Mokena School District 159 Board of Education Meeting | October 15, 2025

The Mokena School District 159 Board of Education’s October 15, 2025, meeting was marked by several contentious votes and robust debate over district spending and policy. The board approved an increased budget for a new storage shed at the junior high school, bringing the total cost to $176,000. The 5-2 vote followed a sharp discussion about the use of referendum funds versus addressing the district’s projected budget deficit. More details on the shed project are available in our full story.

In another significant move, the board passed three new agreements with its teacher and classified staff unions aimed at alleviating a persistent bus driver shortage. The pacts will allow the district to offer paid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) training and pay stipends to employees who volunteer to drive buses for school routes and activities. These measures also faced opposition over cost concerns but ultimately passed. A full report on the union agreements is also available. Additionally, the board accepted its clean annual financial audit for fiscal year 2025 and celebrated receiving the state’s highest financial recognition score.

Student Artists Honored
The board began its meeting by celebrating six student artists from across the district. Honorees included Violet and Victoria Brown from Mokena Elementary School, two students named Fiona from Mokena Intermediate School, and Andrew and Laya from Mokena Junior High. The students presented projects ranging from abstract self-portraits and shoe designs to school t-shirt concepts and detailed cross-contour paintings. The board also recognized retiring MES art teacher Steve Hippleheuser for his years of service.

“Volley for the Cure” Raises Over $3,400
The district’s recent “Volley for the Cure” event was a major success, raising $3,484.76 for the Mokena Cancer Support Center. Michelle Math, who organized the fundraiser, was thanked for her efforts. All proceeds from the event will directly benefit the local cancer support center, which provides resources for community members.

Three Veteran Educators Announce Retirement
The board approved the retirements of three certified staff members, effective at the end of the 2029-2030 school year. The retiring educators are Mokena Elementary School 3rd Grade Teacher Katherine Barr, MIS Interventionist Marlo Burbage, and MES Speech-Language Pathologist Heather Sullivan. Board members thanked them for their many years of dedicated service to the district’s students.

School Improvement Plans Presented
Principals from Mokena’s elementary, intermediate, and junior high schools presented their School Improvement Plans for the 2025-2026 school year. Common themes across the schools included a continued focus on improving student writing proficiency in both English Language Arts and math. Other goals included enhancing collaborative practices among teachers, analyzing student data to inform instruction, and strengthening the school-home connection to build a stronger community.

Tax Levy and Communication Concerns Raised in Public Comment
During public comment, Mokena residents Christina Graves and Erin Min addressed the board. Graves expressed concern about the upcoming 2025 tax levy, noting that homeowners have seen steady tax increases and asking for greater transparency on how additional funds would be used. Min focused on improving district communication, suggesting more consistent information across platforms, the use of QR codes for event signups, and creating more opportunities for two-way dialogue with the community.