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Minooka board approves multiple resignations, hires and leaves of absence for 2025–26
Summary
The board accepted multiple resignations across transportation, custodial and support staff, approved leaves of absence (recorded as 'Family Medical Act (FMLA)') for two employees, and approved certified and support staff hires and a large slate of extracurricular sponsor and volunteer appointments for 2025–26.
The Minooka Community High School District #111 board on Aug. 20 accepted multiple resignations, approved leaves of absence and confirmed a range of new hires and extracurricular appointments for the 2025–26 school year.
The board recorded resignations including several bus drivers (Cynthia Martinez; Amber Naser; Joan Coop; Sandra Olmos; Oriana Zaragoza; Wendy Thompson), a custodian (Haylee Pehlke), a library aide (Sarah Lemke), an assistant athletic director (Paige Schoolman), a special education aide (Ashlee Veleker), an administrative assistant to the principal (Mary Hamiti) and a campus monitor (Karla Jacobs). The board approved accepting the resignations by motion with no objections recorded.
Leaves of absence: the board approved leaves pending proper documentation under the Family Medical Act (noted in the minutes as 'Family Medical Act (FMLA)') for Teacher Robert Swanson (approx. Aug. 11, 2025–Feb. 28, 2026) and Transportation Director David Barrett (approx. Aug. 11, 2025–Nov. 28, 2025).
Hires and appointments: the board approved the employment of certified staff Jacob Karp (first‑year probationary world language teacher, BA+15/Step 1) and multiple support staff hires including Anthony Galba, Natalia Walsh, Herminia Marsh and Joseph Anderson as bus drivers/aides and William Thurn as Bus Lead Mechanic (effective Aug. 11, 2025 at $40.00 per hour). The board also approved a large slate of extracurricular volunteers, assistant coaches and band volunteers for the upcoming year.
Procedure: motions to accept resignations, approve leaves and confirm hires were moved and seconded as recorded; votes on employment items were recorded as carried with aye votes by Kooi, Spivey, Juskiewicz, Hoyt and Hrechko where noted.
Why it matters: the personnel actions affect day‑to‑day operations (transportation staffing, athletics, classroom coverage) and the district’s ability to start the school year with assigned personnel. The leaves and emergency driver arrangements aim to cover staffing gaps.
What’s next: the district will complete background checks and finalize hire paperwork where approvals were contingent on favorable documentation.
