Board Approves Window Blind Contract and Financial Abatement for IMRF

Mokena School District 159 Meeting | January 21, 2026

Article Summary: The Mokena School District 159 Board awarded a $136,400 contract for window blind replacements and approved a $50,000 abatement from the Working Cash Fund to address a deficit in the IMRF/Social Security Fund. The board also discussed future capital projects including roofing and flooring.

Facilities and Finance Key Points:

• Construction Contract: Sypur Construction was awarded the bid for window blind replacements across the district at a cost not to exceed $136,400.

• Deficit Reduction: The board approved a resolution abating $50,000 from the Working Cash Fund to the IMRF/Social Security Fund to help alleviate a deficit identified in the annual audit.

• Cost Breakdown Request: Administration was asked to include total project costs, including engineering and architect fees, in future action items rather than just the contractor’s bid amount.

• Future Projects: Information was presented regarding upcoming roof replacements at MES and MIS, as well as flooring updates scheduled for the summer of 2026.

Mokena, IL — The Mokena School District 159 Board of Education took action on several financial and facility improvements during its Wednesday, January 21, 2026, meeting, including awarding a six-figure contract for facility upgrades and moving funds to shore up a deficit.

The board voted to award a contract to Sypur Construction for the 2026 District-Wide Window Shade Replacement Project. The contract amount is not to exceed $136,400. This project was identified in the district’s Capital Improvement Plan for the summer of 2026.

During the discussion, Board Member Kelli MacMillan requested that future agenda items include a more comprehensive financial picture.

“If we could get… a line item for what the engineering and architect or other ancillary… things that are allocated with this on there,” MacMillan requested, noting that the contractor’s fee is not the total cost the district incurs for such projects.

In financial matters, the board approved a resolution to abate $50,000 from the Working Cash Fund to the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF)/Social Security Fund (Fund 50). According to the administration, this fund has been in a deficit for the past three fiscal years.

“This transfer will help alleviate some of that deficit for this year,” MacMillan noted, clarifying that while helpful, the measure does not fix the structural problem identified by auditors. “I hope that we will continue to take the measures that we don’t have a deficit in Fund 50 as soon as possible.”

The board also approved the annual list of depositories, confirming Midland States Bank and PMA Financial Solutions as the district’s financial partners. However, questions were raised about the age of the agreements, with a request for the district to establish a schedule to evaluate banking alternatives every three to five years to ensure competitive services.

Chief School Business Official Dr. Teri Shaw also provided information memos regarding future capital projects, including roof replacement and restoration at Mokena Elementary School (MES) and Mokena Intermediate School (MIS), and flooring projects slated for Summer 2026.