Supt. Dr. Damien Aherne reviewed the school report card, which was incredibly favorable for the district, showing tremendous student performance.
“We are so very proud to share that Wilson Creek, Anna McDonald, and Manhattan Intermediate School earned exemplary summative designations, putting them in the top 10 percent of schools in Illinois,” Aherne reported.
“Manhattan Junior High School earned commendable summative designation falling in the higher end of a designation that includes 70 percent of the schools in Illinois,” Aherne said.
He also provided a detailed explanation of the district’s tax levy, noting the levy is what the district asks of taxpayers.
“So, just an overview, our operating funds estimated extension for this 2025 levy is 16,732, with a rate of 3.230. The bonds and interest extension will be $8.17 million, and that rate is 1.5648. Those rates combined give us an overall rate of 4.7678. Once we do the abatement in the spring, that rate will come down to our 4.2552,” Aherne explained, along with a PowerPoint going into further detail.
The district intends to hold a Truth in Taxation hearing in December, and levy information can be found online.
The board approved the retirement request of Manhattan Intermediate School Principal Ryan McWilliams, who is anticipated to retire at the 2029-2030 school year.
In response to the transportation woes the district has experienced, parents soon will be able to track their child’s bus through an app called MyView, so parents will know in real-time where their child is. The district intends to have this available when students return after the New Year.
In other news, the board approved a ComEd Energy Savings program, which would install recessed LED lights at Wilson Creek. The project cost is $70,000, but ComEd rebates $48,000. The switch is estimated to save the district $77,000 over five years. This project was completed at Anna McDonald and MIS in 2024.
The board also approved a state-mandated Risk Management Plan and Resolution and, unrelated, approved gifts of more than $500, which was a $1,500 donation to the boys basketball program.
Board member Erica Aultz gave an update on the District 843 Lincoln-Way Special Education District; costs have increased for insurance, but carrier dividends should offset those costs. The district also is reviewing options to replace 25 buses and seven minivans needing replacement.
Board member Brian Anderson reported the policies committee anticipates receiving the first draft of the completely redone and refreshed manual. It will be about 500 pages, so significantly shorter than the previous 1,500-page version, which included unnecessary footnotes and information pertinent to high schools. It won’t be ready until the spring, however, which is a delay from the original January expected draft completion date.
The Eureka curriculum is going well, and board members report Eureka is responsive.
The board intends to have a committee of the whole meeting to focus on capital projects.
Board President John Burke commended Manhattan Junior High School Vice Principal Gina Burlison and Principal Vince Perillo for their response in supporting both staff and students following the sudden deaths of students Danny Bayles and Chance Hunnicutt, who died within days of each other from unrelated causes.
Aherne echoed the board’s condolences and mentioned the school has a memorial fund to create a permanent memorial for the boys; anyone interested in donating should contact the district office or the junior high school. The board approved the creation of a student activity account, titled Bayles Hunnicutt Memorial Fund.
“It’s just amazing – just an incredible outpouring of support,” Aherne said, acknowledging all of the neighboring school districts that offered support.
“I also want to recognize our teachers, our staff, and administration for their leadership, vulnerability, and heart to be able to lean into each other and hold each other up during a very challenging time,” Aherne added.
The Manhattan School District Board also offered a moment of silence to honor the lives at the start of the meeting before conducting any formal business.
Parent Mandy Sefcik spoke during public comments, relating to the board how her son was threatened at school. While she commended the Wilson Creek Principal and staff, she requested clarity on policies and procedures regarding situations like this. Sefcik explained she searched the website and couldn’t find it, and was never provided a copy.
“In situations this serious, families deserve to know exactly what steps are being taken, what safeguards are in place, and what support exists for both the child who was threatened and the one that made the threat,” Sefcik said, noting they live in Manhattan because it is a safe community and urged the district to take a more proactive approach.
The board recognized standout athletes in the state conference cross country qualifiers – Greyer Cullinane, Ryder Ethridge, and Brigid Holder. The board also recognized its academic standouts, who achieved a perfect score on academic achievement tests, which included Bradley Usailis on Illinois Science Assessment, for the IAR English Assessment – Will Senesac, and Saddam Figabay on the ELA assessment.
Burke and Aherne also acknowledged the loss of former board president Scott Mancke, who served the district for 38 years. Mancke died on October 23.
Stephanie Irvine is a freelance reporter.