Alerts Sign-up
The April meeting of the Coal City Community Unit School District #1 Board of Education opened at Coal City Middle School, where members of the Coalers Speech Team and high school and middle school wrestling teams were recognized for their achievements during the past season.
Speech Coach Ben Baer spoke on the team’s successful season and the three state qualifiers—Madison Wilson, Jordan Olson, and Jacob Cimino.
Wrestling Coach Mark Masters introduced the members of the 2025 State Championship Team and individual wrestlers in attendance for recognition. He highlighted post-season recognitions for assistant coach Zach Berman and athletic director Brad Boresi, who are being honored by the Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association as assistant coach of the year and administrator of the year respectively.
Middle School Wrestling Coach Joey Rivera introduced state-qualifying members of his team and noted their impressive 31-0 season record, which concluded with a second-place finish at the state tournament as a team with two individual state champions—Maxx Christensen and Dominic Zucarello.
Morgan Caracci, chief of staff for Senator Chris Balkema, attended the meeting to present certificates recognizing both wrestling teams' accomplishments.
Following these recognitions, the Board moved to discuss various agenda items at the District Administration Center:
Luke Krippel, director of student services, reported an increase in special education "child count" numbers from previous years. The district recorded 396 students receiving special education services in 2024/2025.
Director of Curriculum and Instruction Jennifer Kenney reported that spring testing is underway across various schools within the district.
Superintendent Spencer announced that proposals would be sought for continuing before-and-after-school care services as an existing agreement expires this year.
An update on staffing for 2025-2026 was provided along with authorization for employment contracts for open positions until July 1.
Intermediate school repair project plans remain tentative but aim for completion by 2026-2027.
The Board approved an amended intergovernmental agreement involving multiple local taxing districts related to property tax negotiations with Constellation regarding Dresden Nuclear Generating Station.
Other approvals included summer camp dates; renewal memberships with Illinois High School Association (IHSA) and Illinois Elementary School Association (IESA); an agreement with Image Group Photography; a joint school agreement for financing Life Safety Project renovations at Grundy Area Vocational Center (GAVC); an agreement pending e-rate funding with Riverside Technologies Inc.; facility use requests from Coaler Youth Baseball League, Coal City Soccer Club and Grundy Area FFA Alumni; among others.
Student attendance approval was granted for FBLA National Leadership Conference in Anaheim CA from June 29-July 2., along with contributing $250 per national qualifier towards participation costs.
Several personnel changes were announced including resignations effective end- of-school-year or early summer months; retirements; new employments starting from next school year; transfers within roles or schools effective March end or beginning next school year; volunteer coaching assignments; extracurricular transfers among coaching staff positions etc..
Finally reported was Robert Terrel's student teaching assignment completion under Mrs Watson's third-grade classroom supervision while current student enrollment stands at2175as per March-end records
The next regular meeting is scheduled Wednesday May7following a study session set Wednesday April30both meetings commencing6pmheldDistrict Administration Center
