District retirees honored at PC

Board members, those retiring and family members of retirees shown at Thursday's board meeting.

Retiring Prairie Central employees were recognized by the PC Board of Education during the group’s regular May meeting Thursday.

Those employees include: Kay Shols, Upper Elementary paraprofessional; Linda Walter, High School paraprofessional; Gina Weber, PC Primary East first grade teacher; Jessica Embrey, bus monitor; Charles “Chick” Harrell, Upper Elementary custodian; Chastity Pick, Upper Elementary media center teacher; Angie Maubach, Upper Elementary custodian and Paula Crane, superintendent.

Board President John Wilken presented the retirees with a parting gift and said a few words about each employee.

Also during Thursday’s meeting, teachers Carrie Small, Katie Taylor and Raquel Lawrence presented their Innovative Teacher grant projects which were completed this year. Each received a $500 grant for a proposed submitted project.

Small’s project focus was on coding.

“We are just introducing basic coding concepts, doing it in an unplugged way,” she explained.

Taylor held a reading challenge.

“It’s kind of like trivia night but all about books,” Taylor said.

Lawrence emphasized Earth Day and community service with her project.

“I really appreciate all of the team and you guys to provide us this opportunity,” stated Lawrence.

Brian Quam, director of curriculum, instruction and technology, informed the board of the recent Advisory Council meeting which was the final one of the school year. The council reviewed potential topics to be discussed next year along with meeting dates. They elected a new chair, high school science teacher Sarah Morris. The vice-chair position was left vacant.

Under old business, the board approved proposed changes to the student handbook to keep schools current with new legislative mandates. Principals Czerwonka, Bachtold and Wenger presented the student handbook proposals to the board last month. Handbook updates are based on the Illinois Principal’s Association Model Student Handbook.

Chenoa Mayor David Shane and TIF administrator for Chenoa, Gwen Crawford, discussed a proposal to extend one of Chenoa’s TIF districts for an additional 12 years. Board members had several questions about the TIF extension.

“It’s a way for us to develop our community,” explained Mayor Shane.

Chenoa established its TIF in 2007 and was to be in place for 23 years, meaning it currently expires in 2030. Chenoa is asking for 12 additional years to help businesses. Crawford said it is common to extend TIFs and hundreds have been extended in Illinois.

The City of Chenoa would have to get a letter of support from the school and other taxing bodies to get the extension.

“We will support the school but I think this is one way we can grow our community,” said Shane. “It’s not to take away from you guys, it’s to help us.”

Crane said if something new comes into that TIF district, all of the money would go to the city for the life of the TIF.

“School districts will often negotiate with TIF districts,” added Crane.

Board member Ashley Fehr asked if there was a way to get school district representation for the TIF matters in Chenoa.

“I’d appreciate that, to have input from another community,” said Shane.

Shane feels there are opportunities to continue to grow the commercial area in his city.

“Is this a yes or no question of the board or is it a negotiable thing?” asked Board President Wilken.

“There are so many gray areas. You can do just about whatever you want to do but it has to be from the beginning,” replied Shane.

The board seemed to be interested in supporting the growth in Chenoa but would like to do more research into how they can support the city while being good stewards of district tax money. They hope to have a decision by the end of the summer or next spring.

In another matter, the board hired Vissering Construction to manage construction of the new Pre-K through fourth grade building pending a negotiated contract. The Finance Committee will meet to discuss and negotiate a contract with the company.

PCJH Principal Amy Bachtold presented her School Improvement Plan to the board. This is required due to a state designation specifically focusing on the Hispanic population in the building and the plan prioritizes the chronic truancy rate, math scores and reading skills.

“Attendance is probably the hardest one for us to tackle,” noted Bachtold.

Board members approved the plan.

The Consolidated District plan was approved for submittal. The plan must be approved each year as it addresses the planning portion of a grant application process. Any district intending to submit an application for one of the 12 federal grants must have an approved CDP submitted and approved by the Illinois State Board of Education before submitting applications.

Goals addressed include student learning, learning conditions and elevating educators.

Overnight trip requests were approved for the high school FFA to the State Convention in Springfield June 10-12 and the Leadership Retreat in Lexington June 16-17.

Renewal was approved for membership in the Illinois Association of School Boards.

Stipends were discussed and approved to be active for the next school year based on enrollment in the following programs: freshman boys basketball, freshman volleyball, freshman football, junior high baseball and freshman baseball.

The final school calendar was approved for the present year, in case there are changes due to used emergency days.

The consent agenda was authorized, including the activity fund report, bills, cafeteria report, financial reports, CSFT reports, investment schedule and Treasurer’s report.

Minutes were approved from the April 24 regular meetings along with the April 28 special meeting.

Following an executive session, the board…

Approved the following individuals for employment:

Elena Bozan, HS Spanish teacher, including sign-on bonus, effective FY26.

Jeffrey Barnard, HS Dean of Students, effective FY26.

Jordan Hornickle, auxiliary JH girls basketball coach, effective FY26.

Angie Kratochvil, JH yearbook sponsor, effective FY26.

Lindsey Pickham, K-12 Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Technology, effective FY26.

John Edwards, auxiliary football coach, effective FY26.

Journey Mowery, auxiliary HS cheer coach, effective FY26.

Brandon Witkowsky, PCP West pm custodian, effective May 19, 2025.

Approved the following resignations/retirements:

Josh Clemons, HS social studies teacher, effective the end of FY25.

Josh Clemons, assistant football coach, effective the end of FY25.

Haley Jackson, UE paraprofessional, effective the end of FY25.

Angie Kratochvil, CARES Clowns sponsor, effective end of FY25.

Amanda Todd, PCJH paraprofessional, effective end of FY25.

Heidi Bahan, PCP West speech/language pathologist, effective end of FY25.

Mary Ann Harper, UE special education teacher, effective end of FY25.

Lisa Fuss, HS special education teacher with intent to retire at the end of FY29.