The Manteno Community Unit School District No.5 met with smiles, tears, and hugs as the 2024/ 2025 school year wound down. The school board meeting on May 27 featured numerous student awards. The meeting itself was brief, with the consent agenda approved with all ayes. Included in that agenda were the minutes, financial reports, a declaration of a district surplus and the approval of 2024-2025 Iroquois-Kankakee Substitute Teacher list.
Other approvals included resignations, intents to retire, FMLAs, transfers, employments for the 2024/2025 school year, as well as for the 2025/2026 year.
In old business members approved funds transfer, Interest Earnings Resolutions for Fiscal Year 2025-2026, approval of Johnson Controls Service Agreement, approved CLIC Insurance renewal, Athletic Training Contract Renewal, High School Girls and Boys Bowling Co-op two-year agreement, and early graduation requests.
The last board meeting of the fiscal calendar will be on June 25. That meeting will consist of the close of the fiscal year, treasurer appointment and bond, fuel bid, Public Consulting Group (Easy) IEP contract ,and the Ivy League Kids agreement.
Recognition for the middle school and high school state track athletes went as follows: Briggs Cann – advanced to finals in the 400 m at the IHSA 2A State Track meet EIU, Charleston; Klarke Goranson was recognized for finishing first in her 800 m and second with the 1600 m. Sophia Most was recognized for placing fifth in discus, as well.
Recognition also was given to High School Girls Jr./Sr. Leadership Academy students as well. Those students included: Juniors – Brooke Blanchette, Madison Borrmann, Makayla Buchmeier, Josie Carroll, Dilynn Cicale-Stafford, Zoey Cieszynski, Emma Dahl, McKenzie Doyle, Hailey Graham, Camryn Haines, Candence Hetman, Emily Horath, Madeline Kvasnicka, Lily Levesque, Miranda Lingo, Christina Maynihan, Claire Moses, Gilian Newman, Sophie Peterson, Lila Prindivelle, Kayden Shury, and Lanie Young.
Seniors include: Rachel. Blacklock, Kaylee Boudreau, Aeryn Breazeale, Elizabeth Coyle, Kohana Degan, Ava Derrico, Aubriana Fletcher, Jazlin Garcia, Anabella Gigliello, Macy Iwanus, Abigal Johnson, Gabrielle Kovaka, Laryssa Markel, Allison Martin, Caitlin Meaney, Brynn Nikonchuck, Julie Ott, Ava Peterson, Makayla Petty, Kalee Piszro, Katherine Rogers, Grace Rogge, Hailey Stortz, Isabella Tedeschi, Sophia Tedeschi, and Jessica Wagge.
The meeting commenced at 7 p.m. and all met with board members, staff, and fellow students for congratulatory hugs, memories, and smiles. As the lights dimmed in the library, the exit was a walk of trophies, achievement, and an empty cafeteria. Memories now at bay…the future full of hope.