Meeting Summary and Briefs: Crete-Monee School District 201-U for March 16, 2026

Crete-Monee School District 201-U Meeting | March 16, 2026

The Crete-Monee School District 201-U Board of Education met on Monday, March 16, 2026, to vote on major financial and personnel decisions. The board unanimously rejected a $503,448 tax levy abatement to protect district reserves, awarded a $364,800 flooring contract for the middle school, and received a prestigious presentation from state officials regarding the district’s trailblazing kindergarten readiness program.

For comprehensive details on these topics, please read the full standalone articles. Other notable actions and reports from the meeting are summarized below.

Annual Personnel Restructuring and Dismissals:
As part of its annual spring personnel restructuring, the board approved several resolutions regarding staff employment and dismissals. The board unanimously approved a resolution authorizing the honorable dismissal of certain educational support staff for economic reasons for the 2025-2026 school term. According to the resolution, affected staff members include several Cadre Teachers at Crete-Monee High School, Crete-Monee Middle School, and the Early Learning Center. In a separate personnel action, the board approved a resolution to dismiss non-tenured certified administrators, which passed despite a dissenting “Nay” vote from Dr. Todd C. Hall. Dr. Hall also voted “Nay” on the overall personnel report.

District Anticipates State Cell Phone Policy Mandate:
Board President Maurice Brown informed the board that a legislative update from the district’s attorney group indicated that a state-mandated cell phone policy is on the horizon. The expected legislation will likely restrict student cell phone usage from “bell to bell” during the school day, with implementation required by 2028. The district will utilize the state’s PRESS Plus policy update service to draft the necessary local regulations.

Good News Videos Highlight School Improvement and Black History:
Superintendent Dr. Kara Coglianese presented two videos highlighting recent district successes. The first showcased the district’s recent School Improvement Day, featuring a keynote presentation on Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) by Dr. Anthony Muhammad. The second video provided a recap of Black History Month celebrations across all district buildings, including a student-led Black History Fair at the high school, a live Black History Wax Museum at Balmoral Elementary, and an interactive “Battle of the Houses” at the middle school.

Board Tours Kankakee Bridges Program:
During old business, board members reported on a recent visit to Kankakee to tour the district’s Bridges CTE (Career and Technical Education) program. Board members praised Kankakee administrators for a comprehensive overview of the program’s tiered structure, noting they hope to implement similar vocational and technical education strategies to continue growing Crete-Monee’s own CTE offerings.

PBIS Coordinator Contract Approved:
The board unanimously approved a Memorandum of Agreement establishing a 200-day contract for the district’s PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) Coordinator. According to the personnel report, the reclassified position carries an annual salary of $88,767, supplemented by additional stipends totaling nearly $20,000.