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The Coal City Community Unit School District 1 Board of Education met during the week of August 4 to review and approve several items related to curriculum, staffing, and district policy.
Jennifer Kenney, director of curriculum and instruction, presented updates on new high school courses including Senior PE Leadership, Motion and Graphic Design, Sports History, Women’s History, US History through Film, and Abnormal Psychology. Kenney thanked the high school social studies department for their work in developing these offerings. “The new courses have been well received by students, and we look forward to the future of these courses,” Kenney said.
Luke Krippel, director of Student Services, reported that Illinois State Board of Education grants totaling $620,460 for Preschool for All, Title 1 and Title IV have been approved. IDEA Preschool and IDEA Part B grants totaling $457,072 are still pending approval.
The Board approved a series of revised district policies after final reading and discussion. Other approvals included renewal of the district’s contract with King Music for the 2025-2026 school year; a revised certified staff evaluation plan; an agreement with Bilingual Therapies to provide American Sign Language interpreting services; job descriptions for EL Coordinator and Interventionist; and Residency Verification procedures.
Resignations were accepted from custodian Madalyn Barajas as well as special education aides Rachel Fearday and Kelly Schmitt. New hires include Gabe Barla as a permanent substitute at the early childhood center; Allen Davis as high school custodian; Jamie Hughes as early childhood center custodian; Jennifer Macak as district custodian; Emily Perry as one-on-one special education aide at the middle school; Deanna Price as one-on-one special education aide at the intermediate school; and Stephanie Sarff as high school classroom aide.
Permanent substitutes Peggy Feeney (elementary/intermediate schools) and Michael Scott (middle/high schools) were reinstated. Paraprofessionals reinstated across various schools include Felicia Bohac, Kristina Lardi, Kathryn Long, Megan Blanton, Lauren Pratl, Tasha Nash, Calin Wolcott, Kloey Lind, Abigail Granger, Kara Olson, Lori Johnson, Jamie Bianchetta, Alicia Foote and Lorena Solecki at the early childhood center; Michelle Powers and Raquel Drinkwine at elementary school; Beth Babcock, Jody Jackson, Keegan Clampitt, Tammy Shepherd and Gina Pens at middle school; Sara Helland and Sarah Rowader at high school.
Leave requests were granted to Becky Bajt (Jan. 5-April 9) and Kelly Steichen (Aug. 11-Sept. 19). The resignation of high school assistant track coach Mark Masters was also accepted.
On recommendation from athletic director Brad Boresi: Payton Hutchings was named assistant varsity girls basketball coach while Jackie Mark was appointed assistant varsity volleyball coach. Volunteer positions were approved in football (Adam Rodriguez, Matt Long, Jack Dibble & Bob McMonagle), soccer (Colin Hart), girls tennis (Justin Hayse), golf (Tim Gabehart). Michelle Painter will transfer from assistant varsity volleyball coach to freshman volleyball coach.
Kenney also recommended teachers Betsy Cowherd, Mark Fiske, Aimee Wren, Sarah Veronda, Amy Siefken, Tricia Hall,Riane O’Donnell,B rad Schmitt ,Jackie Mark ,Mike Pfeifer,Sara Bohac ,Andy Leve,and Britt Harseim be mentors for the coming year.
Superintendent Chris Spencer reported that Natalie Pharo (Aurora University), Alexis Smith (Lewis University), Moree Harney (University of Phoenix),and Ashley Reszel (American College of Education) will complete student teaching or internship assignments within district schools under guidance from current staff members.
The next regular Board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday Sept. 3 with a study session set for Wednesday Aug. 27 in the Administration Center board room starting at 6 p.m.
Coal City Community Unit School District 1 serves Grundy and Will counties through its five schools: Coal City Early Childhood Center , Coal City Elementary School , Coal City High School , Coal City Intermediate School ,and Coal City Middle School . The district has a diverse student population that is predominantly White but includes Hispanic , Black ,and Asian students according to data from the Illinois State Board of Education https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/.
There are currently about 153 teachers in the district who earn an average salary just over $69K per year . Most teachers are women . Teacher attendance rates remain strong with no teacher exceeding ten absences annually https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/.
Per-student spending in fiscal year 2020 was approximately $21K out of a total budget exceeding $47 million https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/.
