PAXTON — The renovation and remodeling of Paxton-Buckley-Loda High School’s science lab might be added to the school district’s list of facility maintenance projects for this summer.
During the school board’s monthly meeting on Wednesday, March 11, interim Superintendent Jon Kilgore advised the board that “there has been some past and recent years’ donations specific to the science-lab renovation, and we are working with a company that has done some past projects to give us some ideas and some (cost) estimates (for the project).”
Kilgore said he would provide the board with more detailed information once received.
Interim Superintendent Jon Kilgore, far-left, and Paxton-Buckley-Loda school board members look on during their monthly meeting on Wednesday, March 11, in the board room at the unit office in Paxton, from left: Jason Rust, Brittney Maulding, Dawn Bachtold, Josh Mullins and Grant Kleinsteiber.
Kilgore said incoming Superintendent Eric Bohm, high school Principal Hannah Eshleman, Director of Buildings and Grounds Dave Bachtold and science teachers have all been involved in the project, sharing their ideas.
“We kind of like some of the ideas that have initially been shared,” Kilgore told the board, “but we’ll have many more details and maybe some designs for you to look at, hopefully at the next board meeting. I just wanted to give you a heads-up that it could — if it all works out — be a summer project.”
In January 2025, the school district unexpectedly received a $100,000 donation — possibly the largest single donation in local school district history — to help fund the project, which will include “upgrading equipment, improving safety features and creating a more modern, collaborative environment for students and teachers,” former Superintendent Travis Duley said at the time.
The board approved an updated summer maintenance project list during the March 11 meeting.
Other business
Also during the meeting held in the board room in the unit office at 700 W. Orleans St. in Paxton:
— The board approved placing an amended version of the school district’s budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year on public display and set a public hearing on the amended budget for 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 13, in the board room at the unit office. The amended budget is available for public inspection at the unit office.
— The board approved an $8,300 contract with Russell Leigh & Associates to complete the school district’s audit for fiscal year 2025-26, which ends June 30.
— The board tabled its approval of the renewal of an intergovernmental agreement between the school district and Paxton Park District allowing the use of school district facilities for park district programs. Kilgore said the current one-year agreement expires April 1, so he hopes to meet with park district officials in upcoming weeks to “see if there’s anything we need to amend, or just roll it over into a new one.”
— President Dawn Bachtold said the school district’s spring break is March 23-27. Bachtold also notified the board of an updated spreadsheet of Freedom of Information Act requests.
— The board briefly reviewed a Title I school-parent/family compact and engagement policy.
— The board approved a consent agenda, which included the approval of donations, seniority lists for 2025-26 and Illinois High School Association membership renewal for 2026-27.
— The board took no action on an agenda item regarding the “non-renewal of certificated personnel” for the 2026-27 school year.
— The board approved the hiring of a fifth-grade teacher and a payroll specialist and recording secretary; the termination of the employment of Brian Swanson as junior high school custodian; and the resignation of Paul Meuser as driver’s education instructor, effective April 3, plus Lisa Allen as high school special education teacher, Bruce Wachowski as high school athletic director, and an assistant high school cheerleading coach.