Board hears enrollment info
- Fairbury News staff
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Enrollment numbers were presented to the Prairie Central Board of Education during the group’s regular September meeting in Fairbury.
Superintendent Brian Quam revealed the district currently has 1,707 students enrolled for the 2025-2026 school year. Comparing the past four years, the district is seeing a differing range of 33 students. There has been an enrollment plateau after a steady decline in previous years.
“It’s good to see where we are at,” said Quam.
According to Quam, classroom sizes are very manageable across the district.
“Right now, I feel we are in pretty good shape.”
Prairie Central Primary East Principal Brittany Masching gave an update on the school. Staff has discussed a parent involvement goal and some rules were established at a recent PTO meeting. Upcoming events include Fire Prevention Week in October along with a fire department assembly and fire drill.
“They’ll get to see the fire trucks and all of the equipment outside,” explained Masching.
The Chatsworth Halloween celebration returns in late October and events include a trunk or treat, downtown parade and hayrack rides. PCPE would like to do a whole school celebration at the end of the trimester on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving break.
Lindsay Pickham reviewed last month’s advisory council meeting. They reviewed the high school improvement plan and goals, ACT performance improvement and attendance. They also discussed a book study the junior high and high school are doing.
State funding was another talking point at last week’s Prairie Central Board of Education meeting. Quam noted the Illinois Association for School Administrators has been in talks with politicians.
“They did say the state budget is going to start shrinking,” Quam explained.
While state categorical payments have been better than in the past, there was a reduction in regular transportation and special education this year.
“That hurts us because we are rural and we have a lot of transportation.”
Quam said the federal government is the wild card as they have no idea yet on funding.
Superintendent Quam presented information on the Junior High and Upper Elementary mechanical systems. They are trying to get final numbers to determine final costs for heating and cooling at the Forrest school buildings. The district will be working with BLDD on this as they are already doing the new build at Fairbury. This is to make sure the overall management of the district’s heating and cooling systems can be under one umbrella.
A possible solution was discussed for the problem tile floor at the Junior High. Quam pointed to a moisture issue in the concrete which results in tile cracking. The floors have been patched for several years.
“The tile just doesn’t allow it to breathe,” admits Quam.
A carpet-like product which is a synthetic fiber could be the answer as it allows moisture to come through the fabric. Quam said universities and hospitals are using the product and PC will do a trial run near the Junior High locker rooms. A sample will be laid over Christmas break. The product is cloth, stain resistant and a noise reducer.
Under new business, the board approved the purchase of a 2019 activity bus from Midwest Transit. This would be a newer activity bus than the current one, which did not pass the safety inspection.
The review of policy for bullying and harassment was approved without any changes to the current policy.
Trip requests were approved for the FCCLA to Springfield for an officer conference, track to the state meet in May, boys golf sectionals and FFA trips to nationals.
Minutes were approved from the July 4 special meeting, Aug. 21 regular meeting and Sept. 11 special meeting.
The consent agenda was authorized, including the activity fund report, bills, café report, CSFT report and surplus disposal list.
The following were approved for employment by the board:
Alissa Birge, Paraprofessional JH, Effective Immediately.
Becky Schlabowski, HS Cafe, Effective Immediately
Gabby Zeedyk, Freshmen Class Sponsor, Effective Immediately
Madison Walker, HS Cafe, Effective Immediately
Erik Kurtenbach, JH 7th Grade Boys Basketball Coach, Effective Immediately
The following resignations/retirements were approved:
Tucker Hillier, Assistant HS Wrestling Coach, Effective Immediately
Kayl Hoffman, Bus Monitor, Effective Immediately
Jeff Maley, JH Boys Basketball, Effective Immediately
Shelby Johnson, PCE Paraprofessional, Effective Immediately
Ashly Mueller, Custodian PCJH, Effective Sept. 22, 2025
Joe Seiving, PCE Teacher, Intent to retire at the conclusion of the 2028 school year.
A maternity leave was approved for Kylie Bounds beginning Feb. 13. 2026.
