The Manhattan School District 114 Board of Education took a key step in securing federal funding for the next fiscal year and received positive updates on the final stages of its major construction projects at its July 9 meeting.

The board unanimously approved the district’s Consolidated District Plan for Fiscal Year 2026. The plan is a required submission to the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and combines the goals and compliance requirements for several federal grant programs under the Every Student Succeeds Act. Board approval is necessary for the district to apply for and receive critical federal funding, including Title I, II, III, and IV grants, which support various academic and student support programs.

Meanwhile, progress is accelerating on the district’s new facilities. The temporary classroom trailer at the intermediate school, a longtime fixture, is scheduled to be removed on July 28.

More significantly, the new district office is nearing completion. A final walkthrough with the Regional Office of Education is scheduled for July 21, a critical step for receiving an occupancy permit. Board President John Burke expressed optimism that the board’s next regular meeting will be held in the new space.

“Our next meeting is August 13th at 6:30 p.m.,” Burke announced at the end of the meeting. “We are so hopeful that it’s in our new space where the new district office is next door.”