Kaneland board approves $4.2 million budget-reduction plan after heated public comment on counselors, librarians and KIPLA program

Kaneland CUSD 302’s Board of Education voted to approve a budget reduction plan and five‑year assumptions after two hours of discussion and public comment, passing the motion 6–0 with Dr. Lawler recorded as abstaining.

The approved motion — “that the Board of Education approve the 02/2025 to 02/1926 proposed budget reduction plan and the 5 year assumptions as presented” — was the most contested item on the agenda. President Gonzales called the vote after a lengthy public‑comment period in which parents, teachers and students urged the board to reconsider cuts to counselors, a certified library/media (LRC) director position and changes that would relocate the district’s KIPLA personalized‑learning program.

The board majority said the reductions are needed to address the district’s structural deficit. During discussion, board members and district leaders described outreach that preceded finalizing the proposal and acknowledged the difficulty of the choices. “We heard you,” President Gonzales told the public during discussion; several board members urged better earlier engagement and pledged future process improvements.

Public commenters pressed the board on specific staffing…