Screenshot 2026-05-05 at 2.00.13 PM

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Manhattan School District 114 Board of Education for April 29, 2026

Spread the love

Manhattan School District 114 Board of Education Meeting | April 29, 2026

The Manhattan School District 114 Board of Education convened for a Special Meeting on April 29, 2026, to tackle a heavy agenda of summer capital projects, transportation contracts, and policy overhauls. The Board approved a major summer roofing contract for three buildings, while opting to reject expensive bids from First Student and Yellow School Bus in favor of giving their current transportation provider, Lincoln-Way, a six-month trial to prove operational improvements. The Board also conducted a first reading of a streamlined policy manual and discussed partnering with the Village of Manhattan for a $5,000 community survey.

Wilson Creek Principal Resignation and New Hire
Emerging from closed session, the Board unanimously accepted the resignation of Wilson Creek Elementary School Principal Carrie Rohei. Her resignation will be effective June 30, 2026. During the same closed session, the Board approved the employment of Haley Stewart as a technology assistant.

Shift in Personnel Reporting
Administrators recommended shifting the approval format for routine staff turnover to increase efficiency and transparency. Moving forward, standard new hires, resignations, and FMLA leaves for existing roles will be presented in a public “Personnel Report” under Action Items, rather than requiring the Board to enter closed session to review individual names. Administrative hires and disciplinary matters will continue to be handled in closed session. The Board agreed to trial the new format.

Public Access to BoardBook
The district announced it is fully transitioning to the BoardBook platform for its meeting agendas and materials. Beginning with the May 13 regular meeting, the district will open the public link on its website, providing the community with full digital access to public agenda items and supporting documents.

Amended Budget Timeline Set
The Board reviewed the timeline for its amended fiscal year budget, a necessary step to align budgeted expectations with actual costs, particularly regarding insurance and extracurricular stipends. The tentative amended budget will be presented at the May 13 meeting and will be placed on public display from May 11 through June 10. A public budget hearing and final adoption vote are scheduled for the June 10 meeting, ahead of the June 30 fiscal deadline.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

WATCH: Democrat state redistricting efforts created unfair advantages, lawmaker says

WATCH: Democrat state redistricting efforts created unfair advantages, lawmaker says

By Bethany Blankley | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – While Democratic lawmakers from California to New York have threatened to redistrict in response to Texas'...
Illinois quick hits: Fatal helicopter crash; Comptroller orders another extra pension payment

Illinois quick hits: Fatal helicopter crash; Comptroller orders another extra pension payment

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Fatal helicopter crash Two people are dead after a helicopter crashed into a barge on the Mississippi River. The Federal Aviation...
MH VB 8.5.25

Village Board Approves Comprehensive Update to Employee Personnel Manual

MANHATTAN – The Village of Manhattan has updated its employee personnel manual for the first time since 2018, adopting a series of amendments to formalize policies and reflect current practices....
New poll: 50.2% of Illinois voters view Pritzker unfavorably

New poll: 50.2% of Illinois voters view Pritzker unfavorably

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A new poll shows that Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s approval rating has flipped negative for the first time....
WATCH: Pritzker welcomes FBI looking for TX Dems in IL, dismisses bribery question

WATCH: Pritzker welcomes FBI looking for TX Dems in IL, dismisses bribery question

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As the FBI gets involved in locating Texas Democrats hiding out in states like Illinois, Gov. J.B....
MH VB 8.5.25

Manhattan Awards $537,907 Contract for Hanover Estates Road Resurfacing

MANHATTAN – The Village of Manhattan has awarded a $537,907.85 contract to D. Construction, Inc. of Coal City for its Fiscal Year 2026 Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) resurfacing project, which...
WATCH: Illinois State Fair: Affordable fun backed by $140M in taxpayer funding

WATCH: Illinois State Fair: Affordable fun backed by $140M in taxpayer funding

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The 2025 Illinois State Fair is being praised for its affordability and accessibility to families across...
Op-Ed: State lawmakers gut Emmett Till Day bill, expose Illinois’ corruption problem

Op-Ed: State lawmakers gut Emmett Till Day bill, expose Illinois’ corruption problem

By LyLena D. Estabine | Illinois Policy InstituteThe Center Square July 25, 2025, would have marked Illinois’ first Emmett Till Day, a commemoration of the 14-year-old Chicagoan whose 1955 lynching...
Democratic PACs being investigated for bankrolling AWOL Texas House Democrats

Democratic PACs being investigated for bankrolling AWOL Texas House Democrats

By Bethany Blankley | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Democratic political action committees are being investigated by state, and potentially federal, authorities over claims they...
Pritzker: Chicago mayor 'never once called' to oppose pension bill

Pritzker: Chicago mayor ‘never once called’ to oppose pension bill

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson never called him to oppose a pension bill...
WATCH: Illinois In Focus Daily | Thursday Aug. 7th, 2025

WATCH: Illinois In Focus Daily | Thursday Aug. 7th, 2025

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop continues his coverage...
Illinois quick hits: Cook County declares flood disaster; opt-out forms promoted; State Fair begins

Illinois quick hits: Cook County declares flood disaster; opt-out forms promoted; State Fair begins

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Cook County, Chicago declare flood disaster Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle have issued respective disaster...
Screenshot 2025-08-06 at 8.05.52 PM

Manhattan to Enact Local 1% Grocery Tax, Replacing State Revenue Stream

MANHATTAN – The Village of Manhattan will implement a 1% local grocery tax beginning January 1, 2026, a move designed to preserve a crucial revenue stream after the State of...
Screenshot 2025-08-06 at 8.05.44 PM

Manhattan Hires New Full-Time Accountant Amid Village Growth

MANHATTAN – To manage an increasing workload driven by village growth, the Manhattan Village Board on Tuesday unanimously approved the hiring of Joseph Page as a new full-time accountant for...
WATCH: IL Republican pushes for TX quorum rules that Pritzker hails as ‘hero’ move

WATCH: IL Republican pushes for TX quorum rules that Pritzker hails as ‘hero’ move

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – While Gov. J.B. Pritzker jokes on national TV that Illinois’ congressional maps were drawn by kindergartners, a...