REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF DWIGHT COMMON SCHOOL DISTRICT #232
Held in the Dwight Common School District Library On April 9, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.
Board President Nick Stipanovich called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
PRESENT: Lori Bowman; Mark Christenson; Marc Ellis; Tara Hansen (6:02 p.m.); Jaime Mallaney; Nick Stipanovich; Chuck Trainor
ABSENT: None
Also in attendance: Josh DeLong, Superintendent; Deb Conroy, Secretary; Julie Schultz, Principal; Micheal Bennett-Tejes, Asst. Principal
REDBIRD OF THE MONTH
Mrs. Schultz announced that Erica Sandeno had been chosen as the Redbird of the Month.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Parent Jeffrey Henson was in attendance to appeal a decision by the Administration to deny him the opportunity to volunteer on a field trip due to a criminal history.
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES OR REPRESENTATIVES
Mrs. Schultz’ report stands as read. She noted that the PTO Trivia Night was a great success and that the Sunshine Club recently held a baby shower for 5 expectant mothers in the building.
Mr. Bennett-Tejes’ report stands as read.
Mr. Scheuer’s report stands as read.
Mr. DeLong reported that registration for the Triple-I Conference in Chicago in November opens on June 2nd and Board members who plan to attend will need to let the District Office know before that date.
CONSENT AGENDA
Items for consideration on this month’s Consent Agenda are as follows:
- Minutes of the March 12, 2025 Regular Board Meeting
- Bills
- Approve Resignation, Dezirae Leonard, 7th Grade Volleyball Coach
- Approve Resignation, Tim Miller, Head Wrestling Coach
- Approve Employment, Lillyan Duffy, Summer Worker
- Approve Employment, Brynn Connor, Summer Worker
- Approve Employment, Wyatt Statler, Summer Worker
- Approve Employment, Peyton Garrelts, 3rd Grade Teacher
NEW BUSINESS
Mr. DeLong presented the 2025-26 ISBE consolidated district plan and asked for approval. This is an annual request in order for Mr. DeLong to complete the application for federal funds.
Mr. DeLong reviewed the ComEd energy efficiency report that was recently done at the GS. This was an incentive program through ComEd to upgrade our lighting fixtures to LEDs throughout the building. The total cost of this project would be $108,151, but after the incentives offered by ComEd, the actual cost would be just under $60,000. ComEd comes in and does all of the work. They would complete this project this summer and it would take approximately 2 weeks. Mr. DeLong feels that with healthy O&M and Capital Project funds, we should move forward with this project while the incentive is available. ComEd projects that we will pay for the cost of the project within 5 years with the annual $12,000 in savings we will see.
Mr. DeLong floated the idea of hiring a shared full-time substitute teacher with DTHS. The HS currently has a need for a long-term sub for 1st semester for PE. He proposes that we hire the sub beginning 2nd semester. The need for a sub is greater at the GS so the sub would most likely be there every day. They would be paid at a BS+0, year 1 salary rate, but only paid for days worked and would not receive sick or personal time. They would receive district medical insurance at the same rate as a single employee. This position would not be in the union. The Board was in support of this idea.
Mr. DeLong presented the IESA membership for renewal for the 2025-26 school year.
Mr. DeLong reminded Board members that we will have a Special Joint Meeting at the DTHS Library at 6:00 p.m. for reorganization of the Boards, along with the regular monthly meetings to follow.
Board President Stipanovich thanked the other Board members, the Administration and the families of DGS for allowing him to serve the District over the past 9 years. He is stepping away from the Board after the May 7th meeting.
Moved by Ellis, seconded by Mallaney, to adjourn the meeting at 6:22 p.m. Voice vote. All voted aye. Motion carried.
