After three public hearings, the decision is final: Peotone 207-U School District will close its Peotone Intermediate Center at the end of the school year.
The school district’s compromised financial position, coupled with safety concerns, led to the decision and unanimous vote during a special meeting held on March 2. Residents, teachers, and administrators expressed concerns about safety and the school’s proximity to the road. It is located at 9526 W. Manhattan-Monee Road, which is slated for road construction and widening next year.
Last fall, the school district’s financial woes came to light. The school district has maxed out its borrowing capacity and is in a multi-million-dollar budget deficit, even after budget cuts and RIF measures that eliminated eight teacher positions.
In response to the closure online, some claimed the school district’s mind was made up ahead of the vote, but some board members individually responded that there were three separate occasions for the public to express their opinions on the closure or what they wanted the board to do in light of its financial woes. The majority of the comments the board heard supported their decision, 207-U Vice president Ashley Stachniak said.
Only one person spoke before the board on the school closure. Peotone Teachers Council Union Vice President Laura Fitzpatrick spoke, reiterating the union’s position, which asked the board to delay closing the school.
“To date, only one plan has been presented to the public, and it raises significant unanswered questions about the educational, financial, operational, and safety implications of this proposal,” Fitzpatrick said.
“We support fiscal responsibility, but we are opposed to voting to close a school without a comprehensive, transparent implementation plan. We respectfully request that the board present a detailed written plan, provide transparent financial projections, allow meaningful stakeholder input, and delay the closing of PIC until the ‘27 – ‘28 school year,” Fitzpatrick urged to no avail.
Another parent, Natalie Clay, also spoke during the special board meeting, but she was not there to address the school closure. She spoke against the school district moving funds previously planned to be used for ball fields to a capital fund called “fund 60.”
“Why would we want to keep us in such a dire financial situation with no borrowing power when we have the option to pay down the debt?” Clay questioned.
“In my opinion, anyone who wants that money to be moved to ‘fund 60’ and wants it tied to capital funds only wants the district to fail and does not want the best interest for students or parents in mind,” Clay concluded.
After Clay’s comments, the board approved the school calendar and then voted to close Peotone Intermediate Center. No board members offered any comments during the brief, five-minute meeting.