Public outcry can’t stop Peotone teacher cuts

Despite tough criticism and heartfelt pleas by Peotone District 207-U students, parents, and residents, the Peotone school board voted unanimously last week to cut eight teachers and sell $4.965 million in bonds for working cash.

At the start of the January 21 board meeting, Supt. Brandon Owens explained what RIF means and how it works, hoping to provide insight into the process the school board followed to determine which teachers would get walking papers and who would be reassigned.

The RIF resulted in eight teachers being dismissed at the end of the school year, plus additional teacher reassignments at reduced hours and other non-certified consolidations. 

The RIF ultimately positioned the school district to start the 2026-2027 school year with 19.5 fewer positions, Owens said. It also reduced the district’s $4.8 million deficit by $1.2 million dollars, bringing the shortfall to $3.6 million.

A dozen impassioned students, primarily from RIF-affected choir teacher Megan Marshall’s classes, lauded her impact and begged the board to make a different choice, some through tears.

“We understand budgets matter, but we ask that you also consider the impact on students. Research shows students involved in music are more engaged, have better attendance, and develop strong social and emotional skills,” student Eliana Campos said.

Students lamented losing the choir teacher, recalling how she instilled confidence, provided a safe space where they could be themselves, and one even said Marshall had taught her more about music theory in two years than in her previous four years. 

Later, the board affirmed the choir program would stay — though students wanted their current teacher.

“From encouraging words during show choir, to making sure everyone feels confident when competition season arrives, I firmly believe there’s no better show choir director available and ever going to be available at PHS,” student Sarah Seibert said.

Owens explained that, though class sizes would increase to 18-to-20 students per class in the next school year, they would still be “within reasonable numbers for education.”

“This practice, again, is right-sizing the district. It’s not financially responsible to run class sizes of three or four or five,” Owens said.

Owens went on to explain RIF dismissals were considered honorable, and those chosen were dictated by Illinois’ RIF laws.

“We wanted to ensure we were providing an adequate timeline to allow for our staff members, who we greatly appreciate for the work they’ve done across our district over this year or previous years, and provide them enough time to be able to search and look for positions,” Owens said, adding that by law, they weren’t required to notify teachers until April.

He also said it was possible for those cut to be called back should there be any retirements or resignations before the following school year.

“Out of the four teachers honored tonight for perseverance, two of them are being let go and two of them are being transferred. Let’s hope their perseverance helps them through that,” Union President Larry Deweese said.

“The opportunities for our students both during and especially after school will be eroded away with the ripples caused by the RIF. Our reputation of being one of the lowest paying districts now will be eclipsed by the reputation of being financially volatile and not a secure place for new teachers. Our students deserve better,” Deweese continued.

Prior to Deweese’s comments, Owens said the school district “consulted the union” while making decisions related to the RIF.

“None of us want to cut anybody,” Trustee Mark Jones said of the RIF, adding that they have to face their own family members and children after the cuts are made. 

Jones also made a point to thank the students who came to the meeting and expressed gratitude to those affected by the cut for what they had done for the district.

“Today’s decision that we’re dedicating ourselves to is the right one for the district. And it’s hard, but we’re doing it,” Trustee Tim Stoub said.

Outside of the RIF, Owens addressed a feasibility study underway to assess the district’s four older buildings. A community engagement meeting was scheduled for January 26 with feasibility study approval slated for the February 18 board meeting.

“Once we receive that, it allows us to take a bigger look at our buildings, at our facilities, and decide what process we want to do, whether that could be a possible consolidation of buildings, or whatever may come from that,” Owens said of the study.

The RIF wasn’t the only controversial move, as the issuance of a $4.96 million government obligation bond garnered plenty of its own criticism and questioning by residents.

“This is our final borrow. We don’t have more borrowing room. This is it. We know we’re at the end of that line, but we’re doing it anyway because we need to go from here to the other side,” Stoub said of the bond issue.

Ahead of the vote, residents questioned what the district was doing with approximately $5 million earmarked for ball fields, to which board members responded could only be used for the ball fields. Owens said pursuing new fields is currently on hold.

Part of the outcry about the district’s financial situation lies in that it seems to have surprised residents and teachers alike.

“One second-year teacher recently asked me why, when they were hired a year and a half ago, they were told the district was in great financial shape, and we were even getting a brand new football field. They asked what happened, and I couldn’t fully answer that person,” Deweese said during his comments.

Stoub said it was an excellent question but one he couldn’t answer, and the board had to “own.”

The board emphasized the RIF and financial decisions were “tough” but necessary.

“When looking at year-to-date p-card spending, last school year, we were already at $146,000. This school year, we are at $70,000,” School Board Vice President Ashley Stachniak said, noting a reduction in spending.

The reduction in spending failed to instill confidence in resident John Maxedon, who shamed the board in its entirety, chided its financial management, and decried Stachniak’s report.

“I think it is completely false to portray to the community that spending is down simply because it’s not on a credit card. The financial strategy that you guys have put in place here is a slap in the face,” Maxedon said, continuing to criticize decision-making, with audience members applauding his comments.

At that point, other audience members began shouting, and Stoub requested order.

“It’s all out of order,” Maxedon quipped while returning to his seat.

Stoub affirmed he often shared Maxedon’s beliefs, but disagreed when it came to shaming the board and its current decision-making.

“This is a new board sitting at this table, who has dedicated itself through the actions that I’ve witnessed to righting the direction of this district,” Stoub said.