New school design approved

PC Board President John Wilken, left, and member Ben Stoller shown Thursday in Fairbury.

A building design has been approved by members of the Prairie Central Board of Education for the future elementary facility planned for a location along Seventh Street in Fairbury.

Representatives from BLDD Architects and Vissering Construction were present at last Thursday’s regular board meeting to present information.

“The entire process has been very educational,” observed PC Superintendent Brian Quam.

Damien Schlitt of BLDD gave the board a booklet of the design, explaining the design phase of the project is about three-quarters of the way done. The overall site plan is familiar to early concepts, though there have been shifts related to traffic patterns and a setback from Seventh Street. The plan is to get cars off of the street.

“There have been easy and hard decisions both ways,” admitted Schlitt.

The importance of keeping different traffic flows separated has been included throughout the design. Two playgrounds are intended for K-4 students while PreK gets its own playground directly accessible from that wing. A dry bottom retention area is also planned.

“We worked really hard with Vissering for simplifications,” explained Schlitt.

A secure entry is included in the building with a main entry point where students enter from buses. Smaller areas have been created so kids know where they are while effectively getting access to shared resources. Plans call for a large gym, secondary gym and a stage which is elevated. For performances, the audience would sit in the small gym with the main gym serving as a backstage area.

Different pods for certain grades allow for small group activities, cubbies, teacher workspaces and sensory areas. An art space and mini library serves Kindergarten and first grade. Furnishings have not yet been finalized but a nook was created at the front of a room with windows allowing daylight to enter.

“It’s an elementary school, it should be exciting and welcoming,” adds Schlitt.

An outdoor courtyard in the back is still under design and the second and fourth grade pod gives an opportunity for an outdoor covered area.

A large space for gathering will be observed by visitors to school activities.

“Everyone who comes to this building will experience this space,” noted Schlitt.

The main gym will serve as a storm shelter as the roof will have a concrete deck.

“That is a huge storm shelter,” noted board member Ben Stoller.

The building can be secured during events, according to Superintendent Quam.

Michael Slagel from Vissering said the plan includes 110,000 square feet and they are at $56.3 million for the elementary school.

“We think we are on track with our budget,” said Slagel.

“The best people we have available are working on it,” stated board president John Wilken, referring to the project.

BLDD is looking for permission to continue to the construction document phase of the project, hoping to go out to bid at the end of April. Beyond that, Vissering will be running the bidding process.

Also at Thursday’s Prairie Central Board of Education meeting, the board heard updates on storm repair work which is underway following December severe weather. Work started on the junior high gym roof in Forrest on Feb. 2 and the high school cafeteria roof in Fairbury was damaged as well, which has been submitted to insurance. An emergency resolution was authorized for the high school roof to expedite repairs.

The board learned about a recent teacher institute which went smoothly.

“It was a fantastic day,” recalled Jenifer McGowan, K-6 director of curriculum and instruction.

This month’s board education spotlight was on the district preschool program with Shannon Fuhr giving the presentation. Fuhr is PC’s preschool coordinator and serves as principal at Primary West in Chenoa.

She explained Preschool for All is a state-funded program for three and four-year-olds. Fuhr described Early Childhood Special Education, blended classrooms and general education. They are monitored by the state every other year.

“Preschool is not just all about play – their day is scheduled to the minute,” Fuhr explained.

Primary West in Chenoa received gold, the highest standard, while Primary East in Chatsworth received silver. Screenings were just finished for both east and west and the state now wants screening data from within six months of starting. Combined, PC has around 150 preschool students.

Under old business, the 2026-2027 school calendar was approved as presented. The year starts Aug. 24 and May 27 is the last day with no snow days used. Institute will be in April rather than February and Nov. 3 may be a non-attendance day due to Election Day if the state approves that as a holiday once again.

A bid was approved for 63 acres of farm ground north of the high school for $307 per acre from Ty Welborn. This is a one-year lease.

Fuel bids will be opened for 45,000 gallons of diesel with a March 2 bid closing at 11:30.

Trips were authorized for the softball team to participate in a tournament at Jacksonville, Illinois on March 27, the FFA to participate in a state contest and the junior high student council to attend a convention in Springfield.

Minutes were approved for the Jan. 15 regular meeting and Jan. 26 special meeting.

The consent agenda was authorized, which included the activity fund report, bills, café and financial report, permission to begin the budget year and permission to pay bills.

The following individuals were approved for employment:

■ Heidi Legner, PCUE 6th Grade Teacher, 26-27 School Year.

■ Taylor Robinson-Wallarab, PCE Head Custodian, Immediately.

■ Jean Karr, UE Head Custodian, Immediately

■ Samantha Johns, JH PE, 26-27 School Year.

■ Windsor Roberts, UE PE, 26-27 School Year.

■ Nikolaus Hanson, HS Ag, 26-27 School Year

■ Bethany Doran, HS Special Ed., 26-27 School Year.

■ Tim Aberle, HS English, 26-27 School Year

■ Stephanie Aberle, Speech Language Pathologist, 26-27 School Year.

Board members approved the following resignations/retirements:

■ Stephen Hartke, JH Dean/AD, Effective at the conclusion of the 25-26

school year.

■ Britini Gerdes, PCE Paraprofessional, Effective Immediately.

■ Gracie Kerns, PCE Teacher, Effective at the conclusion of the 25-26

school year.

■ Leesa Friedmansky, PCPE Interventionist, Effective at the conclusion of

the 25-26 school year.

■ Miranda Reynolds, PCHS Teacher, Effective at the conclusion of the

25-26 school year.

■ Melissa Haller, UE Teacher, Effective at the conclusion of the 25-26

school year.

Leaves were approved for:

■ Shelby Shroba, PCE Custodian, Leave of Absence until June 30, 2026.

■ Rebecca Casson, PCPW Teacher, Leave of Absence beginning February

5, 2026 for 4-6 weeks.