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The audio recording of the Manhattan School District 114 Board of Education meeting held on November 12, 2025, is now available. The meeting included several agenda items such as student recognition, superintendent and committee reports, a tentative tax levy for 2025, summative designations, and administrator updates.
Mrs. Kim Maher, Director of Communication, Development, and Safety, reported that an eleventh bus was added to the district's fleet on October 20th. This addition led to updates in routes and times. "While the buses are running less late, LW210 is still working to improve route time accuracy and information and direction accessibility for drivers and sub drivers. We are hopeful that this will help drivers accurately report delays so in turn, we can proactively and accurately communicate with our families," Maher said. She also mentioned a recent presentation by LW210 PPS departments titled "Helping Your Child Navigate Grief," with resources available on the district website. Parent-teacher conferences were scheduled for November 24th and 25th.
Maher thanked the PTO for organizing events such as Trunk-or-Treat, school dances, classroom parties, and a Read-a-Thon fundraiser: "An incredible amount of time and effort goes into planning, coordinating, and executing all of these events and we appreciate the dedicated volunteers that make it all happen!"
Mrs. Cheryl Donovan, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, noted that the Illinois School Report Card is now live. She highlighted staff participation in professional development activities covering instructional coaching, data analysis, art education, and MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports). Donovan thanked staff for preparing students for the ACT 8/9 assessment administered to eighth graders on October 29th: "Thank you to our staff for preparing for and administering the assessment. Thank you to Lincoln-Way West for their support in both preparing for the assessment and for sending support on administration day." She referenced ongoing efforts to align teaching practices with state literacy initiatives.
Mrs. Julie Hantson, Director of Special Education, announced that Student Services Night is set for April 16 at Wilson Creek School. The district has been notified about an upcoming ISBE Special Education Compliance Visit scheduled for the 2027–2028 school year. Hantson also reported remediation steps being taken regarding preschool least restrictive environment requirements.
Ms. Cari Rohe from Wilson Creek detailed recent student activities including character trait awards at assemblies, field trips to the fire department as part of safety month activities, Halloween celebrations with family involvement, literacy curriculum reviews during professional development days, hands-on science studies in preschool classrooms focused on trees and bread-making units, as well as parent education programs.
Mrs. Elise Kirk from Anna McDonald Elementary expressed appreciation toward local firefighters who provided safety presentations: "Thank you to our Manhattan Fire Department for coming out and teaching our 2nd and 3rd grade students about fire and battery safety." Kirk highlighted after-school clubs such as music/choir club and math magicians club; she also thanked volunteers who helped organize Halloween events.
Mr. Ryan McWilliams from Manhattan Intermediate reviewed building maintenance preparations ahead of winter—such as servicing boilers—and discussed plans to enhance security by adding cameras at certain locations. He thanked staff involved in academic support programs like homework club: "Students can stay after school and get work done in a quiet space or get any extra help needed."
Mr. Vince Perillo from Manhattan Junior High described Veterans Day tributes organized by students with performances from music ensembles: "The students of MJHS...hosted our Veterans Day Program to show MJHS’s gratitude to our Veterans." He recognized staff contributions across various ceremonies held during the event.
Other topics included PreACT testing results expected in January; athletic program updates; Red Ribbon Week participation promoting healthy choices; library book fairs raising funds; booster club fundraising efforts; community service projects like Candy Buy Back supporting troops overseas; among other school-wide initiatives.
Manhattan School District 114 represents Will County schools including Anna McDonald Elementary School, Manhattan Junior High School, and Wilson Creek Elementary School (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). According to state data published by ISBE (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/), the district employs approximately 94 teachers earning an average salary of $53,290 per year before pension contributions; over ninety percent are women while fewer than nine percent are men; no teacher had more than ten absences last year.
Demographically (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/), about eighty-eight percent of students identify as White while nearly nine percent are Hispanic; Black students represent just over one percent while Asian students account for less than half a percent.
In fiscal terms (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/), Manhattan School District 114 spent $14,213 per student in 2020 with total expenditures reaching $23 million.
