Knoxville Community Unit School District #202 Board of Education met Oct. 27
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
The Board of Education of Community Unit School District #202, Knox County, met in a regular meeting duly called and held October 27, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. at 809 East Main Street, Knoxville, Illinois, which is within the boundaries of said District. The President called the meeting to order and directed that the roll be called. Upon roll being called, the following members were found to be present:
Mr. Clayton, Dr. Harshbarger, Mr. Hillery, Mr. Ratermann, Mr. Stevens, Mrs. Young, Mrs. Rose
Recognition of Visitors: Dr. Andrew Brooks, Carrie Brooks, Kristy Kirgan, Barb Thompson, Angie Hillier, Chad Clevenger, Jon Newcomb, Tom Hoehn, Brad Mecum, Alyssa Mecum, Dan Mc Vey, Jonathan Reed, Nate Fretz, Todd Cyrulik, Mallory Tolley
Also present were: Jeff Whitsitt, Jodi Grace, Kelli Nelson
2. Public Comment
Darcy Young – Mrs. Young asked the board members and audience to take a moment to remember former board member, Rebecca McCracken. Mrs. McCracken passed away on October l 0th. Becky dedicated ten years to the Knoxville School District. She took pride in her work with the school district, community, staff and students.
Alyssa Mecum – Mrs. Mecum spoke to the board members regarding her concerns and frustrations with district transportation.
Dan Mc Vey – Mr. Mc Vey also spoke to the board members regarding his concerns and frustrations with district transportation.
3. Special Presentation
Todd Cyrulik, BLDD Architects – Mr. Cyrulik provided a brief update on the Health Life Safety projects.
4. Consent Agenda
It was moved by Member Harshbarger and seconded by Member Ratermann to Approve the Consent Agenda as presented – Meeting Minutes, Financials and Personnel.Â
AYE: Dr. Harshbarger, Mr. Ratermann, Mr. Clayton, Mr. Hillery, Mr. Stevens, Mrs. Young, Mrs. Rose
NAY: None
Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.
5. Administration Reports
5 .1 President Report – President Rose also acknowledged the passing of former board member Rebecca McCracken. She acknowledged her longevity and dedication to the school district. The district will plan a dedication for Mrs. McCracken in the near future. President Rose also discussed the delegate assembly voting recommendation for the annual meeting of the Illinois Association of School Boards. The meeting will be held November 22, 2025 during the Joint Annual Conference in Chicago.
5.2 Superintendent Report – Mr. Whitsitt presented and discussed the district audit to the board members. The audit was conducted by Lauterbach & Amen LLP. He also discussed the need to seek bids for up to six (6) school buses that will be returned via lease at the end of the school year. Mr. Whitsitt will work with the transportation director to determine the district needs. The approval of the bid will be held during the December board meeting. There was a brief presentation regarding in town bus routes. The district transportation and routes will continue to be a topic of conversation until a decision is made regarding the inclusion or exclusion of those in town bus routes ( or variations). Mr. Whitsitt also discussed the upcoming tax levy. He explained the projected EAV from the county clerk that will be used to determine the tax rate. Next month he will discuss the remaining fund requests and extensions and present a tentative levy to be approved at the December board meeting. The Illinois State Report Card has been released and all three (3) district buildings were named “Commendable” for the 24-25 school year. Mr. Whitsitt also shared the good news that the district will be receiving an additional $113,721 in transportation funds due to amendments following a review of the claims report.
6. New Business
It was moved by Member Young and seconded by Member Stevens the Approval of the $1 ,650 donation to the KHS Boys Basketball Program from Brad Turner, Knoxville Youth Basketball Program.
AYE: Mrs. Young, Mr. Stevens, Mr. Clayton, Dr. Harshbarger, Mr. Hillery, Mr. Ratermann, Mrs. Rose
NAY: NoneÂ
Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.
It was moved by Member Harshbarger and seconded by Member Young the Approval of the van donated to the KHS FFA from the Friends of the Knoxville FFA.
AYE: Dr. Harshbarger, Mrs. Young, Mr. Clayton, Mr. Hillery, Mr. Ratermann, Mr. Stevens, Mrs. Rose
NAY: None
Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.
It was moved by Member Clayton and seconded by Member Stevens to Amend Item# 6.3 and grant Duane Ratermann the authority to vote on the IASB resolutions at the IASB Delegate Assembly with their independent discretion based on the consensus of the Knoxville CUSD #202 School Board on November 22, 2025 and any discussion had on each resolution at the 2025 IASB Delegate Assembly.
AYE: Mr. Clayton, Mr. Stevens, Dr. Harshbarger, Mr. Hillery, Mr. Ratermann, Mrs. Young, Mrs. Rose
NAY: None
Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.
7. Executive Session
It was moved by Member Young and seconded by Member Ratermann to move into Closed Executive Session at 7:25 p.m. pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(l) the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee of the public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity.
AYE: Mr. Stevens, Mr. Hillery, Mr. Clayton, Dr. Harshbarger, Mrs. Young, Mr. Ratermann
NAY: None
Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.
It was moved by Member Ratermann and seconded by Member Rose to move into Open Session at 8:03 p.m.Â
AYE: Mr. Ratermann, Mrs. Rose, Mr. Clayton, Dr. Harshbarger, Mr. Hillery, Mr. Stevens, Mrs. Young
NAY: None
Whereupon the President declared the motion carried.
8. Future Agenda/Discussion Items
Future agenda items include the following items:
Continuation of In-Town Bus Routes/Crossing Guards
2026-2027 Proposed Calendar
9. Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the Board, it was moved by Member Ratermann and seconded by Member Stevens that the meeting be adjourned. The President put the question to the Board and the motion was unanimously carried and the meeting was so adjourned at 8: 18 p.m.Â
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