After a wave of reduction-in-force (RIF) cuts, Peotone School District 207-U now is considering closing one of its schools as part of a deficit-reduction plan.
The school district is proposing to close Peotone Intermediate Center, at 9526 W. Manhattan-Monee Road, Frankfort, which serves fourth- and fifth-grade students, to reduce costs amid ongoing financial challenges.
An information document available on the district’s website outlines the financial impact of approximately $471,000 in operational savings — but with a one-time transition cost of approximately $300,000 if they choose to close PIC.
School district officials are considering closing PIC in part due to the planned Manhattan-Monee Road expansion, which would create a safety hazard, given the school’s already close proximity to the road.
District board members have repeatedly cited this as a problem for the district.
“Every day I drive by that building, and every day, I say we have to close this building because this road construction is coming,” Tim Stoub said at the Committee of the Whole held on February 2, where district officials held a deficit reduction strategy meeting.
The Will County Department of Transportation’s Manhattan-Monee Road project website shows a proposed traffic signal at the intersection and associated road improvements. A public meeting was held in December 2024, with a comment window open through January 15, 2025.
The project timeline shows a two-year construction period, potentially beginning in 2027.
If the district closed PIC, the student population would be configured with the Connor Shaw Center serving the district’s administration, pre-kindergarten, and kindergarten students; Peotone Elementary School serving first through fourth grades, Peotone Junior High School serving students in grades five through eight, and the high school serving grades ninth through 12th, plus the business office.
Officials say the consolidation would not result in overcrowding or a need for mobile classrooms.
The school district also reported that eliminating PIC would improve operational efficiency, as PIC operates on a different schedule and transportation routing than the district’s schools.
The district’s financial woes came to light last fall as the board worked to pass a budget.
Currently, the district projects a $3.6 million FY2027 deficit following teacher RIF cuts made at the last board meeting — which is an improvement from the $4.8 million deficit it faced prior to the cuts. The district states consolidation would be a short-term strategy, while the district explores longer-term facility solutions.
“Social media arguments and chatting amongst peer groups have all played a role in getting us to the dire situation we now find ourselves in,” board member Tim Stoub said in a social media post on February 4.
“This new board and administration are dedicated to course correction of this district, with full community participation, so I encourage us all to chart a different path than those of the past,” Stoub continued. He encouraged the public to attend the public hearings or to email the board.
The board’s notice explains that the closure wouldn’t eliminate the district’s deficit or replace the need for long-term facility planning, but would be part of a “broader deficit reduction strategy.” The board still would be looking at long-term consolidation and facility solutions, whether or not they moved forward with closing PIC.
The notice also noted “significant investment would be required to maintain aging buildings without upgrades.”
PIC could close as soon as the 2026-2027 school year, following public hearings and a board vote.
The district stated it would present a feasibility study and long-term options at a future meeting yet to be determined.
Public hearings are scheduled for February 13 and 18, each at 5:30 p.m., at the Peotone High School Media Center, 605 North Street in Peotone. A third public hearing date is listed as “to be determined” on the notice.