Meeting Summary and Briefs: Frankfort School District 157-C for August 12, 2025

The Frankfort School District 157-C Board of Education focused on future planning during its meeting on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, with a detailed presentation of its 2025-2026 Annual Plan. The plan includes initiatives to study artificial intelligence, enhance school security, and boost staff retention. The board also approved a tentative Fiscal Year 2026 budget projecting nearly $48 million in revenue. For more detailed information, please see our full articles on the Annual Plan and the tentative budget.

District to Study Enrollment Trends
The board voted 4-0 to approve a $15,500 contract with RSP and Associates to conduct a community demography study. Superintendent Dr. Doug Wernet explained the study will provide a five-year enrollment projection to help the district plan for future capacity needs related to community growth. All board members were supportive of the recommendation.

Schools Ready for New Academic Year
Administrators reported that the district is fully staffed and prepared for the 2025-2026 school year. Over the summer, all inspections were completed, and Grand Prairie Elementary School received new playground equipment, surfaces, and fencing. The technology department deployed over 1,000 new devices to staff and students and updated an additional 2,700 student machines. The first day of school is August 21.

Board Approves Personnel Report
The board unanimously approved a personnel report that included numerous new hires ahead of the school year. New staff members include Virginia Bulleri as a Spanish Teacher at Hickory Creek Middle School, Barbara Callaghan as an Instructional Aide at Grand Prairie Elementary School, and Brandi Roderique as a Special Education Teacher at Chelsea Intermediate School, among several other paraprofessionals, a custodian, a school nurse, and an accounting clerk.

District to Seek New Electricity Provider
Dr. LeeAnn Taylor, Director of Business and Operations, informed the board that the district’s electricity supply contract with Direct Energy expires on November 30, 2025. Citing rising energy prices, she said the district will seek approval in September to hire Nania Energy Advisors to conduct a live reverse auction to procure a new electricity contract.

Special Education Budget Accepted
The board formally accepted the tentative 2025-2026 budget for the Lincoln-Way Area Special Education District 843. Dr. LeeAnn Taylor noted that district expenditures are projected to increase by 5%, which is within the budget. Board member Ann Zaremba mentioned that member districts may receive a refund if actual services used are less than projected.

District Responds to FOIA Requests
The district reported it had received and responded to two Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests within the required timeframe. The requests were from the Will County Gazette for the last five years of student graduation lists and from an individual, Steve Watts, for information on current staff salaries.