Manhattan School District 114 Logo Graphic

School District 114 Meeting Briefs

Budget Display Scheduled: The district’s fiscal year 2025 amended budget will be on public display from May 15 through June 17, with board approval scheduled for the June 17 meeting. The budget remains in good financial shape according to district officials.

Graduation Set for June 3: Manhattan Junior High School graduation is scheduled for Tuesday, June 3, at 5:30 p.m. Weather permitting, the ceremony will be held outdoors on the track area. If inclement weather occurs, two indoor ceremonies will accommodate all families.

Staff Recognition: Multiple staff members received recognition for achievements including Word Masters Challenge results where sixth grade finished fifth nationally, seventh grade placed third nationally, and eighth grade finished 11th nationally. The district’s music programs received superior ratings at recent contests.

Technology Positions: The board approved posting for a district technology assistant and four part-time summer technology interns to support ongoing technology needs.

Board Candidate Interviews: The district will conduct a special board meeting on June 2 at 5:30 p.m. to interview candidates for two vacant board positions. Multiple applications were received for the open seats.

Administrative Costs Waiver: A public hearing will be held at the June 17 meeting to waive fiscal year 2025 administrative cost limitations due to expenditures exceeding the 5% threshold. This represents the fourth year requiring such action, though officials expect to avoid this requirement next year due to administrative reconfiguration.

Professional Development: All district teachers participated in mathematics training while students enjoyed reward activities including carnival games and activities at each building.

Safety Committee Update: The district’s safety committee, working with police and fire departments, responded to several unique situations in recent weeks, demonstrating the value of strong first responder partnerships.

Latest News Stories

Parental rights groups concerned over DEI in Denver teacher contract

Parental rights groups concerned over DEI in Denver teacher contract

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square As Denver Public Schools move forward with finalizing a new teacher contract, parental rights groups are raising concerns about inclusion of diversity, equity, and inclusion...
Homeland Secretary: Pritzker, Johnson are protecting dangerous criminals

Homeland Secretary: Pritzker, Johnson are protecting dangerous criminals

By Jim TalamontiThe Center Square U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem says U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers have arrested criminals who would still be on the streets...
Reports: DOJ probing NY AG's fraud case against Trump

Reports: DOJ probing NY AG’s fraud case against Trump

By Chris WadeThe Center Square The Justice Department has subpoenaed New York Attorney General Letitia James as part of an investigation into whether she violated President Donald Trump's civil rights...
Trump warns of 'Great Depression' if appeals court curbs tariff power

Trump warns of ‘Great Depression’ if appeals court curbs tariff power

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump said Friday that if an appeals court curbs his tariff authority, America could sink into a "Great Depression." The U.S. Court of...
Illinois in focus: DHS announces new facility; NFIB urges veto of regulations; minority scholarship lawsuit moves forward

Illinois in focus: DHS announces new facility; NFIB urges veto of regulations; minority scholarship lawsuit moves forward

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square DHS announces new facility U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has returned to Illinois to discuss expanding detention facilities for what...
Abbott to call 'special session after special session' in response to AWOL Dems

Abbott to call ‘special session after special session’ in response to AWOL Dems

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Gov. Greg Abbott confirmed what many in Austin speculated: he will call special session after special session until bills are passed. Abbott called the current...
WATCH: Illinois In Focus Daily | Friday Aug. 8th, 2025

WATCH: Illinois In Focus Daily | Friday Aug. 8th, 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 covers the latest...
Legislator urges leaders to focus on relief for Illinois’ high property taxes

Legislator urges leaders to focus on relief for Illinois’ high property taxes

By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – With Illinois now being home to the highest property tax rates in the country, state Rep....
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary: Manhattan Village Board for August 5, 2025

The Manhattan Village Board approved a major road resurfacing contract, implemented a local grocery tax to replace state funds, and hired a new full-time accountant during its meeting on Tuesday,...
Texas House, Illinois state senator sue 33 AWOL Democrats in Illinois court

Texas House, Illinois state senator sue 33 AWOL Democrats in Illinois court

By Bethany Blankley | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Texas House of Representatives has sued 33 House Democrats who absconded to Illinois to prevent...
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....