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The audio recording of the Manhattan School District 114 Board of Education meeting held on October 8, 2025, is now available to the public. The meeting covered a range of topics including visitor comments, superintendent and committee reports, fall benchmark data, and updates from school administrators.
Mrs. Kim Maher, Director of Communication, Development, and Safety, highlighted recent safety initiatives in the district. She noted that during the Teacher Institute Day on September 24, "Our SRO Team contributed to our safe learning spaces strategic goal work. The entire district started their day at MJHS where Officers Bernardy and Beauchamp addressed the staff about the role of the SRO, our Manhattan-specific program, and how they are able to support both staff and students of Manhattan School District 114." Maher also reported successful evacuation and lockdown drills conducted in partnership with local fire and police departments: "For the law enforcement drills, the Manhattan Police Department coordinated with Will County dispatch to measure and assess the amount of time between the pressing of the lockdown alert button at the schools and the response at 9-1-1. One of the schools had dispatch connected to the MPD in just 17 seconds! They also checked the doors of every classroom during the lockdown."
Maher updated families on transportation communication improvements: "While some of our transportation challenges remain, we are now able to communicate to individual bus routes at all four schools." She also described progress in mentoring new teachers: "Our new teachers and their mentors have met at least three times so far... New teacher check-in meetings will take place each trimester throughout year 1." Regarding fundraising efforts, she stated: "For the 2nd year, our PTO is sponsoring a Read-A-Thon Fundraiser... allowing them to decrease the number of fundraisers throughout the year."
Mrs. Cheryl Donovan, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, shared details about student assessments: "All students participated in fall benchmarking." She added that data meetings were held with teachers to review results and set goals for student growth. Donovan thanked instructional specialists for leading professional development sessions related to literacy instruction: "MSD114 4th-8th Grade staff participated in professional development Session I: 'The Why' behind the Illinois Comprehensive Literacy Plan." On math curriculum changes she said: "Part of our adoption includes support from Great Minds... The leadership team and staff are encouraged to ask questions as we learn together."
Mrs. Julie Hantson reported that over two dozen staff members completed CPI training focused on de-escalation strategies for supporting students’ emotional regulation. She announced an upcoming Student Services Night scheduled for April 16, 2025.
School administrators provided building-level updates. Ms. Cari Rohe from Wilson Creek Elementary described recent assemblies promoting character traits such as respect and highlighted a visit by Regional Superintendent Dr. Caparelli-Ruff who read a Dr. Seuss book to students.
At Anna McDonald Elementary School, Mrs. Elise Kirk reported participation in national events like Rock Your School Day as well as local field trips designed to enhance social studies lessons. She acknowledged ongoing efforts by teachers implementing new math resources: “A major shoutout to all of our teachers implementing Eureka Squared.”
Mr. Ryan McWilliams shared news from Manhattan Intermediate School regarding technology upgrades in classrooms—specifically improvements made by Mrs. Ramsey—and praised staff for adapting well to new curriculum requirements.
At Manhattan Junior High School (MJHS), Mr. Vince Perillo & Mrs. Gina Burlison detailed academic data reviews among teaching teams as well as extracurricular activities including athletics tournaments and music concerts planned for later this fall.
According to publicly available data from the Illinois State Board of Education, Manhattan School District 114 encompasses Anna McDonald Elementary School, Manhattan Junior High School, and Wilson Creek Elementary School within Will County boundaries (Fact 1). The district employs approximately 94 teachers earning an average salary slightly above $53,000; most are women (91%) while men comprise about nine percent; there are no teachers with more than ten absences per year (Fact 2). Demographically,the student population is predominantly White (87%), with smaller percentages identifying as Hispanic (8%), Black (1%), or Asian (<1%) (Fact 3). In fiscal terms,the district spent $14,213 per student in total expenditures during fiscal year 2020 (Fact 4).
The next Board meeting will continue discussions around academic performance data analysis alongside ongoing safety measures across campuses.
