Board approves insurance, staffing and curriculum items; trustees reconstitute leadership

Kaneland CUSD 302 trustees approved a series of business items and personnel resolutions at the April 28 special and regular meetings. Key outcomes included a 3% health-insurance premium increase, a formally authorized reduction in force for specific special-education support staff, and funding for a major set of curricular adoptions.

Elections and organization - Board reorganization: The board elected its officers for the coming year: Bob Mankivsky was elected board president (motion carried 7-0), Darren McCauley was elected vice president (7-0), Julie Orfield was elected secretary (7-0), and Dr. Jackie Bogan was elected treasurer (7-0). Trustees also approved regular board meeting dates and committee structure for 2025–26 (7-0).

Health insurance renewal - The Board approved the health-insurance renewal recommended by the district’s benefits committee: a 3% premium increase for the 2025–26 plan year and continuation of the district’s four-tier premium structure. Roll call recorded seven ayes; motion carried 7-0.

Reduction in force (support staff) - The board approved an "honorable" reduction in force affecting four paraprofessionals assigned to special education support roles. Administrators explained the reduction reflects timing differences between annual staffing snapshots and students’ IEP determinations; staff who are RIF'd have recall rights for one school year and the district expects to recall positions as IEPs and staffing needs are finalized. Motion carried by a 7-0 roll call.

Curriculum adoptions and funding - Trustees approved a package of curriculum adoptions and subscriptions for next year, including a recommended K–5 math adoption and other K–12 materials. The total funding approved for these adoptions was $886,058.07 (six votes in favor, with one board member not recorded as voting on that item). District staff explained the K–5 math program would be a six-year contract and that purchasing upfront reduced the multi‑year cost compared with a year-by-year lease.

Other business - Consent agenda items — including April accounts payable and payroll, prior meeting minutes, personnel reports, the Fox Valley Career Center agreement, Mid-Valley classroom use and an activity van purchase — were approved on a 7-0 roll call. - The student handbook was approved on first reading for 2025–26; trustees voted to accept the handbook changes (first reading approved by roll call).

Why it matters: These approvals set the district’s operational and instructional priorities and budgets for the coming year: health‑benefit costs were managed with a small premium increase recommended by the district’s benefits committee; curriculum spending will be concentrated in math, world language and exploratory materials; and the RIF action enacted legally required staffing changes while preserving recall rights for affected paraprofessionals.

Votes at a glance (selected recorded tallies): - Agenda approval (special/regular): 7–0 (roll call) - Consent agenda (accounts payable, payroll, personnel, agreements): 7–0 - Board officer elections (president, vice, secretary, treasurer): each 7–0 - Board meeting dates and committee structure: 7–0 - Health insurance renewal (3% premium increase): 7–0 - Honorable reduction in force (4 paraprofessionals): 7–0 - Curriculum adoptions/funding ($886,058.07): motion carried 6–0 with one member not recorded as voting (per roll call) - Student handbook (first reading): approved by roll call

No votes were taken on the Sugar Grove Crown TIF legal briefing at this meeting; that matter remains under consideration.

Ending: Trustees adjourned after scheduling a closed session for attorney–client matters and personnel discussions.