SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF THE BOARDS OF EDUCATION OF DWIGHT COMMON SCHOOL DISTRICT #232 AND DWIGHT TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT #230
Held in the Dwight Township High School Library
On June 24, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
Board President Jaime Mallaney called the GS portion of the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
PRESENT: Mark Christenson; Marc Ellis; Brad Hansen; Rod Kodat; Jaime Mallaney; Chuck
Trainor
ABSENT: Lori Bowman
Board President Joel Sandeno called the HS portion of the meeting to order at 5:01 p.m.
PRESENT: Erin Connor; Kim Frauli; Joel Sandeno; Eric Scheuer; Max Sulzberger; Jake Tjelle
ABSENT: Chris Bunting
Also in attendance: Josh DeLong, Superintendent; Deb Conroy, Secretary; Julie Schultz, GS Principal; Micheal Bennett-Tejes, Asst. Principal; Andy Pittenger, HS Principal
NOTICES, COMMUNICATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS
A thank-you card was received from the Gibs Nielsen family.
Both districts recognized their State Track Place Winners. For the GS Nate Wilkey placed 6th in Discus and 7th in Shot Put. For the HS, Graham Meister is once again the State Champion in Shot Put and also Discus, and Joe Faris came in 2nd place in the 800m run. Mikayla Chambers placed 4th in the 800m run.
All 3 have broken school records and Meister broke a state record this year. The Boys’ team took 4th place at State this year.
Mr. Pittenger announced that Michael Josefik placed 9th at the ICTM State Math Contest.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES OR REPRESENTATIVES (GS)
Mrs. Schultz’ report stands as read.
Mr. Bennett-Tejes’ report stands as read.
Mr. Scheuer’s report stands as read.
1Mr. DeLong noted that the sewer project at the GS is going smoothly and is either on time or ahead of schedule for completion. He reported that the Shed project is behind approximately one month due to weather and permit issues. He informed the Board that we had to pay the architects approximately $2,000 for drawings for this project, which were requested by the ROE.
Mr. DeLong reported that the district will finish the year financially strong, with a projected surplus of nearly $1M.
Mr. DeLong reminded both Boards that there is no meeting in July
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES OR REPRESENTATIVES (HS)
Mr. Pittenger’s report stands as read.
Mr. Scheuer’s report stands as read.
Mr. DeLong reported that this past Track season will go down as one of the best in years, with strong potential for next season as well. He also reported that the Track renovation is currently on target and he is hopeful that they finish on schedule, just prior to our first home Football game.
Mr. DeLong also informed the Board that he is looking into some fresh updates to the landscaping near the main entrance before school starts.
Mr. DeLong reported that the district will finish in a better position than expected, with a projected deficit of approximately $400,000 instead of the expected deficit of $1.2M.
CONSENT AGENDA (GS)
Items for consideration on this month’s Consent Agenda are as follows:
1) Minutes of the May 13, 2026 Regular Board Meeting
2) Bills
3) Authorize payment of Fiscal 2026 bills
4) Authorize payment of July 2026 bills
5) Authorize employment of New Faculty/Staff Members (2026-27)
6) Approve employment, Kelley Turner, Paraprofessional
7) Approve employment, Timi Galloway, Paraprofessional
8) Approve employment, Julie Steichen, Paraprofessional
9) Approve employment, Kaylee Roether, Scholastic Bowl Coach
10) Approve employment, Jake Carey, Assistant Baseball Coach
11) Approve employment, Avery Scheuer, Softball “A” Coach
12) Approve employment, Emily Moore, Full Time Substitute Teacher
13) Approve resignation, Lyndie Shumaker, Paraprofessional
14) Approve resignation, Olivia Folkers, Paraprofessional
15) Approve transfer, Traci Curl, Resource to Life Skills Teacher
16) Approve transfer, Steven Lopez, 7th Grade to 8th Grade V olleyball Coach
CONSENT AGENDA (HS)
Items for consideration on this month’s Consent Agenda are as follows:
21) Minutes of the May 20, 2026 Regular Board Meeting
2) Bills
3) Authorize payment of Fiscal 2026 bills
4) Authorize payment of July 2026 bills
5) Authorize employment of New Faculty/Staff Members (2026-27)
6) Approve employment, Nicole Leigh, Math Teacher
7) Approve employment, Destinie Drapeau, Supplemental FB & BBB Cheer Coach
8) Approve employment, Emily Moore, Full Time Substitute Teacher
9) Approve retirement, Karen Zabel, Math Teacher
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Mr. DeLong held the 2nd reading of updates to PRESS Plus Policy 121 and asked for final approval.
NEW BUSINESS
Mr. DeLong reviewed the Closed Minutes and made the recommendation to keep all past Executive Session Minutes to remain closed for both Boards.
Mr. DeLong presented the 2026-27 V olunteer List for approval.
Mr. DeLong presented the proposals for renewal of the districts’ Property, Casualty, Liability and Workman’s Comp insurance policies. For the GS, the renewal cost is $66,055.03 for PCL and $26,091.91 for WC. For the HS, the renewal cost is $101,935.81 for PCL and $39,357.38 for WC.
Mr. DeLong presented the lists of Spring Extra-Curricular Personnel for both districts for the 2026-27 school year for approval.
Mr. DeLong and Mrs. Schultz discussed new guidance for Teachers, Students and Families on how we will deal with Artificial Intelligence in the classroom. Mr. DeLong shared that we will have a family night in the fall that will focus on AI for parents and families after a teacher and student presentation earlier in the day.
Mr. Pittenger reviewed changes the committee would like to make to the HS handbook.
Mr. DeLong discussed the Community Eligibility Provision food program with the Board and how that may affect finances in the next few years. The CEP program is a 4-year program that allows for free breakfast and lunch for all students when the district’s poverty level reaches 25% or higher. Dwight Common currently has an identified low income rate of 36% and the benchmark for the state to ensure the district does not lose money with this program is 62.5%. After discussion with an expert on the program at the state, it was found that the program would cost the district too much in reserve funding every year and therefore the district could no longer support the program at this time.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
3The joint boards entered into Executive Session at 5:39 p.m. to discuss collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives, or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees; According to Section 2, subsection c, #2 of the Open Meetings Act.
The joint boards exited the Executive Session at 5:56 p.m.
The joint meeting was adjourned at 5:57 p.m.
