A packed Manteno High School library full of students of all ages, adults, and faculty and board members met for the final time for the close of the 2024 – 2025 school year. The meeting included recognition of the Middle School Seventh/Eighth Grade Leadership Academy, High School Sophomore Leadership Academy Students, and recognition of middle school State Track athletes.
School Supt. Lisa Harrod announced the awards for the Group Leadership Academy, a program she established, along with fellow administrators and educators. The Academy focuses on public speaking and building lifelong skills, demonstrating their dedication to preparing students for real world challenges from an early age.
Harrod began by stating,” This is a group, right from the start, who were able to find out where they wanted to grow and what they wanted to celebrate. The future is bright because of their leadership.”
Seventh/Eighth Grade Leadership Academy Students are as follows: Caleb Milton, Emma Derrico, Delanie Monroe, Olivia McElroy, Damien Hundley, Logan Sharpe, Emillio Leanos, Lilli Hope, Olivia Bukowksi, Gavin Denison, Charlotte Honkisz, Cole Pilbeam, Ira Toepper, Siena Beslisle, Konor Karas, Reese Robertson, Beckett Hespen, Olivia Legacy, Ella Nelson, Jace Emerson, Wyatt Husch, Palmer Payne, Devynn Haines, Landon Flanigan, Finley Toepper, Bella O’Neil, Lillian Kaack, Isabella Thornton, Georgie Weiland, Bria Yore, Emma Froeschle, and Millea Rios.
High School Sophomore Leadership Academy Students are as follows: Carter Zawitaj, Noah Garcia, Briggs Cann, Landon Vela, Wesley Witt, Archie Schutters, Collin Slover, Josh Melia, Thomas Moynihan, Hayden Palka, Olivia Zwirkoski, Morgan Derrico, Leah Milton, Ava Nelson, Kaylee Fischer, Madison Belisle, Danika Fletcher, Lorne Toepper, Brady Hespen, Eva White, Charlotte Wellman, Emma O’Dell, Bayleigh Farman, Maddie Gesky, Kendall Clymer, Emily Johnson, Madelyn Jones, Sami Kearfott, Cece Merlo, Liam Stukenborg, Carter Stell, Colin Saathoff, Franklin Jordan, Landon Bukowski, Declin Stark, Austin Valadez, Madison Delya-Clark, Caitlyn Mulholland, Isabella Crockett Vagena, Moises Garcia, Leah Donnelly, Ryan Mazeika, Tommy Lawlor, Joseph Coley, Langston Yarno, and Camdin Schoon.
Recognition of Middle School State Track Athletes included: Maddyx McLain, DeLanie Monroe, Mady Dye, Kamryn Sadowski, Taylor Gibson, Addy Cox, and Olivia McElroy.
In other business:
Minutes from the Consent Agenda were read along with financial reports, authorization for the finance director to conduct financial transactions and close fiscal year 2025. Authorization for Superintendent Harrod to hire for the 2025-2026 school year were all voted on unanimously. The unanimous consent of the board also included second reading and adoption of board policies, resignations, notice of intent to retire, employment transfers for the 2025-2026 school year, and employments contingent upon successful completion of paperwork for the 2025-2026 school year.
New Business:
Finance Chairman Mary Schubert presented the recommendations voted upon at the Finance Committee Meeting. All were in favor of the appointment of Jacob Emerson as school treasurer. The board unanimously recommended approving the treasurer’s bond for Emerson for $3,200. All were in favor of the fuel bond, as well.
The cost of paid lunches will stay the same this year after the PLE/ISBE calculator from the U.S. Department of USDA.
The board voted in favor of approving the invoice for Public Consulting Group, Inc. (EasyIEP) IEP Services in the amount of $24,216.72. The school uses Easy IEP services for the management of IEP documents. The agreement runs July 2024 through June 2027.
An investment funds transfer resolution was recommended, transferring investment funds from the Education Fund and Operations and Maintenance Fund to the Capital Funds Project.
The board unanimously approved ATILS building furniture purchased, with the cost not to exceed $60,000, and $20,000 to be paid through grant funds. The purchase is through Educational Environments utilizing purchasing cooperative pricing.
There was no further discussion; a short meeting with lots of acknowledgements. Smiles, hugs and warm sentiments were displayed at the meeting’s end. The school year now is complete; the next school board meeting is July 22, in the high school library, beginning at 6:30 p.m.