Illinois / School Boards / Murphysboro CUSD 186
High‑school chronic absenteeism decreased from 40% to 31% year‑over‑year; middle‑school chronic absenteeism improved from 47% to about 25.7% after PBIS initiatives. Administrators said failing to serve detentions and tardies remain the largest discipline challenges.
Illinois / School Boards / Murphysboro CUSD 186
At its Jan. 26 meeting the Murphysboro board approved consent minutes and bills, accepted multiple resignations and retirements, approved hires, and approved facility/security contracts including a buildingwide door‑control system and a sports coverage contract.
Illinois / School Boards / Murphysboro CUSD 186
School officials told the board Jan. 26 that roughly $5.3 million in debt certificates will be needed to complete the Murphysboro High School gym; the board also discussed a proposed parking expansion that would add roughly 118 spaces but may require FEMA and federal permits and risk downstream flooding.
Illinois / School Boards / Murphysboro CUSD 186
Board members received a notice that custodian Kenneth White will retire Jan. 30, 2026, and a resignation from secretary Dana Batson effective Dec. 31, 2025; the board introduced motions to approve a new ELL aide and volunteer wrestling coaches but the transcript excerpt ends before final votes are recorded.
Illinois / School Boards / Murphysboro CUSD 186
The Murphysboro CUSD 186 board approved prior meeting minutes and reviewed district bills for December; several personnel notices were presented and the board introduced motions on hires and coaching volunteers, with some votes recorded and others not completed in the provided transcript.
Illinois / School Boards / Murphysboro CUSD 186
Architects told the Unit District 196 board that the high school woodshop dust collection system will be advertised for bid, with the district using health-life-safety funds and planning completion by Jan. 5, 2026.
Illinois / School Boards / Murphysboro CUSD 186
The board approved a one-year renewal of employee health insurance (Nov. 1, 2025–Oct. 31, 2026). District staff reported the insurer guaranteed a 10.5% increase after a claims review; family coverage rose and the district expects to absorb a substantial portion of the additional premium costs for the coming year.
Illinois / School Boards / Murphysboro CUSD 186
Unit District 196 voted to seek bids for a 3,600-square-foot middle school wellness center and health clinic to be staffed by Shawnee Healthcare. The project is budgeted with health-life-safety funds and is designed to improve ADA access and provide school-day primary care for students and community members during school hours.
Illinois / School Boards / Murphysboro CUSD 186
Board members heard that the high school gym construction is behind schedule and likely to miss its contractual Dec. 31, 2025 completion date; the contractor currently targets March 9, 2026. The board also approved a municipal advisory agreement with PMA Securities to help issue debt certificates for project funding.
Illinois / School Boards / Murphysboro CUSD 186
The Unit District 196 board accepted the 2024–25 audit. Auditors issued an adverse opinion because the district reports on a cash basis rather than GAAP accrual basis; the report contained one compliance finding about approval of automated time sheets for noncertified staff. District staff said they expect the issue to be resolved next year.