By: Jacob Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jacob@thevillagereporter.com
The Fayette Board of Education held their meeting on Monday, May 11, 2026, at 7 p.m. Board members Mat Johnson, Katie Link, Tiffany Johnston and Jason Kessler were present, while Merissa Kessler was absent.
The board first approved the April 2026 financial report before moving into administrative reports. Superintendent Belcher reported that registration for summer programming began May 1, with the program being offered through a collaboration between Fayette Schools, Normal Memorial Library and Community Education for Development. She also noted that the district is working to continue making a driver education program available to students at an affordable cost.
Treasurer Kelly Bentley reported that the district received four bids for the parking lot project and three bids for fire system improvements. She also said the district is preparing documents for the end of the school year and the FY26 closeout, while also attending a webinar regarding Maintenance of Effort funding for special education expenditures.
High school updates included the National Honor Society holding a Daddy Daughter Dance, with 60 girls attending, along with plans for year end Honor Roll parties. Student Council was scheduled to hold its annual Relay for Life on May 14, while the FFA attended the State Convention, where four members received their State FFA Degree. Spring sports tournaments have also begun.
Elementary updates included recognition of April Students of the Month during a May 1 assembly. Those recognized were Illa Henderson, Taleigh Miller, Audrey Colegrove, Ulises Perez Chavez, Mia Boggs, Vanessa Cruz, Evie Tuckerman and Addie Knierim. Right to Read Week is scheduled for May 18 through May 27, with a carnival and circus theme planned and a carnival set to conclude the week.
The board also reviewed a wellness report, which stated that 29 percent of employees had signed up for the Wellable App. February 2026 had the highest participation rate so far, at 25 percent.
Next, the board approved summer school for high school students from June 8 through June 26, from 9 a.m. to noon. Suzette Boesger was approved as a summer school instructor at a per diem rate for those dates. The board also approved the elementary summer school program, “Jurassic Journey Roar Into Reading,” which will be held from June 9 through July 23 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon.
Several staffing items were then approved, including the updated monthly substitute teacher and paraprofessional list from NwoESC for FY26. The board approved FMLA leave for Alissa Stockburger from May 13 through May 29, a one-year contract for Olivia Williams for FY27 and the resignation of Williams as school psychologist, effective July 31, 2026. A continuing contract was also approved for Jamie Johnson as elementary guidance counselor beginning July 1, pending proper licenses, background checks and reference checks.
The board also approved one-year supplemental contracts for the 2026-2027 school year, pending proper certification, background checks and reference checks. Approved positions included coaches for cross country, golf, volleyball, basketball, cheerleading and archery, along with summer youth baseball and softball volunteer coaches for spring and summer 2026.
Under agreements and policies, the board approved NEOLA tobacco use prevention policies and an artificial intelligence policy. The board also approved the GFTA negotiated agreement, effective August 1, 2026, through July 31, 2029.
The meeting was then adjourned at 7:26 p.m. The next regular meeting is currently scheduled for June 22, 2026.