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Kewanee CUSD 229 board approves probation and tenure list and multiple personnel changes
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Summary
At its March 16 meeting the Kewanee Community Unit School District No. 229 board unanimously approved the district's 2026-27 probation and tenure list and a slate of resignations, retirements, hires, leaves and transfers; all personnel motions passed on unanimous roll-call votes.
The Kewanee Community Unit School District No. 229 Board of Education on March 16 unanimously approved its 2026-2027 probation and tenure list and a series of personnel actions following recommendations from Superintendent R. Baney.
Mrs. Baney recommended approval of the probation and tenure list; Member Christiansen moved to approve and Member Dev seconded. The roll call vote recorded Members Dev, DeBord, Christiansen, Salisbury, Steffen, DeMay and President Jeff Johnson voting aye and the motion carried.
The board also accepted several resignations effective at the end of the 2025-2026 school year or immediately, including Cassandra Douglas (Belle/Lyle principal), Joseph O'Shea (KHS math teacher), Jacob Bartok (Belle teacher), Brooke Down (KHS assistant tennis coach) and Cassandra Young (Central custodian). The board approved the retirement of Lindy Richardson, Central custodian/security assistant, effective March 30, 2026. Superintendent Baney presented these actions and the board voted to approve each item on unanimous roll calls.
A slate of hires was approved for the 2026-2027 school year and current openings: Olivia Lewellen (KHS English teacher and KHS assistant tennis coach), Jennifer Grebner (part-time KHS math teacher/instructional coach), Ismael Martinez (substitute bus driver), Amanda Brody (bus aide), Noah Moraski and Terry Eggimann (district custodians), Willie Terry (KHS assistant golf coach), Bailey VanWinkle (ROE Irving 21st Century student aide), and several ROE Irving 21st Century teaching positions. Mrs. Baney noted all hires are contingent upon appropriate certification and qualifications.
The board approved leaves of absence (including maternity leaves for Julie Fristad and Chelsea Stout), several staff transfers (for example, Coessa Rusk from Neponset paraprofessional to Central front door security; Latisha Hodge moving to bus aide/bus driver in training), and volunteer approvals, including Andrew Welgat as a KHS baseball coach. The board also rescinded an offer of employment to Amy Monroe (part-time custodian), approved hiring Danika Calvin as a school counselor, accepted Heather Olalde's resignation as color guard advisor, and approved Tom Baney as a volunteer for Group Interpretation.
The board conducted each vote on these personnel matters by roll call; minutes show unanimous affirmative votes on motions as recorded. The meeting adjourned at 8:18 p.m.