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Norris School District 160 approves multi-year science curriculum purchases and clears personnel slate
Summary
The Norris School District 160 board approved multi-year purchases for K–2 and grades 3–8 science curricula and voted to approve a slate of certified and classified personnel recommendations; board members also reviewed bond outreach plans and timelines.
The Norris School District 160 Board of Education voted to approve a set of science curriculum purchases and accepted multiple personnel recommendations during its regular meeting.
District administrator (speaker 12) asked the board to approve three science purchases: Mystery Science for kindergarten through second grade (seven‑year), a one‑year biology update (identified in the packet as 14233), and Inspire Science for grades 3–8 (seven‑year). The presenter said the grand total for the Inspire/grades 3–8 package is $166,008.16 and that the district would split that cost into three payments, the first for $83,409.29 due this month, with further payments scheduled in September and a final payment in 2027.
“We're seeking the approval of Mystery Science tonight,” the district administrator said when introducing the package for consideration.
Chair (speaker 1) announced the board had approved the purchase requests and moved the meeting forward. The transcript records affirmative responses from members present but does not contain a roll‑call ledger of individual votes.
On personnel, the board considered and approved certified and classified personnel matters presented by an administrator (speaker 13). Items included a sabbatical for Kate Dornbos, a one‑year leave request for Carly Spileneck, a hire of Cadence Roderson as a third‑grade teacher, John Kaczmarek as technology integrationist, and several reassignments and classified hires (including Brittany England as high‑school nurse and Taylor Slama as middle‑school administrative assistant). The presenter explained that some halftime roles had been shifted to meet enrollment and staffing needs.
The board also reviewed the consent agenda — minutes, claims and routine reports — and approved it by voice vote as recorded in the meeting transcript.
Board members discussed upcoming bond outreach and public events tied to the May 12 bond election, including an open house the following evening and several town‑hall meetings in nearby communities. Staff noted increased web traffic to the district bond pages and described a postcard/mail outreach effort to remind residents to vote.
What happens next: curriculum payments will be processed according to the schedule presented, and personnel hires will be added to district records. The district will continue bond outreach through open houses and town‑hall meetings in the run up to the May 12 election.
