Meeting Summary and Briefs: Mokena School District 159 for December 17, 2025

Mokena School District 159 Meeting | December 17, 2025

The Mokena District 159 Board of Education met on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, to finalize the annual tax levy and review student achievement in the junior high STEM programs. The board engaged in a lengthy discussion regarding the district’s long-term financial health and deficit spending in the Education Fund before approving a $22.5 million levy. Other major actions included the approval of superintendent performance goals and a decrease in workers’ compensation premiums for the upcoming year. For more detailed accounts, see the standalone articles on the Tax Levy, STEM Spotlight, and Administrative Actions.

News Briefs:

District Novel List Expanded:
The board approved the addition of 11 new titles to the district’s official novel list. The books, which have been on display at the district office since November, include The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes, The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate, and Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga. The updates are part of an ongoing effort to modernize the curriculum and offer diverse reading options for students.

AI and Cyberbullying Policy Updates:
As an information item, the board reviewed PRESS Issue 120, which includes significant updates to student conduct and safety policies. Notable changes include a new legal definition of Artificial Intelligence and an expansion of the cyberbullying policy to prohibit the posting or distribution of “unauthorized digital replicas.” These changes are being implemented to comply with new state laws and will likely return for a formal vote in January.

Summer Hours Proposed for MCSA Staff:
Superintendent Robert Gurney presented a proposal for summer office hours for the Mokena Classified Staff Association (MCSA). If approved in January, district offices would be closed on Fridays from June 1 through July 31, 2026. Employees would work extended hours Monday through Thursday to maintain a full work week. The schedule is designed to begin after the last day of student attendance, currently set for May 29.

Transportation Dept. Reaches Full Capacity:
Transportation Director Ervin Walker reported that the district has successfully returned to operating all ten bus routes. He noted that student pickup and drop-off times at Mokena Elementary have significantly improved. All district drivers also completed mandatory First Aid and CPR certification this month. The report noted that two buses currently carry 54 students, the highest count in the district.

Technology “Reel Champion” Recognized:
The Technology Department named Sue Isdonas as this month’s “Reel Champion.” Director of Technology Lincoln Henson credited Isdonas with reporting the highest number of phishing emails in the district, helping to protect the network from security threats. Henson also informed the board that the district is beginning its E-Rate filing cycle to secure funding for server room battery backup replacements.

Student Services “Turkey Escape Room”:
Director of Student Services Megan Mundt highlighted a creative “turkey escape room” organized by MIS Special Education teacher Heather Green. Students solved math and logic puzzles to “rescue” a Thanksgiving dinner. Mundt also announced the release of the Student Services Winter Family Newsletter and noted the success of a recent regional summit on ISBE rules regarding student restraint and time-out procedures.