFA, soccer, and eSports. He serves as an FCCLA state officer and is a member of the national parliamentary procedure team. Juan could not attend the meeting because he was representing MPHS at the National FFA Convention.

• Student-Athlete of the Month – Aaron Volle: Aaron was recognized for his academic excellence, leadership, and participation in baseball, basketball, and cross country. As a straight-A student and three-sport athlete, Aaron demonstrates tremendous dedication both in the classroom and in athletics.

• Hilltopper Medallion – Randy Reeter: Randy received the quarterly Hilltopper Medallion for his continued dedication to the Mt. Pulaski community. A longtime sports enthusiast and IHSA official, Randy continues serving students as a substitute teacher at both the Grade School and High School.

• Board Leadership Recognition: The Illinois Association of School Boards recognized Ashley Combs as an Established Board Leader for her service and professional development. Additionally, the entire Mt. Pulaski Board of Education earned the IASB Board Governance Recognition, an honor achieved by only 53 school boards statewide. The district will be recognized at the upcoming Joint Annual Conference.

Congratulations to all of these individuals for their contributions to Hilltopper Pride!

Grade School Construction and Renovation Update

The Board received another update regarding the ongoing planning process for the Mt. Pulaski Grade School renovation and the proposed Junior High addition at Mt. Pulaski High School.

Administration reported that the district recently held two productive planning meetings with Graham & Hyde Architects and CORE Construction. The district continues moving forward with plans to relocate Junior High students to the High School campus while renovating the existing Grade School building.

The meetings focused on refining instructional spaces and ensuring the renovation addresses the needs identified by building administrators and staff. Both principals expressed satisfaction with the project's direction while emphasizing that providing appropriate space and services for special education students remains a major priority.

Upcoming planning meetings will focus on mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. The Board also discussed improving student drop-off procedures at the Grade School and acknowledged our maintenance ticket system that helps staff report facility concerns more efficiently. This system has been in place since Mr. Spang joined the district in 2024.

Board members expressed appreciation for the continued collaboration between administration, teachers, architects, and construction professionals as the district works toward a comprehensive plan that addresses both current and future educational needs.

Employee Health Insurance Changes

The Board unanimously approved a new employee health insurance arrangement for the upcoming renewal period.

After an extensive review of options, the district will transition to a self-funded health insurance plan through a cooperative arrangement through Pareto Health, with Aetna as the insurance carrier.

District insurance representative Jeremy Travelstead explained that Pareto Health includes more than 4,000 participating employers nationwide and over 1.2 million members. The cooperative model is expected to provide greater financial stability and predictability during future annual insurance renewals.

The district's Insurance Committee participated in the evaluation and supported the new arrangement. Administration also confirmed that the district would not face a penalty should it decide to leave the cooperative after the first year.

This change represents an important effort to manage rising employee health insurance costs while maintaining quality benefits for district employees.

2026 Tax Levy Discussion

Superintendent Spang provided an update on preparations for the district's upcoming 2026 property tax levy.

Administration has attended several informational presentations and continues evaluating options to maintain or potentially reduce the district's overall tax rate.

The Board will receive the tentative tax levy in November, with final consideration and adoption scheduled for December.

The district remains committed to responsible financial planning while balancing educational needs, facility improvements, and the impact on local taxpayers.

Physical Education Exemption Policy Clarified

The Board unanimously approved revisions to Board Policy 6:310 to clarify the district's Physical Education exemption requirements.

Under the revised language, students seeking the athletic participation exemption must:

• Be classified as a junior or senior.

• Participate in school athletics in both semesters.

The clarification sets consistent expectations for students and families and clarifies eligibility for Physical Education exemptions.

Grade School Safety Improvements

The Board took another important step toward improving building safety by approving Health Life Safety Amendment #15 and replacing the Grade School's aging public address and intercom system.

The project will replace speakers throughout the building and install an updated PA/intercom system to improve communication during daily operations and emergencies.

Funding will come from a combination of Health Life Safety funds and School Maintenance Grant funds.

Because of the project's urgency, the Illinois State Board of Education had already approved the amendment before the Board's formal action. Administration reported an estimated three-month equipment lead time after ordering, with installation expected to take about one week.

The Board also requested clarification regarding whether the new system would include synchronized clocks throughout the building.

District Improvement and Academic Updates

Building administrators shared updates on several initiatives that support student achievement, attendance, and staff development.

At MPHS, Principal Heather Fricke highlighted ongoing teacher evaluations, professional development opportunities, and efforts to improve family participation in parent-teacher conferences. She also recently completed Mindset training focused on supporting students and staff.

At MPGS, Principal Danielle Lora reported positive results from the school's attendance incentive programs. The Grade School continues exploring additional ways to encourage consistent attendance. Parent-teacher conferences drew strong attendance in grades K–5, although increasing family participation in older grades remains a priority.

Curriculum Director Linda Smith is meeting with teachers districtwide to identify professional development needs. The team is also working on curriculum mapping and developing a districtwide curriculum inventory, including instructional resources and digital subscriptions. 

Athletics and Student Activities

Activities Director Joel Washko shared updates on fall athletics and student activities as teams prepare for postseason competition.

Highlights included:

• Fourteen MPHS students attending the National FFA Convention.

• A successful inaugural Mt. Pulaski/Unity football game, which drew strong community attendance.

• The Student Advisory Committee continued mental skills training, with recent discussions focusing on resilience and positive toughness.

• In the fall, athletic teams are preparing for upcoming regional competitions.

The Board also approved creating social media accounts for the MPHS Yearbook Club as part of its consent agenda.

Board Development and Additional Actions

The Board approved estimated expenses for the upcoming IASB Joint Annual Conference, where six of the district's seven Board members plan to participate in professional learning opportunities.

Additional actions included:

• Appointing Jason Spang and Kathy Tschantz to the Joint Committee for Honorary Dismissals as part of the district's annual seniority review process.

• Approving the monthly personnel report, including coaching appointments and resignations.

• Discussing public comment concerns about building access under Policy 8:20 and the importance of student safety.

The Board continues to emphasize responsible governance, professional development, and district safety.

The meeting adjourned at 8:07 p.m.