Frankfort School District 157-C Meeting | September 2025

The Frankfort School District 157-C Board of Education unanimously approved its fiscal year 2026 budget on Tuesday, projecting a healthy surplus in its operating funds. The board also held a detailed discussion on major changes to state assessment benchmarks, which will require the district to develop new criteria for placing students in advanced courses for the 2026-27 school year. For more information, please see our full-length stories on these topics.

Additionally, the board adopted a new state-mandated framework for career and post-secondary readiness and heard from the superintendent about a new partnership to project student enrollment over the next five years.

Family School Partnership Reports $70,000 Contribution
Theresa Larkin, President of the Family School Partnership (FSP), provided the board with an update on the organization’s activities. Last year, the FSP gave back over $70,000 to the district, funding initiatives such as Family Nights, DARE, Field Day, assemblies, teacher appreciation week, and class party supplies. Larkin encouraged community members to get involved by attending monthly FSP meetings.

District Approves Bills Totaling Over $3 Million
The board approved the payment of bills for the period of August 13 to September 16, 2025. The non-salary and benefits expenses totaled $962,416. The board also ratified payroll expenses for August 15 through August 29, 2025, which amounted to $2,054,523. The grand total of approved expenses was $3,016,940.

Landscaping Contract to be Decided Next Month
Director of Business and Operations Dr. LeeAnn Taylor reported that the district received five proposals for its landscaping and lawn maintenance contract. The lowest responsible bidder was Bill’s Landscaping, the district’s current partner. Dr. Taylor recommended renewing the contract with Bill’s for three years, with two optional one-year extensions. The recommendation will be brought to the board for a formal vote next month.

Safety Drills Scheduled for Fall
Superintendent Dr. Doug Wernet announced that the district will conduct mandated active threat response drills this fall. In partnership with the Frankfort Police Department, School Resource Officer Tom Mineo will lead “Run, Hide, Fight” lessons for students in October. A school-wide drill to practice the response will be held at each school on November 10. Parents will have the option to opt their children out of the lessons and drill.