MH 114 June 2

Manhattan School Board Approves Staff Changes, Healthcare Extension in Special Session

Spread the love

Manhattan School District 114’s Board of Education approved several personnel changes and a healthcare extension during a special meeting Monday evening, conducting most of its business in closed session.

The board unanimously approved leaves of absence for staff members Bonnie Carroll and Brittany McDonald for the 2025-2026 school year during the meeting at Manhattan Junior High School. Board members John Burke, Emily Wesel, Barbara Steffen, Erica Aultz and Brian Anderson were all present for the 5:31 p.m. session.

The meeting was primarily focused on personnel matters, with the board moving into closed session twice to discuss “Appointment, Employment, Compensation, Evaluation, Performance and/or Dismissal of Specific Employees” along with pending litigation and risk management issues, as allowed under state law.

Board Secretary Barbara Steffen made the initial motion to enter closed session at 5:32 p.m., which was seconded by Board Member Erica Aultz. The board returned to open session at 5:58 p.m. before entering a second closed session at 6:00 p.m., ultimately returning to public session at 8:21 p.m.

During the brief public portions of the meeting, the board also approved resignations for Emily Corcoran and Caroline Pesa-Miller, both effective at the end of the 2025 school year. All personnel decisions were approved by unanimous 5-0 votes.

In addition to staffing changes, the board unanimously approved a Healthcare Extension MOU (Memorandum of Understanding), though details of the agreement were not discussed in the public portion of the meeting.

The meeting agenda had listed 17 potential action items that could emerge from the closed session discussions, including employment decisions for certified and non-certified staff, administrative employees, contract amendments, resignations, retirements, transfers, disciplinary actions, and vendor agreements. However, only a handful of these items resulted in public votes.

No public comment was offered during the designated public comment period.

The special meeting format differs from the district’s regular monthly board meetings, which typically include more comprehensive business items and detailed discussion of district operations. The agenda indicated that action was expected to be taken on personnel matters following the closed session discussions.

Board President John Burke called the meeting to order after the Pledge of Allegiance, and Board Member Brian Anderson made the motion to adjourn at 8:22 p.m.

The district’s next regular meeting is scheduled for June 17, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. at Manhattan Junior High School, located at 15414 West Smith Road.

Latest News Stories

Will County Board Land Use Committee Graphic.2

Will County Committee Approves Rezoning, Denies Landfill Permit for Former Joliet Beach Club Site

Will County Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | November 6, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Land Use and Development Committee on Thursday narrowly approved rezoning the former Joliet Beach...
Illinois truckers back federal pause on non-domiciled CDLs, hope state follows suit

Illinois truckers back federal pause on non-domiciled CDLs, hope state follows suit

By Catrina Baker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois truckers are applauding a federal rule and hope the state enforces a pause on non-domiciled...
WATCH: DCFS updates missing children numbers; Budget cuts EO transparency criticized

WATCH: DCFS updates missing children numbers; Budget cuts EO transparency criticized

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 shares the latest...
Supreme Court declines to hear public prayer case

Supreme Court declines to hear public prayer case

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court declined to decide a case about public prayer in Florida. The case, Cambridge Christian School v. Florida High School Athletic Association,...
Supreme Court to decide immigration asylum case

Supreme Court to decide immigration asylum case

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court will decide a case that would determine at what point an individual seeking asylum "arrives" in the United States. The Trump...
Everyday Economics: Jobs data returns as government reopens

Everyday Economics: Jobs data returns as government reopens

By Orphe DivounguyThe Center Square With the government shutdown finally over, this week brings a double dose of good news: federal workers start receiving paychecks again, and economic data collection...
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Land Use & Development Committee for November 6, 2025

Will County Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | November 6, 2025 The Will County Land Use and Development Committee navigated a series of contentious zoning cases on Thursday, November...
Will County Board Land Use Committee Graphic.2

Committee Rejects Rezoning for Fencing Company in Joliet Township

Will County Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | November 6, 2025 Article Summary: Citing incompatibility with the surrounding residential neighborhood, the Will County Land Use and Development Committee unanimously denied...
Supreme Court case could have major effect on 2026 midterms

Supreme Court case could have major effect on 2026 midterms

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to take up a case that could have an effect on the 2026 midterm elections. The case, Watson v....
Manhattan School 114 Graphic.2

In Month of ‘Tragic Loss,’ Manhattan School District Mourns Students and Former Board Member

Manhattan School District 114 Meeting | November 12, 2025 Article Summary:Manhattan School District 114 is grieving the recent deaths of two junior high students, Danny Bayles and Chance Hunnicutt, and...
Screenshot 2025-11-05 at 4.02.49 PM

County Sales Tax Revenues Strong, Cannabis Funds Dispersed to Community Programs

Will County Finance Committee Meeting | November 2025 Article Summary: Will County's key sales tax revenues are on track to meet or exceed budget projections for fiscal year 2025, though...
Illinois sports wagers decline after implementation of new tax

Illinois sports wagers decline after implementation of new tax

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Gaming Board has reported a 15% drop in September sports betting, after the state imposed...
Will County Board Land Use Committee Graphic.4

Will County Committee Grants Extensions for Crete, Washington Township Solar Projects

Will County Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | November 6, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Land Use and Development Committee granted 180-day extensions for two commercial solar energy projects...
Competing crypto plans create 'narrow path' for adoption

Competing crypto plans create ‘narrow path’ for adoption

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Two competing plans seeking to define market structure for digital assets in the U.S. have left a "narrow path" to pass regulations for cryptocurrency. The...
Congress used government funding bill to 'erase' $3.4 trillion in deficits

Congress used government funding bill to ‘erase’ $3.4 trillion in deficits

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Quietly tucked inside Republicans’ funding deal to end the government shutdown is a provision wiping the congressional Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGO) scorecard, effectively forgiving nearly $3.4 trillion...