Mt. Pulaski Special Board Meeting Summary
The Mt. Pulaski CUSD #23 Board of Education held a special meeting on Friday, September 25, 2026, to continue discussion regarding the future of the Mt. Pulaski Grade School construction and renovation project. The meeting included significant public participation, presentation of a new potential construction option, and additional discussion regarding how the district can best address instructional, special education, safety, and facility needs while remaining within the district's approximately $20 million project budget.
A New Construction Option Presented
Prior to public comment, Superintendent Jason Spang addressed the large crowd in attendance and acknowledged the concerns and frustrations that had developed regarding the perceived direction of the Grade School project.
He explained that administration had been working with Graham & Hyde Architects to develop an alternative plan designed to address concerns raised by teachers, parents, administrators, and Board members.
The new concept would construct a Junior High addition at Mt. Pulaski High School, consisting of approximately 12,600 square feet and including eight instructional spaces — seven classrooms and one larger room that could potentially serve as a science lab.
Preliminary estimates place the high school addition at approximately $7.3 million, with additional project and soft costs of approximately 3.9 million. Combined with extensive renovations at the Grade School, the preliminary total project cost is approximately $19.7 million, which would remain within the district's $20 million construction budget.
Under this option, the previously discussed new gymnasium at the Grade School would be eliminated, allowing additional resources to be directed toward renovations and improvements throughout the existing Grade School building. Superintendent Spang recommended that the Board strongly consider this alternative and shared that both building principals support the concept.
Community and Staff Input
Several Grade School teachers addressed the Board during public comment and shared concerns regarding the current building and the priorities for the renovation project.
Teachers emphasized the district's established improvement priorities, including student-centered learning, safety and security, highly qualified staff, communication, and growing resources for the district's growing special education population.
Specific concerns included:
Teachers currently sharing classrooms and instructional spaces.
Conference rooms being used as office space.
Concerns with bathroom facilities.
Some classrooms with accordion walls that provide limited privacy and noise reduction.
Limited space for specialized equipment and student services.
Proximity between special education classrooms and sensory spaces.
Accessibility and safety concerns for students with mobility and sensory needs.
Several speakers also stated that while a new gymnasium may have previously been viewed as desirable, improvements already made to the existing Grade School gym have reduced the need for an additional gym compared with other instructional and facility needs.
Additional public comments focused on the importance of improving safety, accessibility, classroom functionality, and communication throughout the planning process. Speakers encouraged the Board to continue seeking input from teachers and building leadership as decisions regarding the project move forward.
Board Discussion of the Revised Plan
The Board then continued discussion regarding the Grade School project and the newly presented High School Junior High addition.
Several Board members had recently toured the Grade School and shared that seeing the building firsthand provided additional perspective on concerns raised by staff.
Board members discussed the potential advantages of relocating Junior High classrooms to the High School, including:
Creating additional instructional space within the Grade School.
Increasing opportunities for Junior High students to access High School electives and programs.
Allowing more of the available construction funding to be directed toward Grade School renovations.
Reducing site-development costs at the high school compared to those at the Grade School.
The preliminary $19.7 million concept also includes renovation work such as relocating the Grade School office to the east side of the building and reconfiguring portions of the existing "pod" area.
Board members emphasized that their goal remains to make decisions that will serve students and the community for many years while protecting taxpayer dollars.
Some members expressed enthusiasm for the Junior High addition at the High School, while others indicated they still believe additional new construction at the Grade School should remain under consideration. The Board agreed that both concepts deserve continued study before a final direction is selected.
The Board also requested a more detailed timeline from Graham & Hyde Architects for the revised concept. No official board member vote took place during the special meeting. The district will continue developing renovation plans and evaluating the available options before making a final decision.
Grade School Intercom and Safety Improvements
The Board also discussed the Grade School's malfunctioning intercom/PA system.
Because the issue involves student and staff safety, the district expects to be able to use Health Life Safety funding to replace the system. Administration is working with the district architects, the Regional Office of Education, and a vendor to address the problem as quickly as possible.
Moving Forward
The special meeting provided an opportunity for teachers, administrators, Board members, and community stakeholders to openly discuss the needs of the Grade School and potential solutions for the district's long-term facility plan.
The Board will continue working with administration, Graham & Hyde Architects, and CORE Construction to refine the available options while considering instructional needs, special education services, safety, future growth, and the district's financial commitment to completing the project without increasing the tax rate.
The Board did not enter executive session because the necessary discussion had taken place in open session. The meeting adjourned at 6:59 p.m.