Crete Public Schools board approves consent agenda; superintendent flags construction and technology costs

The Crete Public Schools Board of Education approved the consent agenda at its November 2025 regular meeting, accepting minutes, claims, staff adjustments, the treasurer’s report and a policy on final read.

Dr. McDowell, the district superintendent, walked trustees through several items on the claims list, including a $266,794.40 payment tied to the athletic scoreboard and a $300,000 donation that helped cover the project. She told trustees the district has paid nearly all costs on the roughly $2.3 million athletic complex and is withholding about $263,000 — roughly the final 10 percent — until outstanding work is completed.

She also identified a quarterly payment of $21,622.79 for the school resource officer agreement, an annual data‑warehouse contract of about $51,600, and dual‑credit payments to Southeast Community College totaling $33,424.64, of which roughly half has been paid from course revenue. On staffing, Dr. McDowell noted the district contracts a speech‑language pathologist, Ranen Sweetak, on a 1099 basis; that classification affects benefits and tax withholding.

Dr. McDowell summarized the only substantive change in the policy presented on final read: language required by the federal government clarifying how travel paid with federal funds must be handled. She offered to answer questions before the board voted.

Greg Holman moved to approve the consent agenda; a trustee identified as Vince seconded the motion. Roll call votes recorded the motion as approved with affirmative votes from Conway, Holman, Kreachey, Koontz and Mok.

The board did not remove items for separate consideration and took no separate action on individual claims beyond the vote to accept the consent agenda as published.

The next regular board meeting is scheduled for Dec. 3 at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom.