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

Frankfort-Township-Logo-Graphic

Outdoor Bar Expansion Gets Green Light from Frankfort Township

The Frankfort Township Board has approved a special use permit that will allow a bar in an unincorporated area to expand its service outdoors. The unanimous decision was made during...
Frankfort-Township-Logo-Graphic

Meeting Briefs: Frankfort Township Board for April 14, 2025

The Frankfort Township Board of Trustees met on Monday, April 14, 2025, to address zoning matters and new business. The board took a firm stance against government consolidation, unanimously passing...
Manhattan Township

Manhattan Township Recommends Denial of Bruns Road Rodeo Permit Amid Neighbor Objections

The Manhattan Township Board unanimously recommended that Will County deny a permit for a large-scale commercial rodeo on Bruns Road, following a contentious public hearing where neighbors cited a history...
Manhattan Township

Road Contract Awarded as Township Races Against Bridge Funding Deadline

The Manhattan Township Highway Department has awarded a $91,000 contract for its annual road resurfacing program, while simultaneously facing a critical deadline that puts $500,000 in county funding for a...
Manhattan Township

Manhattan Township Halts Electric Aggregation Program, Citing Poor Pricing

Residents in unincorporated Manhattan Township will no longer be enrolled in a group electricity purchasing plan after the Township Board voted unanimously not to renew its electric aggregation contract. The...
Manhattan Township

Meeting Briefs: Manhattan Township for April 8, 2025

Assessor’s Office to Replace Server, Receives New Tax Multiplier: Assessor Joe Oldani reported that the township’s server is not compliant with current security methods and must be replaced by the end...
MFPD-Logo-Fire District

Fire District Receives Clean Audit, Adds 9 New Firefighters Despite Staff Departures

The Manhattan Fire Protection District received a clean audit report for fiscal year 2023 while addressing staffing challenges with nine new part-time firefighters set to join the department at the...
MFPD-Logo-Fire District

Construction Manager Decision Delayed for New Fire Station Project

The Manhattan Fire Protection District has postponed a decision on hiring a construction management company for its new fire station project while fee structures are finalized. Board members met with...
MFPD-Logo-Fire District

Manhattan Fire District March 17 Meeting Briefs

Vehicle Updates Progressing: The new Tahoe ordered last year has arrived but will require several months before entering service. The ambulance damaged in December's crash is currently at the body...
Manhattan Township

Manhattan Township to Fight State Consolidation Bills, Citing Threat to Local Services

The Manhattan Township Board is mounting a formal opposition to a series of state bills that officials believe threaten the existence of township governments across Illinois. During their monthly meeting...
Manhattan Township

Massive Battery Storage Facility Proposed in Manhattan Township, Could Be “Largest in Illinois”

A proposal for a 15-acre battery storage facility that could be the "largest substation in Illinois" is under consideration in Manhattan Township, a project that could reshape a portion of...
Manhattan Township

Proposed Bruns Road Rodeo Sparks Concerns Over Safety, Zoning, and Past Violations

A proposal to host a large, multi-weekend rodeo on Bruns Road has raised numerous red flags for the Manhattan Township Board, which cited concerns ranging from public safety and zoning...
Manhattan Township

Soltage Solar Farm Clears County Committee; Township Eyes Aesthetic Improvements

The proposed Soltage Solar Farm has passed a key hurdle, gaining approval from the Will County Land Use Committee in a 5-1 vote, Manhattan Township Supervisor James 'Jim' Walsh reported...
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Briefs: Manhattan Township for March 11, 2025

Dial-A-Ride Service to be Absorbed by County: The Southwest Dial-A-Ride service is being absorbed by the larger Will County Dial-A-Ride service, which is offered through PACE. Township officials expressed hope that...
Blue flasher light of siren of police car

Manhattan Police Reports

Disclaimer: Charges against each defendant are merely an accusation, with all defendants presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. On March 5, officers stopped Leal Acosta, Julio C (25)...