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Kewanee board approves broad personnel slate, affirms superintendent evaluation and signals contract talks
Summary
The board approved multiple resignations, retirements and hires (including long-term substitutes, transfers and a large set of summer-school staff), rescinded several earlier offers, and unanimously confirmed the superintendent’s annual evaluation, saying it will begin contract-renewal discussions ahead of the June 30, 2027 contract end date.
At its April 20 meeting the Kewanee CUSD 229 Board approved an extensive set of personnel actions recommended in closed session, including resignations, a retirement, new hires, transfers, long-term substitutes, student teachers and volunteers, and multiple rounds of summer-school staffing.
Superintendent R Baney presented the personnel slate. The board accepted several resignations (Emma Crofton; Zachary Murphy; Emma Ellenberger; Janith Holmes; Miriah Anderson) and the retirement of bus driver Pete Tanzillo effective May 19, 2026; all were approved by roll-call vote.
The board approved numerous hires for the 2026–27 school year across schools and functions (examples listed in the meeting minutes include teachers, paraprofessionals, custodial and maintenance staff, drivers, and coaches). The board also approved long-term substitutes, student teachers, and volunteers. All hires were recorded as contingent upon required certification and qualifications.
The meeting included multiple recorded summer-school hiring votes. The minutes show four grouped votes for summer staffing; three of those votes carried with a single abstention each: Vote #2 (Member DeBord abstained), Vote #3 (Member Dev abstained), Vote #4 (Member Salisbury abstained). Other votes on hires and personnel items were recorded as unanimous aye votes.
The board also approved actions to rescind three previously offered positions (Brissa Estrada, Kimberly Cummings, Amanda Brody) and approved several additional employment-date and staffing adjustments as listed in the minutes.
President Jeff Johnson told the board the annual superintendent evaluation was complete and read the board’s finding that "the Board is satisfied that the Superintendent is meeting all of the goals." The board voted to confirm the evaluation and to begin discussions to renew or extend Superintendent Baney’s contract, which currently ends June 30, 2027. That motion passed by roll call with all members voting aye.
Approved hires and staffing changes are contingent on required certifications and qualifications. The board adjourned at 8:48 p.m.
