Minooka Community Consolidated School District 201 Board of Education met Feb. 23.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
Stephen Blount
Emily Conquest
Thomas McGowan
Jennifer Monson
Adam Shainberg
Katherine Tonelli (arrived at 6:01 p.m.)
ABSENT:
Ed Cronin
1. Call to Order Regular Meeting
1.01 Roll Call
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by President Emily Conquest. Roll call was answered as indicated. Others present were: Rachel Kinder, Tiffany Staab, Sarah Massey, Mary Robinson, Aaron Souza, Nick Jakusz, Gina Ruggeri, Jeff Pacholski, Julia Lowry, Terri Underhill, Erika Martinez, Teri Leuer, Sarah Monroe, Monica Schild, Megan Grandon, Melissa Huffman, Heather Lamb, Jennifer Lindsey, CJ Marchi, Lisa Holic, Tammy Herrera, Bill Lipke, Jason Finkelstein, Matthew Tomczyk, Nicole Thompson, Dana Rudnicky, Gina & Mike Schmidt, Ron & Sherry Schmidt, Ciolkosz Family, Perez Family, Ward Family, Shepherd Family, Offerman Family, Andrade Family and Lori Shanholtzer.
1.02 Pledge of Allegiance
1.03 Approval of Agenda
Moved by Shainberg, seconded by Blount to approve the agenda as presented. Aye: Shainberg, Blount, McGowan, Monson, Shainberg, Tonelli, Conquest Motion Carried
2. Public Comments and Recognitions
2.01 Students of the Month
Julia Lowry presented the students of the month from Minooka Intermediate School. Nikki Thompson presented the students of the month from Minooka Junior High School.
2.02 Boy’s Basketball Team
Coach Blan presented the Boy’s Basketball Team to the Board and they were recognized.
2.03 Public Comments
None
3. Consent Agenda
Moved by Monson, seconded by McGowan to approve the list of bills, Treasurer’s report, minutes from the January 26, 2026 regular board meeting and February 10, 2026 special board meeting, destruction of the closed session recordings from February 2024, personnel report, FOIA requests, E-Rate Cabling, Acceptance of Donation – Jones PTO Outdoor Learning Space, Catalyst for Educational Change Strategic Planning Services, Photography Services Contract Extension, Memorandum of Understanding for Mutual Aid Assistance In Response to Crises In The Public and Private Schools of Will County, Illinois as presented.
Aye: Monson, McGowan, Blount, Shainberg, Tonelli, Conquest
Motion Approved.
4. Action Items
4.01 Approval of Contract Extension with Gallagher (formerly Assured Partners) Moved by Shainberg, seconded by Blount to approve the Contract Extension with Gallagher (formerly Assured Partners) as presented.
Aye: Shainberg, Blount, McGowan, Monson, Tonelli, Conquest
Motion Approved.
5. Discussion and Information Items
5.01 2026-2027 Staffing Recommendations Update
Director of Human Resources Sarah Massey shared the district staffing plan of hiring a Spanish Teacher at Minooka Junior High. She stated that it is not the final staffing plan, only part of it since this position is hard to fill. Once the additional staffing is finalized she will bring it to the Board.
5.02 Strategic Planning Process
Superintendent Rachel Kinder shared information regarding the Committee of Whole meeting (Strategic Planning) that was held before the regular meeting. She stated we are ready to roll the plan forward to the Steering and Stakeholder teams. (information on the Strategic Planning Process can be located in the electronic board packet).
6. COMMUNICATION
6.01 Administrative Reports
Rachel Kinder, Superintendent reported:
• Highlighted Principals board reports and stated they are bringing learning to life in addition to all the family engagement we have.
An exciting project with Minooka Junior High School with the Village of Minooka, students are creating a mural at Veterans Park.
PTO’s are very busy with all they do in our schools.
March 7, 2026 Early Learning Screening
The Teacher Institute will be on February 27, 2026 and included will be the District Reunification at Walnut Trails School.
Tiffany Staab, Assistant Superintendent reported:
Reported March 4, 2026 will be the first SEPAC parent meeting.
Adrianne McKerrow, Academic Office reported:
Collaborating with Principal Finkelstein on a new course for Technology that will Build Relevant Learning aligning with our vision and implementation will occur in Fall 2025.
6.02 Board Topics
Board Member Stephen Blount stated Erika Martinez did a great job on all of the district’s family engagement activities.
Board President Emily Conquest encouraged families, staff and students to complete the strategic planning survey.
7. Executive Session
Moved by Shainberg, seconded by Tonelli to go into closed session to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, and/or dismissal of employees, negotiations, the purchase of real property, confidential student matters, and/or litigation. Motion Carried at 7:16 p.m.
Aye: Shainberg, Tonelli, Blount, McGowan, Monson, Conquest
Motion Carried
8. Action as a result of Executive Session
none
9. Adjournment
Moved by Tonelli, seconded by Blount to adjourn the regular meeting at 7:49 p.m. Aye: Tonelli, Blount, McGowan, Monson, Shainberg, Conquest Motion Carried at 7:49 p.m.
https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1774880617/min201org/ylmq5v50yncgvdax9mos/2-23-2026RegularMeetingMinutes.pdf
